Explore the Outdoors!
Winner of "Pennsylvania's #1 Attraction for 2017" and the “#1 Freshwater Beach in the Country 2016” designation by USA Today Reader’s Choice, Erie’s largest outdoor playground, Presque Isle State Park is a National Natural Landmark nestled between the shores of Lake Erie and beautiful Presque Isle Bay.
Welcoming over 4 million visitors each year, enjoy seven miles of sandy surf beaches to stretch out on, fly a kite, build a sandcastle or just soak in some rays.
Open year-round and free to the public, Presque Isle offers swimming, surfing, hiking, biking, rollerblading, boating, kayaking, surreys, ice-kiting, cross country skiing, canoeing, birding, fishing and world-class sunsets. Recreation equipment rentals are available outside and inside the Park.
Presque Isle State Park is part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, an America’s Byway™, a 518-mile scenic driving route that follows the shores of Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River in New York and Pennsylvania.
Top Must-Sees!
- Presque Isle State Park
- Great Lakes Seaway Trail
- Golfing - 28 golf courses ready to challenge your skills!
- Fishing - Shore or stream, boat or charter, cast your line for diverse game fish species including steelhead, trout, walleye, muskies, pike, bluegill.
- Scenic Boat Tours - Scallywags Pirate Adventures (interactive tours for all swashbucklers), Victorian Princess(authentic paddle-wheel boat), The Lady Kate (14-mile, narrated cruise through the open waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and Gull Point)
- Asbury Woods Nature Center - 250 acres of well-kept trails, nature center, gift shop and boardwalk.
- Peek n' Peak Resort - Skiing, tubing, golfing, Segway tours, Soaring Eagle zip-line, aerial adventure course, spa and more.
- PLUS! Camping, birding, ice fishing, Double DAB Riding Stables, Erie Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Goodell Gardens & Homestead, Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF), Lake Effect Sailing, Lake Erie Outfitters, Pennsylvania’s Scenic Route 6, and Presque Isle Touring Company.
Fishing Tips
Fishing enthusiasts are presented with a variety of options in the spring. Steelhead is plentiful from late September to early May in Lake Erie tributaries and creeks. In April, pan fish and bass are found in smaller ponds, while pike and muskies are seen in Presque Isle Bay depending on the ice melt. April also brings the arrival of trout season plus the appearance of bass and walleye in Lake Erie. All of the above mentioned fish species are available in May with the exception of Steelhead. Smallmouth bass travel to Presque Isle Bay in May to spawn and June is heavy with trout, bluegill and inland pike.
For more interesting fish bits:
- FishUSA.com
- ESC FishingInfo sheet
- Northwest Pennsylvania Fishing Report
- Fishing Lake Erie & its Tributaries: http://www.fishandboat.com/Resource/Lakes/Pages/LakeErie.aspx
- Lake Erie Tributary Fishing map
- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission mobile app, click here.
Boat Plug-ins
Charge your boat battery at any of the following locations (visit our Stay page for contact info):
Bayfront Inn, Clarion Lake Erie Hotel, Comfort Inn Presque Isle, Courtyard Bayfront Marriott, Glass House Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express (Peach St.), Quality Inn & Suites Presque Isle, Riviera Motel, Sheraton Erie Bayfront, SpringHill Suites, Steelhead Inn, Sunset Motel, TownePlace Suites, Wingate by Wnydham.
Self Guided Tours - Driving/Walking
Grab your family or friends and set out for a do-it-yourself outdoor adventure! Here are our suggestions for fun outdoor tours:
Download the FREE Hello Erie mobile app and check out two GPS-based walking tours: Gems of The City, a walking tour of historic (lower) Downtown Erie (Dickson House, Hamot House, Captain John Richard’s House, St. Patrick’s Church and more) and the West Bayfront Walking Tour which includes the Bicentennial Tower, Dobbins Landing, West Canal Basin and more. FOODIES! Eat your way through downtown Erie or the charming town of North East on the Erie Food Tours which includes stops and tastings and a bite of history at the area's most popular restaurants.
NEW! Erie Mural Arts Tour
Take a self-guide tour of Erie's Mural Arts! Explore 11 murals located throughout Erie's Little Italy district, East 12th Street Corridor and Center City. To download a locator map, click
Download a Mural Arts Tour Map
Greater Erie Regional Trail Network
Do you like to hike in the woods, walk in a city park, and take a stroll on the waterfront? Erie County has a vast array of park and recreational opportunities to explore. To find trail locations, go to www.erietrails.org to view trail route maps, photos of venues and terrain, plus upcoming activities and events.
Lake Erie Wine Country
Pennsylvania's moderate climate and rolling terrain provide some of the best grape growing conditions on the East Coast. Experience the 22 distinct wineries that make up Lake Erie Wine Country which span PA and NY along the southern shores of Lake Erie. With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, Pennsylvania ranks 4th nationally in the amount of grapes grown and 8th in wine production. The warm waters of Lake Erie are ideal for grape growing.
Learn more at LakeErieWineCountry.org
Lake Erie Ale Trail
Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes City is also known for its port and its porters! The Erie region is home to a variety of breweries that make up the Lake Erie Ale Trail. Each brewery refines their beer from simple ingredients, mixing in a passion for their craft with a personable twist that gives uniqueness to an ever-expanding assortment of flavors, styles and funky names.
Learn more at LakeErieAleTrail.com
Let’s Move Outside!
The Let’s Move Outside! Erie County Recreational Passport is a collaborative program of Erie Yesterday, Erie County Department of Health and VisitErie. It’s an innovative program promoting healthy living and physical activity through the use of public art, local history and outdoor recreation. Download a PDF of the new, pocket-sized Let’s Move Outside! Erie County Recreational Passport. Click here for more information.
Don’t Give Up the Drip
Don’t Give Up the Drip Community Rain Barrel Art Project is simultaneously showcasing Erie’s local art talent while educating the community about the benefits of harvesting rainwater. Take a cool “green” tour throughout Erie County of of 52 locally designed and created rain barrels commissioned by the Erie County Conservation District and Environment Erie. Perfect for those interested in environmental/nature sites. For more information, click here.
Washington's Trail
This trail is a driving route through western Pennsylvania. Traversing modern highways, the route commemorates young George Washington's first military and diplomatic venture in the Fall and Winter 1753 - 1754. Today, the route follows major roads. However, in some areas there are alternate historic or scenic routes suggested which may more closely align with Washington's travel in the Fall of 1753, and these are likely to be back roads.
Download the Washington's Trail brochure
- Handicap Accessible
- Pet Friendly
