What would you do in Erie, Pa?
 

We've rented a cabin next weekend (3-16&17)on Lake Erie with views of the frozen lake (which in itself sounds relaxing.) There are 6 wineries and we plan on visiting a couple. We plan on visiting the Maritime Museum which contains the U.S. Brig Niagara. It is a reconstruction of the warship Perry won the Battle of Lake Erie with. She is harbored here in winter and is used as a Sailing School Vessel in summer. Anthing else that would be of interest? Thanks.

I can't wait to see the answers. Erie is a place dear to my heart. My mom was from Erie and we used to go there often to visit our grandparents, aunt & uncle and many cousins. There weren't any wineries back then that I remember. In the winter, about all we seemed to do was go to the zoo and join in on Grandma's penny poker game with her friends. Summers are much nicer there. the beaches are nice, there was a fun amusement park, Waldamere, with the rickyiedist (sp?) roller coaster ever.
I do know that lots of people from my area (Buffalo) like to shop in Erie as there is no sales tax on most clothing in PA.
Have a fun trip. I really am interested in seeing the replies and on what's happening in Erie these days

Rachel
I guess no one here can contribute, :-) but I will write a short report when we return.

We arrived Friday night 3/16/07 in the middle of a snow storm. Our accomodations at the Lakeview were comfortable and exceptionally clean. This would be a nice place for a family to stay in the summer. They have a small motel, small cottages, one cottage that has two units with kitchenettes and one suite with two baths, one bedroom and a full kitchen, this is where we stayed because it has lake views, it is all well maintained. It sits on a bluff with stairs to the shore. It has a pool, trees and picnic tables. The owners are wonderful and very helpful.http://www.lakeviewerie.com/

We visited the Maritime Museum which contains the U.S. Brig Niagara. The museum and tour of the Niagara were interesting. On Sundays and Mondays during the summer you can take day sails on the Niagara. The cost is $60.00 pp including lunch and lasts from 10:30am to 4:30pm. It is not a luxury ship as it is a reconstructed 1812 square sail, warship.

We drove Erie to North East (a bedroom community of Erie) past acres and acres of vineyards, a lovely drive even in the winter. We stopped at a winery and was so surprised when we were told to "help ourselves" to the wine. We could taste whatever we wanted for no charge. (In Ohio you pay .50 per taste) We ended up having a great time with another couple from New York and each of us purchased nearly $100.00 each for wine to take home, so the "help yourself" must work.

Enjoyed reading your report. I was born and raised in Erie, but haven't been back in about 30 years (my family no longer live there). At that time also the summers were the big tourist times because of the Lake. Loved going to Presque Isle and the beach. (and Waldamere) It was a nice place to grow up.