When Anne of Green Gables was published in 1908, the heartwarming adventure of a red-headed orphan was an instant hit. The book’s popularity has endured for more than a century—it has sold more than 50 million copies and generated countless sequels. It has been translated into 36 languages. It has been the inspiration for popular plays, musicals, made-for-TV movies, and adaptations, including “Anne with an E” which debuted on Netflix in 2017, and became one of the network’s most binge-watched series.

The immensely-popular story sparked an enormous wave of interest in Prince Edward Island. And whether you’re already a fan of Anne or just looking for a literature-inspired adventure the whole family can enjoy, Prince Edward Island holds plenty of opportunities to celebrate the beloved work and experience the magical land that was described in the iconic book.

When you visit Prince Edward Island, you can immerse yourself in all things Anne.

You’ll want to plan your visit between June and September, so you can catch a staging of the “Anne of Green Gables—The Musical™” at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The performance, now in its 54th season, holds a Guinness World Record as the longest-running annual musical.

For a modern twist on the classic tale, starting May 8 you can also experience one of Canada’s most well-reviewed musical productions in recent memory, Prince Edward Island’s own “Anne & Gilbert.” A story of love and consequences featuring Anne and her childhood sweetheart Gilbert, this show features award-winning songs, laughs, drama, and a new take on the beloved story.

Just a 25-minute drive north of Charlottetown, is the Green Gables Heritage Place. There, you can see the real places that were described in the book, including the green gabled house, and the Balsam Hollow Trails, which inspired Haunted Wood. You’ll learn about the life, work, and career of author Lucy Maud Montgomery, (1874-1942) who was raised in Cavendish by her grandparents, and went on to become one of Canada’s most cherished authors, penning 20 novels, and many more short stories and poems. Wander less than a mile west over to Avonlea Village, an eclectic collection of shops and cafes, and you’ll find replicas of houses and shops from the time of Anne of Green Gables, and see the original schoolhouse where she taught.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to pick up Anne-related souvenirs. Order a bottle of raspberry cordial soda (Anne’s favorite drink), or don a straw hat like the one Anne wore, complete with sewn-in braids!

Be sure to soak in PEI’s natural beauty while you’re there. Prince Edward Island National Park, where these sites are located, features seven beaches and more than 30 miles of hiking and cycling trails.)

Interested in learning more about the author? From Cavendish, drive 20 minutes west to the Anne of Green Gables Museum in Park Corner, the 1872 family homestead where Montgomery grew up. In the place she described as “the wonder castle of my childhood,” you can see antiques from Montgomery’s time, and take a carriage ride around the grounds, gardens, and Campbell Pond (which inspired the Lake of Shining Waters in the book).

Just 10 minute drive south of the museum is Lucy Maud Montgomery’s birthplace in New London, where you can view a replica of her wedding dress, and personal scrapbooks.

Drive 50 kilometers west to the Bideford Parsonage Museum where Montgomery lived when she was 19, where you can learn about the shipbuilding heritage of the area, and their contribution to the community.

For a complete immersion, make an appointment to check out the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, which was established in 1993 to honor her achievement and continue to research her life and work. A Biennial Conference that will be held June 21-24 will involve a series of workshops and scholarly presentations that are focused on her work.