![Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Exterior-Presque-Isle-State-Park Exploring the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Exterior-Presque-Isle-State-Park-696x392.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-History-of-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Interior-Presque-Isle-State-Park.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Dedication-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Interior-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Map-to-Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Migratory-Birds-Exhibit-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
Other exhibits detail Presque Isle’s history as a tourist destination.
![Memories and Monsters exhibit at he Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Memories-and-Monsters-Exhibit-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Historic-Photos-Collection-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Creature-From-Lake-Erie-poster-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
You’ll find examples of vintage Presque Isle State Park postcards.
![Vintage postcard collection at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center in Erie PA.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Vintage-Postcards-Collection-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
As well as photos of a young Tom Ridge enjoying the park.
![Tom Ridge as a young boy at Presque Isle State Park.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Tom-Ridge-Photo-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Gift-Shop-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Observation-Tower-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Observation-Tower-Lake-Erie-View-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Playground-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Playground-Obstacle-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
And a pipe to crawl through.
![Tunnel on the playground at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Playground-Tunnel-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-sign-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-PA.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Greetings-From-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Mural-Tom-Ridge-Environmental-Center-Erie-Pennsylvania.jpg)
Related Attractions
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Presque-Isle-State-Park-Erie-Pennsylvania-Beaches.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Lady-Kate-Boat-Tours-Presque-Isle-State-Park-Misery-Bay-Erie-Pennsylvania.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Presque-Isle-Lighthouse-Beach-View-Erie-PA-1.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bicentennial-Tower-Dobbins-Landing-Erie-PA-night-view.jpg)
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.](https://pabucketlist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Lioness-Erie-Zoo-Erie-Pennsylvania-FB-crop.jpg)
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