A few miles separate a sandy beach from rows of grapevines.
On any given summer weekend in Erie, you can spend the morning swimming at one of Presque Isle’s 13 public beaches, the afternoon sipping wine among the vineyards of nearby North East and the evening watching sailboats drift back into the marina as the sun drops behind Presque Isle Bay. Along the way are waterfront oyster bars, pirate cruises, wooden roller coasters, foot-long hot dogs and more than 30,000 acres of vineyards.
Just over two hours’ drive from Pittsburgh, Erie offers Pennsylvania’s closest thing to a classic Great Lakes getaway. Here’s why we love it and how to make the most of it.
Stay: Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel
If waking up to sailboats bobbing in the marina sounds like your kind of vacation, book a room at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront. Opened in 2008 alongside the Bayfront Convention Center, the 200-room hotel sits directly on Presque Isle Bay, the protected natural harbor created by the sandy Presque Isle peninsula. It also places guests in the heart of Erie’s revitalized waterfront, within walking distance of Dobbins Landing, the Bicentennial Tower and the Erie Maritime Museum, home port of the historic U.S. Brig Niagara. Request a bay-facing room for views of the water and Presque Isle beyond, then grab a seat on the patio as boats drift back into the harbor at sunset.
Set sail: Scallywags Pirate Adventures
For 90 minutes, the waters of Presque Isle Bay become the setting for a pirate battle. Departing from Dobbins Landing, Scallywags Pirate Adventures casts young passengers as honorary crew members on a fully scripted treasure hunt complete with pirate training, water cannon battles and repeated run-ins with the villainous Captain Skull. Costumed performers keep the story moving from the moment the ship leaves the dock. Adults can join the fun, too, or head out later on the 21-plus Wobbly Pirate Cruise, which swaps treasure maps for cocktails, music and sunset views over the bay.
Hit the beach, of course
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula that curls into Lake Erie, forming the protected waters of Presque Isle Bay. The park contains 13 public beaches, more than 20 miles of trails, two lighthouses, lagoons, wetlands and one of Pennsylvania’s most important birding destinations (more than 320 bird species have been recorded here!). The peninsula is recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Beach 6 and Beach 8 are perennial favorites with families thanks to calmer water and easy access to amenities. Beach 11 draws sunset seekers, while the 13.5-mile Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose Trail circles much of the peninsula, passing beaches, ponds, wooded areas and bayfront overlooks. If you’re planning only one stop, make it the North Pier at sunset.
Explore the Bayfront
Start at Dobbins Landing and the Bicentennial Tower for a bird’s-eye view of Erie. Built in 1996 to mark the city’s bicentennial, the 187-foot tower overlooks Presque Isle, Presque Isle Bay, the shipping channel and, on clear days, Long Point, Ontario. From there, stroll the waterfront, where marinas, museums, restaurants and public spaces now line a shoreline once dominated by shipping and industry.
Oliver’s Rooftop is one of the best seats in town, pairing panoramic views over Presque Isle Bay with seafood, steaks and weekend brunch. Named for War of 1812 naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry, the restaurant looks out toward the historic U.S. Brig Niagara and the Erie Maritime Museum nearby.
Drink a beer in a train station
The Brewerie at Union Station occupies one of the most distinctive buildings in Erie: the city’s former railroad station. Opened in 1927, Union Station is widely considered the first purpose-built Art Deco railroad station in the United States and once welcomed passengers traveling between Chicago, New York and Boston. Today, soaring ceilings, a dramatic rotunda and original architectural details provide a memorable backdrop for a pint.
It’s also one of several stops on the Lake Erie Ale Trail, which also includes Erie Brewing Co., Black Monk Brewery and Erie Ale Works.
Make time for downtown
Keep time to mosey around downtown Erie.
The Warner Theatre, opened in 1931 and designed by noted theater architect John Eberson, remains one of Pennsylvania’s grand movie palaces and hosts concerts, Broadway tours and performances by the Erie Philharmonic. A few blocks away, the Erie Art Museum combines contemporary exhibitions with a campus of historic buildings that includes the former Old Custom House.
Look up while you’re walking. Downtown Erie is filled with reminders of the city’s manufacturing and shipping heyday, from ornate early 20th-century commercial buildings to Art Deco landmarks that have survived decades of change.
Spend an afternoon at Waldameer
Founded in 1896, Waldameer & Water World is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country and a summer tradition for generations of Western Pennsylvanians.
Its signature attraction, Ravine Flyer II, has repeatedly ranked among the world’s top wooden roller coasters, crossing over Peninsula Drive before plunging through a wooded ravine at speeds approaching 60 mph. The park also remains one of the few traditional amusement parks where admission is free and visitors pay only for rides.
Eat well
Erie’s food scene is one of the city’s most pleasant surprises. Fresh Lake Erie perch and walleye are popular for all the right reasons, but today, Erie is equally defined by chef-driven restaurants, immigrant-owned businesses, waterfront dining and a growing downtown food culture.
Smuggler’s Wharf is a classic stop for local perch, walleye and waterfront dining, while Bay House Oyster Bar brings raw-bar towers and oysters to the bayfront.
Downtown, Flagship City Food Hall brings together independent vendors offering everything from Dominican specialties and noodle dishes to pizza, breakfast fare and desserts under one roof, including a location of Pittsburgh favorite Mercurio’s, known for its authentic Italian-style gelato.
About a 10-minute drive away, Firestones combines a restaurant, butcher shop and specialty market, turning out wood-fired pizzas, premium steaks, burgers and seasonal dishes built around high-quality meats.
Barbecue lovers make a beeline for Federal Hill Smokehouse, where Central Texas-style brisket, ribs and house-made sausages have earned statewide acclaim. Meanwhile, Bar Ronin showcases a more global side of the city through inventive small plates, ramen, rice bowls and cocktails influenced by Japanese techniques and local ingredients.
Like My Thai is one of downtown’s most beloved independent restaurants. What began as a pop-up now serves a menu that reaches beyond Thailand into Vietnam, Korea and Indonesia, with dishes such as Pad Kee Mao, Panang curry, Thai green curry, Korean japchae and Indonesian specialties alongside strong vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Of course, no Erie food crawl would be complete without a stop at Sara’s near the entrance to Presque Isle. The summertime institution has been serving foot-long hot dogs, burgers, frozen custard and orange-and-vanilla twists to generations of beachgoers.
Nearby, neighborhood staples like Gem City Dinor and a collection of old-school Italian restaurants speak to the city’s deep immigrant roots.
Drive east for wine country
One of the Erie region’s greatest surprises lies just 20 minutes east of downtown. The borough of North East sits at the heart of Lake Erie Wine Country, where vineyard-covered hillsides stretch toward the lake in one of the largest grape-growing regions east of the Rocky Mountains. Concord grapes still dominate the landscape, but today’s wineries produce everything from Riesling and Chardonnay to Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
Among the standout stops are Mazza Vineyards, a pioneer of the Pennsylvania wine industry; South Shore Wine Co., housed in a historic stone winery; and Johnson Estate Winery just across the New York line. Founded in 1961, Johnson Estate is New York’s oldest continuously operating estate winery, with more than 100 acres of vineyards and a portfolio that ranges from classic Concord wines to award-winning Pinot Noir. The lake’s moderating influence is evident everywhere, creating a growing season that has sustained grape farming for generations.
