Pennsylvania Vacation and Education on a Budget

Families Find Plenty of Fun and Enriching Activities in Erie, PA

Aug 3, 2009

Many families are opting for "stay-cations," in the recession. A destination that creates memories instead of credit card balances lies in northwest Pennsylvania.

Tucked conveniently in the center of a metropolitan triangle formed by Buffalo, NY, Cleveland, OH, and Pittsburgh, PA, is Erie. On the shores of its namesake, Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes, Erie, PA, offers a wide variety of both recreational and educational activities for families.

Presque Isle, a state park, contains 11 miles of hiking trails, lots of wildlife, and more than a dozen guarded beaches. Canoes are available for rent and scenic boat tours launch throughout the day. The Stull Interpretive Center educates young and old alike about the wildlife and ecosystems of the peninsula.

Just up the road, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) teaches the public about 3,200-acre Presque Isle and features nature-themed movies on its 45-foot-wide Big Green Screen. TREC general admission is free and the center is open year-round.

In downtown Erie, PA, history-filled attractions are both cheap and entertaining. The Dobbins Landing Bicentennial Tower overlooks Presque Isle Bay and admission to the top of the tower is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Flagship Niagara and Erie Maritime Museum Hold a Peek into American History

Just to the east, the Flagship Niagara, docks for much of the year. The Flagship Niagara is billed as America’s premier tall ship and is a replica of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s 1813 warship. Perry uttered the famous line, “Don’t give up the ship.”

Associated with the Flagship Niagara is the Erie Maritime Museum, which presents the story of the ship that won the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. The museum offers multi-media and interactive exhibits.

Also heralding Erie history is the Watson-Curtze Mansion, which gives a peek into the lifestyle of Erie’s 19th century elite. A variety of exhibits cycle through the house amid family artifacts including furniture, household items, clothing, toys, and correspondence.

What vacation with children would not include a visit to the zoo? The 15-acre Erie Zoo offers free admission from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Attractions include Kiboka Outpost, which is modeled after an African safari. It is home to a cheetah, rhinos, warthogs, and other animals that are native to Africa. There’s also a children’s zoo containing black-footed penguins, a wildlife carousel, and the Wild Things Theater.

There are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Erie, PA. The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership offers helpful information on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in Erie, PA.

The copyright of the article Pennsylvania Vacation and Education on a Budget in Pennsylvania Travel is owned by Ann Silverthorn. Permission to republish Pennsylvania Vacation and Education on a Budget in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.