8 Attractions Near Presque Isle Downs That Are Must-Visits

Presque Isle Downs is a premier casino, and it’s a great reason to visit Erie, Pennsylvania. But like any town on or near water, Erie has its fair share of attractions that range from water parks to sporting events, golf courses, zoos, and even an auto racing track.

Yeah, and to think you just wanted to come up here for the slots, tables, and horse races! While these activities are fun and exciting themselves, your casino and race track is just one small piece of the pie as it pertains to all of what Erie, Pennsylvania, offers.

So, if you’re heading to the casino and are in for an extended stay, take a day or two off from the races and the gaming floor to explore Erie.

Below are eight attractions that will help you plan your trip.

1 – Splash Lagoon

You’re looking at paradise in Eastern Pennsylvania at Splash Lagoon. Enjoy the 84-degree waters in a tropical Polynesian theme. Open all year-long, they have voted Splash Lagoon as one of the Top 10 Water Parks in America.

What is there to do at Splash Lagoon?

Attractions include the Indoor Surf Machine, the Lava Pool, the Cyclone, Big Kahuna, Wild Water Wave Pool, Tiki Treehouse, Lazy River, and more.

Attractions at Splash Lagoon are available to guests of all ages and interest levels. So, if you’re taking a family vacation to Erie and Presque Isle Downs is nothing more than just a slice of the vacation pie, Splash Lagoon is the ideal place for the entire family.

2 – Erie Insurance Arena

Whether you’re looking for adrenaline-pumping sports, concerts, and live events, you’ll find something happening at Erie Insurance Arena. If the entertainment at Presque Isle Downs isn’t cutting it for the evening, just know that you have options.

Erie Insurance Arena is home to the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Erie Otters and the NBA G-League’s Erie BayHawks. So, if you’re into junior hockey or minor league basketball, this is a place where you can catch some of the best future NHL and NBA stars in action.

And as mentioned, you’ll find concerts and shows of every kind at Erie Insurance Arena. Entertainers like Elton John, KISS, and Alan Jackson have rocked out this venue, and WWE has even made the trip over.

The arena provides perfect entertainment insurance if you’re looking for more options in the area.

3 – Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Also known as TREC, you will discover this venue as the gateway to Presque Island and Lake Erie. Priding itself as the home to the most stimulating and memorable experiences in Pennsylvania, you’re in for a day of adventure and excitement at TREC.

So, come on over and learn about the 3,200 acres that comprise Presque Island. Immerse yourself in Pennsylvania’s only seashore comprising a seven-mile coastline, 11 miles of hiking trails, along with a 13.5-mile scenic trail along Presque Isle Bay.

If you’re one who craves hitting the beach, but you find yourself on America’s North Shore, TREC is more than worth checking out.

Lose yourself in the beautiful coastline that will make you believe you’re on the Atlantic or Pacific Coast. Take part in recreational activities like biking, hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, skating, and more. And best yet, enjoy the break from the horse races, slots, and tables.

4 – Waldameer Water Park and Water World

You can’t beat heading over to an attraction that boasts itself with free entry. But that’s exactly what you’ll get at Waldameer Water Park and Water World. Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, come over and catch a hometown atmosphere.

With over 60 attractions at this ginormous water world, there is a lot to get excited over and even more to experience. It’s a surefire bet that you’ll find your next favorite water-related attraction at Waldameer Park and Water World.

So, take a day from the casino and lose yourself at the Battle of Lake Erie, the Bermuda Triangle, the Giant Heated Relaxing Pool, the Giant Heated Wave Pool, and more.

5 – Lake Erie Speedway

While the horses are always hot at Presque Isle Downs, Lake Erie Speedway offers a premier brand of auto racing in the area. So, if you’re looking for more than just horse racing or if you’re a stock car enthusiast, check out Lake Erie Speedway.

But it’s not just stock cars you can get excited about when you venture to Lake Erie Speedway. Even in the winter, this place is rocking with snowmobile oval racing. If you’re down for a novel experience, check out this speedway if you’re gaming at the casino.

Because regardless of the time of year, you can place a winning bet that the action will be hot over at this nearby attraction.

6 – Erie Zoo

They call it a safari adventure in your own backyard. Come see all the domestic and exotic wildlife held at the zoo if you’re looking to take a long break from the gaming at Presque Isle Downs. It’ll be a long break because you can place a safe wager that you’ll be at the zoo for a while.

Oh, and if you have had little luck at the slots, races, or tables, don’t sweat it. Admission for visitors ages 13 to 61 is a meager $10, and for those over 62, it’s $8. So, you aren’t breaking the bank by visiting the best safari in the area.

Popular exhibits at Erie Zoo include the Kiboka Outpost, Wild Asia, Children’s Adventure, the Barn Area, Center Zoo, and Safariland. It’s time to gear up, find your favorite attraction, and take a stroll through one of the most popular attractions in the area.

7 – Whispering Woods Golf Course

Are you a golf enthusiast craving a round on a championship-level course? Well, the Whispering Woods Golf Course should be your premier destination on your vacation itinerary.

And it’s a guaranteed winning bet that you’ll receive the best golfing experience of your life at Whispering Woods. Voted a Top Five Golf Course in PA by Golfer’s Choice 2020 and Top Ten Public Golf Course in PA by the PGA, Whispering Woods’ credentials continue to pour in year after year.

If you’re one who embraces the challenges of different courses that can boast a reputation as the area’s best, look no further than Whispering Woods Golf Course.

It’s a guaranteed bet that you will find yourself tested beyond measure at this championship-level course. And you can’t beat the low cost of $29 for 18 holes with a cart or $19 for 9 holes. So, come on out, enjoy the scenic fairways, and weave your way through the illustrious fairways, creative greens, and 50 bunkers that this course offers.

You’ll love it so much you may just buy another round and save the slots and table gaming over at Presque Isle Downs for tomorrow—especially on those ideal summer and fall days.

8 – Millcreek Mall

Up for a shopping spree? The Millcreek Mall is where it’s happening. It’s the premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination in the area. So, if you’re looking for further dining and entertainment options, Millcreek Mall is where it’s happening.

Comprising 165 stores and services plus four anchor tenants, the Millcreek Mall offers 2,200,000 square feet of real estate featuring a plethora of shopping options.

Open from 10 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, come on in and spend some of those casino winnings if Lady Luck was on your side for the day at the slots and the tables.

Oh, and if you exhausted all the available dining options over at Presque Isle Downs, you still have a potluck to choose from over at Millcreek Mall.

Whether you’re in the mood for Smokey Bones, Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Buffalo Wild Wings, Southwest Grill, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, McDonald’s, and more, Millcreek Mall has what you’re craving.

And if you eked a profit over at Presque Isle, this is the perfect way to take a day to explore Millcreek and reward yourself with something new. And don’t forget to see what’s happening on the entertainment side of things!

One of the most popular entertainment venues here includes Round One Entertainment, where you and the entire family can get together for bowling, billiards, and arcade-related activities. There is always something going on at Millcreek Mall, and it makes for the perfect day off from Presque Isle.

Conclusion

If you didn’t know you had a plethora of things to do at Presque Isle Downs, you now know there are at least eight fun options in the area that you can fall head over heels for. And best yet, the sheer diversity of nearby attractions in Erie means anyone in your traveling group can and will get excited about going.

So, do yourself a favor and start planning a vacation itinerary before you head into the area. Sure, we may spend most of our time at the casino, but let’s not forget that we all need some time off from the gaming floor.

And if you found nothing appealing on this list, remember that there are dozens of nearby attractions to get excited over when you’re in Erie.

Have you gamed at Presque Isle Downs? If so, did you visit any of the listed attractions? Let us know.