Free
Presque Isle State Park beaches
A string of sandy Lake Erie beaches along a peninsula, with swimming in season. Free entry.
Lake Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie
Pennsylvania's only lake port, beside Presque Isle, a curving sandy peninsula of beaches, trails and lighthouses that's free to enter.
Photo: A beach at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Presque Isle State Park is a sandy peninsula curling into Lake Erie, with beaches, lagoons, trails and a lighthouse, and entry is free. Pack a towel and a bike.
Back downtown on the bayfront, the Erie Maritime Museum is home port of the reconstructed US Brig Niagara, and the Bicentennial Tower gives you the view.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Presque Isle trails and lagoons
Trails and a multi-purpose path loop the peninsula past ponds, forest and lagoons.
Free
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
The gateway visitor centre for Presque Isle, with exhibits and a lookout tower. Free.
Cheap
Presque Isle Lighthouse
An 1873 lighthouse on the peninsula, with tours in season.
Paid
Presque Isle Bay cruise
Sightseeing cruises on the bay from the downtown waterfront in season.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Paid
Erie Maritime Museum and US Brig Niagara
The story of the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie, and the reconstructed brig when in port.
Paid
Waldameer Park
A classic lakeside amusement and water park beside Presque Isle.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Paid
Lake Erie Wine Country
Wineries along the lakeshore east of the city, around North East.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Victorian Princess cruise
Sightseeing and dinner cruises on Presque Isle Bay.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Also bookable, listed above
These are in the lists above, so we don't repeat them here.
- Erie Maritime Museum and US Brig Niagara Tickets
- Waldameer Park Tickets
Part of our Western New York and Erie guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- Presque Isle's beaches and trails are a day by themselves.
- Waldameer and the bayfront are another.
- Lake Erie wine country is just east around North East, Pennsylvania.
Nearby and worth the drive
Niagara Falls, New Yorkabout 1 h 45 · Guide ↗
The falls from the islands at the brink.
North East, PAabout 25 min
Lake Erie wine country and vineyards.
Ready-made trips with Erie
Good to know
- Tourism: visiterie.com.
- Presque Isle: PA DCNR.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: A beach at Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Presque Isle Light, Dshnayder, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bicentennial Tower on the Erie waterfront, Bohao Zhao, CC BY 3.0
Photo: The US Brig Niagara under full sail, Lance Woodworth, CC BY 2.0