ATTRACTIONS

what to do..

where to go

Bicentennial Tower - Built as part of Erie's 200th anniversary celebration, this 187 foot tower (counting the flag pole) has become a prime tourist attraction. An elevator takes you up to the upper observation deck at 138 feet (there are 210 steps if you'd rather climb). There is a $2 ($1 for kids 7-12) fee except on Tuesdays when it is FREE (They call it Public Appreciation Day.)
  Hours: April -- 10a to 6p; May hours are extended until 8p; August to Labor Day 9:30a to 10p.
  For more information phone 1-814-455-6055 or visit their web page: Tower.
  From I-90 take exit 22 to I-79 northbound. Merge with the northbound I-79 traffic and follow I-79 North to the Bayfront Highway. Continue on Bayfront to State Street. Turn left and into Dobbs Landing.

expERIEnce Children's Museum - A variety of interactive exhibits and educational programs. While children 2 to 12 are targeted, it seems that children of all ages - and even adults - enjoy their visits here.
  Open 10a to 4p Wednesday through Saturday; 1 to 4p Sundays. Summer months (June through August) they're also open 5 to 8p Friday evenings. Admission is $4 for age 2 and up.
  For more information phone 1-814-453-3743 or visit their web site: expERIEnce.
  From I-90 take exit 22 to I-79 northbound. Merge with the northbound I-79 traffic and follow I-79 North to the Bayfront Highway. Continue on Bayfront to State Street and turn right (South). Follow State Street to 5th Street and turn left (East). Parking on the left (north) side of 5th street.

Erie Maritime Museum - "...features multi-media exhibits on the geological and ecological development of the Great Lakes; the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie; and examines life aboard a wooden warship. A reconstruction of the mid-ship section of the Lawrence, O.H. Perry's first flagship, sits near the actual prow of the Wolverine, the U.S. Navy's first iron-hulled ship. When in port, the Flagship Niagara is docked at a special slip here."
  Open Monday through Saturday, 9a to 5p; Sundays noon to 5p. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years' Days. Admission $6 ($3 kids 6 - 12). They also have a 'family admission' plan: 2 adults and all children for only $15.
  For more information phone 1-814-452-2744 or visit their web page: MaritimeMuseum.
  From I-90 take exit 22 to I-79 northbound. Merge with the northbound I-79 traffic and follow I-79 North to the Bayfront Highway. Continue on Bayfront to State Street and turn left. Cross the tracks and turn right on Front Street. The museum is at 150 E Front Street.

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Erie Art Museum - Located in Erie's old Custom House with its beautiful Greek facade, Erie's Art Museum has constantly changing displays  of a wide range of art from paintings to sculptures. The Museum is also noted for its annual Jazz Festival held the first weekend of August. (They have other concerts, too, but you need to contact them for schedules.)
  Open Tuesday through Saturday 11a to 5p; Sundays 1 to 5p. Closed major holidays. Admission for adults is only $2; $1 for 'students and $0.50 for kids under 12.
  For more information phone 1-814-459-5477 or visit their web site: ErieArtMuseum.
  From I-90 take exit 22 to I-79 northbound. Merge with the northbound I-79 traffic and follow I-79 North to the Bayfront Highway. Continue on Bayfront to State Street and turn right. The Museum is at 411 State Street; just look for the Greek columns. There is a parking garage on 3rd Street just around the corner from State Street. Street parking is theoretically available - if you can find a spot and it is metered and patrolled.

Marx Toy Museum - Yes, there are other Marx Toy Museum (notably the one in Glen Dale WV) but Erie is the home of the Louis Marx Company and this museum is really special. The concept of some former employees of the company, a series of 'co incidents' plus a lot of dedication enabled a fast and emphatic start.
   In June through September they are open 1 to 5p Monday through Sunday. The rest of the year they are closed Tuesdays AND Thursdays. Admission is $3 for adults; $1 for kids 5 to 12.
  For more information phone 1-814-825-6500 or visit their web site: MarxMuseum.
  From I-90 take exit 27 and follow PA-97 northbound to Bloomfield Parkway (about 600 feet from the Interstate). Turn right and the museum will be on your left at 50 Bloomfield Parkway.

Erie Zoo - More than just another zoo, the Erie Zoo has aesthetically combined botanic gardens among the animal environments. A network of landscaped pathways connect all the animal environments making for a very restful, relaxed atmosphere.
  Over 500 animals representing over 100 species, some rare, plus over 2,500 plants representing over 600 species of flora can be seen daily between 10a and 5p for an admission fee of $5.50 ($2.75 for kids 3 to 11).
  For the kids there is a train ride and carousel which are a delights to all. The fare for the train ride is an additional $1.50; the carousel is $1.
  For more information phone 1-814-864-4091 or visit their web site: ErieZoo.
  From I-90 take exit 22 to I-79 northbound. Merge with the northbound I-79 traffic and follow I-79 North to exit 182. Exit onto US-20 (Melrose Ave) eastbound and drive to State Street (1 block after Peach Street which is US-19). Turn right on State and bear right on the first street, Glenwood Park Avenue which is also OH-505. Follow Glenwood Park Avenue into Glenwood Park and the Erie Zoo (official address is 423 West 38th Street).