# PEI’s Best Fall Foliage Drive, and Where to Eat After Published 2026-10-08 by Lone Oak Brewing Co. Canonical: https://loneoakbrew.com/blog/peis-best-fall-foliage-drive-and-where-to-eat-after/ > There is no shortage of scenic drives on Prince Edward Island, but fall changes what makes a good route. In summer, the coast usually gets top billing. In Octob There is no shortage of scenic drives on Prince Edward Island, but fall changes what makes a good route. In summer, the coast usually gets top billing. In October, some of the best scenery moves inland. Maple, beech and other hardwoods turn the roadsides red, orange and gold, and PEI’s rolling farmland gives you long views across a landscape that looks completely different than it did a month earlier. If you have one fall day to explore, our pick is a loop through **central PEI’s Red Sands Shore**, combining Bonshaw and Strathgartney with the back roads around Appin and a detour to Victoria-by-the-Sea. It gives you wooded hills, one of PEI’s designated Scenic Heritage Roads, open farmland, red dirt roads and a small seaside village, without requiring you to spend the entire day behind the wheel. And when you’re done, you’re well positioned for dinner. ## **What is the best fall foliage drive in PEI?** **Quick Answer:** One of the best PEI fall foliage drives is through the central part of the Island, combining Bonshaw Hills and Strathgartney with Appin Road, McKenna-Appin Road and Victoria-by-the-Sea. The route mixes hardwood forest, rolling farmland, red dirt heritage roads and South Shore scenery, with easy access from Charlottetown. Prince Edward Island has three official coastal drives, and all three are worth exploring. But if the main goal is **fall colour**, we’d choose a more concentrated route through central PEI rather than trying to complete an entire coastal drive in one day. Tourism PEI specifically recommends the Island’s inland roads and Scenic Heritage Roads for foliage. Many of these routes pass through hardwood stands where branches arch over the road, creating the kind of red, orange and yellow canopy people are usually hoping to find on a fall drive. The full Central Coastal Drive is 253 kilometres. It’s an excellent way to see the Island, but you don’t need to cover all 253 kilometres to have a great foliage day. For fall, slow down and explore a smaller area. ## **When is the best time to see fall colours in PEI?** **Quick Answer:** PEI’s fall colours usually reach their brightest point around the second week to middle of October. The exact timing changes with the weather each year, but October is the month to plan around, with leaves often beginning to fall more heavily later in the month. There isn’t a date you can circle every year and guarantee peak colour. Temperature, wind and the growing season all affect when the leaves change. Some trees will be well ahead of others, and one part of the Island can look different from another. As a general rule, though, **early to mid-October is the window we’d target**, with mid-October often producing the fullest colour. That timing comes directly from Tourism PEI’s fall guidance, which consistently points visitors toward October, particularly the second week and middle of the month. If your schedule is flexible, check the weather before heading out. A sunny day after several cool nights can make an already-good drive considerably better. ## **The route: Charlottetown to Bonshaw, Appin, Victoria-by-the-Sea and back** **Quick Answer:** Starting in Charlottetown, head west toward Bonshaw and Strathgartney, continue into the Appin area to explore PEI’s wooded Scenic Heritage Roads, then make your way south to Victoria-by-the-Sea. From there, you can return toward Charlottetown and Stratford for dinner. This isn’t a route to rush. You could cover the basic loop relatively quickly, but that misses the point. Give yourself most of a day and leave room to pull over safely, walk a trail, take photos or follow a road simply because it looks interesting. A good fall day looks something like this: **Charlottetown → Bonshaw and Strathgartney → Appin / McKenna-Appin Road → Victoria-by-the-Sea → Stratford / Charlottetown** Here’s why each stop earns its place. ## **Stop 1: Bonshaw Hills Provincial Park** **Quick Answer:** Bonshaw Hills Provincial Park is one of the best places to add a walk to a PEI foliage drive. The year-round park has more than 18 kilometres of hiking and mountain-biking trails through hilly, wooded terrain, and it’s only about 25 minutes from Charlottetown. Your first stop isn’t far from the city. Bonshaw Hills is different from the flat coastal