Exploring the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park

Exploring the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) serves as both a park office and educational center, dedicated to teaching visitors about the unique 3,200 acres of Presque Isle State Park and the many different forms of life that inhabit the peninsula.

Welcome to Presque Isle State Park.
Welcome to Presque Isle State Park.

TREC is open year-round and offers free admission to its interactive exhibits, glass-enclosed observation tower, and orientation movie.

Looking down from the second floor of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
Some of the exhibit space inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

Formerly known as the Presque Isle Center, it was renamed in 2002 to honor former PA Governor Tom Ridge, who grew up in Erie.

Tom Ridge Environmental Center dedication details.
Tom Ridge Environmental Center dedication details.

Hours and Directions

The first and second floor exhibit areas of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center are open daily from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. year-round, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.

Interior of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie Pennsylvania.
Interior of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

The TREC is located at 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505, at the neck of the Presque Isle Peninsula.

Map to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
Map to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie.

What to See and Do at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center

There are numerous exhibits explaining the varied habitats that exist on Presque Isle, as well as the permanent and migratory wildlife that call those habitats home.

Migratory birds exhibit at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA.
Migratory birds exhibit.

Other exhibits detail Presque Isle’s history as a tourist destination.

Memories and Monsters exhibit at he Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA
Memories and Monsters exhibit at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

There are exhibits detailing the role Presque Isle peninsula played in U.S. history.

Historic photos of Presque Isle State Park on display at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA.
Historic photos of Presque Isle State Park.

And some exhibits that are purely whimsical (be prepared to give the “it’s not real” speech to your kids!).

Creature From Lake Erie poster at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
“Creature From Lake Erie” poster.

You’ll find examples of vintage Presque Isle State Park postcards.

Vintage postcard collection at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA.
Vintage Presque Isle postcard collection.

As well as photos of a young Tom Ridge enjoying the park.

Tom Ridge as a young boy at Presque Isle State Park.
Tom Ridge as a young boy at Presque Isle State Park.

And OF COURSE there’s a gift shop, because your visit is not official until you buy the t-shirt!

Gift shop at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA.
Gift shop.


The Observation Tower

If heights don’t bother you, there’s a 75 foot tall observation tower you can either walk up (via a spiral ramp inside the glass), or just take an elevator to the top.

Observation tower at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
Observation tower at the TREC.

From the viewing deck up top , you have a great vantage point to take in Lake Erie and the seemingly-infinite horizon beyond

Viewing deck at the top of the observation tower at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
Viewing deck at the top of the observation tower.

The Playground

If you have young kids, there’s a neat playground on the back side of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

The playground behind the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
The playground behind the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

Rather than a bunch of modern play equipment, this playground features things like a wooden obstacle to climb over…

Climbing obstacle on the playground behind the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
Climbing obstacle on the playground.

And a pipe to crawl through.

Tunnel on the playground at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.
Pipe on the playground at the TREC.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never been to Presque Isle State Park, the TREC should be your first stop, as you’ll have such a better understanding of what you’re seeing as you explore the peninsula.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center serves as the Presque Isle State Park office.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center serves as the Presque Isle State Park office.

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is the gateway to Presque Isle State Park, the gateway to learning about Pennsylvania’s only seashore, and the gateway to fun!

Greetings for Presque Isle mural at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.
“Greetings for Presque Isle” photo-op inside the TREC.

Presque Isle State Park is Pennsylvania’s most-visited State Park, with over 4 million people a year venturing onto this sandy peninsula that arcs out into Lake Erie.

The best things to see and do at Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania.
One of the natural beaches at Presque Isle State Park.

Taking the Lady Kate Boat Tour at Presque Isle State Park allows you to see the peninsula and Lake Erie by boat!

Exploring Presque Isle State Park by boat on the Lady Kate.
The Lady Kate offers boat tours of the perimeter of Presque Isle and Lake Erie.

Exploring the Historic Lighthouses of Erie, PA takes you on a detailed tour of all three nautical landmarks, with maps, photos, historical accounts, and driving directions.

Construction of the Presque Isle Lighthouse was completed in 1873.
The Presque Isle Lighthouse was completed in 1873.

Bicentennial Tower in Erie is a 187 foot-tall observation tower built in 1996 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the city.

Bicentennial Tower at dusk on Dobbins Landing in Erie Pennsylvania.
Bicentennial Tower on the Erie waterfront.

The Erie Zoo and Botanical Gardens are home to more than 400 animals and 600 species of plants from around the world.

Visiting the Erie Zoo in Erie Pennsylvania.
Lioness at the Erie Zoo.

Did you enjoy this article?

If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to stay up-to-date on my latest write-ups about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!

Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.


PA Bucket List 2022 Sasquatch Logo

Pennsylvania’s Best Travel Blog!

Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.