Anyone been there? Nice place? Worth a weekend trip?
Is the lake area nice?
Thanks for any replies.
Presque Isle Downs
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Presque Isle Downs
All shouting does is make you lose your voice.
----Arrested Development
----Arrested Development
I work ar Presque Isle. Yes, it is worth the trip. The facility is small but very nice. Paddock very accessable. Easy viewing.
As for the lake, you can't beat it. Presque Isle is fabulous. Boat, swim, hike, whatever. there is a museum, tall ships to tour, or a boat ride out to view the whole area. You can rent bikes, boats etc. The whole west side is beach. You won't be disappointed!
As for the lake, you can't beat it. Presque Isle is fabulous. Boat, swim, hike, whatever. there is a museum, tall ships to tour, or a boat ride out to view the whole area. You can rent bikes, boats etc. The whole west side is beach. You won't be disappointed!
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Sir Barton
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JimbleBrimble
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For a brand new facility, they sure didn't go all out on aesthetics at Presque Isle.
The casino is full and complete while the upper grandstand fits the bill fairly nicely.
The apron of the track is bare-bones minimum and the tote board is about the least spectacular one you'll find on a brand new track at any time or place.
The Tapeta surface makes for a unique color scheme and the beautiful green trees surround the place quite nicely.
The paddock is not far from being bare-bones minimum and I'd hate to be saddling a horse there in snow flurries (or even a driving rainstorm) with the wind whipping off the lake as it does.
The racing itself was reasonable, competitive and fun.
Oh, I approached a young hostess on an upper floor of the place and asked: "where's the paddock"
She responded: "I know what that is but I don't know where it is"
Upon my return I let her know where it was.
One thing I really liked about Presque Isle Downs is that the buffet dining area comprises much of the space on the first floor of the enclosed grandstand. So those casino folks who would never know or care that racing is going on, are reminded of it being there.
I guess it is a good thing that their view is seldom obscured by anybody other than well-spaced garbage cans being out on the apron.
The casino is full and complete while the upper grandstand fits the bill fairly nicely.
The apron of the track is bare-bones minimum and the tote board is about the least spectacular one you'll find on a brand new track at any time or place.
The Tapeta surface makes for a unique color scheme and the beautiful green trees surround the place quite nicely.
The paddock is not far from being bare-bones minimum and I'd hate to be saddling a horse there in snow flurries (or even a driving rainstorm) with the wind whipping off the lake as it does.
The racing itself was reasonable, competitive and fun.
Oh, I approached a young hostess on an upper floor of the place and asked: "where's the paddock"
She responded: "I know what that is but I don't know where it is"
Upon my return I let her know where it was.
One thing I really liked about Presque Isle Downs is that the buffet dining area comprises much of the space on the first floor of the enclosed grandstand. So those casino folks who would never know or care that racing is going on, are reminded of it being there.
I guess it is a good thing that their view is seldom obscured by anybody other than well-spaced garbage cans being out on the apron.
Thanks all--seems I will get a chance to go this summer.
Gotta look up their season
Hubby is reluctant to drive (7-8 hours from NYC) and I'm reluctant to fly...so negotiations shall commence soon.
But hey--Casino, track, beaches, National park, PA countryside (if we drive) sounds like a good trip to me!
Gotta look up their season
Hubby is reluctant to drive (7-8 hours from NYC) and I'm reluctant to fly...so negotiations shall commence soon.
But hey--Casino, track, beaches, National park, PA countryside (if we drive) sounds like a good trip to me!
All shouting does is make you lose your voice.
----Arrested Development
----Arrested Development
We race thru September 27th. If you drive, use the Southern Tier Expressway. Gorgeous scenery, very little traffic as compared to I90 or PA I80. If you fly, you will love the Erie International Airport - Tom Ridge Field...ONE gate!!! If you come see us, look me up. I work the test barn and will be up at the clerk of scales every three races or so...There are 5 of us and I am the fat(er) of the bunch!! LOL!!
pembroke wrote:I work ar Presque Isle. Yes, it is worth the trip. The facility is small but very nice. Paddock very accessable. Easy viewing.
As for the lake, you can't beat it. Presque Isle is fabulous. Boat, swim, hike, whatever. there is a museum, tall ships to tour, or a boat ride out to view the whole area. You can rent bikes, boats etc. The whole west side is beach. You won't be disappointed!
I live about 50 miles from Presque Isle in Jamestown, NY. SW NYS and NW PA are truly "God's country". Come in late June or July when the lake's warmed up more and you can swim.
Erie is easy to get around in, almost no traffic (compared to NYC)
, and it's hard to find nicer, friendlier people than in this part of the country. The Erie Zoo is nice. The downtown area is interesting with some nice historic rehabs as well as a big park "square" with a fountain. Small town America with city conveniences, including transit. A couple of quaint villages that might make interesting day trips are Finley Lake, NY and Westfield, NY.report!
I went to Presque Isle Downs in Erie, PA this past weekend, and really enjoyed myself.
