What's New in Erie 2023
Tuesday Dec 27th, 2022
Here’s a look at what’s new in Erie, Pennsylvania for 2023!
Mount Pleasant of Edinboro recently upgraded its facility to include a new 120-foot covered conveyor lift. The new addition will increase the beginner’s terrain and allow Mount Pleasant the ability to educate new skiers and snowboarders more effectively. The facility has also completed major renovations to the rental shop with an expanded area for customers. Opening in July 2023, Mount Pleasant will unveil “Mount Pleasant House”, a six-bedroom house that will be available for short-term winter and summer rentals, allowing families and friends to vacation slope side. Image from Mount Pleasant of Edinboro.
Beginning in January 2023, the former Hooch and Blotto’s Sports Bar and Grill at 8071 Peach Street will be the new home for Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant and duck pin bowling. Duck pin bowling is a variation of the sport of bowling, using smaller, lighter balls and pins.
The Erie Art Museum is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in March 2023. From stand-alone art sculptures to moving exhibit walls, the Erie Art Museum has seen tremendous growth from its small beginnings at the former Cashier’s House to the 80,000 square foot multi-level, multi-room space that opened in 2010. The Museum’s collection features more than 8,000 objects and exhibits from local, regional, and national artists. Photo by Erie Art Museum.
The National Comedy Center in nearby Jamestown, New York is celebrating the legendary “King of Late Night” Johnny Carson with a new exhibit titled: “Johnny Carson: An Immersive Experience”. The new theatrical experience includes 30 digital projection screens that surround the audience, as well as newly enhanced holographic technology with Jimmy Fallon as the hologram host. Video presentations feature interviews with Steve Martin, Martin Short, Bette Midler, Jay Leno and more, along with archival video from Carson’s Tonight Show.
Touted as the most thrilling water attraction in park history, Waldameer Park and Water World plans to make a big splash in summer 2023 by launching the Rocket Blast Water Coaster. The new water attraction/water coaster uses inflatable rafts to carry riders at high speeds down 50 feet with long, downhill stretches, and uphill water jet blasts across a 450-foot course taking its riders up and down and even intertwining them with existing water slides.
Lavery Brewing has acquired the former Hungry Howie’s space on West 12th Street, which was in the same building as Lavery’s, allowing them to move forward with a new development project that will expand their seating capacity and add more restrooms. The opening is planned for early spring 2023.
A Compassionate Hart Massage Therapy is increasing its space from 1,000 square feet to 2,300 square feet. With this expansion comes the addition of a wider range of healing modalities to complement massage therapy including two Sensory Deprivation Float Rooms with client-controlled light and sound, a Himalayan Salt Cave with a Halogenerator for dry salt therapy, a cryoskin machine for cryo-physio pain as well as body-sculpting, an infrared light therapy for resolving deep inflammation, and a BioMat amethyst crystal bed.
Scheduled to open in June 2023, Ascend Erie is a 25,000 square foot, two-story rock climbing gym located at 5th and State Street. The new attraction will offer bouldering terrain, up to 52’ tall rope walls, yoga classes and workshops, fitness and training areas, youth programming, slacklines, retail and concessions, group spaces, and community events. Ascend Erie is the latest in a line of new businesses opening in Erie’s thriving Downtown District including the Flagship City Food Hall, Flagship City Public Market and Rita’s Downtown Erie at The Shops at 5th and State.
The Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel has begun a $7.5 million renovation project. The eight-story, 200-room hotel located on Erie’s Bayfront will get new furniture throughout the building, new fixtures, hallway carpeting, and lighting. The hotel’s restaurant, The Bayfront Grille, will also receive new furniture, equipment, and an updated dining layout. The new designs will have a maritime theme that is consistent with the hotel’s location on the waterfront. Work is scheduled to be complete by summer 2023.
The Presque Isle Gateway District Plan is continuing with additional progress scheduled throughout 2023. With a goal to revitalize the West 8th Street corridor and the Gateway to Presque Isle between Pittsburgh Avenue and Peninsula Drive, the plan will create a welcoming, walkable streetscape using utility relocation, sidewalks, landscaping, decorative lighting, and road enhancements.
The Erie Sports Commission, a division of VisitErie, is looking forward to several new sports tourism developments and events coming in 2023 including two new events: the U.S. Figure Skating Association Intercollegiate Competition at Mercyhurst University (March 24-26), and the American Cornhole League at the Bayfront Convention Center (May 19-21). The Erie region will soon see new pickleball courts at the Erie Sports Center, new multi-purpose trails at Six Mile Creek Mountain Bike Trail by the Northern Allegheny Mountain Bike Association and course improvements at Pleasant Ridge Park Disc Golf.
