Presque Isle Passage is in the midst of a wide range of nearby attractions that suit a full spectrum of interests. From family-oriented parks, attractions and museums to outdoor attractions that are centered around Lake Erie and beyond, there is something for everyone. There is so much to explore at Presque Isle State Park alone that can fill several days of adventure. If you like to live on the wild side, you may prefer to visit the Erie Zoo, take a ride on Waldameer Park’s Ravine Flyer II, or try your luck at Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
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Parks & Outdoor Attractions |
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Presque Isle State Park
– Presque Isle State Park, including the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, is a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula that arches into Lake Erie. As Pennsylvania’s only “seashore,” Presque Isle offers its visitors a beautiful coastline and many recreational activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, bicycling and in-line skating. A National Natural Landmark, Presque Isle is a favorite spot for migrating birds. Because of the many unique habitats, Presque Isle contains a greater number of the state’s endangered, threatened and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania. |
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Asbury Woods Nature Center
– Asbury Woods Nature
Center is a playground for those who
enjoy the outdoors. Popular activities
include hiking, jogging, mountain
biking, fishing, cross-country skiing,
and snowshoeing. (Rental skis and
snowshoes area available on weekends, in
season.) Additional recreational
facilities are available at Asbury
Community Park, which is part of Asbury
Woods. Asbury Woods also includes an
orienteering course, with 15 hidden
markers located along the Greenway Trail
from the Nature Center to Brown’s Farm. |
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Lake Pleasant
– Lake Pleasant is a natural glaciered
lake of approximately 60 acres in size.
Although not the only species present,
Rainbow Trout appear to be the most
sought after prize. The lake is stocked
several times a year by the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission at part of the
Select Trout-Stocked Lake Program. Boats
are permitted, but motors (either gas or
electric) are not allowed. |
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Tom Ridge Environmental Center
– The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is the gateway to Presque Isle. TREC is located before the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, directly across from the entrance to Waldameer Park & Water World. The center is open year-round, offering visitors information and insights into the unique 3,200 acre Presque Isle and the many different forms of life that inhabit it. TREC features interactive exhibits, the Big Green Screen Theater, a Nature Shop & Gallery, the Sunset Café, a regional visitors’ center and a 75-foot-high observation tower overlooking the peninsula. |
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Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm
– Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm is a family
farm operation. There is no fee or
admission charge to view the animals,
except for special events. The buffalo
roam freely over their 170 acres of
pasture year-round. You may be lucky
enough to see them up close to the
fence. You can view them in their
natural state … grazing, eating hay,
bulls challenging each other and butting
heads, cows feeding their calves, all of
the things that were almost lost forever
with the white man hunted them down in
the late 1800s. |
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Family Attractions |
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Erie Zoo
– The Erie Zoo is home to over 400
animals, representing more than 100
species, from around the world. Winding
walkways take visitors through the
beautifully landscaped grounds which
feature 2500 specimens from 600 species
of plants. In fact, the zoo has expanded
its name to include the Zoological Park
and Botanical Garden of Northwestern
Pennsylvania. The zoo also features a
family-friendly carousel and train ride. |
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Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark
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Splash Lagoon is Erie’s indoor water
park resort where the temperature is a
balmy 84° and there is never a rainy
day! The park features the Kid’s Zone,
with shallow water attractions just for
the kids; Takin’ It Easy, with easy
going rides for the times you need to
slow down; Wild Slides, tube and body
slides for fast-paced excitement; and
Extreme Rides, for the most hardcore
thrill seekers. Additional attractions
include Lazer Tag, the Treasure Island
Family Arcade, the Family Activity
Center, Laguna Grill, and more. Open
year round but generally closed on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the off
season. |
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Waldameer Amusement Park & Water World
– Not that “same little park” anymore,
Waldameer is home to the Ravine Flyer II
Coaster, winner of the coveted Golden
Ticket Award as the Best New Ride in the
World for 2008 as presented by Amusement
Today. Three new rides have been
introduced for the 2011 season.
