Discover Erie, PA: Top 11 Fun Facts That Will Make You Fall in Love with This Charming City

1. Seiche Smackdown

Hold on to your hats, folks, because Erie is about to blow you away – literally: In 1844, a colossal 22-foot seiche reminisced the comedic force of a Monty Python sketch, as it charged and crashed over a 14-foot-high sea wall in Erie, Pennsylvania, courtesy of strong winds and atmospheric pressure changes.
Source => oceanservice.noaa.gov

2. Snowball City

When Erie throws a snowball, it really snowballs: Erie, Pennsylvania holds the record for the most snowfall throughout one season with a whopping 165.7 inches in 2008, keeping both plow companies and municipalities on their frosty toes.
Source => blog.snowplownews.com

Did you know Buffalo, NY wasn't named after the shaggy-haired mammal? 🐃 Discover the surprising history behind this city's unique moniker! 🏙️✨

=> Fun Facts about Buffalo-Ny

3. Flagship City, Ahoy!

Ahoy there, landlubbers! Have you ever dropped anchor in a city so immersed in naval glory, it makes you want to don a tricorn hat and shout "thar she blows"? Well, look no further than Erie, PA, matey: Known as the "Flagship City", Erie was the home port of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship Niagara during the War of 1812 and the renowned Battle of Lake Erie.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Trolley Park Splash Party

Ready to ride the wave of nostalgia, wearing your rose-tinted water wings? Hold onto your inner tubes, folks: Erie, Pennsylvania's Waldameer Park & Water World not only offers a splash-tastic time but is also home to one of the nation's oldest operating trolley systems, dating back to 1896, and is among the thirteen remaining trolley parks still in operation today. Let the good times roll, coast, and make a splash as visitors enjoy a legacy of over thirty rides and attractions, including the tri-state area's largest wave pool!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Warner Theatre Romance

When lovebirds Warner Bros. decided to build their love nest in Erie, Pennsylvania, they called up the Cupid of architects, Rapp & Rapp, to set the stage: In 1929, they commissioned the construction of the lavish Warner Theatre, costing a whopping $1.5 million during the Great Depression. This cultural heartthrob has since wooed audiences with vaudeville acts, traveling shows, and even serenades from the likes of Sammy Davis Jr., B.B. King, and Jerry Seinfeld, eventually getting hitched to the National Register for Historic Places in 1982.
Source => eriewarnertheatre.com

6. The Unstoppable Brewery

Ever heard of the brewery that just couldn't be brewed away? You could say it put the "hop" in hope for booze even during Prohibition: The Jackson Koehler Eagle Brewery in Erie, Pennsylvania was established in 1855 and continued to operate despite challenges, including being merged with the Erie Brewing Company in 1899 and enduring Prohibition. The historic site, which featured a brewhouse, grain tower, and even a Rathskeller, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, though the brewery complex has since been demolished.
Source => brookstonbeerbulletin.com

7. Find Walleye, Not Nemo

Who needs Finding Nemo when you can find walleye and steelhead in Erie County, PA? Dive into a sea of possibilities so vast that Bassmaster magazine hooked it as the #3 Best Bass Lake of the Decade: Reel in an exciting adventure on Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay, packed with walleye, steelhead, perch, bass and more, while enjoying activities like bird-watching, hiking, biking, water sports, and even catching waves on a Great Lake surfboard.
Source => visiterie.com

8. Booze Cruise with Perry

Not your ordinary booze cruise: Back in Erie, PA during the War of 1812, naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry constructed wooden ships, including two brig-rigged corvettes, at the American naval base on Presque Isle. This helped clinch the all-important American victory in the Battle of Lake Erie and put Perry on the map as a naval hero.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Fantastic Beasts of Presque Isle

If you've ever dreamt of a magical haven teeming with extraordinary creatures, look no further than Presque Isle State Park in Erie, PA, which probably just missed its chance of being featured in the popular franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: this National Natural Landmark is home to more endangered, threatened, and rare species than any other area of comparable size in Pennsylvania, allowing visitors to explore diverse ecosystems and indulge in recreational activities like swimming in enchanted waters, fishing for mythical species, or merely hiking and bicycling through this enchanted wonderland!
Source => dcnr.pa.gov

10. Backup Singer Brig Niagara

In the Battle of Lake Erie, Oliver Hazard Perry had quite the "backup singer" stealing the show: The US Brig Niagara, a ship that not only played a crucial role in the War of 1812, but continues to serenade history buffs today. This nautical swan song was sunk for preservation on Presque Isle in 1820, experienced a resurrection in 1913, and underwent a facelift in 1988. Now, the Coast Guard-certified Sailing School Vessel pulls a Patrick Swayze and ties up with the USS Constitution as one of the last two remaining ships from the War of 1812 – still making headlines two centuries later.
Source => woodenmodelboat.com

11. The Dazzling Erie Playhouse

From the dazzling limelight of the Keystone Brass Foundry to the hallowed halls of the H.V. Claus Block building: Erie, Pennsylvania houses the historic Erie Playhouse, which began as the "Peoples Theatre" in 1882, now located on West 10th Street with a 433-patron capacity, and lauded as one of the Ten Best Community Theatres in the United States by the American Theatre Association in 1985 and the Best Community Theatre in Pennsylvania by the PA Theatre Guide's 2015 Reader's Choice Award.
Source => en.wikipedia.org