On Pennsylvania's only seashore, Erie boasts seven miles of, clean, sandy, fresh-water beaches on the Presque Isle peninsula, jutting into Lake Erie, a beautiful, natural setting for the Commonwealth's largest state park. A registered national natural landmark, recognized internationally as an ecological gem, the park offers a unique mix of nature and recreation. The Park hosts about four million visitors a year, yet never seems crowded, because of its size and diversity. At the entrance to the park, you will find Waldameer Park and Water World, a fine family amusement park with giant water slides, a 100-foot gondola ferris wheel overlooking Presque Isle, and many other exciting rides, all in a beautiful wooded area with multiple large and small picnic pavilions. Presque Isle Bay and the nearby lake are famous for boating and fishing.
Charter boats are available.
Erie is also experiencing substantial growth as a regional shopping center, with visitors from nearby states and Canada taking advantage of the lack of state sales tax on food and clothing. Erie is also known for its lovely residential areas and many historic sites. Travel the new Bayfront Parkway downtown to a redeveloping waterfront and the U.S. Brig Niagara, relief flagship of Com. Oliver Hazard Perry, from which he won the Battle of Lake Erie that helped to decide the War of 1812. She has been restored as a seaworthy sailing vessel, and is now the official Flagship of Pennsylvania.