7 Favorite Summer Activities at Presque Isle State Park May 31, 2022 by Visit Erie Designated as a National Natural Landmark and Erie’s top attraction, Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acre peninsula that reaches out into Lake Erie. There is always something fun to do at Presque Isle State Park, where you can easily spend an entire day enjoying the park’s many outdoor adventures. Bring your family and friends and make your escape to Presque Isle! Here are a few of our favorite summertime activities. Visit Presque Isle Beaches Presque Isle State Park features seven miles of sandy surf beaches, providing visitors with the only surf swimming within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The beaches of Presque Isle are great for sunbathing, swimming, picnicking and sunset gazing. Presque Isle beaches are open daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. The regular hours are Noon – 7:30 p.m. Parking and admission to the park is free. Go Biking or Rollerblading Presque Isle has miles of hiking trails, both paved and unpaved. The most popular and heavily used trail is the 13.5-mile Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose paved trail. Unpaved trails are located throughout the Park and include the Gull Point Trail, Graveyard Pond Trail and Dead Pond Trail. Rental equipment is available near the Water Works Beach area and includes one person bicycles, tandem bicycles, surreys, rollerblades and more. Explore the Presque Isle Lighthouse Built in 1873, the Presque Isle Lighthouse offers visitors the chance to climb its tower for panoramic views of Lake Erie, all while learning its vast history and function. Public tours of the Presque Isle Lighthouse are available May through September. Enjoy the Picnic Areas Numerous picnic tables can be found throughout Presque Isle and are perfect for a casual day at the beach or a gathering. If you prefer to reserve a table in a specific spot, there is a small fee, however there is no charge if a table is not in use. If you have a larger group such as a birthday party or reunion, there are various size pavilions available for rent. To inquire about picnic or pavilion rentals click here. Take a Ride Aboard the Lady Kate Enjoy a leisurely 14-mile, 90 minute tour of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie aboard the Lady Kate. This fully narrated sightseeing boat tour includes Erie’s lighthouses, Gull Point Nature Preserve, Presque Isle’s shores, Erie’s skyline, beaches, wildlife and more. Sunset tours are also offered. The Lady Kate is docked at Perry Monument. Tours are available May 22 – September 26. Learn about the Perry Monument Located next to Misery Bay, the Perry Monument is dedicated to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who was a prominent naval squadron leader during the War of 1812. Perry, along with Presque Isle, played a vital role in the victory over the British in the War. Interpretive panels detailing the story of the War of 1812 and The Battle of Lake Erie line the sidewalks surrounding the monument. Explore the Lagoons The lagoons of Presque Isle are perfect for exploring by canoe, kayak, paddle board or row boat. You can bring your own equipment or the park offers rentals for various watercraft. Throughout the summer, the park offers free guided lagoon by pontoon educational boat tours.
