port-la-joye - fort amherst national historic site of canada

Fort Amherst has amazing walking trails and the view of the Charlottetown Harbour is next to none. Lots of exciting historic adventures here...

we spent a couple of hours here - but there wasn't much to see unless you walked. (we had a picnic) we also spent some time on the beach because the tide was out. the site could be developed more.

I had to rate this only "Average", although for the most part, I enjoyed my experience of visiting the Port-la-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site. The location is basically one big walking trail. There's a few stations with information about the historical significance of the location. The real attraction here is the beautiful, beautiful views of Charlottetown and Charlottetown Harbor. I was there on a gorgeous October afternoon, and it was incredible to walk through this quiet, peaceful place. The view is pretty spectacular and well worth seeing.If you decide to walk down the path, it meanders around the park, going right by two small lighthouses, which I enjoyed seeing. It was peaceful and pleasant.My big complaint is just the lack of information about the place. I was really confused as to what the whole park was- there's very, very little information available. I started walking around the path and on the back loop, I realized I had no idea where the path led. I didn't have a great deal of time, so I had to cut through a field to get back on the original path. This was really frustrating, because I didn't know if the path eventually looped around (I googled it, and it does). It was also frustrating because I hated to cut through the field, but there weren't any signs forbidding it. The site really needs to add a little map with distances or something to prevent confusion from occurring.Besides the need for more information about the layout of the site, I wanted to see more info about the historical importance of the area. Some of that was present, but more could be added.In the end, the frustrations made this park only "average" for me. However, the views are worth any frustration you might have- it's quite a ways outside of Charlottetown, but the drive is worth it.

What a gorgeous location! What a dismal learning experience. Ancestors of our grandchildren (two different families) are commemorated on the monuments but that's about all the learning there is to be had. I had expected a visitor centre with at least students, history, interpretive materials and so on. While there is a building with a theatre (I discovered this by leaving nose prints on the glass) there is nothing to say that the whole site is just a few acres of land for walking around...so disappointed! It does seem that the only 'love' the place gets is from an Acadian historical society with minimal government funding (only for grass cutting) for improvement, interpretation, and generally making the site a place of learning.

Follow the road signs and you will get there. Walk to the crest of the hill at the site and read the signs to get a feel of Arcadian history. From the top, you get a good view of the city and you will see the path down to the lighthouse. It is a 5+ minute circular path past 2 lighthouses and then back to the visitor parking lot.

A very interesting place to wander about and learn of the plight of the Acadians. There is also a great view of the Charlottetown harbour.

Very nice trail with great water views and overview of Charlottetown from the opposite side of the harbor. Walk far enough to see both lighthouses (yes, there are two), which is probably about a 2-mile loop (quite level, easy walking). Good place to just hang out on a nice day. Very nice short outside exhibits talking about the takeover by the British and sad story of French expulsion. Restrooms available but the interpretive center is not open. I would recommend this if you want a short drive from Charlottetown and "getting away" from the busy areas there, with a short walking area and nice views. Leisurely walking and reading exhibits probably would take about an hour.

We never intended to go to this site but just happened to stop by on the way to the Confederation Bridge. It is a very nice trail along the shoreline with a number of plaques and information boards about the early settlers in the area. There is an interpretive centre as well but it was early morning and had not yet opened for the day. It is very well done and most interesting. The bonus is the great view over the harbour with Charlottetown in the distance (too bad they can't get of those oil tanks) and we were very, very lucky to be able to watch lobster fisherman hauling and emptying their traps just offshore. Highway 19 is a great route to the bridge if you have the time to enjoy the view.

This was our first stop in PEI. Gorgeous views of the sea and Charlottetown. Not busy at all which was great!

A nice place to get out and stretch your legs. After just a short walk you will get some nice views of the harbour and a lighthouse. The facilities however were closed.

This is a nice park, in every way.There are trails, beach, and parkland.Unfortunately, the interpretive centre has been closed for years, and the benches along the trails are.....um......."unsittable", for avian reasons. Picnic tables, same problem.Very scenic view of the harbour and downtown Charlottetown in the distance.20 minutes from North River causeway.Keeps the crowds down, so fine with me, but really, Parks Canada should take better care of its facilities!

There is a fantastic view of Charlottetown, but that's about it. We were there in mid July and all the facilities were closed. There was a picnic table and a few benches. There were a few walking trails, but some didn't really take you to see anything. There was a monument to the Acadiens who were deported, but sadly it was very dirty. Beautiful view but not really worth the drive from Charlottetown.

On a beautiful day, it is imperative that you spend a few hours driving out to this park and wandering around, seeing the spectacular views and scenery, hiking the trails and dipping toes in the bay. At the same time, it is shocking to read the monuments with the history of the fort and the area etched in stone (literally). It was one of the highlights of our trip.

Wonderful place to walk and beautiful view great place to watch the big cruise ships coming and going to Charlottetown harbor

Helpful,informative staff. Several easy trails to walk with wonderful views.Mosquitoes too friendly