The tower features a glass-enclosed elevator that provides a view of the Harbor Place complex during the ascent.
The total height of 187 feet allows for a 360-degree viewing radius that extends across the lake on clear days.
The structure is owned and managed by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.
It is intentionally positioned at the foot of State Street to mark the historic terminus of the city's main thoroughfare.
The Bicentennial Tower is a 187-foot observation structure situated at the entrance of Erie's Dobbins Landing. It provides panoramic views of Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie, and the city skyline from two distinct observation decks. The tower was constructed in 1996 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Erie. Visitors reach the top observation level via a glass-enclosed elevator that offers a vertical perspective of the waterfront. The design incorporates a distinct angular aesthetic that serves as a landmark for boats entering the harbor. It functions as a functional lighthouse and navigation beacon for the port of Erie.
The upper observation deck facing west toward the Presque Isle State Park peninsula.
Check visibility reports or webcams before visiting to ensure cloud cover does not obscure the lake views.
Bring a windbreaker as the observation decks are exposed to significant lake breezes regardless of ground-level temperature.
Do not mistake the tower for an indoor shopping mall; it is an observation platform with limited interior space at the summit.
Operating hours are seasonal; generally open daily during warmer months and closed during the winter season.
