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Erie, Pennsylvania’s fifth largest city, is on beautiful Presque Isle Bay, one the world’s best-protected harbors, surrounded by a seven-mile peninsula. As a Great Lakes City, Erie has an extensive maritime history, and boasts the state’s only seashore. Central to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo and Southern Ontario, Erie is within 500 miles of more than half of the U.S. population and is accessible by automobile, boat, plane, train, or bus.
The sandy surf beaches at Presque Isle State Park along Lake Erie help to make tourism Erie’s second largest industry. Sailing, swimming, boating, hiking, biking, birding, kite flying and fishing are popular on the lake as are winter activities ice fishing, ice sailing and cross country skiing. Presque Isle, a National Natural Landmark, is known for its ecological diversity with rare and endangered species of wildflowers and over 320 species of birds. Just outside Presque Isle is the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC), a year-round facility offering educational and interactive exhibits, nature shop, observation tower, celebrating and educating visitors on Presque Isle. Across the street from TREC is Waldameer Park and Water World, one of the country’s oldest family amusement parks.
Erie is known for its lovely residential areas and churches of vintage period architecture. Historic mansions are prevalent along Millionaire’s Row, West Sixth Street. For shoppers, the Millcreek Mall, Upper Peach Street shopping district, Village West plaza, The Shops on the Hill and the Shops at the Colony plaza make Erie a haven for bargain hunters. Annually, thousands of shoppers from New York and Canada are enticed by Pennsylvania’s tax-free clothing. Enjoy Erie’s fantastic culinary scene with over 250 establishments to choose from. From fine dining to sidewalk cafes, there is something for even the most finicky of appetites.
The surrounding countryside boasts charming towns, covered bridges, and other historical sites, including the only known statue of George Washington in a British uniform. Follow Scenic Pennsylvania Historic Route 6 or the nationally designated America’s Byway™ Great Lakes Seaway Trail to experience miles of serene countryside, vineyards, orchards, and wineries.
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