Tag Archives: Erie beaches

Best spots to see Tall Ships Erie’s Parade of Sail

These are the best spots to watch the Parade of Sail, which begins at 4 p.m. Aug. 25.

  • Perry Monument at Presque Isle State Park. Follow signs for Tall Ships Erie parking areas.
  • East Pier at Presque Isle State Park. Follow signs for Tall Ships Erie parking areas.
  • North Pier at Presque Isle
  • Foot of Holland Street
  • Liberty Park along the Bayfront
  • Lampe Marina at the foot of the Port Access Road
  • Bayview Park near West Second and Cherry streets
  • East Avenue boat launch
  • Lakeside Recreational Area in Lawrence Park

What tall ships are in Erie, PA?

Tall Ships Erie 2022 is set for Aug. 25-28 on Erie’s Bayfront.

What tall ships will be at the festival?

The Brig Niagara’s homeport is Erie.

The Niagara is considered one of the most historically authentic tall ships in the United States. The ship is an accurate reproduction of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s flagship from the War of 1812’s Battle of Lake Erie.

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Helping to keep Presque Isle clean

Presque Isle State Park attendance jumped to almost 5 million people in each of the last two years.

With all of those visitors, unfortunately, not everybody cleans up after themselves.

It could be as simple as leaving your milkshake cup or a chips bag behind.

But with the increase in visitors comes a greater increase in people wanting to keep Presque Isle clean.

Jeff McCullor, the co-founder of Erie Ale Works, organized a recent cleanup.

“The beach over the summer takes a pounding from just a lot of heavy traffic use and we feel like it’s an important asset to the community and we just want to keep it that way,” McCullor told Erie News Now.

What are beachgoers littering Presque Isle with?

“The biggest item that we see are cigarette butts and just plastics of any sort. It’s plastic stuff like plastic bottles, plastic bottle rings, the caps — things that people may not be aware that are leaving behind,” McCullor told the television news station.

You, too, can take part in cleaning up Presque Isle.

How?

  • If you’re a visitor, be sure to take everything you brought back with you.
  • Place trash in the proper bins located throughout the park.
  • It’s usually windy at Presque Isle. So, use rocks or other heavy items to keep items in place.
  • Be alert of children with plastics, food wrappers, drink containers, toys, etc.
  • Try to pack using reusable containers that often are heavier than plastics.
  • Bring a bag with you to clean up other people’s messes. Don’t just walk over the trash, pick it up.

Remember: Leave Presque Isle better than you found it.

Giant pretzels at The Plymouth in Erie

Where to eat around Tall Ships Erie 2022

If you’re coming to Erie for the Tall Ships Erie 2022 festival, you’re going to need some food.

Check out some of our recommendations for other things to do, places to eat, things to see.

Where to eat?

Along the Bayfront, near the tall ships

Elsewhere in Downtown Erie

Pizza, pizza!

Outside of Downtown Erie
(There are many places, but these are some popular ones)

Dessert?
Ice cream and more!

Made to order

  • Wegmans: 6143 Peach St. near Millcreek Mall; and 5028 W. Ridge Road near Erie International Airport
  • Sheetz: 750 Peninsula Drive, 24/7; other nearby locations
  • Country Fair: Multiple locations, hours vary

Is Presque Isle State Park worth visiting?

Yes, Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, is worth visiting.

Beaches along Lake Erie.

Presque Isle offers 11 miles of hiking trails.

The peninsula has a 13.5-mile multipurpose trail for biking, walking and cross-country skiing.

Presque Isle offers swimming at guarded beaches between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Presque Isle State Park is consistently rated among the top places in the country to bird-watch. The peninsula is located along the Atlantic Flyway, making it an excellent place for birds to stop on their migration across Lake Erie. At least 339 species of bird have been identified on Presque Isle.

Presque Isle’s Gull Point is considered the peninsula’s most ecologically dynamic area. Gull Point is the most fragile area of the peninsula, and many plant species there are threatened or endangered in Pennsylvania.

Presque Isle offers kayaking, canoeing, boat ramps and countless fishing spots.

Surfing is permitted in three spots at Presque Isle: Areas near Beach 1, Beach 10 and North Pier Light. More details here.