scenery many visitors associate with PEI. The park follows the West River through some of the Island’s hillier terrain, with more than 18 kilometres of trails ranging from easy to difficult. You don’t need to hike all morning. Even a short walk gives you a chance to get out of the car and underneath the foliage rather than watching it through a windshield. For visitors who want to turn the drive into more of an outdoor day, this is where we’d budget extra time. The park is open year-round. ## **Stop 2: Strathgartney Provincial Park** **Quick Answer:** Strathgartney sits next to Bonshaw and adds another 10 kilometres of wooded trails and some of the area’s best elevated views. Tourism PEI specifically highlights the park’s vistas when the fall foliage is at its peak. You don’t necessarily need to do a full hike at both Bonshaw and Strathgartney. Think of them as two opportunities in the same area. Strathgartney is particularly good if you want a higher vantage point over the fall landscape. Its wooded trail system connects with Bonshaw, and Tourism PEI describes the park as having some of the most scenic vistas among PEI’s provincial parks. If you’re doing the drive mainly for photography, it’s worth stopping. If you’ve already spent a couple of hours hiking at Bonshaw, you can keep this stop short and save your time for the back roads ahead. ## **Stop 3: Take the back roads toward Appin** **Quick Answer:** The Appin area is where this drive becomes a true fall foliage route. McKenna-Appin Road is one of PEI’s designated Scenic Heritage Roads, running through a mix of hardwood and softwood forest, winding hills, farmland and sections of overhead canopy. This is the section we’d build the day around. PEI’s Scenic Heritage Roads are narrow, unpaved clay roads preserved partly because of their natural and cultural character. Tourism PEI highlights their hills, curves, rural views and “tunnels” of foliage formed by native hardwoods including sugar maple, red maple, beech and red oak. **McKenna-Appin Road** is particularly well suited to a fall drive. The road system forms a rough T through southwestern Queens County. Its upper sections run through a mixture of hardwoods and softwoods with varying amounts of canopy. Farther south, the road becomes more open, winding and hilly, with views across farmland and spruce stands. This is not a highway shortcut. That’s precisely why you’re here. Slow down, watch for other vehicles, respect private property and be prepared for an unpaved surface. Conditions on clay roads can change with rain, so use common sense if the weather has been poor. There’s no prize for completing every back road. The goal is to enjoy the landscape. ## **Stop 4: Consider Currie-Farrar Road** **Quick Answer:** If road conditions and time allow, Currie-Farrar Road is another designated Scenic Heritage Road near the Appin area. Its 6.7-kilometre route includes spruce, hemlock, sugar maple and beech, along with elevated countryside and Northumberland Strait views. If you’re enjoying the Appin section and want more, this is the natural extension. Currie-Farrar runs between Green Bay, Appin Road and Route 246. Tourism PEI notes the variety of trees along the route as well as higher sections that open up views across the countryside toward the Northumberland Strait. That contrast is what makes this part of the Island so good in October. One minute you’re underneath a canopy of trees. The next, the road opens and you’re looking across fields toward the water. Again, these are clay country roads. Conditions matter. If it has been raining heavily, sticking to paved roads and spending more time at Bonshaw, Strathgartney or Victoria is a perfectly good Plan B. ## **Stop 5: Victoria-by-the-Sea** **Quick Answer:** Victoria-by-the-Sea makes a natural southern stop on a central PEI fall drive. The small Red Sands Shore village offers historic streets, coastal scenery and a chance to stretch your legs before heading back toward Charlottetown. After the woods and farmland, head toward the water. Victoria-by-the-Sea sits on PEI’s South Shore and is small enough to explore without an itinerary. Park the car and walk. The village has managed to retain much of its small-scale character in part because the Trans-Canada Highway bypassed it. The result is a compact community of older buildings, local businesses and waterfront views. In October, don’t expect July. Some tourism businesses across PEI reduce their hours or close for the season as fall progresses. Tourism PEI specifically warns October visitors to expect that. Check individual businesses before making them essential to your plans. But the village itself is the attraction here. Walk toward the water, look back across the surrounding countryside and enjoy the fact that October gives you room to do it without peak-season crowds. ## **What if you only have a few hours?