Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA 16505
About the Business
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle State Park is an educational institution located at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. This museum and tourist attraction is dedicated to teaching visitors about the unique 3,200 acres of Presque Isle and the diverse forms of life that call the peninsula home.
TREC serves as a hub for research, contributing to conservation efforts and promoting environmental awareness to help preserve the unparalleled beauty of Presque Isle, Pennsylvania's only seashore. Unlike other facilities along the Great Lakes, TREC offers a combination of research, education, and visitor services in one place, making it a truly unique destination for learning, wonder, and fun.
The center is open year-round with free admission to interactive exhibits, a glass-enclosed tower, and an orientation movie. Visitors can learn about the history of Presque Isle and how they can contribute to keeping it pristine and beautiful. The Presque Isle Gallery & Gifts inside TREC offers unique gifts for all budgets, with proceeds supporting projects at the park and TREC through the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Foundation.
Operating hours vary by season, with the Visitor Center open daily from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. from April 1 to October 31, and Tuesday to Saturday during the winter months. The Park Office is open Monday to Friday year-round. For more information, visitors can contact the park office at 814-833-7424.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center offers a range of activities and experiences for visitors to enjoy, making it a must-visit destination in the Keystone State.
Photos
Hours open
Monday:
Closed
Tuesday:
08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday:
08:00 - 16:00
Thursday:
08:00 - 16:00
Friday:
08:00 - 16:00
Saturday:
08:00 - 16:00
Sunday:
Closed
Reviews
"This was a great stop before visiting the national park. They have a lot of great displays talking about the enviroment of the state park and its wild live. Very family friendly. They have interactive displays and a short film inside. You can get a paper state parks map marking all of the caming grounds in the park here. There is an observatory. We almost missed it. Fantastic view of the park and theme park near by."
"Amazing and educational FREE center! So many displays full of history and information that is so valuable. Whether you are a visitor to Erie or a local, this place is like a museum that anyone can enjoy. I loved going up the tower to see the beautiful views of the lake and surrounding areas. The employees/volunteers here were so nice, helpful and gave us tons of useful information. Can’t wait to come back on my next trip to the area."
"On your way at the entrance to Presque Isle, you can have a wonderfully educational experience at the Environmental Center - and its free. Displays describe the geological formation of the Isle, from the Ice Age to its on-going reshaping by wind and water.The wildlife in the park are displayed and described. An outdoor natural play space is great for kids. Take the elevator up the tower for great views."
"This was such a fun stop! My kids love science and the environment and really loved the information here about different landscapes found on the island. It's free to visit. The observation deck has an elevator and is easily accessible. The nature playground was really fun too!"
"Wonderful experience, especially before going in to explore Presque Isle. You can learn all about the wildlife you might see in the park. The whole experience is completely free. There are indoor exhibits, an outdoor natural kids play space, and a tower with great views of the lake and surrounding areas."
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