From a quiet spot under a tree or at a picnic table to pavilions for up to 200, Presque Isle offers many areas for picnicking.

Walk on water (well, ice) in the winter. While the state does not monitor ice thickness, visitors regularly find ice fishers and other winter activity enthusiasts out on the ice. Take a walk across the bay if it’s thick enough!

Watch the sun set. Nobody knows where it started, but allegedly, Presque Isle is considered to have the third best sunset in the world? Even if it’s not based on a real survey, sunsets are gorgeous here all year.

If all of that isn’t enough, simply sitting in your car reading a book or sipping a milkshake can be great. Drive to Sunset Point when it’s storming, stay in your and watch the waves whip around.

There’s so much to do at Presque Isle!

Talls Ships returns to Erie in 2022

Talls Ships Erie is back!

Tall Ships Erie returns to Erie’s bayfront on Aug. 25-28.

The festival celebrates Erie’s maritime heritage with ships from across the world.

Among the highlights of the festival is the Parade of Sail, where viewers can see the tall ships entering Presque Isle Bay. The Parade of Sail begins at 4 p.m. Aug. 25.

The remainder of the festival will take place around the Bayfront Convention Center, Dobbins Landing and the Erie Maritime Museum.

Visiting ships

Visitors will have a chance to view seven ships during the festival.

And, more might be added!

Mama duck, baby duck

In a return to Erie, visitors will get to see what’s considered the “World’s Largest Rubber Duck” and a smaller duck.

Admission tickets

» Single-day pass: $10
Includes: All-day access to festival sites. Dockside viewing of tall ships fleet. Live music and entertainment. Educational seminars. Family activities. Food vendors. Vendor marketplace.
Does not include access onto ships for deck tours. A deck tour add-on must be purchased for access onto available ships for deck tours.

Deck tour add-on: $5: The deck tour add-on must be purchased with a corresponding single-day pass.

» Weekend Pass (Friday, Saturday and Sunday): $39
Includes access to festival sites and deck tours for all three days of the festival. Does not include sailing tours. Weekend passes are non-transferable. Does not include sailing tours.

» VIP Pass: $199
Includes festival sites and deck tours for the weekend as well as all VIP-only hospitality areas. VIP areas include complimentary refreshments and appetizers. VIP passes also include VIP line access and VIP parking. VIP passes are non-transferable. Does not include sailing tours.

» Sailing tours
Check the Tall Ships Erie link for available sailing tours.

Plan your visit

Looking to spend the weekend? Hotels fill up quickly and can be pricy. Plus, there are campgrounds, RV parks and a variety of other options. Plan ahead. Find a list of places to stay.

No parking is available on festival grounds. But there are many parking opportunities nearby with shuttle service or a quick walk. Find more details here.

And if you’re coming from out of town, visit this link for driving details.

Volunteer, vendors, sponsorships

Want to volunteer, be a vendor or sponsor? Visit the Tall Ships Erie site for more details.

What to know about taking your dog to Presque Isle

Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the perfect spot for your pooch.

With 3,200 acres, Pennsylvania’s only seashore offers a great experience for you, your family and your dog.

With all of the fun, though, there are some things you should know and prepare for before heading to Presque Isle with your dog.

  • Dogs must be leashed at all times on leashes of no more than 6 feet.
  • Dogs are not permitted at guarded beaches in the summer. Dogs can walk and be in the water at unguarded beaches.
  • At guarded beaches, dogs are only allowed along the tree line.
  • Harmful algal blooms can kill your dog. More information is below.
  • Dog owners must properly clean up after their dogs.
  • Ticks are prevalent at Presque Isle.
  • Presque Isle is home to a variety of animals. Caution should be taken at all times.

Harmful algal blooms

The Erie County Department of Health regularly tests water from beaches for swimming safety.

Advisories are issued by the health department to help protect people and their pets from risks of contracting waterborne diseases from contaminated waters, including exposure to toxins found in harmful algal blooms.

The thresholds for dogs are lower than for humans because dogs tend to drink water when they swim.

The advisory map is updated regularly from late May to the end of October.

The Erie County Health Department site details more information about what harmful algal blooms look like and the damage they can do.

Locations

There are many locations along the shore for your dog to have fun.