Fascinating Flora and Fauna in the Laurel Highlands May 9, 2022 by Laurel Highlands PA The natural beauty of the Laurel Highlands is stunning any time of year. With so many of us spending more and more time outside, exploring new nooks and crannies of our great outdoors, it got me thinking about the region’s array of fascinating flowers and wildlife. I’m certainly no botanist, naturalist, or biologist, so I reached out to the professionals – Kim Peck, Environmental Education Specialist at Laurel Hill State Park Complex, and Rachael Mahony, Environmental Education Specialist at Forbes State Forest, for some help identifying and interpreting some of the coolest creatures in our region. If you do encounter any of these special treasures while exploring the Laurel Highlands, please do not touch them. Give them space and admire from afar. FLORA Snow Trillium Sometimes called the “Queen of Spring,” the snow trillium begins to peek out in late March and early April, making it one of the first flowers to bloom each spring. The snow trillium is a graceful, but hardy flower to behold that can be found near steep stream valley slopes with lots of limestone. Look but please don’t touch these graceful beauties. Picking the flower will kill the plant. Mountain Laurel Pennsylvania’s state flower, mountain laurel, is abundant in the Laurel Highlands! The beautiful shrub keeps its foliage year-round, but keep an eye out in May and June for umbrella-like flowers that range in color from white to pink, with unique purple markings. Want to see the spring flowers yourself? Lucky for you, they can be found in many Laurel Highlands state parks and forests and on Fallingwater‘s property! Sugar Maples Sugar maples pull double duty in the Laurel Highlands – tasty maple syrup and stunning fall foliage. In order to produce maple sugar for syrup, there needs to be an abundance of maple trees and the perfect climate – a la the Laurel Highlands! Springtime weather in the region is ideal because of its cold nights and warm days. That alternating weather cycle, from freezing to thawing, is what changes the atmospheric pressure in the trees to allow the sap to flow out of them. Visitors can find Somerset County maple syrup at local farmers’ markets and the sugar camps where it is produced. In the fall, the darling sugar maples use their abundant natural sugar in combination with rainfall and sunlight to create some of the most amazing fall foliage. Sugar maples often turn a fiery red or majestic orange when in their peak. Purple Pitcherplants The Purple Pitcherplant didn’t always call Spruce Flats Bog “home.” Once upon a time, Spruce Flats Bog was once a virgin hemlock forest and in the late 1800s/early 1900s these trees were harvested leaving the area barren. Rainwater began to collect due to the unique underground geology of impermeable sandstone which helped the area to fill like a bowl, resulting in a bog. Bogs are nutrient-poor because water typically doesn’t actively flow in and out, rather the water in the bog is from precipitation, such as rain or snow – this decreases oxygen. Low oxygen and cold water slow rates of plant decomposition which creates an acidic environment within a bog, in most cases. Spruce flats bog is unique in that there is a small water source that feeds into the bog which makes the water less acidic than the typical bog. In the mid-1950s, purple pitcherplants were transplanted to the bog by the Westmoreland Botanical Society. Native to Pennsylvania and much of the Northeastern US, the purple pitcherplant gets its name from the ‘vase-like’ shape of its leaves. Flowers extend above the leaves and bloom during the summer. Pitcherplants are carnivorous plants that consume insects by luring in prey, trapping it, and consuming it. The insects are trapped in the vase-like leaves and are unable to escape the slippery, hairy interior of the leaves. At the bottom of the ‘vase’ are digestive enzymes that will break down the insect and nutrients with be absorbed by the plant. Purple Fringeless Orchid Orchids do grow in Pennsylvania! The Purple Fringeless Orchid is very rare. It is listed as a threatened species in PA. This orchid blooms in July and August and is pollinated by moths and butterflies. It prefers marshy meadows with acidic soil. It is only found in a few counties and currently occurs in both Fayette and Somerset Counties. We do not release the specific location of this orchid to ensure that it remains protected and a part of the fascinating flora of Pennsylvania. FAUNA Vernal Pools Vernal pools are usually temporary puddles or ponds of water that are used by amphibians for breeding. The pools come alive in early spring. The sounds of frogs and toads are quirky and unique to each species. It is super fun to know where the pools typically exist in the area and explore them each spring. You can take in the sometimes deafening sounds of amphibians welcoming warmer weather and potential mates. White Tail Deer An interesting and important fact about the White-tailed Deer is related to mother deer and new fawns. New fawns are born in late May and early June. The fawns will drink mother’s milk for the first part of their lives. Mother deer need to forage for their own food and keep healthy in order to feed and care for her fawn. She does not take the fawn with her to forage, but instead leaves it in a safe place, hidden in high grass, to rest until she returns. The fawn remains still and scentless to detract from any predators knowing its location. If you see a small fawn curled in a field please leave it alone. Never touch a fawn! Observe from a distance and allow it to rest and wait for its mother’s return. American Woodcock This migratory game species is known by unique names like “timberdoodle” and “bog sucker.” They eat primarily earthworms. The long bill is perfectly suited to gather earthworms and their large eyes keep a lookout for predators while they are eating. Their late winter/early spring arrival to Pennsylvania breeding grounds brings a fun courtship display performed by the male woodcock. The woodcock prefers at least a quarter acre of somewhat soggy open field with surrounding forest for its display. The male will sit on the ground and make an audible “peeeent” sound to begin the display. It sounds like an insect. Then the woodcock will take flight and fly 200 to 300 feet in the air while its wings whistle. Then it will spiral back to the field while making a chirping/gurgling sound. Again it will “peeeent” a few more times and repeat. This typically lasts for one-half hour to an hour at dusk and sometimes at dawn. The courtship begins in early March and continues through mid-May. Brook Trout The Brook Trout is the only species of native trout found in the Laurel Highlands. These sensitive fish require pristine streams full of macroinvertebrate life and high-quality cold water streams in order to thrive.
