The cast of the cinematic masterpiece “High School Musical 2” once exclaimed, “What time is it? Summertime!” With this in mind, summer is once again almost upon us. Surprisingly enough, many students choose to stay in Erie over the summer, whether it’s to complete a required class, internship, or just to stay in touch with friends. Students visiting Erie in the summer may have difficulty figuring out what to do because they are used to experiencing Erie when it’s cold, windy and snowy. To help out visitors, tourists and students staying in Erie over the summer, here’s a list of activities and destinations to experience during your stay:

          1. Presque Isle

The most obvious attraction in Erie during the summer is Presque Isle. You can finally enjoy a visit to the beach when it isn’t icy or below-freezing temperatures! Enjoy hiking, fishing and nature all throughout Presque Isle’s multiple beaches. While you’re in the area, be sure to stop at Sara’s diner for classic American grub and famous milkshakes. As always, don’t forget to pack sunscreen.

          2. Free concerts and movie nights

If there’s anything college students love, it’s free things. Erie has a lot of venues that offer free entertainment throughout the city. At Frontier Park, outdoor movies are shown all summer. Additionally, Presque Isle and the Arboretum hold free concerts. To find out more specific details, check out their websites.

          3. Erie Playhouse

If you need to escape the summer heat, head over to the (air conditioned) Erie Playhouse and see a show. The theater is putting on a bunch of awesome shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Young Frankenstein and Mark Twain’s Is He Dead? If you’re stuck babysitting over the summer, the theater also offers a “Youtheatre” show A Little Princes in May.

          4. Celebrate Erie

Toward the end of summer, Erie holds a local festival celebrating the city’s culture. The streets of downtown Erie are filled with vendors, food, and arts and crafts. One of the best parts of the festival is the chalk art lining State Street. There’s also fireworks held at night on the Bayfront, which is sure to light up the sky with excitement.

This is just a small number of the things Erie has to offer during the summer. You can also go on picnics or hikes, go golf, or play paintball. You can hit up the standard Erie attractions as well, such as Splash Lagoon or Millcreek Mall. A lot of students agree that it’s important to spend at least one summer in Erie during your undergraduate career. It’s a great way to truly experience everything the city has to offer and can help you make lasting summer memories.