There's more to do in Erie than look at the sun. Try these while waiting for the eclipse

In Erie, the totality of the April 8 solar eclipse begins at 3:16 p.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. If you're looking to fill the other 23 hours and 56 minutes that day or time in the days before, the Erie area has plenty to offer.

Here are some suggestions:

Cast a line

Pennsylvania's regular season for trout and salmon opens April 6 at 8 a.m. Fishing for bass and some other species is open year round. Erie County offers numerous spots to cast a line, including Dobbins Landing, Presque Isle State Park, Elk Creek, Walnut Creek, Crooked Creek, Sixteen Mile Creek and Twenty Mile Creek.

Hit the trails

If fishing isn't your thing, Presque Isle is also a great place to hike, with more than 15 trails, including the paved Multi-Purpose Trail that is also open for biking and skating. The Lake Erie peninsula also has seven miles of beaches, although swimming doesn't start until late May.

At Asbury Woods, 4105 Asbury Road, more than 5 miles of trails, including the fully-accessible Boardwalk Trail, cross fields, forests and wetlands. The Andrew J. Conner Nature Center houses animal exhibits and more. Call 814-835-5356 or visit www.asburywoods.org to learn more.

For a more formal walking experience, the Moon Glow Mile is a one-mile family fun run/walk around historic downtown North East on April 7 at 8 p.m. Learn more at www.facebook.com/TheNorthEastChamber.

Grab a bite

When you're done walking, head to one of Erie County's many diverse restaurants for a meal or check out a local ice cream stand for dessert. The ice cream stands usually open by early April and are spread around the county.

From 2021: You say you scream for ice cream? Then you'll love this long list of Erie-area stands

Earlier this year, food writer Jennie Geisler shared her list of restaurants she would suggest to Erie visitors. Her list included: Bricks American Steakhouse, 413 State St.; The Que Abides Pit Stop, 6990 West Lake Road, Fairview; Lavery Brewing Co., 128 W. 12th St.; Pineapple Eddie Southern Bistro, 1402 W. 10th St.; and Dina's Authentic Dominican Kitchen inside the Flagship City Food Hall at 22 N. Park Row.

Where to eat around Erie: Jennie Geisler suggests trying these spots

More to do

Below are more non-eclipse options for your visit to Erie. Call or go online for admission or tickets prices, where applicable, and additional information.

To find even more to do around Erie, visit GoErie.com/calendar.

Theater

"Inherit the Wind": April 5 and 6, 7:30 p.m., Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. Play based on the Scopes Trial highlighting justice, education and intellectual freedom. 814-454-2852, www.erieplayhouse.org

Music

Presque Isle Pro Musica: April 7, 4 p.m., Luther Memorial Church, 225 W. 10th St. Erie chamber orchestra concert with music by Holst, Grieg, Britten and Dvorak, as well as a musical nod toward the eclipse. 814-434-4516, https://pipromusica.org

Saturn to Brazil: April 7, 6 p.m., Performing Artists Collective Alliance, 1505 State St. Live original music; watch in the studio or online. 814-616-7222, www.paca1505.org

Art

"Total Eclipse of the Art": April 5, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; April 6 and 7, noon-3 p.m.; and April 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Barber National Institute, 100 Barber Place. Barber National Institute's Jay & Mona Kang Art Show & Sale. 814-453-7661, www.barberinstitute.org/events/art-show

"Art of the Solar Eclipse": April 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 6, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; April 7, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; and April 8, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Glass Growers Gallery, 10 E. Fifth St. Exhibition featuring works by artists in the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artists Association titled "Light Obscured." 814-453-3758, https://bit.ly/artofthesolareclipse

"Photographic Impressions": April 5, 2-6 p.m., 10/20 Collective, 1020 Holland St. Photographic Arts Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania members exhibition. www.pasnwpa.org

Museums

Erie Art Museum: April 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; April 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and April 7, 1-6 p.m.; closed Mondays and Tuesdays; 20 E. Fifth St. Local art museum with various exhibitions. 814-459-5477, www.erieartmuseum.org

Hagen History Center: April 5 and 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and April 7, noon-5 p.m.; closed Mondays; 356 W. Sixth St. Public museum focused on Erie County history. 814-454-1813, www.eriehistory.org

Erie Maritime Museum: April 5 and 6, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; and April 7, 1-5 p.m.; closed Mondays and Tuesdays; 150 East Front St. Museum focused on maritime history; home of the U.S. Brig Niagara. 814-452-2744, www.eriemaritimemuseum.org

Climbing

Bicentennial Tower: April 6 and 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 1 State St. View Erie from the observation deck 138 feet above Presque Isle Bay. 814-455-6055, https://dobbinslandingerie.com

Ascend Erie: Weekdays, 5 a.m.-10 p.m., and weekends, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., 426 State St. Use ropes to climb indoor walls and boulders, use fitness equipment, more. 582-228-9035, www.ascendclimbing.com/locations/erie

Animals

Erie Zoo: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 423 W. 38th St. See hundreds of animals including lions, orangutans, kangaroos, rhinos and penguins. 814-864-4091, www.eriezoo.org

Dana Massing can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Things to do in Erie PA around the 2024 solar eclipse