tom ridge center

We make a quick visit to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at least once a summer before or after one of our countless visits to Presque Isle State Park. In some ways, the center is really nice. It's completely free, has ample parking, everything is attractive, modern, and well-designed. The exhibits and displays on the first floor are mostly interesting, though some are a little sparse and basic. Most of the displays at the center deal with the region's nature and wildlife, with an emphasis on Presque Isle State Park. There's a slideshow of old photos with narration from people who grew up in Erie decades ago that we always enjoy, well-done displays of taxidermied wildlife that can be found at Presque Isle State Park, information about nature in the Erie region and the Great Lakes in general, and some simple interactive displays. Some things are geared more toward kids, while some would be more interesting for adults.There is a small indoor cafe, but it has often been closed when we visited for some reason. There's also a pretty large gift shop with a nice selection of souvenirs related to Presque Isle and Erie. There is no gift shop inside of Presque Isle itself, so this is the place to come if you want souvenirs. The Big Green Screen Theater on the premises shows educational films, though there is a fee to see these (a schedule can be found on the center's website). Clean restrooms are also available here, and a lot of useful pamphlets and information can be found at the desk on the first floor, providing maps, general information about Presque Isle State Park, and specific information about upcoming events and programs at the center and the park itself, which go on all year. The view from the observation tower is great, so a trip up there is a must. You have a choice of stairs or an elevator. There are some bird feeders around the center, but we have never seen food in them, so we never see any birds. Maybe the biggest negative about the center is the fact that the second floor of the center is so empty. There's a little to see here and there, including an semi-interactive map of Presque Isle that can be interesting, but the space is really underutilized. There's just not a whole lot up there, and it seems like such a waste. Even if you plan to take your time and really look around, it would be hard to fill more than an hour here, unless you'll be seeing a movie or eating at the cafe. Overall, The Tom Ridge Environmental Center is worth a quick visit if you're nearby, even if it's just to grab a souvenir, or take a map and some pamphlets to help you make the most out of a visit to Presque Isle. Some of the displays are interesting and well-done, while others are dull and bare bones, and the mostly empty second floor really needs to be improved. Still, it's completely free, so you have nothing to lose by stopping in.

As you drive up to the center you will have an impression of what to expect however when you you enter you feel underwhelmed. The space is very large but the exhibits are small and feel out off place. There is an eatery that all ways seems empty, an a gift shop with over priced trinkets. Even with these negatives there is a lot for children to do, they have interactive displays, craft events and displays with dinosaur bones (what little kid doesn't like that). It is a very good precursor before you head out to Presque Isle for a day of fun in the sun.

I visit this Center with Family to show The History of the Lake Erie ! Very Nice and interesting the excipit show and explains the you very Thing from the Wartime till now !Any one how Vist Erie should go for a Visit very good Info

We took our kids aged 4-10 and we all loved it. Absolutely amazing facility, wonderful staff, and also they have a well priced lunch area with good choices. If you ask, you can go see the research being done in the back of the facility by local universities and researchers. It is a nature museum focusing mainly on Presque Isle and Lake Erie. A must visit. Oh, and it's free.

I live in Erie, but I'm a life long Pittsburgher. But, I am impressed with the cultural/science offerings in Erie. The Tom Ridge Center is one of my favorite places. It has many interesting exhibits showing what is special about Erie that should be interesting to not only adults, but to kids. They also have a great gift shop, Imax movie theater and art exhibit.

It's ok. However, It does not cater well to teens. It needs more information written down in some areas for Teenagers to indulge themselves more

this place is wonderful and its free, come in a learn history and again its free, your kids will love it and you will look like a awesome parent

I wrote a review for this under the park review....This is a wonderful place for adults and children. There are lots of hands on exhibits, informative films, a lovely gift shop and a snack area for simple lunches or snacks.

Great view of Lake Erie from tower (elevator accessible). Clean bathrooms. Displays are colorful and seem informative (we only had a few minutes to spend here).

This place is clean. Kept up and it shows. Nice displays nd great for school kids. Views are amazing.

This is an outstanding resource. The center is open to the public and is geared toward conservation education. The only real costs are attending the short films in the theater or for purchases from the gift shop, cafeteria or vending machines. There is an observation tower that is accessible via stairs or elevator that allows you to get above the trees and see the Lake Erie horizon. There are educational displays to help educate everyone about the ecosystem around the lake. All in all a really nice center.

The best thing there is the big screen theater. Show short (40 minutes or so), interesting, educational nature films - almost never crowded (except around Christmas, when great box office hit holiday movies are shown), short enough to keep the kids' attention, very reasonably priced concession stand. Highly recommend!

cant say enough of how well this exibit is put together. the only cost is to see the big movie well worth it. if not enjoy the exibits, the man even showed my son all the fish in the basins the vegetation they were growing, what lovely people and very educational, we were there when the dinosours were on display what a treat, ps a beautiful view when you walk outside

This is a very nice facility located at the entrance of Presque Isle. For those that can remember way back when there used to be a drive-in movie at this location. We saw Young Doctors in Love there in '82. Anyway, the building is really nice and it has a tower you can climb or ride the elevator to the top and see a panorama of the lake and the land. It could really of used a few more levels to the tower to clear the nearby trees, but it really is nice on a clear day. The exhibits are your basic kid friendly kind of stuff so it's not really geared to hold adults attention for long. It's free so it's worth a stop.

This was a very easy place to find for my boyfriend and I. We had fun reading the interesting facts about Presque isle and Lake Erie. There is an observation tower that displays a panoramic view of the lake. I would definitely recommend this.