What isn’t there to love about a boat tour? The Lady Kate, which leaves from Presque Isle State Park, offers a fully narrated cruise offering you scenic views of interesting locations, such as Misery Bay, Gull Point Nature Preserve, Presque Isle Bay, historic lighthouses, the Erie skyline and more!
During the 14-mile, 90-minute cruise, you learn interesting and sometimes disturbing facts, such as that Lake Erie owns a greater density of shipwrecks than virtually anywhere else in the world — even the Bermuda triangle. As you pull back in to the dock, the tour guide congratulates you on surviving. Folks who study and hunt for shipwrecks in Lake Erie estimate that up to 2000 ships came to a soggy and terrible end within its waters.
But despite Lake Erie’s well-deserved reputation, a cruise on the Lady Kate is a great way to spend an afternoon. Ancient glaciers gouged Lake Erie out of the Earth’s crust between 1 million and 12,600 years ago. The tour guide will share that history, as well as more recent, about the ships that sailed the lake, its significance to the War of 1812, industry that grew up around its shores and lots more.
As the Lady Kate makes her way through the channel between Misery Bay and Presque Isle Bay, you learn about the local history and significant sights along the shores. During the cruise, you can see all three of the local lighthouses and hear some of the lore surrounding these historic buildings.
I really enjoyed seeing the state park from the Lady Kate — from Gull Point, a wildlife refuge, to the popular beaches, it was fun to see this park from the water.
Know Before You Go
You may want to arrive at least 15 minutes before the boat tour starts. Note that once you get to Presque Isle State Park, the Lady Kate, which is docked near the Perry Monument, is at least a 10-minute drive from the park entrance. Bring a hat, sunblock and water, as there is no food availability on board. You might even want a light sweater, because in mid-June, we needed it! Also, no rest rooms on board.
Getting there: Presque Isle State Park near Perry Monument, Erie PA
Hours: Please check the website below for tour times.
Website: Presque Isle Boat Tours
Looking for more to do and see in Erie PA? Check out Visit Erie, as well as the articles below:
- Asbury Woods — COMING SOON!
- Downtown Erie Food Tour
- Erie Bluffs State Park
- Erie Maritime Museum — COMING SOON!
- Hagen Museum and Watson/Curtze Mansion — COMING SOON!
- Lady Kate Boat Tour
- Presque Isle State Park — COMING SOON!
- Three Historic Lighthouses — COMING SOON!
- Wintergreen Gorge Hike — COMING SOON
If you love boat tours, then you’ll want to check out other boat tours MidAtlanticDayTrips has been on!
