GreatLakesCruises.com is a sales agent for every cruise line that operates on the Great Lakes.
GreatLakesCruises.com is a sales agent for every cruise line that operates on the Great Lakes.
Lake Erie is well-known for its breathtaking lighting displays, but this lake and its beautiful scenery weren’t made in a day. Lake Erie’s history goes back to the end of the ice age. What used to be ice-sheet-covered territory turned into basins that later filled in with water as the ice melted. The ice sheet that covered what’s now Lake Erie was thin in comparison to the rest of sheets that covered the other Great Lakes. This thin ice sheet lacked erosion power which resulted in a shallow basin.
To explore more of the Great Lakes, from their histories to their myths and mysteries, visit our hand-curated Great Lakes Cruise Library.
When it first began, Lake Erie was formed from the prehistoric Lake Warren around 13,000 years ago. Lake Warren was much larger in depth and shoreline distance than Erie, leaving behind dry lake soil that couldn’t support much aside from a few trees. This land would later be used native tribes, housing an extensive network of trails that would later lead to highways like US Route 20 and US Route 30. Other parts of Lake Warren’s remaining soil left sand dunes, which can still be found in Northwestern Ohio today.
| Elevation | 569 ft | Avg Depth | 62 ft | Length of Shoreline | 871 mi |
| Surface Area | 9,910 mi² | Max Depth | 210 ft | Avg Surface Temp | 52º F |
| Drainage Area | 30,140 mi² | Length (N-S) | 57 mi | Retention Time | 2.6 years |
| Volume of Water | 116 mi³ | Length (E-W) | 241 mi | Avg Outflow | 265,000 ft³/s |
| Highest Elevation | 183 m (Lake Superior) | Volume of Water | 22,684 km³ | Length (E-W) | 1,200 km |
| Lowest Elevation | 74 m (Lake Ontario) | Avg Depth | 79 m | Length of Shoreline | 17,017 km* |
| Surface Area | 244,160 km² | Max Depth | 406 m | Avg Surface Temp | 9º C |
| Drainage Area | 521,830 km² | Length (N-S) | 800 km | Retention Time | 320 years |
Lake Erie is the fourth largest freshwater lake from the Great Lakes, it’s surface area reaches 9,910 sq miles. Lake Erie is also the shallowest and warmest of the five lakes, reaching 64 meters at its deepest point and averaging a temperature of 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (11.3 degrees Celsius). Its depth and temperature cause Lake Erie to hold the shortest water residence time among the five Great Lakes, averaging only 2.6 years of water residency. Lake Erie is located in the international boundary of the United States and Canada. It borders the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario.
Lake Erie is home to several bays and archipelagic islands that give life to the American Inland Seas. The Maumee Bay, located in Ohio, features one of the most popular bird-watching spots in the country. Another well-known bay in Lake Erie is the Sandusky Bay, also located in Ohio. The Thomas A. Edison Memorial Bridge connects Erie and Ottawa counties over this important body of water.
There are around 30 islands that reside within Lake Erie’s surface. South Bass Island, also known as Put-in-Bay, is the most touristic and developed of them all. The North Bass Island (also called Isle St. George) and Middle Bass Island attract some tourism as well. They offer tourists a couple of state parks and recreational sites.
Lake Erie is home to a couple majestic ports of call for Great Lakes Cruises. The journey begins with the port of Cleveland, which features a handful of activities and entertainment for all kinds of travelers. Cruises often travel to the world-known Niagara Falls, which is the next port of call. This iconic port features breathtaking views of the Horseshoe Falls right before entering Lake Ontario. The port of Cleveland and Niagara Falls are must-see stops when you cruise the Great Lakes. Here’s a list of attractions, itineraries, and cruise lines that will help you explore and make the best out of your Lake Erie experience.
From arts and culture to history and outdoor activities, Cleveland, Ohio cruises are packed with a variety of sights to discover. The largest city visited by Lake Erie cruises, Cleveland has lots to explore. One of the most popular spots in the city is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This iconic site is filled with hundreds of music exhibits that cover early rock & roll influencers, performers, song writers, and producers. Make sure to plan at least a few hours, since covering all 3 floors of memorabilia and interactive exhibits takes time. Other attractions include The Cleveland Museum of Art, which features over 61,000 art pieces from all over the world. This world-class museum is known for its Asian and Egyptian art, plus several other permanent displays that bring thousands of visitors annually. This museum is one of the most visited in the world. Another must-see museum in the area is the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. This museum features collections in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, botany, geology, astronomy, zoology, biology, and even paleontology.
For nature-inspired travelers, The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and the Cleveland Botanical Garden are a must. The 183-acre zoo displays wildlife from multiple regions such as Australia, Africa, and Asia. Meanwhile, the botanical garden has magic on its own. It is home to hundreds of plant species and it’s a local favorite too.
Or, food lovers may want to stop by the historic West Side Market to grab a bite. This market features delicacies from all over the world within its walls, and was even named 2010’s “Best Food Lover’s Market” by Food Network Magazine.
