Information
Landmark: Bicentennial TowerCity: Erie
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Bicentennial Tower, Erie, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
Rising over Dobbins Landing’s waterfront in Erie, Pennsylvania, the Bicentennial Tower stands as a well-known landmark, offering sweeping views of the lake and city.Rising high above the streets, it marks the city’s 200th anniversary and lets visitors take in sweeping views of the hills and rooftops beyond.You’ll find it at 1 State Street in Erie, PA, right on Dobbins Landing where the breeze rolls in off Lake Erie.The tower stretches 187 feet into the sky, with its top observation deck perched 138 feet above the ground, offering a sweeping view of the city below.From here, visitors take in sweeping views of Lake Erie, the curve of Presque Isle State Park, and the Erie skyline; on a clear day, Long Point in Ontario-about 27 miles across the water-stands out like a thin blue line on the horizon.Between December 1995 and October 1996, workers built the tower to mark Erie’s 200th birthday in 1996, a proud centerpiece of the city’s bicentennial celebration.The architectural firm Weber Murphy Fox, Inc.designed it, sketching plans that began with crisp lines on a fresh sheet of paper., with construction carried out by Perry Construction Group, Inc.The work’s being handled by Perry Construction Group, Inc., hard hats flashing in the sun.At the tower’s base sits a sealed time capsule, meant to be opened in 2095 to celebrate the city’s 300th anniversary-a small bronze plaque marks the spot.The tower’s design includes two observation decks-the lower about 90 feet up, the upper at 138-reachable by climbing the stairs or taking the elevator.Sleek lines of steel meet the solid weight of concrete, giving the design a bold, modern edge that stands out against Erie’s waterfront skyline.Tourists and locals alike flock here-it’s easy to reach, and the view sweeps out in every direction like a painted horizon.You can visit the Tower on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. between October and April, daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in May, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day it stays open every day until 9 p.m., perfect for catching the sunset.In September, hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for kids ages 7–12, and free for children 6 and under.On the first Tuesday of each month-unless it’s a holiday-everyone gets in free.From the observation decks, visitors take in sweeping 360-degree views-Lake Erie stretching wide and blue, the lakefront dotted with boats and piers.Presque Isle State Park bursts with natural beauty-quiet beaches, winding trails, and marshlands where you can hear frogs calling at dusk.Erie’s skyline stretches from the busy downtown streets to the quiet harbor, where gulls wheel over the water.On clear days, you can see straight across the lake into Canada, where the water catches the sunlight like glass.At sunset, the tower draws crowds, especially when the sky over the lake glows in streaks of orange and pink.Visitors can snap a few keepsake photos, then linger over plaques that share the region’s history and trace its rugged hills and winding rivers.You can reach the tower with a short walk from downtown Erie, so it’s an easy add-on for anyone strolling past the cafés and shops while exploring the city.You can get there easily by bus-several lines pull up right at the corner.You’ll find parking near Dobbins Landing, and the tower’s fully ADA accessible, with an elevator that carries you up to the observation decks.The Bicentennial Tower often anchors Erie’s waterfront celebrations, from summer music festivals to evenings lit by fireworks over the bay.It stands as a point of civic pride and calls to mind the city’s long past, like the worn bronze plaques lining its oldest square.The Erie–Western Pennsylvania Port Authority runs the tower, keeps its steel beams in good shape, and works to draw visitors to it as a local landmark.The Bicentennial Tower blends rich history with striking architecture and sweeping lake views, making it a spot you shouldn’t miss when you’re in Erie.