** **Quick Answer:** For a shorter PEI fall foliage drive from Charlottetown, focus on Bonshaw and Strathgartney, then drive through the Appin area before returning to the city. You’ll still get wooded trails, rolling countryside and one of the Island’s designated Scenic Heritage Roads. Skip the urge to cram in more. PEI looks small on a map, which makes it tempting to build an itinerary that covers half the Island before dinner. A fall drive is better when you don’t. For a half-day version, we’d do: **Charlottetown → Bonshaw / Strathgartney → Appin / McKenna-Appin → Charlottetown** For a fuller day: **Charlottetown → Bonshaw / Strathgartney → Appin / McKenna-Appin → Currie-Farrar → Victoria-by-the-Sea → Stratford** The second version gives you the best variety. ## **Where should you eat after a PEI fall foliage drive?** **Quick Answer:** If you’re finishing this central PEI foliage loop near Charlottetown, Lone Oak Fox Meadow in Stratford is a convenient place to end the day. It’s a full-service restaurant at 167 Kinlock Road, just across the Hillsborough River from Charlottetown, with lunch and dinner service seven days a week. After several hours of driving, hiking and stopping every time the light hits the trees properly, you’re probably ready to sit down. If you’re following this route back toward the Charlottetown area, **Lone Oak Fox Meadow in Stratford** makes the most natural Lone Oak finish. The restaurant is open to the public and serves a full food and drink menu in a setting overlooking Fox Meadow Golf Course. It’s the kind of stop that works particularly well after a fall day outside: sit down, warm up and order dinner rather than trying to squeeze one more attraction into the itinerary. Fox Meadow is currently open seven days a week, although kitchen closing times vary by day. Reservations are recommended, particularly for groups. And if your plans bring you back directly into Charlottetown instead, Lone Oak has two other options: the **Lone Oak Brewpub on Milky Way** for a brewery-and-restaurant experience, or **The Oak Downtown on Great George Street** if you want to finish the day downtown. ## **Can you finish the drive at the Lone Oak Brewery in Borden-Carleton?** **Quick Answer:** Yes. If you’re continuing west rather than returning to Charlottetown, Lone Oak’s Brewery and Taproom in Borden-Carleton is another natural finish. It’s located in Gateway Village near the Confederation Bridge and combines the brewery, taproom, food, retail and an indoor golf simulator. This is the alternative we’d choose if your day is taking you west, you’re staying closer to Summerside, or you’re leaving PEI via the Confederation Bridge. The original Lone Oak Brewery and Taproom is at **103 Abegweit Boulevard in Borden-Carleton**. There’s a full taproom and kitchen, Lone Oak beer, a retail outlet with beverages and merchandise, and Grab & Go service. There’s also a private Trackman golf simulator for groups of up to 12, served with food and drinks from the taproom. So if the October weather stops cooperating halfway through your foliage day, you have a pretty good indoor backup plan. ## **Is the Central Coastal Drive worth doing in fall?** **Quick Answer:** Yes. PEI’s official Central Coastal Drive covers 253 kilometres through the Green Gables Shore and Red Sands Shore, combining beaches, cliffs, farmland and communities. For a foliage-focused day, however, we’d explore a smaller section and include inland Scenic Heritage Roads rather than trying to complete the entire route. If you have more than one day, absolutely explore farther. The Central Coastal Drive reaches both PEI’s north and south shores, with places like Cavendish, North Rustico, Victoria-by-the-Sea and the countryside between them. But there’s a difference between **a scenic drive in fall** and **a drive specifically for fall foliage**. For the latter, trees matter. That’s why we’d prioritize Bonshaw, Strathgartney and the Appin back roads. You still get classic PEI farmland and South Shore scenery, but you spend more of the day where the autumn canopy is strongest. Save the full coastal route for another day. ## **What should you bring on a PEI fall drive?