Some popular shoreline spots include:

  • Sunset Point (Kite Beach): Located west of Beach 10
  • Between Sunset Point and Beach 9
  • Between Barracks Beach and Beach 6
  • East of Beach 10 to Gull Point
  • Shoreline near North Pier Lighthouse to Beach 11

Other popular spots for dogs include:

  • Any of the trails throughout the park
  • Picnic areas
  • Perry Monument area

For more information, call the Presque Isle State Park office at 814-833-7424.

Experience Erie: Summer family getaway!

Build a castle with the kids at Presque Isle, ride the Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer Park and make a splash at Splash Lagoon!

There’s so much to do in Erie, Pennsylvania, with your family!

The perfect family getaway is in Erie.

Going for the weekend, a few days or the week? Here are some of the must-do family getaway activities!

Go beaching, biking and build a sandcastle at Presque Isle

No family summer trip to Erie is complete without a trip to Preque (pres-k) Isle. It’s almost an island (literally, presque in French means almost and isle in French means island.)

Here are the top family-friendly things to do at Presque Isle!

Hang out at the beach!

Seriously, beaching is the biggest draw to Presque Isle. The state park offers miles and miles of Lake Erie beaches.

There are several guarded beaches where visitors can swim during guard hours. Visitors are not permitted to swim at unguarded beaches or outside of guard hours.

Pack food, stop at Wegmans or Sheetz for hoagies, pick up snacks at Beach Zero and spend several hours under an umbrella and on a towel. The kids can play in the sand, and you can walk the beach or read a book.

If you don’t want to waste the day being a beach bum, Presque Isle offers so many other activities.

You can rent bikes, water trikes, surreys and rollerblades from the Yellow Bike rental company inside Presque Isle.

Presque Isle offers an array of hiking trails — ranging from 0.2 miles to 13.5 miles. Take a hike to Gull Point for the wildlife and serenity!

Go fish! Literally. There are many great spots along Presque Isle to cast a reel. Have a boat? Even better.

Go kayaking! Drop the kayaks in the water from a number of locations throughout the park.

Go birding! Presque is home to many bird species. And many more use the peninsula as a rest stop during migration season.

Tour the Presque Isle Lighthouse!

Plan ahead and take part in programming offered by the state Department of Natural Resources. Find events on this page — nearly all events are free but many require registration.

You could spend two hours or all day at Presque Isle!

7 stops for a great Erie summer day trip!

The cost of everything is up, but you still have to have some fun! Why not experience a summer day trip to Erie, Pennsylvania!

Here are the seven spots you need to visit for a great Erie day trip!

Go beaching, biking, birding at Presque Isle

No summer trip to Erie is complete without a trip to Preque (pres-k) Isle. It’s almost an island (literally, presque in French means almost and isle in French means island.)

Presque Isle offers miles and miles of beaches. There are several guarded beaches where visitors can swim during guard hours. Visitors are not permitted to swim at unguarded beaches or outside of guard hours.

Pack food, stop at Wegmans or Sheetz for hoagies, pick up snacks at Beach Zero and spend several hours under an umbrella and on a towel. The kids can play in the sand, and you can walk the beach or read a book.

If you don’t want to waste the day being a beach bum, Presque Isle offers so many other activities.

You can rent bikes, water trikes, surreys and rollerblades from the Yellow Bike rental company inside Presque Isle.

Presque Isle offers an array of hiking trails — ranging from 0.2 miles to 13.5 miles. Take a hike to Gull Point for the wildlife and serenity!

Go fish! Literally. There are many great spots along Presque Isle to cast a reel. Have a boat? Even better.

Go kayaking! Drop the kayaks in the water from a number of locations throughout the park.

Go birding! Presque is home to many bird species. And many more use the peninsula as a rest stop during migration season.

Tour the Presque Isle Lighthouse!

Plan ahead and take part in programming offered by the state Department of Natural Resources. Find events on this page — nearly all events are free but many require registration.

You could spend two hours or all day at Presque Isle!

Ride the Ravine Flyer at Waldameer

This lakeside amusement park is free to walk in.

Yes, you read that right.

You can walk through the gate at Waldameer for free.

There are paid options for the rides and slides/pool area.

