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Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Erie, PA

Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Visit the Tome Ridge Environmental Center, the gateway to Presque Isle and Erie as part of this group motorcoach vacation package. Situated in Presque Isle State Park, on the southern shore of Lake Erie, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center was established in May of 2006. Named in honor of former Pennsylvania Governor and former U.S Department of Homeland Security Director, Tom Ridge, the Tom Ridge Environmental Center is primarily an educational center dedicated to teaching visitors about the unique 3,200 acres of Presque Isle and the variety of life that inhabits the peninsula. In addition, the facility houses research laboratories for various natural resource-related organizations.

Visiting the Tom Ridge Environmental Center

At the Tom Ridge Environmental Center you will discover 7,000 square feet of exhibits that highlight local and regional flora and fauna and information on the human history and culture of the area, a 75-foot observation tower, the Presque Isle Nature Shop and Sunset Café.

Exhibits

Step inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and discover a whole new world of fun from origami birds to steel trees. Interactive exhibits explore the ecosystems and subjects related to Presque Isle State Park and the surrounding area, while other exhibits follow the development of research taking place in the facilities’ laboratories. In the Tom Ridge Environmental Center’s orientation theater, watch a 15-minute film that offers a glimpse of the fascinating things you can find at Presque Isle.

Tom Ridge Environmental Center Observation Tower

In addition to its interactive exhibits, the Tome Ridge Environmental Center is home to an observation tower. Climb 131 steps (or take the elevator) to the top of the 75-foot-tall tower. Made of glass, the lighthouse like observation tower overlooks Lake Erie. See Lake Erie swishing about below, the odd red-headed woodpecker perched in a distant tree and map turtles scattered along the coastline.

Outdoors at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Discover the unique ecosystems and subjects you learned about in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center outdoors. With over 800 species of plants, more than 330 species of birds and the highest number of rare, threatened or endangered species for its size, nature abounds in Presque Isle State Park. Wander the Tom Ridge Environmental Center’s grounds of native northwestern Pennsylvania plants. Be sure to look out for Carolina roses, yellow violets, cardinal flowers and New England aster.

Dining at Sunset Café

Enjoy delicious cuisine while relaxing amid Presque Isle State Park. Sunset Café is the perfect place to grab a snack or lunch and also offers takeaway for visitors who wish to picnic in Presque Isle on a sunny, spring day. With a menu of delicious wraps, fresh and crisp salads, tasty sandwiches, steaming soups, signature specialties and delectable deserts, there is something to satisfy every appetite.

Shopping in the Nature Shop & Gallery

Stop by the Nature Shop & Gallery in the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. In the Nature Shop & Gallery you will find gifts that capture the essence of Presque Isle and showcase the wonders of nature at Presque Isle State Park on Lake Erie from locally made pottery to beach glass jewelry and a wide selection of books, T-shirts and souvenirs.

Travel Tips

- Be sure to ask Nature Shop & Gallery employees about their artist-in-residence demonstrations.

- If time permits, visit the Big Screen Theater at Tom Ridge Environmental Center, offering vivid images, dynamic sound and captivating films. More information about the Big Theater’s featured films can be found on the Tom Ridge Environmental Center website.

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