** **Quick Answer:** Bring layers, comfortable walking shoes, water, a charged phone and a camera. If you’re planning to drive PEI’s unpaved Scenic Heritage Roads, check the weather first and be prepared to change your route if road conditions are poor. October weather can change quickly. A few things make the day easier: - Dress in layers, especially if you’re combining driving with hiking. - Wear shoes that can handle damp trails and clay roadsides. - Fill up before heading onto the back roads. - Download your route or map before leaving. - Give yourself more daylight than you think you’ll need. - Check operating hours for any business you specifically want to visit. - Don’t stop your vehicle in the roadway for photos. - Treat farms, fields and wooded properties as private unless clearly marked otherwise. Most importantly, leave some flexibility in the schedule. The best part of a PEI fall drive is often the road you hadn’t planned to take. ## **Is PEI worth visiting in October?** **Quick Answer:** Yes, especially if you’re interested in fall colours, hiking, scenic drives and a quieter Island experience. October brings fewer peak-season crowds and some of PEI’s strongest fall colour, although visitors should expect cooler weather and reduced hours at some seasonal attractions and businesses. Summer gets most of the attention on PEI. October deserves some of it back. The beaches are quieter. The roads are quieter. The forests are anything but. If you time your visit around the second week to middle of October, build your day around the Island’s inland roads rather than racing from attraction to attraction, and leave enough time to get out of the car, you’ll see a side of PEI that’s easy to miss in July. Start in Charlottetown. Walk the hills at Bonshaw or Strathgartney. Take your time through Appin. Follow the colour south toward Victoria-by-the-Sea. Then finish somewhere warm, with dinner and a local beer waiting. That’s a pretty good October day on Prince Edward Island. ### Frequently Asked Questions About PEI Fall Foliage Drives **1. When is the best time to see fall colours in PEI?** PEI’s fall colours typically become most vibrant around the second week to middle of October. Timing varies slightly each year depending on temperature, rainfall and other weather conditions. **2. Where is the best place to see fall foliage in PEI?** Some of the best fall colours are found inland, where PEI’s hardwood forests create dense red, orange and yellow canopies. Bonshaw, Strathgartney and the Scenic Heritage Roads around Appin are particularly good areas to explore. **3. What is the best fall foliage drive in PEI?** A great central PEI route runs from Charlottetown through Bonshaw and Strathgartney, continues along the scenic roads around Appin, then heads toward Victoria-by-the-Sea before returning toward Stratford and Charlottetown. **4. How long does a PEI fall foliage drive take?** Allow at least half a day if you want to stop for photos, take a short hike and explore communities along the way. The drive itself can be completed more quickly, but rushing defeats much of the purpose. **5. What are PEI Scenic Heritage Roads?** PEI’s Scenic Heritage Roads are historic Island roads recognized for their distinctive landscapes and cultural character. Several pass beneath mature tree canopies and through farmland, making them especially beautiful during fall. **6. Where can I hike to see fall colours in PEI?** Bonshaw Hills Provincial Park and Strathgartney Provincial Park are two excellent options in central PEI. Both offer wooded trails that let you experience the autumn colours away from the road. **7. Is Victoria-by-the-Sea worth visiting in the fall?** Yes. Victoria-by-the-Sea adds a coastal village stop to a central PEI fall drive. Keep in mind that some businesses in smaller tourism communities operate seasonally, so check current hours if you have a particular stop in mind. **8. Can you do a PEI fall foliage drive from Charlottetown?** Yes. Charlottetown is an excellent starting point because Bonshaw, Strathgartney, Appin and Victoria-by-the-Sea can all be incorporated into a manageable day trip before returning toward Stratford and Charlottetown. **9. Where should you eat after a PEI fall foliage drive?** If you’re following a central PEI loop back toward Charlottetown, Stratford is a convenient place to stop. Fox Meadow offers a full-service restaurant overlooking the golf course. Travellers continuing west toward the Confederation Bridge can instead stop in Borden-Carleton. **10. What should I bring on a PEI fall road trip?** Bring layers, comfortable footwear, a camera or phone and clothing suitable for changing weather. If you’re planning to hike, proper walking shoes are worthwhile, and it’s always a good idea to check weather, trail conditions and restaurant hours before leaving.