Erie County

Spend some time on the water and experience Erie County this Spring!

The weather is getting warmer, and Erie County is ready to welcome you for a waterfront getaway! From our sandy beaches, beautiful waterfront, family-friendly attractions, outdoor adventures, world-class dining and comfortable accommodations, visitors love to come to Erie to eat, stay and play.

Dine with a View

From elegant to fast food, family-friendly, romantic, waterfront or rooftop dining, Erie has you covered with a variety of unique culinary experiences. Experience meals with beautiful views of Presque Isle Bay at the newly opened Oliver’s Rooftop and Pier 6 Rooftop restaurants. Visitors enjoy dining along the water at walkable locations throughout Erie’s Bayfront District: at The Cove, sip on their famous Rum Runner under a tiki umbrella, or dine above a marina JR’s on the Bay. Venture Downtown for a pint and a meal in a former train station at The Brewerie at Union Station or in a modern Irish Pub at Molly Brannigan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. Cheers to local brews and spirits! The Great Lakes Region and Erie County are home to the Lake Erie Ale Trail (with thirteen individual member breweries!) and craft distilleries, such as Altered State Distillery and Erie Distillery.

On Sand, Water or Land: Get Outside!

Presque Isle State Park is Erie County’s most popular attraction, offering seven miles of sandy beaches and more than thirteen miles of flat trails for walking, hiking and biking. Beaches open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend. Before visiting Presque Isle, check out the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) to learn more about Erie’s natural resources and the Park’s history. End the day with an orange twist from Sara’s, a 50s-themed diner at the Park’s entrance.

Get hooked on fishing the waters of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and its many tributaries, streams and creeks. Erie is a sought after location for steelhead, perch and walleye fishing, and was recently ranked by Bassmaster as one of the top bass lakes in the country! Fishing charters like Tight Lines Sport Fishing and GypsyLyn Fishing Charters offer regular excursions out into the Bay and Lake.

Hit the links at one of Erie’s golf courses where the greens range from beginner to challenging. Pick your favorite foursome and head to Riverside Golf Course, Mound Grove Golf Course or plan a fun date with mini golf at Sunview Golf at Nick’s Place.

Fun for the Whole Family

Erie offers many family-friendly attractions such as Waldameer Amusement Park and Water World, Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park & Resort and the Erie Zoo. Waldameer is located on the shore of Lake Erie and opens in mid-May and visitors only pay to ride – not for admission or parking. Explore Erie from the water aboard a cruise on the Victorian Princess paddle wheel boat, a swash-buckling adventure on the Scallywags Pirate Ship, or a sailboat with Your Sailing Adventure. If you choose to sail the seas on your own, jet skis and boat rentals are available at Port Erie Sports.

Tasting in Lake Erie Wine Country

Lake Erie Wine Country is the largest grape-growing region in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, starting in Erie County. More than 50 miles of vineyards feature 23 distinct wineries, each open for tastings and snacks to suit any palate.

Festivals and Events

Erie County is filled with a wide variety of year-round events, and many are coming back for the first time in 2022! Erie is known for its ethnic festivals (like the Panegyri Greek Fest, St. Paul’s Annual Italian Festival and Zabawa Polish Festival) and music and arts festivals like Erie’s Blues & Jazz Fest and CelebrateErie. In 2022, Erie will welcome Tall Ships Erie to our port from August 25-28, featuring dockside viewing of a fleet of tall ships from around the world.

Comfortable Accommodations

After a day of exploring, you’ll find that Erie has a wide variety of name brand hotels (including several with waterfront views), quaint bed and breakfasts and cottages that are ready to accommodate. For the best views of Presque Isle and Lake Erie, stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Erie Bayfront Hotel, Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel or Courtyard by Marriott Erie Bayfront Hotel. Downtown Erie is home to two Bed & Breakfasts: Spencer House and The Victoria Inn. If you are looking to stay in a cabin or cottage somewhere off the beaten path, try Lakeview on the Lake or camping at Sparrow Pond Family Campground.