Five Ways to Spend a Spring Day on Erie’s Waterfront April 8, 2022 by Visit Erie Now that warmer temperatures are on the way, are you ready to “spring” out of the house and find some fun things to do? Here are our top suggestions on how you can enjoy Erie’s beautiful waterfront this spring! Experience New Heights at the Bicentennial Tower One of our area’s most recognizable landmarks, the Bicentennial Tower, is open year-round and offers birds-eye views of Downtown Erie, Presque Isle State Park, Lake Erie and on a clear day, Canada! You can access the 138-foot top level observation deck via stairs or elevator. From the top deck you can also get a unique perspective of the abstract mural entitled “Flotsam”. It is painted on the entire second-level observation deck and was created by internationally-known artist SatOne. Dig for Hidden Treasure at Presque Isle Bring a bag for beach glass hunting on the sandy beaches of Presque Isle State Park! Our friends at Relish Inc. tell us that the best beach glass can be found at Beach 1, located near the entrance to the Park. These sparkly, colorful gems are great for making crafts and gifts such as jewelry or picture frames. For tips of the trade, seminars and of course, tons of beach glass products, make plans to come back in October for The Great Lakes Beach Glass & Coastal Arts Festival. Order Lunch with a View One of Erie’s dining hot spots is the Bayfront Grille’s outdoor patio at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel. The Bayfront Grille is the top-rated Sheraton restaurant in the world, features American fare with flair! Enjoy your lunch amid the relaxing waters of Presque Isle Bay set in a casual atmosphere. We recommend their signature house salad or the chicken salad croissant with a side of truffle fries. Discover Erie’s Maritime Heritage at the Erie Maritime Museum Learn Erie’s role during the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie and how it helped shape the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The museum’s central exhibit is the U.S. Brig Niagara. It is home –ported just outside the maritime museum and serves as a floating exhibit and sail training vessel. During the summer, you can board this majestic Tall Ship for a day or sunset sail. Cruise Presque Isle Bay aboard the Victorian Princess Sailing the waters of Presque Isle Bay since 1998, this three-level Victorian-style paddlewheel boat is the Grand Dame of Erie boat tours. Sunset, sightseeing, dining and party cruises are available May to October. It’s the perfect way to enjoy life’s special events with friends and family.
