Erie Tourist Traps

Visibile from Interstate 90 is the Summit Township Experience. Big Box stores, chain restaurants, strip malls, and the usual collection of corporate motels.

This area is definitely NOT Erie.

Unique Suggestions: If you have to stay at a motel or hotel on the I-90 corridor, know that there are a number of good local restaurants and interesting places to visit within only a few miles. Don't let the hotel management discourage you from exploring. And don't let them talk you into going to some lame chain restaurant.

Best bet is to travel to I-79 and then go north to the Bayfront Parkway. Check out the city's bayfront and head north on State Street.

AVOID Peach Street (US 19) between I-90 and the Millcreek Mall. It's a traffic nightmare and people drive recklessly.

Fun Alternatives: The hotels in downtown are usually used by business travelers. The Avalon has been updated (it was a Hilton) and is clean.

You can also try the Bel Air on 8th and Peninsula Drive. It's within a few minutes of Presque Isle State Park and has an excellent restaurant inside.

Its Millcreek Township surroundings are comprised of hokey 1960's architecture, but it's still easier on the eyes than Summit township. There are some good local restaurants nearby as well.

Waldameer is an Amusement Park. It has Amusement Park prices for food but Gifts and entrance fees are very Low Priced. A Family of 4 probably can get day admission both to the Park and Water Park for less than one days admission to Disney or a Big Park. Great for Kids.

Although there was a strong German community in Erie about 50-60 years ago, it seems to have faded away over time. For example, I noticed an old, abandoned German brewery when I was there. There was a German social club that seemed to be bustling with activity, but my brother shook his head regretfully and said 'It's all Americans today.' I caught a certain negative inflection in the way he said 'Americans' so I have a feeling that if you're looking for an authentic German experience you won't find it here. Other relatives told me that you'll have a better time driving up to Ontario for Oktoberfest than you will in Erie. Bummer!

In 1995, the Erie SeaWolves began play in the New York/Penn League as the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team adopted the name SeaWolves due to
the city's proximity to the lake, the historical factors of Lake Erie and its relationship with the Pirates. In the English language, the word SeaWolves is synonymous with Pirates, individuals who commit or practice piracy. SeaWolves are robbers on the high seas.