Erie – Things to do with your Team
Roughly four million people visit Erie annually during the summer months. The city is a major tourist hotspot in Pennsylvania. Everywhere you go in Erie, you will find exciting activities that you can do with your team.
Erie has so much to do, but its most famous attraction is definitely Lake Erie. One of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is a large reason why the city became such a popular tourist destination. While you and your team are there for a tournament, stopping by the lake isn’t just an option, it’s a requirement.
Erie Zoo
Erie has a large variety of attractions for visitors, one of which is its zoo. Erie Zoo has amassed a surprising quantity of animals for its size. Because the zoo is on the smaller side, you can let your team venture off on their own and see the zoo how they want.
Erie Zoo is divided into four sections and houses the animals according to the region of the world they are from. Explore the plains of Africa while you encounter lions, zebras, and giraffes. Then, trek off to Asia and see red pandas, orangutans, and tigers. Erie Zoo has many more animals to see in all four of the areas.
The Children’s Adventure section is designed more for younger kids, but older kids will also appreciate the animals in this part of the zoo. Penguins, alligators, and llamas are the stand outs for Children’s Adventure. A carousel and theater are also included in this section.
Erie Zoo allows its guests to bring their own food if they wish, but they have places to buy some if you choose not to pack your own. 423 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508
Play Port
Erie’s largest arcade, Play Port is a strong contender for necessary places to visit.
With over 100 arcade games including racing games, pinball, basketball games, shooting games, and others, Play Port’s collection will keep the entire team busy for quite some time.
Go during the week and get unlimited time to play in the arcade! With that much time you’ll be able to try every game.
None of the games require quarters either! They’re all free to play once you pay the admission fee.
Included in Play Port’s admission is one round of mini golf. Play Port has a nine-hole indoor glow-in-the-dark course for you to enjoy. Expect obstacles at every twist and turn of each hole.
Play Port’s combination of massive arcade and mini golf is easily enough to keep the team happy for the entire duration of their visit. 2730 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Doubling as an environmental and visitor’s center, Tom Ridge Environmental Center provides a unique look into Lake Erie and the history behind it. Trace the growth of Lake Erie and Presque Isle through the centuries. Learn about what kinds of plants and animals once lived in the area and still do today.
Tom Ridge incorporates interactive features into the center as well. You will be able to sculpt your own maps equipped with topographical features out of sand.
Make sure to take a trip up to the top of the 75-foot observation tower to witness a spectacular view of Lake Erie and the surrounding area. This is the perfect introduction activity before heading to Presque Isle State Park. 301 Peninsula Drive, Suite 1
Presque Isle State Park
One of the major contributors to why millions of tourists flock to Erie every summer, Presque Isle State Park is the best spot to see Lake Erie and spend time on its shores. Hunker down on one of Presque’s many lake adjacent beaches and get a little sun.
When things get too hot, Lake Erie is only a few steps away. Enjoy a swim in one of the county’s largest lakes.
Presque Isle’s beaches vary in regards to the kinds of beaches. Some are predominately full of soft sand, others are rockier. It doesn’t matter what your preference of beach is; Presque Isle has what you’re looking for.
Besides beaches, your team can utilize the park’s walking trails if they wish to take a relaxing stroll. Picnic tables can be found throughout the park for anyone who may want to eat.
Presque Isle State Park is an easy activity to make a day out of. Forget about bringing your wallet, because Presque Isle is entirely free. Peninsula Dr & Fisher Dr, Erie, PA 16505
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UPMC Park
Home of the Double-A Minor League Baseball team known as the SeaWolves, UPMC Park is an affordable activity that makes for an amusing night out.
Don’t worry about where you’re sitting because every seat at UPMC is a great one for watching the game. The minor league park does an awesome job making you feel like you’re right in the midst of the action; you’ll feel like you’re a part of the team.
The stadium is well stocked with concession options, most notably Smith’s Sausage Shack. Smith’s is the best choice if you’re looking for a tasty sausage or hot dog. If not, UPMC has plenty of other dining choices for you to peruse.
If anyone on your team needs to stretch their legs during the game, they can check out the speed pitch machine or inflatables. On certain nights, UPMC hosts a fireworks show after the games as well. 110 E 10th St, Erie, PA 16501
Millcreek Mall
Erie sees a huge influx of tourists every year. Those tourists need a large mall to accommodate them when they need to shop. Good thing Millcreek Mall is bigger than most malls.
It may only be one floor, but it houses 175 specialty stores and 6 anchors. You have your work cut out for you if you want to browse and shop. Millcreek’s diverse selection of stores makes it an ideal location to stop by. Your team could easily spend an hour or two here between shopping, eating, and walking around the mall. 5800 Peach St, Erie, PA 16565
Cinemark Tinseltown 17
Erie’s most popular movie theater takes after its mall in terms of size. Cinemark Tinseltown 17 has 20 screens and anywhere from 17 to 20 different movies playing every day.
Deciding on a single movie for the entire team might be a tall task. Fortunately, the theater has multiple showings for its movies. Your team might be able to split up between a few of them if they all have similar start times. That way everyone will be happy! 1910 Rotunda Dr, Erie, PA 16509
Escape Game Erie
Put your teamwork to the ultimate test of wits and find out if you can come out on top at Escape Game Erie. You have a choice out of a total of four themed rooms split between two locations in Erie and Millcreek.
At one location, Escape Niagara and Da Vinci’s Secret are your possibilities, at the other, Forgotten Laboratory and Abducted. It would be a good idea to decide which rooms interest your team more so you know which location to visit. 23 W 10th St, or 4838 W. Ridge Rd in Millcreek, Erie, PA 16501
After you visit Erie, you will understand why so many people make the trip there every year. Its beautiful lakefront views and endless list of attractions make for a fun getaway. Remember to bring some suntan lotion, especially if you visit during the warmer months, because you will want to spend a lot of time along the lake.