boat tours erie

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VICTORIAN PRINCESS

Riverboat cruises lake erie, pa, mother's day cruise - may 12th.

• Calendar Sunday, May 12th
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Mother’s Day Cruise

Treat the special lady in your life to a cruise on Lake Erie!

Donut and Danish Cruise

Enjoy a sightseeing cruise from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Includes local made donuts, danishes and seasonal fruit!

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Erie Sightseeing Cruise

Experience the beautiful views Lake Erie!

Sunset Dinner Cruise

Experience a majestic cruise and enjoy the simply beautiful views of Lake Erie Sunset while enjoying a delicious dinner aboard the Victorian Princess.

Featured Cruises

• Calendar Friday , May 5th

Cinco de Mayo Happy Hour Cruise

Join us on Cinco de Mayo for the ultimate party on Lake Erie! And Help us start our 2024 Season with a BOOM!!!!

July 3rd Fireworks and Dinner

Join us for a 4th of July Celebration!

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Halloween Moonlight Cruises

Book a ticket to secure a spot at one of our five popular Halloween Moonlight Cruises!

• Calendar Saturday, April 27th
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Happy Hour Sunset Cruise

Enjoy a beautiful Lake Erie Sunset. DJ Primo back from Atlanta. Enjoy delicious food prepared from Taste of Love (Tasha)

2024 Upcoming Events on Lake Erie

Featured cruise, dining cruises, sightseeing cruises, entertainment cruises, buy gift cards, looking for the perfect gift, the victorian princess.

For anyone who wants to experience a new dining experience, energetic happy hours, or family-friendly, picnic-style fun, all while taking in the exquisite views of Lake Erie, come aboard Erie’s only authentic paddle wheeler, The Victorian Princess.

The Victorian Princess is the unique and premier event amongst all tourism activities for Erie locals and travelers alike, because we focus on accommodating people of all ages. The Victorian Princess cruises feature weekly happy hours, lunches, brunches, and dinners.  We also offer themed cruises throughout the season and can plan private boat rentals for your special events. If you are looking to celebrate an anniversary, baby shower, birthday, communion, reunion, wedding, or more then let us throw you a celebration that you and your guests will remember forever!

WE ARE HIRING ALL POSITIONS Give us a Call at: (814)-459-9696!!

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See What Our Guests Love About Us

Excellent and engaging staff, food was great and plenty of it. The tour was wonderful and took some amazing sundown pictures.

Food was very good. Staff was stretched thin but kept a positive attitude. Cruise was smooth. Sunset was beautiful.

Great trip. Very friendly crew. We took the 2 hour sunset cruise over Memorial Day weekend. You can take either with or without dinner. We opted for no dinner.

The Saturday evening dinner cruise was AWESOME! We had a great time. The food was delicious and the views spectacular! I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to take a trip on the water and experience Erie's magnificent sunsets!

The sunset dinner cruise was a beautiful evening out on Lake Erie. The captain and crew were awesome, our Italian dinner was very good. Highly recommend this for a fun night!

This was a surprise for our daughter's birthday! She loved it! The food was fantastic. The staff were fabulous. And the sunset was breathtaking! Thank you for a wonderful experience!!!

Victorian Princess

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Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Victorian Princess - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Presque Isle Boat Tours/ The Lady Kate

Presque Isle State Park at Perry's Monument Erie, PA 16505 Phone: 814-836-0201 Region: Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region

Welcome aboard the Lady Kate! Our 14-mile, 90-minute tours venture out onto the open waters of Lake Erie and offer you a unique view of Presque Isle's shores, Erie's Skyline, lighthouses, wildlife, and numerous other sites. You can also join us in the evenings for our Sunset Cruise as we sail out into Lake Erie to watch Erie's famous sunsets.

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10/25/23 - 09/29/24

New & Improved: The Age of Convenience in the Home

602 East Second Street Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015

Our latest exhibit examines what it means to strive for the American Dream following World War II through the end of the 1970s. Coordinated with the electrification of the country, advancements in mas...

