ErieOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From French Outpost to American Port

Erie's location on Lake Erie made it a coveted site for centuries. The French were the first Europeans to establish a significant presence, building Fort Presque Isle in the summer of 1753. This fort was a crucial link in a chain of French outposts in the Ohio Country, intended to protect their claims against British encroachment, ultimately leading to the French and Indian War. The original fort, a rectangle 75 by 105 feet with bastions at each corner and 12-foot high log walls, stood on a bluff overlooking Presque Isle Bay. After the British victory at the Battle of Fort Niagara in 1759, the French burned Fort Presque Isle and retreated. The British then built a new Fort Presque Isle, which was captured by Native American tribes during Pontiac's Rebellion in June 1763.

A City Shaped by Water and Industry

Following the American Revolutionary War, General Anthony Wayne arrived in the Presque Isle area in 1786. In 1795, 200 Federal troops under Captain John Grubb built another blockhouse, also named Fort Presque Isle, on Garrison Hill. This blockhouse served as a defense against Native American uprisings and was used during the War of 1812. The city itself was laid out in 1795 by surveyor Andrew Ellicott, who also worked on the plan for Washington D.C. Erie's maritime importance grew, leading to the construction of the Erie Land Lighthouse in 1818, one of the first lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The 19th century saw Erie develop as a port, with industries like ironworks contributing to its growth. The Old Custom House, a Greek Revival building constructed between 1838 and 1839, initially served as a branch of the United States Bank of Pennsylvania before becoming the Customs House for the Port of Erie in 1843.

• —Erie Maritime Museum — See the region's naval heritage, including the U.S. Brig Niagara, a reconstructed War of 1812 tall ship.
• —Dobbins Landing — This waterfront area offers views of Presque Isle Bay and the Bicentennial Tower. Climb the tower for views of Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and downtown Erie.
• —Erie Land Lighthouse — See the first commissioned lighthouse on the Great Lakes, originally built in 1818. The current sandstone structure dates to 1867 and was restored in 2004.
• —Fort Presque Isle Site (historical marker) — A historical marker at E Front St and Parade Street commemorates the site of the French, British, and American forts that once stood here, crucial to controlling the Ohio Country.
• —Perry Monument — This monument honors Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the War of 1812's Battle of Lake Erie. It stands at the east end of Perry Square.
• —Perry Square — A central park in downtown Erie, designed in 1795 by Andrew Ellicott. It features a gazebo, a fountain, and various memorials, including the Soldiers and Sailors monument from 1872.
• —Hagen History Center — See local history through exhibits housed in several historic buildings, offering a deeper look into Erie's past.
• —Old Custom House / Erie Federal Building — See the Greek Revival architecture of this building from 1838-1839, which has served as a bank, customs house, post office, and is now part of the Erie Art Museum complex.

The best time to visit Erie is from late May through early October. Summer, from June through August, offers the most pleasant weather with average highs in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (around 26-27°C), lower cloudiness, and sunshine, suitable for outdoor activities and festivals. Lake Erie's water is also warmest during these months, reaching swimming temperatures by July. Late May and June offer a balance of warm weather and fewer crowds before peak summer tourism. Avoid visiting in winter, from December to March, if you prefer to avoid cold and snow. Erie experiences freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall averaging 118 inches annually, and mostly cloudy skies during these months.

Erie International Airport (ERI) serves the city, but larger airports in Cleveland, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are less than two hours away by car. Amtrak's Lakeshore Limited route also services Erie, connecting it to Chicago, New York City, and Boston. Getting around Erie is best done by car. Downtown Erie offers various parking options, including metered street parking and several parking garages. Metered street parking operates Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Sundays being free. Parking garages, such as the Flagship City District garage at the corner of Peach and 4th Streets, offer hourly rates. For free downtown access, use the two bay-front park-and-ride lots and take the free Bayliner Trolley. The Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) operates public bus services, known as 'the e,' throughout Erie County.