After spending some time at the Goodell Gardens and Homestead where we wandered through the flowers, paths, and trees, we decided it was time to hit one of the more popular destinations in Erie, Pa. We strategically planned what we thought would be a great time and day, and headed down to Presque Isle State Park. With many activities to do and many different biomes all on the peninsula, this is an interesting area to spend some time wandering.

Location

Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acres peninsula full of sand, woods, trails, and roads. If you go to Peninsula Drive in Erie, then just head north and you will find yourself at the park in no time at all. Because this park is literally on the water, be aware of seasonal weather. It can be more than a few degrees cooler on the peninsula than even a mile or two inland. This is a day-use only park, but there is a lot to pack in during a day.

Property Description:

There are about 9 miles of beaches, a roughly 13-mile loop for those looking to run a half marathon. The pavement is smooth as evidenced by not only cars and motorcycles driving around, but the countless bikes, rollerblades, and longboards showed an excellent place to go. There are sidewalks and paved paths almost everywhere you go, and there are also running and biking trails that cut through the woods throughout the park as well. In addition to the beaches, there are multiple spots to launch a boat, walk on short boardwalks and piers, or sit and watch the water.

Because this is a peninsula, on one side you face the city and can see all of the boats or water activity, as well as the skyline, in the harbor. And on the other side there are miles of beaches to explore where you can fairly easily find yourself in a wide-open space. In an age of social distancing, it may take a few minutes but finding space along the beach is very achievable.

It’s also important to know that this peninsula has a lot of sand. This isn’t just talking about the beach. This is important to note because if you find yourself at Presque Isle during or after a rain storm, there can be pockets of water in no time at all. We strategically tried to go in the morning following a rainstorm with the intent of discovering any beach glass, and we ended up finding potholes that contained as much as a foot of water in them.

Things to do:

There really are many activities to be done at Presque Isle. In addition to soaking up rays on the sand or heading for a swim, there are many people who just want to experience physical activity and a bit of nature. Remembering that Erie only gets a few months of summer sun, it seems like the whole county plus travelers try to pack on the beach. There are also activities like sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, and even a beach just for kites.

Throw in the inland activities and you can find anything from events, grills for cookouts, canoeing, and even big-wheeled water tricycles for rent. Speaking of items for rent, there are multiple locations either at the park or right before it where you can rent canoes and bikes.

In addition to the many people looking for exercise on the paths, there are those who run, jog, swim, and bike off of the main paths. As a word of caution, this beach is well known and gets popular for locals. We strategically tried to visit early, and despite being mid-morning on a Monday, we left slightly before noon and the cars were flooding in. Whether you are trying to run or bike without crowds, or you want to stake out a spot in the sand, going earlier means you have less traffic to fight and more space to take up.

In addition to the fun, this is an exciting place for those who love wildlife and birds in particular. Presque Isle is a national natural landmark, and they claim there are, “a greater number of the state’s endangered, threatened, and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania.”

Who Can Go:

While the specifics will depend on what you are trying to accomplish, this park is for everyone. In addition to the amazing possibilities, the paths, beeches, and different seating locations and sights are open for anyone. There is even a beach with handicap access for those who need additional assistance when walking over the sand. Throw in the fact that there is a popular ice cream and burger shop in Sara’s Restaurant right at the entrance to Presque Isle, and you can quickly see why this beach is always packed for about four months per year.

Final Thoughts:

The reality is there are multiple reasons to head to Presque Isle. There are so many reasons that we will probably be back shortly to try and document other days, temperatures, activities, and crowds. In a time period where social distancing is the norm, people continue to seek out less crowded locations where space is ample. Presque Isle is one of those places, and can offer many activities in a large area, while still being a peaceful location for the whole family.

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