| The focal point of Pennsylvania's forty-mile slice of Lake Erie
waterfront is the pleasant city of ERIE itself. It bears no resemblance
to the major urban centers of Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, being entirely
low-rise and extremely leafy; indeed you hardly realize you are downtown
until you find yourself in the shady park-like town square, on 6th
Street between the main thoroughfares of Peach and State streets. There
are several places of cultural interest in the city, all within walking
distance of here, including the Neoclassical Court House and several
museums devoted to history, art and science; better than these, the Erie
Maritime Museum at 150 E Front St in the Bayfront Historical District (Mon-Sat
9am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm; $4) has a fascinating display on the geological
and ecological development of the Great Lakes and also focuses on
warships of different periods; the elegant US Brig Niagara is usually
moored outside and is part of the museum.
Undoubtedly, Erie's main attraction is the elongated comma-shaped
peninsula of Presque Isle State Park , which bends east from its narrow
neck three miles west of downtown until it almost touches the city's
northernmost tip. The park is maintained as a nature preserve and has
wide sandy beaches good for swimming, backed by thick woods offering a
series of trails. The Park Office (daily 8am-4pm; tel 814/833-7424)
provides general information and a map. Those without a vehicle can hop
on the Presque Isle Aquabus (Mon noon-6pm, Tues-Sun 10am-6pm; $3 one-way,
$5 round-trip), which leaves on the hour from Dobbins Landing on the
Erie Bayfront.
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from $59.00
USD