Where to See Mountain Laurel in the Laurel Highlands April 6, 2022 by Laurel Highlands PA Mountain laurel is in bloom in the Laurel Highlands! The shrub keeps its foliage year-round, but keep an eye out in May and June for umbrella-like flowers that range in color from white to pink, with unique purple markings. Not only is mountain-laurel absolutely beautiful, but it is also Pennsylvania’s state flower and can be found all over the Laurel Highlands. Want to see the spring flowers yourself? Lucky for you, they can be found right in your backyard! Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail/Laurel Ridge State Park While a backpacker or day-hiker can find many opportunities to gaze at the glory of this unique and beautiful plant, one of the best spots to view mountain-laurel on the entire Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is via the Route 30 trailhead just outside of Ligonier. If you park at the trailhead parking lot, you’ll see the lovely flora right away. You can hike north or south to see blooms lining the trails at a few different points. Forbes State Forest and Laurel Mountain State Park Close by the Route 30 trailhead is Forbes State Forest/Laurel Mountain. This area is renowned for hiking, mountain biking, and when conditions provide, excellent cross-country skiing. But in June, it is where hikers and bikers can take in the beautiful sights and sounds of a high elevation forest. Explore the Rocky Gap, Wolf Rocks, and Silvermine Trails for the best chances to see mountain-laurel in bloom! Bonus points: visit nearby Spruce Flats Bog and Linn Run State Park for even more unique and gorgeous scenery! Ohiopyle State Park A local gem and beautiful trail offering a nice loop hike or mountain bike ride past large rock outcroppings, beautiful overlooks, and remnants of homesteads. Find the best display of mountain-laurel from the top of the loop from Fire Tower Road, or via a steep climb from the McCune Trailhead. Quebec Run in Forbes State Forest A great place to get off the beaten path, Quebec Run offers a variety of trails known for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. These trails are challenging and this is an area where you are less likely to run into other trail users. Enjoy the lush rhododendron and peaks of mountain-laurel as you weave through this rugged landscape. Fallingwater Check two things off of your bucket list by viewing mountain-laurel at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater! It’s only perfect that this beautiful flower can be found in the surrounding landscape of the architectural masterpiece. As if Fallingwater wasn’t picturesque enough!
The Best Places for Outdoor Winter Fun in Erie, PA February 16, 2022 by Visit Erie It’s safe to say this season our area has received a healthy amount of the fluffy white stuff and for a lot of people that means SNOW MUCH FUN is waiting to be had! So layer up, grab your friends and family and head outdoors for some wintry adventures! Asbury Woods With over 216 acres, 5 miles of trails, cross country skiing and snowshoeing is a great way to embrace Erie’s chilliest season. Fun for all ages and skill levels. Check out clinics, rentals, nature explorations, bird watching, community and school programs and the popular Maple Festival populate the winter months. Mount Pleasant of Edinboro Featuring downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow programs, lessons and a tuning shop, Mount Pleasant offers so much for winter lovers in the heart of Erie County’s Snow Belt. 6 manmade trails and 4 natural trails with most trails lit up at night to allow for safe night skiing and snowboarding. The 600’ tubing hill has 8 lanes for the ultimate outdoor winter fun – bring your own tube or use theirs! Ice Fishing Presque Isle Bay was recently named as one of the Top Winter Fishing Destinations in the Country by FishingBooker. When the ice is at least 6” thick, Presque Isle Bay is the most popular ice fishing spot along with Horseshoe Pond and Misery Bay at Presque Isle State Park. Most ice fishing is for pan fish, especially perch or the occasional steelhead. Fish USA is a great resource for ice fishing tips. Presque Isle State Park Open year-round the Park’s multi-purpose trail is cleared of snow from the main entrance to the Public Safety building. Call ahead to check which areas are open for walkers, cross country skiers and snowshoeing. Ice dunes along the shorelines are popular with visitors, however, due to hollow, hazardous conditions, please enjoy them from a distance. Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF) Frontier Park features paved, natural and gravel paths for walking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing. While there, discover the Benjamin Winter Garden, only the third of its kind in the United States. The garden showcases plants that are at their best when most other plants are asleep. Peek n Peak Get ready for a totally tubular experience on one of the Peek’s 14 tubing lanes. Ride the “Magic Carpet” lift, try Lunar Lights Tubing or test yourself at the Peak’s progressive Terrain Parks (180, 360 and 540 degrees) that are designed to challenge skiers and riders. Erie Bluffs State Park Erie Bluffs is the largest undeveloped stretch of land overlooking Lake Erie and is a great place for a natural winter nature hike. The Park features a variety of environmental education and recreational programs year-round including guided walks, hands on activities and evening programs.