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Centennial Hiking Challenge

80 East Corydon Street Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701

Come celebrate 100 years of growth and adventure in the Allegheny National Forest by hiking 100 miles. The Centennial Hiking Challenge will take you to over 100 miles of the best and most beautiful tr...

01/11/24 - 09/24/24

ANF Centennial GeoTrail

Bradford, Pennsylvania 16701

Explore the beauty of the Allegheny National Forest while learning about its history and ecology. Search for 28 geocaches hidden across the four counties of ANF (Elk, Forest, McKean and Warren countie...

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• Presque Isle State Park • Erie, PA
• 814•836•0201

• Times & Rates

SightSeeing Cruise

A scenic, narrated tour.

This 14 mile, 90 minute tour ventures onto the open waters of Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. Enjoy sites including Erie’s historic lighthouses, Gull Point Nature Preserve, Presque Isle’s shores, Erie’s skyline, ships, beaches, wildlife and more. Our knowledgeable crew will guide you through the tour with a full narration about the area’s landmarks and history.

Adult – $20.00

Kids 12 and Under – $10.00 *tickets must be purchased for all coming aboard, including infants*

Cruise Times

May 18th – june 9th, saturday & sunday.

11:00, 1:00 & 3:00

June 12th – Sept. 1st

7 days a week.

11:00, 1:00, 3:00 & 5:00

Sept. 7th – 28th

Sunset cruise

A truly unique experience.

Erie’s sunsets are famous around the world for their beauty. Climb aboard and join us as we sail out into Lake Erie to watch the sunset in all it’s splendor. 

June 12th – Sept. 1st

Departs one hour before sunset. Please contact our ticket booth for exact time

This Tour is a Gem

“The Captain and Tour Guide gave us a relaxing, informative, history-filled tour. Our two out-of-town guests really enjoyed it as well. We decided we needed to make this a new summer tradition. Can’t wait to go again.”

Informative and Fun for the Whole Family

“We took our teenage daughter and had a great time. We felt safe. Affordable and enjoyable. This was a tame, relaxing boat ride with interesting tid bits and a nice way to spend the afternoon.”

We Loved It!

“My husband and I visited here for our anniversary and it did not disappoint! We took the Sunset tour and it was fabulous! A guided tour pass the lighthouses in the area with a historical narration as the sun sets. Great pics as well! We will be back.”

A Nice, Relaxing Way to End the Night

“On the way out to the “sunset” there is some information given about the isle so you will learn some facts about the area. Once you get out to the sunset, it is just a relaxing, quiet view watching the sunset drop and then a cruise back inland. Overall this was a nice, relaxing way to end the night before heading back to the campground.”

Know Before You Go

Purchasing tickets.

You can purchase tickets through:

• Our  website  (Book Now Button)
• By calling our ticket booth at:  (814) 836-0201
• Purchasing them  in person  at our ticket booth

We always recommend purchasing your tickets in advance so that your spot is reserved. Cruises may sell out.

Checking In

On the day of your cruise you will need to  check in at our ticket booth  to pick up your boarding passes.  Customers are not permitted on the ship without a boarding pass.  We recommend checking in  20 – 30 minutes  before your cruise time.

The crew will  begin boarding  procedures  10-15 minutes  before the scheduled cruise time. The crew will announce when they are ready to board. Please make sure to have your  boarding passes  ready.

Setting Sail

The  ship will leave dock promptly at the cruise start time. The ship will not return back to dock until the end of the cruise.

Please arrive and check in BEFORE the scheduled start time.  Once the ship has left dock it  will not return  to pick up late customers. This is so we may stay on schedule.  Refunds will not be issued  for late arrivals.

Reservation Policies

Please take a moment to review our reservation policies before booking.

2024 ERIE CANAL CRUISES SCHEDULES & RATES

Advance ticket purchase is recommended for all cruises as they may sell out. To be sure you are able to purchase tickets for the cruise date & time you prefer, we suggest you purchase tickets in advance.

