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Visit Erie, Pennsylvania

Erie, Pennsylvania’s fourth largest city, is situated on Presque Isle Bay, one the world’s best-protected harbors, surrounded by a seven-mile peninsula opening up to the waters of Lake Erie. As a Great Lakes City, Erie boasts the state’s only seashore and features a wealth of natural beauty and fascinating historical tales. Erie offers cultural and entertainment options you would find in a big city, but with the friendliness and leisurely appeal of a small town.

For complete tourism information, check out www.VisitErie.com or download the free ‘Hello Erie’ mobile app. All of the mentioned businesses are following CDC and state guidelines pertaining to COVID-19. Please check with each business for specific hours of operation and regulations.

Presque Isle State Park – Erie’s largest outdoor playground and a National Natural Landmark, Presque Isle State Park 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, birding, hiking, bicycling, and in-line skating.

The park creates Presque Isle Bay, a wide and deep harbor for the city of Erie. 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. Whether you come to enjoy the sandy beaches, study ecological diversity, or learn about the historical significance of the peninsula, there is something for everyone at Presque Isle State Park.

Fishing – Fish from shore or stream, bring your boat or hire a charter. Northwest Pennsylvania is one of the country’s greatest angling destinations and Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and the surrounding creeks, streams, tributaries and ponds are the places to land your big catch.

Cast your line for diverse game fish species including steelhead, trout, muskies, walleye, pan fish, pike, bluegill, smallmouth and largemouth bass, salmon, catfish, perch and crappies. Top fishing charter picks are   Buckets Fishing Charters, Tight Lines Sports Fishing, GypsyLyn Fishing Charters and XTR Fishing Charters.

Asbury Woods features 205 natural acres of fields, forests and streams with over 5 miles of trails that are open to the public from dawn to dusk. The Nature Center at Asbury Woods is one of the premier award-winning environmental education centers in northwestern Pennsylvania, providing environmental education programs, special events and festivals.

Outdoor recreational opportunities include hikingmountain bikingrunningcross-country skiing and fishing. Take a leisurely stroll along their serene woodland Boardwalk Trail, or hike the Greenway Trail to experience a scenic steel foot bridge that spans Walnut Creek.

Port Erie Sports – For a boatload of fun, choose Port Erie Sports, providing boat, and Jet Ski rentals. The waters of beautiful Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay are waiting for you, with miles of sandy beaches and picturesque sunsets second to none. Whether you are looking to fish, ski, tube, or just enjoy beautiful Lake Erie, Port Erie Sports has the right vessel for you. They carry a selection of runabouts, Jet Ski’s, offshore fishing and bay fishing boats, kayaks, and canoes.

Victorian PrincessThe Victorian Princess is a three-level paddle wheeler that is certified to hold up to 120 passengers with two climate-controlled enclosed salons. It has an open third deck that is great for those warm summer days on Lake Erie. Victorian Princess Cruises feature weekly happy hours, lunches, brunches, and dinners, themed cruises throughout the season and special event private rentals.

Scallywags Pirate AdventuresA family fun adventure with an interactive storyline, activities, and games. Perfect for kids and the pirate at heart! Wobbly Pirate adult cruises are also available.

U.S. Brig Niagara/Erie Maritime MuseumThe Erie Maritime Museum and the U.S. Brig Niagara educate the public regarding the region’s maritime heritage and the development of the Port of Erie. The U.S. Brig Niagara, home-ported in Erie, is a faithful reconstruction of Oliver Hazard Perry’s relief flagship during the Battle of Lake Erie.

Originally intended to serve as an interpretive tool for the U.S. Brig Niagara, the museum focuses on the War of 1812 and Battle of Lake Erie and the USS Michigan/Wolverine exhibit on the museum’s second floor.

Both the museum and the Niagara tell the story of Erie’s maritime heritage and how it fits into the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Waterfront dining – Erie has plenty of waterfront dining for you to choose from, each offering their own unique view of Presque Isle Bay. We suggest The Cove Bayside Restaurant & Tavern, Rum Runners, Woody’s, Backwater BARge & Grill, Smugglers Wharf, Bayfront Grille at the Sheraton Bayfront Hotel, Jr’s on the Bay/Sloppy Duck Saloon, Shoreline Bar & Grill at the Courtyard by Marriott Bayfront, and Oliver’s Rooftop Restaurant at the Hampton Inn Erie Bayfront Hotel.

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