Tag Archives: Great Lake

Why you should stay at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel

Note: A version of this review is also published as a Google review for the hotel. It has been edited for ExploreErie.com. In addition, this is not sponsored or paid — it’s my honest thoughts on the hotel.

The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel is, hands down, my favorite Marriott property I’ve ever stayed at.

Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel

I come to Erie very regularly for weekend/extended stays to enjoy Presque Isle, etc., and I try to stay at the Sheraton as often as possible.

In fact, in the past 13 months (as of Sept. 3, 2022), I’ve had the pleasure and ability to stay in this hotel for about 34 nights.

In that time, I reached out to the staff for only one minor issue.

Every staff member I encounter is nothing but courteous and kind — from cleaning crews to maintenance workers, foodservice and guest services.

They’ve always been so great and friendly. I honestly can say I’ve never encountered an issue with the staff here and always think about how great the employee training and hiring process must be. So, hats off to the management team and White Lodging for such stellar work.

In an August 2022 stay, I was arriving late from the train and reached out ahead of time to let them know. They quickly sent me the mobile key and assured me that I’d have no issues getting to my room at such a late hour. And I had no issues.

In addition, it is the only Marriott property I’ve stayed at that successfully uses the in-app services. If I need additional towels or have a question, I use the Bonvoy app and questions/services are quickly addressed.

When friends and colleagues inquire about things to do, places to stay and where to eat in Erie, I quickly suggest the Sheraton. You could have an entire romantic getaway weekend at the Sheraton and never leave the property (or at least not venture too far).

The rooms are incredibly clean. Everything has always been in working order for me (TV, fridge, curtains, bathroom, etc).

The hotel rates are reasonable when demand is low and are high when demand is high, as one might expect.

When compared to prices at other hotels on Peach Street and considering the superior level of service and cleanliness (and the view!), there is no question the Sheraton is worth it.

A few things to keep in mind or consider when booking and staying:

  • Be kind to the staff. They are amazing. While the property certainly lives by the “Disney appearance” belief (that is, put on a great show in front of the curtain for the audience), there is no doubt they are impacted by having fewer staff members right now. Be patient and kind to them.
  • If it’s your first time, splurge for the bay view room and make sure to avoid any room ending in “02” or “04” (and maybe “24”) because the view of Erie’s Bicentennial Tower is obstructed by the building. But all bay views rooms offer a 100 percent incredible view of the bay, Presque Isle and Lake Erie (for higher floors).
  • In rooms with bathtubs, the tub area and curtain do not provide enough area for taller people or people with large arm spans. Sounds odd, but if you’re tall, you know what I mean. If you try to turn around, it could be tricky. If you can get a room with a shower only, do it.
  • Not every floor has a microwave or self-service laundry. But they’re only a few floors away if yours doesn’t have it.
  • Parking is $14 per day. I think that’s steep, especially for Erie. But we pay it because we have to. I have skipped the garage fee sometimes and parked on the street (a metered day is $10 and Sundays are free). In the winter, I prefer the garage if it’s snowing for obvious reasons.
  • The walk from the garage to the hotel is odd. There is a “tunnel” of sorts with an awning to protect guests from rain, snow and sun. It’s a long walk if you’ve got kids, are older or have a physical disability. Of course, you could do drop-offs at the main door, but, logistically, it is a bit of a pain.
  • The pool offers two hours of late-night adults-only swim. Most guests must not know this, so I’ve been lucky enough to have the whirlpool to myself. And, the pool does tend to be a little chilly. The pool area is great for reading.
  • All of the food I’ve had from the hotel is great — from the Bayfront Grille to the club lounge and room service. I do not eat meat, but friends and family who do have had nothing but praise for meat options on the menu. And the drinks! Enjoy the bar!
  • The lobby is small and can be pretty noisy and busy. It’s not a great place to hang out unless you’re waiting for others or are heading to the bar/restaurant. The lobby is gorgeous and looks so pretty when decorated for the holidays!

Anything conceived above as “negative” should not deter you from staying at the Sheraton Erie hotel.

All of that said: If you’re coming to Erie, stay at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. You’ll love it.

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.

Related posts

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.

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.

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!

Happy birthday, Presque Isle State Park!

Happy birthday, Presque Isle State Park!

While Presque Isle’s history can be traced 11,000 years ago, this gem that juts into Lake Erie was officially dedicated as a state park of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania 100 years ago today — May 27, 1921.

It was the foresight of Erie area residents to preserve and protect the peninsula as a state park.

In French, “Presque Isle” means “almost an island.”

Over time, the peninsula has actually become an island when lake waters rose, later returning to its status as a peninsula.

Pennsylvania state park officials estimate that at least four times since 1819, Presque Isle has been an island.

It apparently cost local residents $75,000 for the peninsula to become a state park, according to historical Eugene Ware. He estimates that the price — as of 2019 — would equate to $950,000.

The peninsula was a crucial part of the War of 1812. While the Battle of Lake Erie was fought off the shores of present day Ohio, Oliver Hazard Perry used the Erie harbor to build six of the ships used in the battle.

Perry is honored with Perry Monument, built near what’s known as Misery Bay and Graveyard Pond — named after the hardships the crew endured.

Prior to the War of 1812, the Erielhonan tribe, which dates to before the 1650s, lived along the lakeshore, including Presque Isle.

But it was the years post-War of 1812 that appear to be most heavily documented.

Presque Isle is home to two lighthouses.

North Pier lighthouse was built in 1858 at the end of the channel leading into the bay. That wooden lighthouse was later replaced by once from France after the original one was destroyed.

Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1872 and lit a year later. It now is part of a partnership with a nonprofit group that welcomes tours into the former residence.

Just three years after state park status, the peninsula’s road system was built. Presque Isle boasts a 13-mile road loop. In the 1980s, a bike lane was added.

Presque Isle State Park welcomes thousands of visitors each year. And while it’s known for its sandy beaches in the summer sun, the peninsula allows for activities throughout the year thanks in part to the diverse climate. The park is also home to many species of birds and other animals — some of which are not seen anywhere else in the state.