Erie Canal Daily Sightseeing Cruises

• 2024 Season: Sight Seeing Cruises depart daily from May 18 through October 16*
• Departs from: Gems Along the Mohawk, Herkimer, NY
• Boarding: 15-30 minutes prior to departure at Gems Along the Mohawk
• Departure times: 1 p.m. or/and 3 p.m. daily; (morning cruises on select days –  10:30am departure)
• Ticket prices: Adults – $25.00, Children (ages 4-10) – $15.00, Infants 3 and under – FREE
• *Daily cruise schedules vary by day, check the latest daily cruise schedule by clicking BOOK YOUR CRUISE below.

Erie Canal Tour Boat

Daily Cruise Schedule

Themed Cruise Schedule

NEW! Photo Gallery The Colonial Belle has been providing Erie Canal tour boat cruises from mid-May through October since 1989. Come aboard in Fairport, NY, just 20 minutes from Rochester, NY.

What's New?

Our 2024 season will begin in mid-May and will continue until October 27th. We are currently booking private charters, school field trip cruises, themed/event cruises & groups of 25+.

To purchase a Gift Certificate: please call us at (585) 223-9470 or buy online with paypal here.

NOTE: Purchasing a Gift Certificate IS NOT a reservation... Your gift certificate will be mailed via US mail. Please have the recipient of the Gift Certificate contact us at  (585) 223-9470  to make a reservation for one of our cruises. We look forward to serving you!

From a happy cruiser...

Great cruise! We did the 3-hour lock tour starting at 2:30 and ending punctually at 5:30pm. We sat on the upper deck near the front of the boat. The captain was a young woman who was informative on the history of the Erie Canal, the towns that we passed through and the fascinating history of the Colonial Belle herself! She was also quite entertaining and funny! The bathroom facilities were clean and accessible. The lower deck had a full bar and the staff was very accommodating with a frozen Pina Colada for me and an Oreo ice cream shake for my son. Snacks there too. Overall, it was a very comfortable, pleasant and informative cruise. We had a gorgeous day of it. I would definitely do again and I highly recommend! I'm thinking of trying the murder/mystery or dinner cruise next time :)

5-star Yelp review by Ginny M. Pittsford, NY

Office Hours May - October 10:00am–2:00pm daily (excluding holidays) November - April Phone calls are answered as frequently as possible. Please leave us a voicemail message if we cannot answer. We have limited staff during our non-operating season. Our business email is checked multiple times a day year round as well.

Why choose the Colonial Belle? • 2 to 3 hour Erie Canal cruises (14–16 mile tour) • Historic Narration by our Captain • Great food & fun entertainment • Many Themed Cruises • Coast Guard certified Captain and Crew

Cruises with availability can be booked online. Online booking may be unavailable less than 24 hours prior to cruise departure. Cruises can also be booked by calling our office at (585) 223-9470 for the best up to date information.

Erie Canal Adventures

Canal Hireboat/House Boat Rentals

Rent beautifully equipped and fully outfitted self-piloted canal boats.  Our fleet is reminiscent of European canal boats but with additional comforts and design elements that are purpose-built for the Erie Canal.

Marina and Marine Services

Erie Macedon Landing is home to Erie Canal Adventures but is also a full marina for customers.  Featuring seasonal and shorter-term dockage, storage, marine & convenience store, gas/diesel and much more.

Learn about our commitment to cleanliness

Your adventure awaits.

The Erie Canal is one of the most impressive transportation and engineering marvels.  The Erie Canal accelerated commerce and increased travel throughout much of the northeast.

Our mission at Erie Canal Adventures is to allow our customers to experience the beauty, engineering ingenuity, and quaintness that defines the Erie Canal Region.

Whether your adventure is a multi-day charter of a houseboat, daily rental of watercraft, or a seasonal dockage for your own vessel, our entire team is here to ensure you get the most of your time in the Erie Canal Region.

Learn More About Our Excursion Options...

Review our trip options and plan your Erie Canal Adventure today.

Taking a Presque Isle Boat Tour on the Lady Kate

There are many great ways to explore Presque Isle State Park in Erie and one of my favorites is by boat .

