Once your meetings have concluded for the day, break away from the confines of your conference walls and head out to explore Erie! Whether you’re seeking group or individual experiences, you and your group will discover there’s a lot for you to see and do. Contact Hannah Stancliff, Director of Convention Sales and Services for custom itineraries and trip ideas.
A National Natural Landmark, Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acre peninsula that curves into Lake Erie and features seven miles of sandy surf beaches, providing visitors with the only surf swimming within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The 11 public swimming beaches at Presque Isle provide the perfect summer getaway and some of the most spectacular sunsets in the country! Presque Isle State Park is more than just a beach destination: it’s a year-round outdoor playground for kayaking, canoeing, boat tours, picnicking, kite flying, hiking and biking, in-line skating, birding and fishing. Rentals are available for bicycles, surreys (a four-wheeled carriage style bike), paddle boards, motor boats, row boats, pontoon boats, canoes and kayaks. Rental facilities are located at Waterworks Beach/Rotary Pavillion and at Graveyard Pond across from Misery Bay.
Erie is Pennsylvania’s only port on the Great Lakes: it’s only natural that one of Erie’s best features is its waterfront. Whether you spend time on the water or alongside it, you’ll find an abundance of things to do set against the beautiful backdrop of Presque Isle Bay. A popular spot in the warmer months, Erie’s Bayfront District is set between Downtown Erie and Presque Isle Bay and offers great ways to spend a group outing. Explore the Erie Maritime Museum where Erie’s very own Tall Ship, U.S. Brig Niagara is berthed. Get a bird’s –eye-view from atop the 187 foot Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing, or take a leisurely stroll along the Bayfront Promenade. Catch live local bands at Rum Runners or Oliver’s Beer Garden. Pack a picnic lunch and soak up the sun at Liberty Park or walk to the foot of State Street to watch the boats and fishermen.
Lake Erie Wine Country is the largest grape growing region in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Featuring 30,000 sprawling acres of vineyards and 20 distinct estate and commercial wineries, Lake Erie Wine Country spans 50 miles of shoreline from Harborcreek, Pennsylvania to Silver Creek, New York along the southern shorelines of Lake Erie. Our area wineries produce unique and diverse wines for all tastes, from fruity native Labruscas and exquisite French-American wines to European-style wines and award-winning favorites. Most wineries offer tours, special events and concerts throughout the year.
The Erie and PA Great Lakes region is home to 13 breweries that make up the Lake Erie Ale Trail. Each member brewery refines its beer from simple ingredients, mixing in a passion for the craft with a personable twist that gives uniqueness to an ever-expanding assortment of flavors, styles and funky names such as Erie Ale Works’ Keyboard Warrior and Lavery Brewing’s Neverending Hopstopper. Grab a growler, crowler, or a pint today!
Welcome to Northwestern Pennsylvania’s premier gambling destination and racetrack! Conveniently located off the I-90/State Street exit, Presque Isle Downs spans 272 acres and features more than 1,500 slot machines, a state-of-the-art poker room with nine tables, multiple lounges, live entertainment, customer incentives and Churchill's Bourbon & Brew restaurant. Place your bets on off-track and live thoroughbred racing. The live thoroughbred horse racing season runs May through October.
The Erie Maritime Museum tells the story of the maritime history and heritage of the Greater Erie region, the War of 1812 narrative, civilian activity and innovation, military service, and Pennsylvania’s contributions to the maritime industry and stewardship of the Great Lakes. Its centerpiece exhibit is the U.S. Brig Niagara, a floating maritime museum and active sailing vessel docked behind the museum.
Explore Erie on your own time with one of our self-guided tours. Most are available on VisitErie’s free ‘Hello Erie’ app. Available tours include Erie’s Lighthouses, African-American Heritage Trail, Murals of Erie County, Downtown Erie Sculpture Walk, Gems of the City and more. Find the full list of tours and information here.
Find the best restaurants in the Erie area where you will find a variety of dining experiences. From fine dining to casual, family friendly, ethnic, fusion and grab and go, there is a cuisine to please every palate. You can dine on a rooftop, on the water or the waterfront, bayside, curbside, inside or outside. The possibilities are endless! Visit our dining page.
Waterfront Dining - You just can’t top dinner with a view in Erie! Our waterfront restaurants offer dining by rooftop or right along the water’s edge. Set the scene for a romantic date night with dinner at Oliver’s Rooftop Restaurant or enjoy a meal under the lush flowering canopy at Smugglers Wharf. Hidden Harbor offers some of the area’s best waterfront dining at its locations: The Cove and Flip Flops Tiki Tavern, Woody’s Backwater BARge & Grill (Erie’s only floating summertime hotspot!) or Rum Runners, known for its chill vibes and live music. Pictured: Oliver's Rooftop Restaurant
If you live more than 50 miles from Millcreek Mall, stop by the Customer Service Center to register. You’ll receive a Guest Rewards Tourism Program Luggage Tag. Scanning the QR Code on it will reveal special offers from participating mall merchants. If you spend $200 or more that day, take your receipts back to the Customer Service Center and you’ll get a FREE $20 Mall Gift Card. You get rewarded just for shopping!