Waldameer and Water World feature scores
of amusement park rides, magnificent
water park slides, live shows, a modern
arcade, midway games, food and
refreshment centers, souvenir and gift
shops, and numerous picnic pavilions –
all surrounded by gorgeous landscaping. |
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Museums & Cultural Attractions |
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Erie Art Museum
– The Erie Art Museum features a
collection of over 5,000 objects,
including American ceramics, Tibetan
paintings, Indian bronzes, contemporary
baskets, and many other categories. The
museum hosts 18 to 20 visiting exhibits
annually and shares parts of its
collection with national and
international partners through traveling
exhibits. |
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Erie Maritime Museum
– The main attraction at the Erie Maritime Museum is the U.S. Brig Niagara. The Niagara is docked for public viewing September through May and intermittently during the summer each year. During the summer months, the ship conducts one day sailing excursions out of Erie and voyages to other ports in the Great Lakes, as a US Coast Guard inspected Sailing School Vessel and is available for public viewing at the Erie Maritime Museum when not out sailing. |
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Erie Playhouse – The stars
shine bright over the Erie Playhouse,
one of the oldest and largest community
theatres in the nation. Recognized as
one of the 10 best community theatres in
the nation, it remains at the forefront
of the arts not only in Northwest
Pennsylvania, but the entire state. The
Erie Playhouse boasts a spectacular
season of provocative and diverse
mainstage plays and musicals, as well as
an engaging roster of musicals for
younger theatre-goers. There are also
one-of-a-kind concerts and captivating
special events throughout the year.
Broadway is 432 miles away. The great
performances are right here! |
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Erie Philharmonic
– Whether it’s your first time or your 100th time attending a Philharmonic concert, it’s a wonderful experience! One of the most exciting aspects of any orchestral season is the participation of distinguished guest artists. Throughout its 86-year history, the Erie Philharmonic has brought some of the world’s greatest musicians to Erie to perform with our orchestra. |
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Graycliff Estate –
Set high on a cliff with sweeping views over Lake Erie, Graycliff stands as an architectural jewel awaiting your discovery. Built between 1926 and 1929, the Graycliff estate was designed by the renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright for Isabelle R. Martin and her husband, Larkin Company executive Darwin D. Martin. Graycliff served as the Martin summer home from 1927 to the mid-1940s. The complex is set amidst eight and a half acres of rolling lawns and gardens also designed by Wright. Isabelle Martin had the greatest influence over Wright’s design, with her failing vision leading her to direct the architect to create structures full of sunlight and air. Wright fulfilled her wishes magnificently. |
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Station Dinner Theatre
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The Station Dinner Theatre operates
year-round and is the home of the
original “A Canterbury Feast”, the
longest running medieval dinner theatre
in the United States. Along with its
many original themed musical comedies,
the Station season also includes a
variety of comedies, farces and musical
reviews. Combined with Chef Bob
Stewart’s delicious cuisine, it all adds
up to the region’s most unique and
entertaining dining experience. |
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Sporting Events |
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Erie SeaWolves
– The Erie SeaWolves are the
Double-A affiliate of the American
League’s Detroit Tigers. The stadium at
historic Jerry Uht Park features six
luxury suites, a picnic area, three main
concession stands, and a raised upper
deck of seats along the first base side.
But perhaps the most unique feature of
the park includes a “short porch” in
left field where numerous home runs are
belted over the fence just 312 feet away
from home plate. |
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Presque Isle Downs & Casino
– Presque Isle Downs & Casino is
home to 2,000 slots, live thoroughbred
racing, exciting live entertainment,
Pennsylvania’s finest simulcasting, and
traditional & international cuisine. |
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Wineries |
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Presque Isle Passage is located in Lake
Erie Wine Country. The following links
will help you to plan your visits. |
Lake Erie Wine Country
Pennsylvania Wine & Wineries
Wine Country Harvest Festival
Arrowhead Wine Cellars •
Conneaut Cellars Winery •
Heritage Wine Cellars
Mazza Vineyards •
Penn Shore Vineyards •
Presque Isle Wine Cellars •
Wilhelm Winery |
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Colleges and Universities |
Edinboro University
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College
Gannon University
Mercyhurst College
LECOM, The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine |
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Sources for Additional
Information |
Visit Erie – The Online
Visitor Guide
America’s Byways – Miles of
Fun and Adventure
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission – Full Information on Fishing and Boating
Pennsylvania Visitors Network – Erie
Vacation Planning |
