Pennsylvania Travel Guide 2008 - (Page 56) P E N N S Y LVA N I A’S GR E AT LAK E S REGION A GREAT LAKES VINEYARD HANG TEN – UNBELIEVABLY – at Presque Isle State Park’s Budny beach, or water ski, scuba dive, ice fish or cross-country ski. Bring binoculars: The wetlands and forests are full of local animals and birds for premier sightings. Or maybe you’re more the roll-out-the-blanket type, which is perfect for drinking in the spectacular lakeside sunsets – or drinking local wines from the region’s vineyards. Either way, the towns here are as busy as the wilderness is lush. Take a tour along Erie’s Millionaires Row (and inside the beautiful Watson-Curtze Mansion) on West Sixth Street for a taste of high society during the 19th-century local oil boom. See the site of the world’s first commercial oil drilling in Titusville in the Oil Heritage Region, and celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Drake Well, the world’s first commercial oil well. The Market House in historic downtown Meadville was built in 1870 and is still a hub for local farmers and craftsmen. SO W H ATCH A WA N N A D O IS … Make sand castles at Presque Isle State Park The vast beaches and magnificent sunsets of this haven on the shores of Lake Erie have garnered national acclaim. Ride the rails A journey on the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad is narrated by guides who inform guests about the area’s colorful history – in the place where our nation’s first oil boom occurred. Weigh anchor at the Erie Maritime Museum Multimedia exhibits of the region’s maritime heritage, including the story of the magnificently reconstructed state flagship U.S. Brig Niagara – the ship that won the Battle of Lake Erie in the War of 1812. Take the family to Erie Zoo & Botanical Gardens A family excursion to Erie wouldn’t be complete without spending time at the zoo, featuring a carousel, Mystery Mountain and Wild Things Theater. Come face to face with a red-ruffed lemur, Sardinian donkey and African pixy frog. Savor the tastes of the Lake Erie Wine Trail Tour local Great Lakes wineries and sample their diverse, award-winning wines. Lake Erie breezes keep temps moderate, allowing local wineries to create whites with just the right acidity to cut through heavy foods. 800 . VISIT. PA Hear the charms of DeBence Antique Music World This incredible collection of restored nickelodeons, orchestrions and other musical instruments is unbelievably charming. visitPA.com DRAKE WELL MUSEUM 56 http://www.visitPA.com
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