Presque Isle Boat Tours offers cruises from Mid-May through September that give visitors the chance to take to the waters around the park, enjoy its beauty, and learn about the area’s rich history.

During a recent visit to Erie , I was invited aboard the Lady Kate for a 90-minute sightseeing tour of Presque Isle.

The Lady Kate leaves from the heart of Presque Isle State Park near the Commodore Perry Monument on Misery Bay. Presque Isle Boat Tours also has another, slightly smaller sightseeing boat, the Canadian Sailor, that does a similar route and leaves from Dobbins Landing near the Bicentennial Tower , and a pirate boat that does a fun adventure cruise .

The Lady Kate is a 65-foot boat and features half-a-dozen rows of covered benches in the rear half of the boat, as well as some seating at the bow and stern of the boat.

Since the boat leaves and returns along the same route, there isn’t one side of the boat that is significantly better. However, if you have a choice, sit on the right side (when facing the front). This side will provide slightly better views of Erie Land Light and the beaches on the return trip.

In addition to simply enjoying the beautiful scenery, probably my favorite part of my Presque Isle boat tour was the narration. Since we started in Misery Bay, it started off with an overview of the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie.

As we moved into Presque Isle Bay, the discussion turned to the history of Erie and then the region around Lake Erie as we crossed onto the lake itself.

Along the way, we passed spots like the Commodore Perry Monument, North Point Light, and even took a bit of a detour to see the Erie Land Light. In fact, this boat tour allows you to see all three of Erie’s Lighthouses.

The 14-mile journey travels around the far edge of Presque Isle State Park and along many of its beaches. When the Lady Kate reached Presque Isle Lighthouse , we turned around, which offered some fantastic views of this beautiful spot.

While the journey back covers roughly the same route as the first half of the ride, it’s just as enjoyable as the cool breezes of Lake Erie whip through the air.

Guides take a brief break from narration on the way back but do provide some great additional information once the boat gets closer to the dock.

While there are other options for getting out onto the waters of Lake Erie, including kayak rentals and even a free pontoon boat tour , Presque Isle Boat Tours are the only option that leaves from the park and takes you out onto Lake Erie.

If you are looking for a relaxing boat ride and the chance to learn more about this beautiful area, I definitely recommend taking a ride on the Lady Kate.

Note: My trip with Presque Isle Boat Tours was hosted by the company. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

Looking for more spots to visit in the Great Lakes Region ? Check out the Tom Ridge Environmental Center , the Erie Maritime Museum , and the Lake Shore Railway Museum .

Presque Isle Boat Tours

See map below for other area attractions., great places to stay in erie.

• Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel - A fantastic hotel with lakefront views.
• Country Inn and Suites - Rated the best value in Erie on Trip Advisor.
• Victorian Inn - A historic bed and breakfast located close to downtown Erie.
• Cobbleston Inn and Suites - A nice hotel near Lake Erie and Presque Isle.
• Find more great places to stay on Airbnb!

Click the map to see more nearby things to do

More nearby places worth exploring

27 Fantastic Things to Do in Erie, PA

How to Get to Pioneer Falls in Oil Creek State Park

Beer and Waterfalls at Cobblehaus at the Falls in Mercer County, PA

Visiting the Lake Shore Railway Museum: An Amazing Place for Train Fans

Find more things to do in the great lakes region.

Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Based in Carlisle near Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world.

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"Waterfalls of Pennsylvania" by Jim Cheney

If you love PA waterfalls, you won't want to miss this waterfall book from Jim Cheney, author of Uncovering PA, featuring more than 180 great waterfalls. Order it now on Bookshop.org or Amazon .

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We do offer group rates, for groups of 20 or more paying adults. With group reservations, we are able to arrange for lunch on board, while cruises from Kelleys Island to Put-in-Bay, and a narrated tram tour on Put-in-Bay. 

