City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Erie, Pennsylvania

Fishing, boating, maritime history, family-friendly attractions and outdoor recreation are all abundant in Erie, Pennsylvania. Located between Buffalo, New York and Cleveland, Ohio, the city of Erie sits across Lake Erie from the Canadian border.

One of the smallest of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie has one of the largest freshwater commercial fisheries of all the Great Lakes. Trout, bass, walleye, perch and salmon can be caught along the shores and waterways of Erie. There’s also supposedly a monster named Bessie, or simply the Lake Erie Monster. We’ll let you be the judge of that one.

Whether you’re sailing around Lake Erie, motoring through along the Great Loop or just hanging out a private boat lift for rent, you’ll want to check out some of these attractions the next time you’re in the Flagship City.

The Erie Zoo

Photo: Erie Zoo (Facebook)

The Erie Zoo is home to amphibians, birds, reptiles and mammals such as alpacas, African lions, Canadian lynx, meerkats, lemurs and even pot-bellied pigs. Check out the gardens while you’re there. There’s a gift shop and an ice-skating rink you might want to visit before heading back to a private boat lift rental.

The Erie Art Museum

Photo: Erie Art Museum (Facebook)

If you’re craving a bit of culture, the Erie Art Museum is the place to be. Peruse paintings, sculptures, objects and special exhibits. Even if you're not into art, it makes a nice day trip from a private boat slip for rent.

Presque Isle State Park

Photo: Presque Isle State Park (Facebook)

Presque Isle State Park, located on Presque Isle, is 3,112-acre park on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie. As you can imagine, the views are worth the drive from a private boat lift for rent. Spend the day visiting lagoons, beaches and natural habitats. Go swimming, boating, diving, fishing, hiking, bicycling and in-line skating. Or simply watch for migrating birds and endangered animals at this National Natural Landmark. Visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to learn about the area and its habitats. There are interactive exhibits and a 75-foot observation tower for bird’s eye views of the area.

Fans of historic beacons will be happy to know that there are three lighthouses on Presque Isle: the Erie Land Lighthouse, the Presque Isle Lighthouse and the North Pier Light.

Waldameer Water World Park

Photo: Waldameer Water World Park (Facebook)

Waldameer Water World Park has your typical bumper cars, flying swings and roller coasters as well as water slides, wave pools and other splashy features. It first opened in 1896 and is the 10th oldest amusement park in the U.S. For the history buffs, it’s one of 13 historic trolley parks (amusement parks built at the end of trolley lines in the 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Coney Island) that’s still operating. These trolly parks were designed to get trolley workers to ride the railways with their families on weekends. They were usually built near beaches, lakes and other tourist destinations. Clever, huh? Today, it’s a fun way to cool off and get thrills in after a day on the water or at a private boat slip rental.

Erie Maritime Museum

Photo: Erie Maritime Museum (Facebook)

The Erie Maritime Museum, located in the historic Bayfront District, focuses on the area’s involvement in the War of 1812 and its fishing and shipbuilding history. Learn about Erie’s maritime history through photographs, paintings, objects and art. While you’re there, visit the US Brig Niagara (also known as the Flagship Niagara League or the USS Niagara or the Flagship Niagara), a reconstruction of the wooden-hulled snow brig that served as the relief flagship during the War of 1812 in the Battle of Lake Erie.

Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier

Photo: Wikimedia

Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier, found at Frontier Park, offers a setting of more than 225 tree varieties, including  elms, dogwoods, weeping white pines, linden, honey oak and dawn redwoods. Learn about the arboretum’s conservation and environmental efforts, slide down the Griff slides, walk around the labyrinth maze and check out the artistic structures made of willow rods.
 

The next time you’re visiting the Bay City from a private boat dock for rent, pay a visit to one or two or more of these cool spots. Let us know if you run into Bessie (or any other lake monster).