Erie

Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park, (http://www.presqueisle.org). Situated on a peninsula starting from about four miles west of downtown and then going north and east approximately ten miles. Most of the lake side of the peninsula is made up of sandy beaches. The bay side provides launching docks for boats and spots to fish. A fourteen mile paved exercise and bike trail runs the entire length of the peninsula offering views of the lake beaches and wildlife refuges. Bicycles and boats are available for rental in and around the park. There is also a nature cruise starting near the Perry monument, on the southeastern side of the park. With free entry, copious parking, and miles of beaches, it's not hard to see why this park is the most visited state park in Pennsylvania, averaging over a million guests a year.

Waldameer Park & Water World

Waldameer Park & Water World, 814-838-3591, (http://www.waldameer.com/). Right before the entrance to Presque Isle and in the summer is a popular place to beat the summer heat.

Splash Lagoon

Splash Lagoon, 8091 Peach Street, 1-866-3-SPLASH, (http://www.splashlagoon.com) is another great place to take the kids. Located immediately off of I-90 on Peach Street, this indoor waterpark operates year round.

Erie's oldest theater group, producing around 12 shows per year. Musicals, comedies, dramas, concerts, and youth theater are common events. Shows run Thursdays through Sundays as a general rule

The Erie Philharmonic is an orchestra that plays a variety of concerts at the Warner Theatre on State Street, which is on the National Register of Historical Places for its Art Deco style. Tickets can be ordered online, and they go well in advance.

Home of the Erie SeaWolves, Erie's minor league baseball team.

The arena is home to Erie's other three minor league teams, the Otters hockey and the Bayhawks (http://cache.nba.com/dlea...) basketball and ErieStorm (http://www.stormerie.com/) football.