Cruise Rates:  20-29 Passengers (Cruise): $29.00/person

30-39 Passengers (Cruise): $28.00/person

40+ Passengers (Cruise): $27.00/person

Lunch: $15.00/person (plus a 15% gratuity)

Tram Tour: $18.00/person ​

Group Rates Printable 

CALL US: 419-625-9692

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• Daytime Island Hopping Cruise
• Friday Night Party Cruise
• Sunset Bay Cruise
• Area Information

​ Daytime Lake Erie Island Hopping Cruise

Take in the beauty of Lake Erie, and enjoy live narration of the sights along the way on the Goodtime I daytime island hopping cruise. You will cruise past famous Cedar Point - the top rated amusement park; historic Johnson's Island; the Marblehead Lighthouse - the oldest operating lighthouse on the great lakes; past Lakeside Chautauqua, and much more! 

Adults: (ages 13 -64) $32.00

Seniors (ages 65 and above): $30.00

​Children (ages 12 and under): FREE

Basic Rates

Group Rates

Narrated Cruise to Kelleys Island & Put-in-Pay

227 West Shoreline Drive, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA

​ +1.419.625.9692

[email protected]

2024 season is now open. Book your tickets now!

The Flagship of Buffalo

“belfast girls” was partially filmed on the spirit of buffalo.

We are proud to have been a part of the filming of the “Belfest Girls”.  Our City’s Flag ship was used to create the trailer for the play.  Please check out this amazing video and we hope to see you at the Irish Classical !

Our Featured Sails

• Most Popular!

Evening Sail

The sunsets and night skies of Lake Erie are nothing short of spectacular and there is no better way to enjoy them than aboard the majestic Spirit of Buffalo.

• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Wine in the Wind

Enjoy a sail while sampling wines from the Niagara region as well as from around the world. This relaxing wine tasting sail includes a cheese and cracker buffet.

Craft Brew Sail

Sample some of Buffalo’s best craft brews while taking in a scenic cruise aboard the Spirit of Buffalo.

• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours

Aboard the majestic Spirit of Buffalo tall ship enjoy a summer afternoon with sunshine and warm breezes.  Just sit back, relax and take in the experience.  Our crew will make your sailing experience enjoyable.

• New in 2023!

Nightcap Sail

Wind down on a nightcap sail.

• We Do Birthdays!

Children’s Pirate Adventure

You and your child/children will be entertained by our pirates with pirate stories, a treasure hunt, music, and loads of swashbuckling family fun!  All reservations must include at least one child.

View all Public Sails

The Spirit of Buffalo is proclaimed the Flagship of Buffalo by Mayor Byron Brown.

Sit Back & Relax on Lake Erie

Sail back in time on Lake Erie aboard the Spirit of Buffalo and discover traditional sailing on a classic 73 foot topsail schooner. This beautiful schooner with its magnificent red sails is available for day and evening sails, craft brew cruises, wine in the wind sails, children’s pirate adventures, and educational excursions. Join the crew and sit back, relax and see the city in a new (old?) way.’

PARKING INFORMATION

• There may be street parking available in Canalside on Llyod Street, Hanover Street or Prime Street.  There are two lots under the Skyway along Pearl Street, Commercial Street and Marine Drive.  There are also parking spots on these same streets.  Parking is also available in the LECOM Harborcenter parking ramp.  There may be a charge for parking.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

DO NOT BRING COOLERS, LARGE DUFFLE BAGS OR TOTE BAGS.  DO NOT BRING YOU OWN BEVERAGES. We have a liquor license.  Due to strict guidelines from the New York State Liquor Authority all beverages must be purchased from Spirit of Buffalo. If you are booking for a group please inform your guests of this policy. Failure to comply will result in an immediate return to the dock and termination of the cruise/charter.  No refunds will be given.

Spirit of Buffalo is equipped with a restroom.

Top-Rated Sails in Buffalo, NY

"We had such a great time! Can't wait to do it again! It was perfect weather, the staff was friendly and was able to answer all our questions!"

"A sunny hot day with little wind didn’t stop the Spirit of Buffalo crew from making us all at home on our voyage. Wonderful makeup sail with local friends when we were rained out with out-of-town guests."

