Founded in 1790 by Acadians who remained after the Seven Years war with the British; North Rustico is a fishing village and tourist destination found on the north coast of PEI, and named for one of the original Acadian families, Rassicot. The Mi'kmaq called the Rustico Bay area Tapu Tuitn, meaning double narrows.
Incorporated as a town in 2013, today the population of North Rustico is 648 people. I visited North Rustico earlier this week, and this is what I found:
1. Selfie with the town's welcome sign: Took a pic with the town's welcome sign at the entrance to North Rustico on Cavendish Road (Route 6).
2. Visitor's Centre: No Visitor's Centre in North Rustico, although you can find maps around town, and a Visitor's Centre in nearby Cavendish.
3. Museum or heritage centre: Rustico Harbour Fisheries Museum was temporarily closed, but placards found around on the boardwalk and around town tell the story of North Rustico.
4. Public space: Took a stroll along the boardwalk along the beach leading into the town core.
5. Local restaurant: Whenever someone heard that I was visiting North Rustico, they recommended the Blue Mussel Cafe. This popular spot was certainly busy, and for good reason, my scallop dinner was to die for - delicious!
6. Locally produced spirit: No producers in North Rustico, but while at the Blue Mussel Cafe I tried the Blue Mussel Lager, made for the Cafe by the PEI Brewing Company in Charlottetown.
7. Art in public places: A few works can be found around town, and I found a carving dipicting a Mi'kmaw person in a canoe, along with information on the first inhabitants of the area, who have been here for more than 6,000 years.
8. Town swag: While touring some gift and artisan shops in North Rustico I picked up a North Rustico postcard at a little gift shop on Church Hill Avenue.
A little bit of trivia: North Rustico is famous for its Canada Day celebrations. Over 10,000 visitors come to the Town to take in the music, festivities, fireworks and parades - both in town and a boat parade on the water.
