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, therefore 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, in some ways You’ll find it at 1 State Street in Erie, PA, right on Dobbins Landing where the breeze rolls in off Lake Erie, at the same time 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, generally 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, in conjunction with 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, subsequently 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, what’s more at the tower’s base sits a sealed time capsule, meant to be opened in 2095 to celebrate the city’s 300th anniversary-a tiny 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, not only that 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.Believe it or not, Tourists and locals alike flock here-it’s easy to reach, and the view sweeps out in every direction like a painted horizon, alternatively you can visit the Tower on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m, in a sense To 4 p.m, also between October and April, daily from 10 a.m. To 6 p.m, on top of that in May, and from Memorial Day to Labor Day it stays open every day until 9 p.m, perfect for catching the sunset.As it happens, In September, hours are 10 a.m, then to 6 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults, $2 for kids ages 7–12, and free for children 6 and under, in addition on the first Tuesday of each month-unless it’s a holiday-everyone gets in free, under certain circumstances From the observation decks, visitors take in sweeping 360-degree views-Lake Erie stretching wide and blue, the lakefront dotted with boats and piers, as a result 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, consequently on clear days, you can observe 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, on top of that 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.Frankly, You can reach the tower with a short amble from downtown Erie, so it’s an easy add-on for anyone strolling past the cafés and shops while exploring the city, alternatively you can get there easily by bus-several lines pull up right at the corner.It seems, 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, subsequently 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, alternatively 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, not entirely 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.
Author: Tourist Landmarks
Date: 2025-10-01