"What a wonderful sailboat ride my husband and I had! The captain and the crew were fabulous! I will recommend this sail ride to my family and friends! Great experience!"

Even though it was freezing (classic Buffalo), my entire family had an absolute blast!! Definitely recommend this to visitors or any home-towners!

• Dobbins Landing • Erie, PA
• 814•453•2627
• Pirate Adventure Show
• Wobbly Pirate Cruise

Climb Aboard for an Adventure Like No Other

The high seas await come discover an experience a decade in the making with cruises crafted for children, adults, and swashbucklers of all ages., choose your adventure.

PIRATE ADVENTURE SHOW

Family fun cruise with an interactive story.

An immersive experience with performed storyline, activities, games and more. Perfect for kids and the pirate at heart!

WOBBLY PIRATE CRUISE

Happy hour cruise.

A raucous evening filled with music, dancing, and drinks. Party like a pirate! 21 and over only.

PRIVATE CHARTER

Your own, personal pirate ship.

Business, Friends, or Family, let us customize your high seas experience. We will begin booking Private Charters for our 2024 season in April. For more information please email us.

We are More Than a Ship…

We’re an experience.

Birthday Parties, Public Events, Parades… we do it all and more. Contact us to find out how to get the Scallywags crew at your next event.

Know before you go

Learn what to expect when you arrive, be sure to review important information about how to check in before your cruise., learn more about your tickets, take time to find out more about our reservation policies..

For assistance with your Scallywags Pirate Adventures experience, including bookings and tickets, please call (814) 453-2627 during our regular season (May – September).

For assistance with booking a private charter or our crew for an event, or to contact us during our off season, please email us at: [email protected]

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A Guide to the Historic Lighthouses in Erie PA

Y ou may not think of Pennsylvania as a lighthouse destination, but if you’re visiting Erie, there are three scenic lighthouses worth exploring! Whether you’re a lighthouse enthusiast or simply looking for a unique slice of history, the lighthouses in Erie, PA, offer some spectacular waterfront views and a fascinating glimpse into maritime heritage.

Keep reading to discover what makes each Erie lighthouse unique and what to expect when visiting.

Read Next: Cheers to Erie Food Tours Happy Hour Tour!

Presque Isle Lighthouse

The Presque Isle Lighthouse is the most well-known of all three lighthouses in Erie, PA, and offers the most breathtaking views of Lake Erie and its beaches, so don’t skip this one. It sits on the northern shore of Lake Erie’s Presque Isle peninsula, serving as a crucial guidepost for water vessels since construction was completed in 1873.

Though it appears square from the outside, it’s circular inside. The tower originally stood 40 feet high and later increased by 17 feet, 4 inches, to allow the light to project further. It was also painted white to serve as a visual landmark for travelers.

At first, the lighthouse was lit with an oil lamp inside a Fresnel Lens and was often referred to as the ‘Flash Light.’ Oil was stored in an oil shed on the grounds, and the lighthouse keeper made sure the light shone brightly throughout the night, safely guiding ships along Erie’s shore until 1944 when Coast Guard personnel took over.

Admission allows visitors to tour the lighthouse keeper’s home and the tower on guided or self-guided tours. There are 78 steps in the narrow circular staircase to the top with stunning panoramic views.

Location: Presque Isle State Park, 301 Peninsula Dr, Erie, PA (Parking lot across the street from the lighthouse.)

Hours: (Memorial Day – Labor Day) 10 am – 3 pm Friday-Monday.

Climbing Allowed? Yes. 78 steps.

Fee: $8 self-guided, $15 guided.

North Pier Light

The North Pier Lighthouse is located at the eastern end of Presque Isle State Park and serves as a beacon, guiding ships into Presque Isle Bay. What makes the North Pier Lighthouse so unique is its square-pyramidal design, the last of its kind still standing in the United States.

