Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is an educational center dedicated to teaching visitors about the unique 3,200 acres of Presque Isle and the many different forms of life that inhabit the peninsula. TREC also serves as a center for research -- contributing to conservation efforts and promoting environmental awareness, helping to preserve the unparalleled beauty of Presque Isle, the site of Pennsylvania’s only seashore. While some facilities along the Great Lakes offer environmental education and others do research, none offer research, education, and visitor services in one place, making TREC a unique destination for learning, wonder, and fun. TREC is open year-round and offers free admission to its changing interactive exhibits, glass-enclosed tower, and orientation movie. Learn about the history of Presque Isle and how you can contribute to keeping it pristine and beautiful.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
133 within 3 miles
Attractions
82 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
489 reviews
Excellent
276
Very good
144
Average
57
Poor
9
Terrible
3
hopeforthefuture3
Hadley, MA6 contributions
Aug 2021
Loved learning about the natural environment. There's lots of stuff for kids. Giant toy sculptures are really fun for adults, too. They have the requisite little movie theatre with an interesting film about the natural processes of Presque Isle.
Written October 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karla d
1 contribution
Jun 2020
Don't waste your time unless you're addicted to posters ! What a waste of Goverenment money ! They seem to make their money off of the over priced gift shop ! I have been visiting this site for quite a few years hoping they would use this space to the capacity it has. This is nothing less than a place to dump money ! I can see why Tom Ridge changed his vote. The Democrats must have something on him too ! Don't waste your day ! Go to Sara's and get a cone or camp at Sara's campground for a memorable family experience ! Bypass this waste of space !
Written November 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn S
Erie, PA9 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
We were so disappointed today on this visit. Still no films being shown on the Big Green Screen, broken elevator, many broken interactive displays, peeling posters in the stairwells to the top lookout, children’s area closed and also aquatic area closed. I understand that COVID protocols are probably an excuse for some of these things but many things can be repaired and offer visitors a better experience. I won’t be bringing or recommending TREC to friends and visitors to Erie while it is in this shape. I hope that someone in charge will really walk through and notice these things & bring it back to the luster that it has had in the past.
Written September 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kdkPGH
Pittsburgh, PA159 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Worth checking this out, if you are in the Erie area, with kids. There's exhibits & activities, along with an observation tower. The observation deck was closed, due to a high wind advisory / storm. But in better weather, I bet it would be spectacular.
Written March 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kellymeisch
Erie, PA51 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
I took my children here for something to do on a rainy day. There is a children’s center with books and puzzles plus some other activities. Most of the nature exhibits were not working/broken or being repaired. Not a ton to do but it occupies my 2 and 4 year old for an hour or so. The tower is fun to go in and you get a nice view of the bay.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan P
178 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Excellent & informative introduction to Presque Isle. Desk staff is great for questions. Park maps with everything you need to know are available. Displays are interesting. Gift shop is much better than most.
Written July 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WaltFlanigan
Miami Beach, FL94 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
Some learning is hands-on, some is audio visual, some is exploration, and some is instructor led by a friendly staff. Cafe and gift shop are well stocked. Take the stairs (or elevator) all the way to the top of the observation tower and enjoy the views of Lake Erie.
Written August 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venture7204
Erie, PA1 contribution
The Center (TREC) is an educational adventure for the mind. Many interactive activities for all ages. Excellent cuisine in the Sunset Cafe. Make sure you take time to enjoy the large format theater "The Big Green Screen" that is showing "The Living Sea". You really feel you are among the sea creatures and the music is absolutely wonderful. THen stop in the Nature Shop for a wonderful momento or gift.
Written June 21, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
racquelwright2016
Iliamna, AK66 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
This is the coolest place in Erie. It is completely free, just walk in and start looking around. It's educational and has information about wildlife in the area and about lake Erie. There is a sky deck you can walk out on. It has great views of Waldameer Park and you can see Canada on a clear day. Definitely worth checking out.
Written May 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam C
Ashland, OH21 contributions
Aug 2011
The building was beautiful and very impressive with how eco-friendly it was. Besides that, there was nothing else. It had a few exhibits but nothing impressive. My 3-year visited the kid center but it was just a bunch of wood puzzles and stuffed animals, nothing exciting. Not only that, but the staff there was very unfriendly. No one really greeted us except the janitor. I went to the cafe but there was no food. There was a chef and another guy talking but wouldn't acknowledge us. I wanted to but a cup of coffee but no one would help me except the janitor. I just left a dollar on the register and walked away. Maybe the movie would have been impressive but with small children, it just wasn't possible. I would only stop by to go up the observation tower and that's it.
Written September 9, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Admission is free
Written June 26, 2019
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing