Fall in Erie, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for a seasonal recharge, with sprawling vineyards, cozy fall flavors, abundant lakeside color, and easy weekend itineraries. As summer crowds soften and the shoreline begins to reflect shades of gold, orange, and crimson, Erie becomes one of the best places in Pennsylvania for a fall getaway. Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip, a family outing, or a couple’s escape, here are the top things to do in Erie, PA this fall.

Planning a fall trip to Erie? Use this guide to find the best fall activities in Erie, PA, including wine tasting, foliage hikes, haunted tours, county fairs, scenic drives, pumpkin patches, small-town day trips, and cozy places to gather after dark.

Go Wine Tasting

A drive through Erie’s Wine Country is one of the simplest ways to enjoy fall: rows of grapevines stretch toward Lake Erie, country roads show off in autumn color, and the unmistakable aroma of harvest is in the air. More than 20 local wineries dot 50 miles of Lake Erie shoreline, creating the largest grape-growing region in the Great Lakes, and Pennsylvania’s most prolific wine destination.

During your trip, make time to visit Johnson Estate Winery, a working farm that produces 13 grape varieties, and is New York’s oldest continuously-operating winery. Located just over the New York border, Johnson is consistently awarded for its dry reds and semi-dry whites, and offers tours of the farm. Lakeview Wine Cellars offers the region’s best views of Lake Erie from its tasting room and covered patio. They’re best known for their Shipwreck series of wines. Courtyard Winery brings three generations of grape growing heritage to its tasting room, located in North East, PA. For fall, try their “Apple A-Peel” wine made with locally-grown apples and apple pie spices.  

Visitor tip: Check each winery’s fall hours before you stop, and know each winery’s rules for tastings if you’re traveling with a group. As always, plan for a designated driver.

Take a Hike

Erie’s trails are especially rewarding in fall, when cool temperatures invite longer walks and changing leaves frame the region’s parks and paths. Erie County’s climate offers two distinct windows for peak fall foliage, offering visitors a longer and more varied fall foliage season than many destinations: early October is often ideal for color south of Interstate 90, and the lakeshore often sees peek foliage in mid-to-late October. Along the shore, Presque Isle State Park is one of the nation’s top birding hotspots, and hiking one of its nine trails during the fall migration is a memorable way to experience it. Check out Gull Point for a serene setting, Erie’s best birding, and views of the Lake that’ll make you feel like you’re somewhere else entirely. Inland, Wintergreen Gorge offers wooded trails, several steep inclines, and dramatic scenery, while Frontier Park brings fall color close to downtown with peaceful paths, open green space, and walkable access to local shops and restaurants.

Seek Out a Haunted Tale

With a name like Erie, a little spooky season storytelling just makes sense – and Erie has the history to back it up. The legend behind Misery Bay is one of the region’s most notable, where, during the War of 1812, Commodore Perry’s men lived on ships during the harsh winter of 1813-14, many of them losing their lives. Erie’s Union Station is another of Erie’s most historic and haunted locations. Now a craft brewery and event site, The Brewerie at Union Station offers Haunted History Tours in the underground tunnels each October, and serves up its “Apparition Ale” year-round. To get a sense of all of Erie’s haunted history, book an Eerie Stories, Legends, and Lore Ghost Tour with TourErie, where you’ll wander past downtown Erie’s haunted homes, and dive into local legends and modern true crime history.  

 Visitor tip: Because many haunted tours and seasonal events run on limited October schedules, check dates, times, and ticket availability before you go.

Embrace Agriculture at the Fair

Erie County has deep agricultural roots, and fall’s community fairs are a classic way to experience them. Each September the Erie County Fair, Waterford Community Fair, and Albion Fair bring together livestock shows, rides, local food, competitions, entertainment, and small-town traditions that make autumn feel extra nostalgic. Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and make time for the barns, grandstands, and homemade treats.

Visitor tip: Check each fair’s current dates and schedules before you go, then come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and make time for all the displays and shows.

Take a Scenic Drive

You may think Presque Isle State Park is beautiful in the summer, but October brings a whole new kind of magic. Drive the peninsula beneath a canopy of yellow and orange leaves, with Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay appearing through the trees on both sides. Extend the trip along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, which follows the shoreline of Lake Erie west from Cleveland, and east into New York, bringing lake views and foliage together for an epic road trip. Or head south toward Route 6 for rolling countryside, small towns, and scenic overlooks.

Catch a Game

Fall is for football, and there’s no shortage of gametime in Erie County. Home to three colleges that compete in NCAA Division I and II, head in any direction to get a classic college football experience without the high ticket prices. The Mercyhurst University Lakers compete at the Division I level, while the Gannon University Knights and PennWest Edinboro Fighting Scots compete at Division II. Hockey fans can trade turf for ice when the Erie Otters return to Erie Insurance Arena each fall, hosting some of the world’s best up-and-coming talent in Erie.

Visitor tip: Before you go, check home team schedules, and make a plan for nearby parking options so that you can have a game day that includes dinner, drinks, and some exploration.

Get a Pumpkin Spice Something

One of fall’s best features are its flavors, and it shows up at Erie’s best restaurants, breweries and distilleries. In Waterford, Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales is pouring a Patch to Pint Pumpkin Milk Stout, brewed with pumpkins grown onsite at the family-owned farm. For something sweeter, Romolo’s Chocolates is mixing up a Caramel Pumpkin Milkshake using Erie’s best ice cream. At West Side Market on Powell, everything is made to order, including the seasonal Pumpkin Smoothie.

Go Thrift and Vintage Shopping

Sweater weather and thrift shopping go hand in hand. Spend an afternoon browsing vintage finds, antiques, and one-of-a-kind décor at places like 814 Vintage Marketplace for dozens of various vintage vendors all under one roof, and Copper Carriage, with their curated home finds in downtown Erie.

Tour Erie’s Lighthouses

Erie’s three lighthouses are beautiful in every season, but touring them in fall adds a special glow. The Presque Isle Lighthouse is the region’s most photographed. Built in 1873, the lighthouse features an attached dwelling that formerly housed the lighthouse keepers and their families, and now serves as a museum with exhibits showcasing daily life and artifacts. Also on Presque Isle State Park is the North Pier Light, a black-and-white light station that still aids in naval navigation. The Erie Land Lighthouse was built in 1818, the first commissioned lighthouse on the Great Lakes in the United States.

Visitor tip: Hours and tour availability vary by season and by lighthouse. Read more about hours and the fascinating history of Erie’s lighthouses here.

Find a Fall Festival

Erie weekends are full of fall festivals, from farm celebrations and craft vendors to live music, Halloween fun, and family-friendly activities. Port Farms Harvest Fest offers more than 20 attractions, including one of western Pennsylvania’s largest corn mazes, wagon rides, pumpkins, food, and onsite brews from Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales. For a spooky seasonal outing, add Sparrow Pond Haunted Hayrides to the list and plan ahead for tickets, hours, and weather updates. Just across the New York border, the annual Peek’n Peak Fall Fest is the region's largest craft and vendor fair, spanning two weekends every October.

Pick a Pumpkin

No fall trip is complete without a pumpkin patch photo. Make your way to Port Farms for pumpkins, harvest activities, and family fun, or visit Godfrey Run Farm Market for seasonal produce, festive décor, and a charming countryside stop. Whether you’re carving, decorating, or simply taking one home for the porch, pumpkin picking is a must-do fall activity in Erie County.

Explore one of Erie’s Small Towns

Fall is the perfect season to slow down and wander Erie County’s small towns. Head east toward wine country to explore North East, known for its charming main street, strollable shops, town square park, and, of course, local wines. South to Edinboro, lake life meets college town, giving a community feel to a town known for its artsy vibe. Tucked in the southernmost corner of Erie County is Corry, known for its outstanding antique and vintage shopping. Each town adds its own flavor to an Erie fall getaway.

Cozy Up Around the Fire

End the day the best fall way: seated by a fire with good company and something warm in hand. The fire tables at Two45 Waterfront Grille offer a cozy spot for a cocktail with a front-row view of Erie’s iconic Bicentennial Tower. Reserve a campfire site at Port Farms for a large group gathering spot. The gas fireplace and heaters on the patio of The Cork 1794 extend the outdoor dining season, pairing perfectly with their autumn dining and cocktail menu. The Colony Pub & Grille offers three fireplaces in its dining areas, arguably creating one of the coziest atmospheres around.

However you spend the day, fall in Erie is easy to make your own: sip, stroll, explore, and stay a little longer.