The current cast iron design replaced the original wooden lighthouse that was destroyed when a schooner crashed into it during a violent storm in 1858. Over the years, the pier has been extended, and the lighthouse moved a few times. The light has gone from a 4th order Fresnel lens to a fixed red light and finally to a flashing red light under the Coast Guard’s operation.

Visitors can walk down the pier for a closer look at the lighthouse, and it’s also visible from the water if you take the Lady Kate boat tour.

Location: East Fisher Drive, Erie, PA (Parking available at the pier.)

Hours: Viewable during Presque Isle State Park hours – 5 am to sunset

Climbing Allowed? No.

Erie Land Light

The Erie Land Lighthouse was the first commissioned lighthouse on the Great Lakes, but the current structure is the third iteration. The first 20-foot square wooden lighthouse was built in 1818 on a cliff overlooking the bay, but the sandy foundation became unstable. A new 56-foot round brick tower was constructed in 1857. Unfortunately, that also became unstable.

Finally, in 1867, the current 49-foot round Berea sandstone tower was constructed on a solidly reinforced foundation just east of the original site. After it was decommissioned in 1899, the lantern and lens room were removed and transferred to a Sandusky, Ohio lighthouse. The current lantern and lens room are replicas of the originals.

Even if you aren’t able to visit during climbing hours, it’s still worth a stop. There are a number of interesting historical signs surrounding the lighthouse well worth reading.

Location: 2 Lighthouse Street, Erie, PA (Parking lot on grounds.)

Hours: (Memorial Day – Labor Day) 10 am – 3 pm Sat-Sun. (Tower Tuesdays – FREE every first Tuesday of the month Apr-Nov.)

Climbing Allowed? Yes. 69 steps.

Fee: $6 self-guided.

More Lighthouses to Explore

Cape henry lighthouse virginia beach (old and new lighthouses), climbing the oak island lighthouse, bodie island lighthouse – cape hatteras national seashore.

The post A Guide to the Historic Lighthouses in Erie PA appeared first on Get Lost In The USA .

Local News | New Lorain Lighthouse Foundation work boat to…

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• Lorain County
• Cuyahoga County
• Opioid Epidemic

Local News | New Lorain Lighthouse Foundation work boat to arrive this week

The Lorain Lighthouse Foundation was in desperate need of a new boat following the 2023 season.

Ron Mantini, president and treasurer for the Lorain Lighthouse Foundation, said the community was more than willing to help in the cause.

The Lighthouse Foundation’s former work boat began to sink last year, Mantini said.

After spending nearly $10,000 on repairs just to get the boat through the season, the Lighthouse Foundation knew it was going to be in the market for a new vehicle.

Lorainites came out in droves to help the Lighthouse Foundation make its newest nautical dream a reality, providing over $6,000 in donations, Mantini said.

“Individual donations to date are $6,060 from 67 donors,” he said. “The amounts ranged from $10 to $1,000, and we appreciate each and every one of those donations.

“We want to send a heartfelt thank you to all those who donated. We are so appreciative of your support.”

In addition to the exceptional community response, Mantini said the Lighthouse Foundation received multiple grants to help pay for the boat.

“In late February, we were awarded a $30,000 grant from the Lorain County Visitors Bureau,” he said. “We (also) received a $40,000 grant from The Black River Education and Wellness Foundation.

“We are grateful for, and appreciate, the trust these two organizations put in our Foundation and its members to continue our mission to preserve the historic Lorain Lighthouse for future generations to enjoy.”

The Lighthouse Foundation loan already has been paid off with Buckeye Community Bank, according to Mantini.

Currently, the boat is on its way from Pacific Boats in Marysville, Wash.

“Combined with your donations, we have reached our goal in receiving $76,060 in donations and grants,” Mantini said. “We have also paid off the loan from Buckeye Community Bank.

“Without this loan, we would not have been able to order the boat in a timely manner.”

Lighthouse Foundation staff are planning a boat launch ceremony for when the vessel arrives, Mantini said.

The expected delivery date is sometime before May, but the boat still needs to travel all the way across the country, so Mantini urged the public to be patient.

