Waldameer Park and Water World is Erie’s old-school summer amusement park, sitting just outside the entrance to Presque Isle State Park. It has the mix you want from a regional park: wooden-coaster nostalgia, modern rides, water slides, and a relaxed lake-vacation crowd.
This is not a subtle attraction, but it is a useful one. Families can make a full day of it, while travellers without children may still appreciate the local tradition and the easy pairing with beaches and sunset views on Presque Isle.