While here, be sure to ride the Ravine Flyer coaster, which consistently is named among the top wooden coasters in the world. It’s got amazing views of Lake Erie!

Plus, check out the iconic Whacky Shake dark ride, Pirate’s Cove, Thunder River and more!

Waldameer has five roller coasters!

Plus, the park’s Water World area is filled with slides, multiple pools and other attractions like the Battle of Lake Erie water zone.

Plus, there’s a variety of food available, including three Dippin’ Dots kiosks!

Waldameer is a cashless park, so all transactions must be completed using a credit/debit card or a Wally Card.

Visit Waldameer for a quick bite and a Ravine Flyer ride or spend half or all day having fun!

Soar above Erie at Dobbins Landing & the Bicentennial Tower

Sittin’ on the dock of the bay…

Enjoy a visit to the capstone of Erie’s Bayfront — Dobbins Landing.

This unique area offers prime views of Presque Isle Bay and Erie’s skyline.

Soar 138 feet above Presque Isle Bay with a quick ride to the top of the Bicentennial Tower. Cost is $6 for adults and $2 for kids 7-12. Free admission for everybody is on the second Tuesday of the month.

Once back at lake level, cast a rod into the bay, take a trip on the Victorian Princess, set sail with pirates on a Scallywags Pirate Adventures cruise, grab dinner at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel’s Bayfront Grille and take a walk around the pier with all of the sights to see.

Get a Romolo milkshake and try sponge candy

If you’ve never heard of sponge candy, you have now.

Take a visit to West Eighth Street for a milkshake at Romolo Chocolates. While there, gander the aisles of chocolate goodies and trinkets in the store.

While there, watch the workers make candy!

But the milkshakes. Get a milkshake. And stay on the patio for a bit.

Calories don’t exist at Romolo. (Besides, after biking Presque Isle and chasing kids at Waldameer, it’s worth it!)

Race go-karts at Erie Sports Center

Check out the new Fun Park at Erie Sports Center, where you can race go-karts and play mini-golf and more.

The go-karts can get up to 30 mph!

Plus, the sports park offers two 18-hole mini-golf courses.

Stroll State Street and Perry Square

There’s so much to do on State Street — from the Erie Art Museum and Erie Children’s Museum to Erie Apparel and an array of restaurants, including the Erie’s new Flagship City Food Hall.

Check out the water fountain at Perry Square.

Plus, on a nice summer day, it’s just a quick walk from Dobbins Landing!

Take a family selfie at the Erie sign

On a nice summer day, walk the Bayfront Promenade from Dobbins Landing to Bayview Park where you’ll find a spectacular view of Presque Isle Bay and Presque Isle.

Be sure to get that family photo with the great Erie sign!

Watch the sun set over Lake Erie

Erie sure has some beautiful sunsets.

There are a number of great places, but the best spot is Sunset Point at Presque Isle. Before heading into the park, stop at Sara’s for orange twist cones (or take your Romolo milkshakes).

Then head over to Sunset Point, which is just to the west of Beach 10. (Another great spot is along the beach behind Presque Isle Lighthouse.)

Be sure to find out what time sunset is and don’t leave until at least 20 minutes after the sun has set. The sky is beautiful!

Pack a blanket, some water, the phone for great photos and enjoy the evening.

(By the way, some people call Sunset Point “Kite Beach,” so if you see that in a Google search, it’s the same thing!)

Discover Presque Isle promotes Erie’s ‘almost’ island gem

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Discover Presque Isle is Erie’s biggest celebration for the breathtaking, expansive natural wonder.

The new format includes seven days of events that will highlight Presque Isle State Park’s many offerings.

An events schedule is not yet available, as of early June, but it promises to include many areas of the park and provide “family-friendly recreational and educational opportunities” — guided hikes, archery, pancake breakfasts, live music, sand sculpture competition, a giant bonfire and Presque Isle Lighthouse tours.

Most events are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.

New this year: There will be no artist and vendor market.

“This difficult decision is due to capacity limitations resulting from the ever-increasing visitor attendance at Presque Isle in late July each year,” Discover Presque Isle officials said.

Organizers said they are working on other plans to include artists and vendors in a separate event in 2023.

Find more details about Discover Presque Isle here.