More than four million people a year visit one of the most popular summer destinations in northwestern Pennsylvania: Presque Isle State Park in Erie. The park is on a peninsula that sticks out into Lake Erie and has the state's only surf beach. In summer visitors can swim, sail, water-ski, fish, rent paddle boats or just relax on the sand. There are also 14 miles of paved, scenic trails for bicyclists, hikers or in-line skaters. In winter visitors can rent cross-country skis and snowshoes.
Presque Isle State Park
301 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505
814-833-7424
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks
Waldameer Amusement Park and Water World in the very northwest corner of Pennsylvania has attractions for the entire family. There are thrill rides such as the Ravine Flyer II, ranked the best new ride for 2008 by Amusement Today (see Resource). Visitors who want to get wet can ride Thunder River, a log ride that carries them through rapids and drops them down a 40-foot chute into a pool. The park opens the first weekend in May and closes the first weekend in October. As of 2011, admission prices start at $16.95 for children and $23.45 for adults.
Waldameer and Water World
3100 West Lake Road
Erie, PA 16505
814-838-3591
waldameer.com
Located along the border with Ohio is Pymatuning State Park, one of the largest parks and lakes in Pennsylvania. The park has campsites, cabins, group camps, hiking trails, a disc golf course, snack bars and convenience stores open in the summer. There is also a marina, fishing piers and swimming beaches. In winter visitors can sled down an ice covered dam, cross-country ski or go snowmobiling.
Pymatuning State Park
2660 Williamsfield Road
Jamestown, PA 16134
724-932-3131
dcnr.state.pa.us
Visitors can take a safari in Ohio at The Wilds in Cumberland. Rhinos, zebras, antelope and giraffes are just a few of the animals roaming the 14 square miles of the park. The Conservation Center features African wild dogs and cheetahs. Visitors can enjoy their safari with a guide in one of the park's open-air or enclosed vehicles. They can also take a hike through a butterfly habitat or spend the night at a safari themed campsite. The Wilds is open daily starting Memorial Day to Labor Day. As of 2010, a basic safari tour starts at $15 for children and $20 for adults.
The Wilds
14000 International Road
Cumberland, OH 43732
740-638-5050
thewilds.org
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton has more than 400 aircraft and is the largest museum of military aircraft in the world. Visitors can see planes built from the early years of flight through the war in Vietnam. Also on display are rockets from the Cold War Era in a simulated missile silo and space capsules from the Mercury and Apollo missions. The museum has its own IMAX movie theater and a cafe. Admission is free.
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45437
937-255-3286
nationalmuseum.af.mil