“It’s a blessing that we got these donations,” he said. “When we started this, we took out a loan because we weren’t sure.

“We had to get it on order and we didn’t have the money to put the down payment down. Then, the donations came in … it’s great to have this behind us.”

Currently, the Lighthouse Foundation is taking reservations for tours, dinners and other activities this summer.

More information is available at www.lorainlighthouse.com .

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'Where Do We Go Now?:' Erie's First To Eleven hits road for East Coast tour

Erie's own First to Eleven is hosting a special show in Erie, bringing their "Where Do We Go Now?" tour home.

The Erie-based cover band kicked off their tour in April bringing their music to a number of major cities, including St. Louis, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo and Pittsburgh. First to Eleven's band that performs original music without Ryan Krysiak, Concrete Castles, released their most recent album "Brand New Me" in August 2023.

"We’re doing a few more cities, a few bigger rooms and kind of hitting some markets we never touched on before," said Audra Miller, the band's lead vocalist. "Our last tour was pretty much just the East Coast and now we’re doing more of the East Coast and making our way into the Midwest a little bit."

During the Erie show April 26 at BigBar, 14 E. 10th St., the band will partner up with another Erie band, Daytona Beach, and local musician Brooke Surgener.

More: Concrete Castles (Erie's First to Eleven) touring with 1st album of originals, writing 2nd

The show at BigBar was a good fit for the band as it was scheduled close to their show in Pittsburgh.

“It kind of worked out that we already had a show booked at BigBar and it was in the tour, so I was like, 'Oh, we’re going to have to cancel that,'" said Ryan Krysiak, the band's bass guitarist. "Then I was looking at it and that was at the end of the tour and we’re in Pittsburgh the night before. It was like, why don’t we make it happen in Erie? We will keep that show and Daytona Beach has been doing really well at BigBar, as was First to Eleven, so let’s combine them and let’s go hard for this one show."

Preparing for tour and shows

Since 2023, First to Eleven has been pumping out cover songs aiming to add one cover a week to their repertoire.

These cover songs get uploaded to YouTube which help the band decide what the fans like and want to hear so they can create the setlists for tour.

More: From teen rockers to YouTube stars: Erie's First to Eleven at 1 million fans and growing

"It’s very random; it used to be top 40 songs at the beginning of our YouTube career," Miller said. "Once we started doing one cover a week it got a little easier because if one cover doesn’t do as well it’s okay because you have one coming out next week instead of a month later. So now it’s like we listen to the fans, and if there’s something they like, it’s like okay I guess we’ll try it. And if it’s a song we do that does really well we will do something in a similar genre or by a similar artist, or sometimes we will throw in random stuff that we want to try and see if it works."

From the setlist, the band then determines where the show goes from the perspective of the audience.

"For a longer bar show we will play for three hours so we have to pull out pretty much everything," Krysiak said. "That’s based off when you are at a bar you go through this process of like I’m just sitting and having my first drink like what do you want to hear during that set. Then a couple of drinks in you are feeling a little loose. What do you play then and what do you play at the end when you are ready to party."

One of their more popular songs that has done well with the audience, "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N' Roses, gave them the idea for their next tour name, "Where Do We Go Now?"

"Brooke (Surgener) came up with it, but our most popular cover on YouTube is 'Sweet Child of Mine.' So she was like you should just take a lyric from that song and name your tour after it, so that’s what we did," Miller said.

First to Eleven has a setlist filled with popular songs from Nickelback to ABBA to Queen and more.

Sometimes bands, including Nickelback , have shared First To Eleven's videos to their social media pages.

When will First To Eleven be in my area?

To find if First to Eleven will be in your area, check out their website firsttoeleven.com . Each show will have its own ticket link.

The band also offers a VIP ticket option which will include early admission, a Q&A before the show and more.

Can’t make the Erie show at BigBar? First to Eleven will be in Erie this summer. The band mentions that if you show up to a show you could be featured in one of their YouTube videos .

The "Where Do We Go Now?" tour goes from April to late August.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected]