Welcome to Erie!
Introduction
There is an abundance to do here while visiting Erie, PA! Millions of people visit Erie each year for numerous recreational activities. Our close proximity to Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Ontario makes Erie the Regional Playground for visitors!
Erie Gymnastics Center hosts a number of prominent events throughout the year that bring people to Erie. Among those prominent events are the Stars & Stripes Coed Gymnastics Invitational (Winter) / PA State Gymnastics Championships (Spring) / Competitive Camps (Summer).... This page is here for all of our visitors, thus, many of the activities listed here are seasonal. But, Erie is equipped to handle FUN and Visitors any time of year! Last year Erie won the "Snow Globe" Award - (given to the US city 100,000+ with the largest amount of Snowfall. Last year we had 138 inches of Snow!!!
We recommend visiting - visiteriepa.com for a full list of what's going on right now!
Visit Erie
Erie Gymnastics / Team Lightning work directly with the Erie Sports Commission for our events. The Erie Sports Commission is a division of Visit Erie - which directly promotes our city and tourism in our area.
Click on the following link to see what's coming up in Erie for you visit!
Must do while in Erie
Summer
- Presque Isle State Park - 11 miles of pristine beaches & nature trails. Swimming / Boating / Fishing / Biking / Camping / Hiking / Nature / Running / History / ...
- Waldemere Amusement Park - right at the entrance to Presque Isle. Ride the award winning Ravine Flyer (perhaps the best wooden Roller Coaster I've ever ridden - out of your seat more than you're in it.) Numerous amusement rides /Huge outdoor water park with slides, lazy river, wave pool / much much more.
- Boating - Take (rent) a Boat, Jet Ski, Canoe... and cruise thru Presque Isle Bay and out to Lake Erie.
- Boat Cruise Tours: Scallywags Pirate Adventure (a blast for young and old alike) featured on Jim Gaffigan's (comedian) material. // Victorian Princess Cruises - sunset & dinner cruises // Presque Isle Boat Tours: History & Nature // The Flagship Niagara - tour & even sail this historic Flagship.
- World Class Walleye, Small Mouth Bass & Salmon Fishing
- Summer Concert Series - Outdoor Concerts on Presque Isle & Pepsi Ampitheater.
- Cherryfest - largest Fireman's Parade centered around the Cherry Harvest -
- Roar on the Shore - Hop on a Harley and drive up for headline bands and biker camaraderie - over 50,000 bikes for the 3 day rally!
- Lake Erie Speedway - for Racing Fans! Doug's favorite is Crash-a-rama (a smash-up derby on a completely different scale) featuring figure 8 school bus races / flagpole races / and the ever popular boat and camper race.
- Roar on the Shore - Hop on a Harley and drive up for headline bands and biker camaraderie- 50,000 bike for 3 day rally!
Fall
- Winefest: This is 'Grape Country' and home to Welsh's & over 30 local & National wineries. Sample Wines from numerous wineries while enjoying great food and live music.
- Zoo Boo - Tour the Erie Zoo at night decorated in your Halloween Costume.
- Salmon & Steelhead Runs - thousands of fishermen / flock to Erie for the annual migration of Salmon & Steelhead .
- Presque Isle & Tom Ridge Environmental Center - A hotspot for migratory birds flying south for the winter. As well some of the most beautiful fall leaf changing vistas in the world.
- Presque Isle Downs & Casino: Great Casino action including Table Games.... But, you can bring children to watch the Horse Races.
Winter
- Stars & Stripes Coed Invitational - Obviously!!! -- 2,000+ athletes, 55 Gymnastics Teams, Main Event featuring high level Men's & Women's Gymnasts
- Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark! A huge Indoor Water Park with Lazy River, numerous slides, wave pool, giant hot tub, as well as food and amusements.
- Ice Fishing - Presque Isle Bay - fish or just walk out on the ice to visit the fishermen who tote hundreds of shelters out on the bay to fish for the big one.
- Peak & Peak Ski Resort: Just minutes from Erie - Sking / Snow Boarding / Tubing fun for the whole family!
- Millcreek Mall Shopping Complex - A huge Mall and series of Malls extremely popular with Canadian & New York Teams in the PA does not charge tax for clothing.
Spring
- Presque Isle Downs & Casino - Watch live horse races daily and bet your favorite / Slots / Table Games / Restaurants
- Fishing - follow the spring Salmon run / Trophy Walleye in the shallows in the lake.
- Erie Maritime Museum tour - History of the War of 1812 / tour the brig Niagara.
- Visit Dobbin's Landing - go to the top of the lookout and see for miles over the lake and Presque Isle.
- Junior's Last Laugh - Headliners come for Stand-up Comedy
- Visit Presque Isle State Park - a birding Hot-spot for Migratory & Native species returning to their breeding grounds for the summer.
Links to Popular Attractions
Erie Sports Commission
Proud Sponsor of the Stars & Stripes. If its sports in Erie - this is the place to find it!
Presque Isle State Park
- 11 Miles of sandy beaches.
- 14 miles round trip track of paved biking / jogging trail.
- Tom Ridge Environmental Center
- A Nature and Birding paradise.
Presque Isle Downs & Casino
- Live Horse Racing
- Slots & Table Games
- Fine Dining & Entertainment
Splash Lagoon Water Park
- Always 84 degrees!
- Indoor Water Park
- Lazy River / Slides / Wave Pool / Jucuzzi
- Tiki Bar / Game Room
Erie Fishing Report
- Local Reports of Fishing Hotspots and what they are hitting on.
Millcreek Mall
- Hundreds of retail stores.
- Food Court & numerous Restaurants.
- No PA sales tax on Clothing.
Peak n Peak Ski Resort
- World Class Skiing / Snowboarding Terrain Courses / Tubing
- World Class Golf & famous "upper" Golf Course
- Aerial Adventure Course / Zip Lines /
- Conference Center / Spa / Pool
- Horse Back Riding / Mini Golf / Segways...
Waldemeer Park
- Waldemeer Amusement & Water Park
- Hundreds of Amusement Rides
- Award winning "Ravine Flyer" wooden Roller Coaster
- Huge outdoor Water Park - lazy river / slides / wave pool /
About Us
Roar on the Shore
- Annual Bikerfest attracting thousands of motorcycle enthusiast to Erie.
- Featured Top name bands.
- Multiple Poker Runs, Contests, and Events
- All major Motorcycle Vendors
- (best of all - my band) Tazz plays annually at the Roar!
Scallywags Pirate Adventures
- Take a Pirate Ship out on Presque Isle Bay and loot and pilage the bay.
- Fun for the whole family! Featured on Jim Gaffigan Special.
- Treasure hunting cruise
- Working water cannons!
Victorian Princess Cruises
- Dining Cruises
- Sightseeing Cruises
- Themed Cruises
- Happy Hour / Moonlit / Sunset Cruises
About Us
Winefest
- This is Grape Country - home to over 30 local & national Wineries as well as home to Welshs.
- Tours & Tastings
- Festivals / Food / Live Music
Lake Erie Speedway
- Stock Car / Modified / multiple format Racing
- Host to Crash-a-Rama
- Monster Truck Show
- Sky Lantern Festival