Enjoy the Silence: Spend the Night at Buffalo Bill’s House November 17, 2021 by Laurel Highlands PA If you’re a horror movie fan, you’ve seen “The Silence of the Lambs.” But did you know that there’s a filming location from the movie right in your backyard? For the first time ever, Buffalo Bill’s House in Perryopolis is open to the public as a boutique accommodation and cinematic destination. Your reservation in the 111-year-old Queen Anne Victorian house gives you exclusive access to the entire property, making it a private, immersive experience. The new owner of the house, Chris Rowan, came across an article about the house being for sale and had what he describes as a lightbulb moment. As a horror fan and art director by trade, he knew that he had the passion, knowledge, and experience to turn the house into a filming location like no other. Despite there only being 15 to 20 minutes of footage at the house featured in the movie, the cast and crew spent more than 7 weeks filming in Buffalo Bill’s House during the winter of 1990. The climax and some of the most iconic lines of the movie were filmed in this house, and Chris has made every effort to make sure that you can recreate all of those moments in Buffalo Bill’s House during your stay. On the coffee table, you’ll find a guidebook full of still shots from the movie and where that was filmed in the house, so you don’t miss a single photo op. For example, the school bus across the street that was never moved after filming or the drawer that Buffalo Bill rummaged through for business cards. While decorating, Chris treated the house as a movie set in order to devise a concept. As a result, the house’s décor doubles as an art gallery, with pieces of art everywhere, many donated by Silence fans all over the world. The collection includes three mounted and framed Death’s-head hawkmoths, the most recognizable item from “The Silence of the Lambs.” Among the decorations are two actual props from filming: two scraps of wallpaper used on set, which the owners at the time of filming saved. “It feels really good to know that something I’m doing means so much to so many people. And that’s so important because I get to share this experience and my artistic vision with the same community I’ve been a part of my entire life.” Buffalo Bill’s Workshop of Horrors After you get a good video of you nervously and sneakily walking down the stairs as Jodie Foster did, you’ll enter the basement aka the Workshop of Horrors. This is your opportunity to fully embody Buffalo Bill. Sit at an original Singer sewing machine in the nude, chat with the mannequins, put on some makeup, grab the silk robe (provided for guests’ use), and dance to “Goodbye Horses.” While there isn’t a well in the basement (that scene was actually filmed in a warehouse in Monroeville), Chris has plans to fabricate one in the basement of Buffalo Bill’s House. The resin fiberglass structure will create a forced perspective that will simulate something similar to the well from the movie. Of course, there will be props including a bucket on a pulley with, you guessed it, lotion. Buffalo Bill’s Playhouse On the third floor, Buffalo Bill’s Playhouse is a vintage recreation and game room featuring six arcade games, a billiard/air hockey table, a TV, and an expansive movie collection. Along with an original “The Silence of the Lambs” theatre poster from 1991, you’ll find nods to other horror films peppered throughout the playhouse. Hanging on the walls are keepsakes from filming, including personal notes from both Jodie Foster and Jonathan Demme, a call sheet from Valentine’s Day 1990, and the production team’s blueprint of the Buffalo Bill’s House plan. Living Quarters Upstairs you’ll find four bedrooms, and each is named after a character in the movie: Buffalo Bill (king), Clarice (queen), Hannibal Lecter (queen), and Precious (two single). Just like the downstairs, the second floor is decorated with period-correct furniture and tasteful Silence accents. When you stay at Buffalo Bill’s House, you’ll receive a few complimentary items, including a travel-size bottle of Buffalo Bill’s House’s signature Skin Suit Soft lotion. Full-sized bottles of the lotion, along with branded shirts and face masks are available for purchase at checkout when reserving your stay! The property offers so much more outside, including a gazebo, koi pond, pergola with a barbecue grill, a fire pit, an in-ground pool, and more! Chris has long-term plans for the garage and train conductor car on the property, but we won’t give that secret away just yet. In the future, Buffalo Bill’s House also hopes to offer limited guided tours, Hannibal-inspired dinner parties, celebrity engagements, and more. With many other horror film locations in the region, Buffalo Bill’s House is the perfect place for horror film buffs to spend the night after a day of touring. Check something off of your horror fan bucket list and book your getaway today! Learn more about Buffalo Bill’s House on their website, Facebook and Instagram.