Panorama 2- View looking out onto Lake Erie from Tower on the Observation Desk

Panorama 2

Panorama 1- View looking out from Tower on the Observation Desk

Panorama 1

Downstairs Features of TREC

Memories and Monsters

Asher Family Three Towers Exhibit

Magical History Tour

Birds Through Binoculars

Entering the Environmental Center

Comparisons

Carnegie Museum of Natural History- The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is similar to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in that it hosts a slew of exhibits. However, TREC places a focus on the history of Presque Isle as opposed to natural history in general. Additionally, TREC is more hands on and interactive. However, the Carnegie Museum has more exhibits, which change frequently and are more prestigious or well-known. Also, the Carnegie Museum's general admission is $15 whereas TREC's is free.

Buffalo Museum of Science- Similar to TREC, the Buffalo Museum of Science has numerous interactive exhibits. However, Buffalo's museum has more expansive subject matter, encompassing dinosaurs, gemstones and outer space. The Buffalo Museum of Science charges $7 for admission in contrast to TREC's free admission.

Carnegie Science Center- The Carnegie Science Center is similar to TREC in that it provides various hands-on exhibits, helping visitors to understand how things work. However, the subject matter is quite different: TREC focuses on the environment and how peninsula's form, while the Carnegie Science Center allows its guests to experience an earthquake. Both facilities devote a portion of their building to aquatic life as the Carnegie Science Center includes several aquariums. Both centers also host i-max theaters, introducing visitors to various activities and wildlife. Because the Carnegie Science Center is the larger of the two museums, it includes several exhibits which TREC lacks. For example, on specific days Science Center visitors can attend a laser light show. Science Center admission costs $14, significantly more than TREC's free admittance. 

Links

Visit the following links to learn more about some of the locations on the map. These Web sites will provide you with information about pricing and hours of operation. You can also use these resources to find more thorough directions to each spot.


Attractions:

Presque Isle
Splash Lagoon
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Waldameer Amusement Park
Erie Zoo
Family First Fun Center

Dining:

Rum Runners
Smugglers Wharf
Sara's
Pufferbelly
Joe Root's Grill

Hotels:

Holiday Inn Express
Hilton Garden Inn
Clarion Hotel

Map of Erie

After visiting the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, use this map to uncover great dining spots, hotels and attractions.


View The Gateway to Presque Isle in a larger map

Welcome

Welcome to Erie Explorations. This blog will provide you with a multitude of ways to ensure a pleasant stay in Erie, PA.

The focus of this blog will be the Tom Ridge Environmental Center which is located at the entrance to Presque Isle on Peninsula Drive. It is a green building, consisting of hundreds of glass windows which face the sun in order to naturally light the facility. Also, the building's roof in inverted so that it can collect rain water, greatly reducing overall water usage. Lastly, all builing materials were recyclable. 

The Center is 7,000 square feet, primarily devoted to teaching Erie residents and visitors about Erie's precious peninsula and all the forms of life that inhabit it.  Once inside, visitors are able to climb a 75  foot glass-enclosed tower to catch a beautiful view of Lake Erie.  The downstairs of the Center includes a discovery center informing visitors about the various animals and wildlife that can be found at Presque Isle. Upstairs, one can learn about the history of Presque Isle, with an interactive pop-up map. There is also a  Birds Through Binoculars spot to learn about the various birds that migrate to Presque Isle, teaching onlookers how to identify birds according to their spots and sounds. 

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center also has an orientation theater designed to introduce newcomers to the beaches of Presque Isle. The theater enables visitors to enjoy Lake Erie regardless of the weather, playing a free, 15-minute film that displays a sunrise and a demonstration of the Great Lakes presumed formation. The video concludes with Presque Isle's mesmerizing  sunset. 

For those hoping to enjoy a longer film, the Center also has a Big Green Screen Theater with a four-story-high by 45-feet-wide screen. Here viewers can experience mountain climbing, diving and kayaking in a 45 minute presentation that places visitors in the center of the action. The theater has a 175 person capacity and three film choices are available each day. 

After exploring all that the Tom Ridge Environmental Center has to offer, one can conclude their day by stopping at the Sunset Cafe to enjoy homemade meals, snacks and desserts. 

Admission to the Center is free, so don't hesitate any longer; visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center today.

Here is a slideshow of several of the exhibits and activities one can experience at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center...