This iconic city is a Great Lakes treasure. Located in the Canada, Niagara Falls, Ontario cruises invite visitors to see first-hand Lake Erie’s drastic drop into Lake Ontario, where 3 world-renowned waterfalls — Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls — are formed. The Lake Erie Niagara Falls are a nature-immersive experience for travelers. Some of the city’s top destinations include the Skylon Tower, which overlooks Niagara Falls, and the Journey Behind the Falls, which delivers up-close views of the falls from subterranean caverns below. On this Canadian side of Niagara, you’ll find the most massive and recognized of the 3 waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls. Surrounding the falls are a multitude of fun attractions, like the adventurous Whirlpool Aero Car, which takes tourists in cable car rides across the Niagara River. Or you can visit the beautiful Queen Victoria Park, one of the city’s many parks, and its most popular. Animal and nature lovers will also likely enjoy Bird Kingdom — the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary — and MarineLand — with its dolphins, orcas, and amusement park rides. The two local attractions showcase and educate visitors about all kinds of wildlife from all over the world.
Over the years, the Great Lakes region has come to feel like a close personal friend to us, and we’re happy to introduce you.
| Elevation | 569 ft | Avg Depth | 62 ft | Length of Shoreline | 871 mi |
| Surface Area | 9,910 mi² | Max Depth | 210 ft | Avg Surface Temp | 52º F |
| Drainage Area | 30,140 mi² | Length (N-S) | 57 mi | Retention Time | 2.6 years |
| Volume of Water | 116 mi³ | Length (E-W) | 241 mi | Avg Outflow | 265,000 ft³/s |
| Highest Elevation | 183 m (Lake Superior) | Volume of Water | 22,684 km³ | Length (E-W) | 1,200 km |
| Lowest Elevation | 74 m (Lake Ontario) | Avg Depth | 79 m | Length of Shoreline | 17,017 km* |
| Surface Area | 244,160 km² | Max Depth | 406 m | Avg Surface Temp | 9º C |
| Drainage Area | 521,830 km² | Length (N-S) | 800 km | Retention Time | 320 years |
Lake Erie is the fourth largest freshwater lake from the Great Lakes, it’s surface area reaches 9,910 sq miles. Lake Erie is also the shallowest and warmest of the five lakes, reaching 64 meters at its deepest point and averaging a temperature of 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (11.3 degrees Celsius). Its depth and temperature cause Lake Erie to hold the shortest water residence time among the five Great Lakes, averaging only 2.6 years of water residency. Lake Erie is located in the international boundary of the United States and Canada. It borders the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario.
Lake Erie is home to several bays and archipelagic islands that give life to the American Inland Seas. The Maumee Bay, located in Ohio, features one of the most popular bird-watching spots in the country. Another well-known bay in Lake Erie is the Sandusky Bay, also located in Ohio. The Thomas A. Edison Memorial Bridge connects Erie and Ottawa counties over this important body of water.
Lake Erie is home to a couple majestic ports of call for Great Lakes Cruises. The journey begins with the port of Cleveland, which features a handful of activities and entertainment for all kinds of travelers. Cruises often travel to the world-known Niagara Falls, which is the next port of call. This iconic port features breathtaking views of the Horseshoe Falls right before entering Lake Ontario. The port of Cleveland and Niagara Falls are must-see stops when you cruise the Great Lakes. Here’s a list of attractions, itineraries, and cruise lines that will help you explore and make the best out of your Lake Erie experience.
This iconic city is a Great Lakes treasure. Located in the Canada, Niagara Falls, Ontario cruises invite visitors to see first-hand Lake Erie’s drastic drop into Lake Ontario, where 3 world-renowned waterfalls — Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls — are formed. The Lake Erie Niagara Falls are a nature-immersive experience for travelers. Some of the city’s top destinations include the Skylon Tower, which overlooks Niagara Falls, and the Journey Behind the Falls, which delivers up-close views of the falls from subterranean caverns below. On this Canadian side of Niagara, you’ll find the most massive and recognized of the 3 waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls. Surrounding the falls are a multitude of fun attractions, like the adventurous Whirlpool Aero Car, which takes tourists in cable car rides across the Niagara River. Or you can visit the beautiful Queen Victoria Park, one of the city’s many parks, and its most popular. Animal and nature lovers will also likely enjoy Bird Kingdom — the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary — and MarineLand — with its dolphins, orcas, and amusement park rides. The two local attractions showcase and educate visitors about all kinds of wildlife from all over the world.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took
Lake Erie and the rest of the Great Lakes contain 20% of the world’s total freshwater, and over 3,500 species. For instance, Lake Erie is home to over 250 bird species that migrate annually to the area. They reside mostly around Sandusky Bay and Maumee Bay, making these spots optimal for bird-watching all year long. Lake Erie is also home to hundreds of fish species such as Walleye and Yellow Perch, plus several invasive species.
Around 1850, fishing became one of Lake Erie’s main economic activities. It rose as settlers established fisheries, which increased maritime traffic. Commercial fishing boomed in 1901, and a new harbor was built to accommodate more shipments. Later in the 20th century, both commercial and sport fishing began to decline.
Today, countless efforts exist to prevent pollution, leaving fishing still the top economic activity on Lake Erie. The most common kinds of fish All around the massive lake, you’ll also find destinations reliant on agriculture and tourism as well. The Lake Erie region is a major producer of corn and soybeans,
Secondary economic activities in the area include grape growing and wineries. These reside along the coast of New York and Pennsylvania. There used to be a vast amount of wineries within Lake Erie’s Archipelagic Islands as well. Most of those wineries closed with the exception of the ones in Pelee Island. Today, the Lake Erie islands’ economy is sustained by tourism. Because of this, countless Lake Erie cruise ships visit the destinations lining these island shores with guests seeking the most from their Great Lake cruise. Unlike the other Great Lakes, Lake Erie doesn’t have many wind turbines due to opposition from the residents. They believe the wind turbines would be intrusive to the ecosystem and ultimately spoil the views.
