As the third largest grape growing area in the United States, Erie, Pennsylvania, boasts many scenic views and vistas, especially along the Seaway Trail and historic Route 6. The Lake Erie Wine Trail offers a beautiful drive along the Lake Erie shore with stops at almost a dozen charming wineries.
Presque Isle State Park, a national natural landmark and ecological gem, offers a unique mix of nature and recreation. Its 32,000-acre sandy peninsula juts into Lake Erie with over 7 miles of pristine beaches. Presque Isle Lighthouse, built in 1872, is still in operation, but not open to visitors. Presque Isle State Park is also a great stop for bird watching, rated by Birder's World magazine as one of the top birding spots in the country.
When visiting Erie, you should definitely make time for a stop at Discovery Square, with its children's and art museums, restored Perry Memorial House and Dickson Tavern, once a stop on the pre-Civil War Underground Railroad. Other places of interest include the historical museum and planetarium, and the General "Mad" Anthony Wayne Memorial Blockhouse.
Within easy walking distance of the museums and art galleries of Discovery Square, the Port Erie Bayfront District offers an eclectic mix of restaurants, shops, maritime activities, and open spaces, plus charter fishing, riverboat and sail cruises, bus shuttle and water taxi services.
The Erie Zoo, situated on 15+ acres, features more than 300 animals in natural habitats, with a focus on the African jungle. The recently added Wild Asia exhibit spotlights orangutans, Asian deer, and Asian insects and snakes.
When the weather is not cooperating, Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park boasts 84-degree temperatures year-round. The indoor water park features the latest and greatest rides in the water park industry, set in a South Sea Island atmosphere with palm trees, tropical plants, and flowers.
