Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

The place: Charlottetown. The year: 1864. The fathers paced nervously (or, at least, I imagine they were nervous). They knew why it was happening, and they understood their responsibility in the matter, but they just weren't sure how it was all going to turn out. And suddenly, everything was all right. Each part had done what it was supposed to. Congratulations were shared and, I am sure, cigars and some back-slapping. A new country was born!

The union of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario formed the Dominion of Canada. Charlottetown's heritage as the birthplace of the nation plays a continuing role in the city's economy and culture to this day. (Although it's interesting to note that PEI did not join Confederation until seven years later when it needed money to build a railroad, but I digress ….) There is the Confederation Centre of the Arts, which has several theatres and an art gallery; the Confederation Trail, a walking, hiking, cycling and jogging path that extends the length of PEI; the Confederation Bridge, which is the world's longest bridge (at 13 kilometers/eight miles) over ice-covered waters and connects the island to mainland Canada; the downtown Confederation Court Mall, where you don't pay the 10% provincial sales tax on most clothes and shoes; and Confederation Landing Park.

But don't think that Charlottetown is just about history. It's also about food! Charlottetown has more than 120 restaurants where you can eat all the seafood (think lobster, Malpeque oysters, and cultured blue mussels), and all the world-renowned PEI potatoes you want. And if you're really serious about seafood, you can't miss the PEI International Shellfish Festival, where you can catch all the action of the International Chowder Championship, the PEI Oyster Shucking Championship, and the Eastern Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship. Aw shucks, that's good fun!

With approximately 400 acres of parks, trails, and greenspace to offer nature buffs, Charlottetown is also about nature. And if you're here for the ocean, you can play in the surf on the red sand beaches, which surround the entire island of PEI. Or, if you prefer to stay dry, you can take in the ocean's salt spray walking along the boardwalk, which runs from Confederation Landing Park, along the waterfront, to the Victoria Park lighthouse.

There's so much to see and do in Charlottetown … and I didn't even mention the Charlottetown Festival or Anne of Green Gables"!

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