We drove out Thursday, NY 17 to I-86 to Erie, and stayed just south of town; ate in steakhouses (VERY good, esp. Longhorn Steakhouse), went to the zoo, to the Waldameer amusement park, rode the Ravine Flyer II roller coaster (great; but FAST! Thought I was gonna lose my contact lenses), drove out to Presque Isle and swam in the warm, extremely clean lake, AND last but certainly not least, visited Presque Isle Downs and met Pembroke from this forum! We lost $$ at the casino but I made $$ at the track--an evening 8 race card profited me $25.00. Everything at the track is new (obviously) and very clean; very easy to see the horses in the paddock and the track apron is nice and big. The countryside is lovely, and courtesy of Pembroke, I got to feel Tapeta. As my husband said, it looks like the hair and cookie crumbs you find behind the sofa cushions when you finally pull them up, and it was very sticky. Hard to brush the sand off my fingers after; the grooms must love it, ha ha.
HOWEVER, gotta say that the thundering of hooves sound was greatly cut down as they ran over it; it really does appear to be a great cushion.
In any case, I liked it enough to recommend; nice town, beautiful scenery, and very nice VERY talkative people. I've named it "the Chatterbox City".
We knew that our waitress was a med student who claimed this was her 6th job since January, our room maid had a bad back and 2 little kids, out hotel checkout person was waiting for her boyfriend to move here, etc etc. It was like; "Hi, Hi, How are you, OK thanks fine how are you, BOOM life story." Very unusual--but somehow charming.
Maybe it's just that NY-ers are used to a single grunt meaning so much to so many.
Anyway--great time, nice place, good racing--and thanks Pembroke; happy to meet you and see your fine workplace.
We drove out Thursday, NY 17 to I-86 to Erie, and stayed just south of town; ate in steakhouses (VERY good, esp. Longhorn Steakhouse), went to the zoo, to the Waldameer amusement park, rode the Ravine Flyer II roller coaster (great; but FAST! Thought I was gonna lose my contact lenses), drove out to Presque Isle and swam in the warm, extremely clean lake, AND last but certainly not least, visited Presque Isle Downs and met Pembroke from this forum! We lost $$ at the casino but I made $$ at the track--an evening 8 race card profited me $25.00. Everything at the track is new (obviously) and very clean; very easy to see the horses in the paddock and the track apron is nice and big. The countryside is lovely, and courtesy of Pembroke, I got to feel Tapeta.
As my husband said, it looks like the hair and cookie crumbs you find behind the sofa cushions when you finally pull them up, and it was very sticky. Hard to brush the sand off my fingers after; the grooms must love it, ha ha.
HOWEVER, gotta say that the thundering of hooves sound was greatly cut down as they ran over it; it really does appear to be a great cushion.
In any case, I liked it enough to recommend; nice town, beautiful scenery, and very nice VERY talkative people. I've named it "the Chatterbox City".
We knew that our waitress was a med student who claimed this was her 6th job since January, our room maid had a bad back and 2 little kids, out hotel checkout person was waiting for her boyfriend to move here, etc etc. It was like; "Hi, Hi, How are you, OK thanks fine how are you, BOOM life story." Very unusual--but somehow charming.
Maybe it's just that NY-ers are used to a single grunt meaning so much to so many.
Anyway--great time, nice place, good racing--and thanks Pembroke; happy to meet you and see your fine workplace.
All shouting does is make you lose your voice.
----Arrested Development
----Arrested Development
I was at Presque Isle Downs a few weekends ago, and I agree with all of the above. It was a great time! I know that the horsemen have a few concerns, but hopefully they will be resolved with time and experience. The barns are comfortable, bright and airy. The paddock area is very accessible and, if casinos are your thing, you'll probably like this one.
The track is easy to get around, the paddock is very accessible and everything is clean, clean, clean. Erie, Pa. is a lovely place to be. And Toccet, you are right....what a friendly city!
The track is easy to get around, the paddock is very accessible and everything is clean, clean, clean. Erie, Pa. is a lovely place to be. And Toccet, you are right....what a friendly city!
One more detail you won't believe, regarding cleanliness--I didn't see ONE betting ticket thrown down on the apron. Not one. The entire card.
Belmont starts to look like it's snowing by the 4th race.
Makes up for the rather stark aluminum feel to the architecture...
Belmont starts to look like it's snowing by the 4th race.
Makes up for the rather stark aluminum feel to the architecture...
All shouting does is make you lose your voice.
----Arrested Development
----Arrested Development
Maybe no one is BETTING!!!! LOL All joking aside I see more people sweeping up there then I do at the mall. Toccet, did you see mama duck walk her babies acros the apron? Right past the scales and across the track to the tote board just before the first race! It was hilarious!
Also, I hear that Colonial Downs will be running Presque Isle next year, so all the horsemans concerns will become top priority instead of what is best for the casino.
Also, I hear that Colonial Downs will be running Presque Isle next year, so all the horsemans concerns will become top priority instead of what is best for the casino.