Stop by Port Farms to check out our on-site brewery, Poverty Knob! We offer hand-crafted beers and delicious sharable food year-round. The brewery is family and dog friendly with both indoor and outdoor spaces. We offer games, music and entertainment for all ages!
Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a full vacation, unforgettable live entertainment is waiting for you in Erie. Set along the scenic shores of Lake Erie, the Rebich Investments Amphitheater comes alive every summer with the “8 Great Tuesdays” free community concert series- taking place every Tuesday in July and August. Recently, voted Erie’s Choice for Best Local Event. Relax by the water, enjoy the view, and experience incredible live music under the open sky. Erie Events, the driving force behind downtown Erie’s vibrant entertainment scene, brings excitement year-round across five unique venues in Erie, PA. Come for the music, stay for the experience. Erie is where every show comes with a waterfront view.
Edinboro Community and Economic Development is a regional Edinboro area non-profit committed to fostering positive community-wide growth. Through economic and civic initiatives, the ECED seeks to empower the Edinboro community to effectuate targeted change to meet current needs and build regional resilience. Edinboro is a unique area where rural and urban values intersect, and the best "small town America" qualities shine.
Explore the Erie Zoo, where every path leads to something new and exciting. From curious orangutans and playful otters to vibrant gardens and seasonal events, adventure awaits at every turn. Our habitats will bring you closer than you imagine to animals from around the world, creating wondrous and truly unforgettable moments. Your visit isn't about seeing wildlife —it's about connecting with nature, discovering the unexpected, and making memories you'll treasure for years to come.
Join us at Oliver’s Rooftop, located on the eighth floor of the Hampton Inn & Suites on Erie’s scenic Bayfront. Open daily, with Sunday brunch from 10 AM–2 PM, featuring chef-inspired specialties. Enjoy inventive cuisine paired with stunning views, unforgettable sunsets, and unique nature watching. Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows provide incredible vantage points overlooking Presque Isle Bay. Award-winning and recently recognized as Erie’s Choice Community Choice Awards Best Fine Dining Restaurant (2025). Reservations are recommended.
Blissful Meads is an award-winning winery and restaurant in Meadville, PA, specializing in the production of excellent meads, wines, and ciders in small batches. We sell by the bottle, flight, or glass. We also offer imaginative cocktails & mocktails, local beer & spirits, and unique food. We're located at 847 Market Street in downtown Meadville. We offer catering options and you can rent our tasting room for events.
The Field at DICK’S Sporting Goods is where passions come to life. Designed to inspire movement and connection, The Field offers opportunities to try new experiences, demo the latest gear from top brands, and bring people together. Host your next event with us. Also, offering a wide range of community programming, including fitness and yoga classes, youth sports camps and clinics, and more. Community partnerships are at the core of everything they do, and they take pride in supporting teams, athletes, and organizations in meaningful ways.
The Mazza family welcomes you to explore 3 unique locations in Lake Erie Wine Country. Sip and savor award-winning wines at Mazza Vineyards and the historic South Shore Wine Company, both located in North East, PA, and be sure to visit their combination winery, distillery and brewery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, in nearby Westfield, NY.
Welcome to The Cove Bay-Side Restaurant and Tavern. We invite you to enjoy a unique dining experience on Erie’s Bayfront with our nautically inspired decor, a carefully crafted menu, and an unbelievable view of Presque Isle Bay. With both indoor and outdoor seating right next to the bay, we want to be your destination of choice when you “just want to get away from it all” but without having to go far.
Take a quick ride up to the observation deck to enjoy the stunning 360° veiws of Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie, downtown Erie, and even Long Point, Ontario on clear days – all from 138 feet up at Erie’s iconic Bayfront Tower.
Discover Erie’s favorite dining destinations with the John Russell Hospitality app—bringing all six of our locations together in one place. Make reservations, order online, earn rewards, and stay up to date on events across every venue. Whether you're planning a waterfront dinner or a casual night out, everything you need is right at your fingertips.
UPMC Hamot is a 445-bed hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is a regional hub for specialized health care, including advanced surgical services, private intensive care suites, and the area’s only accredited trauma center.
Located at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, Two45 pays homage to the precisde moment in history that Oliver Hazard Perry bravely led the US Navy on the path to victory during the Battle of Lake Erie. As a tribute to our fair city, the restaurant offers upscale, traditional American cuisines with a focus on seafood and coastal fare. Chef's specialities include macadmania-crusted grouper filet and bone in tomahawk pork chop. Private dining room available.
Tia Book Cellar is an independent bookstore offering new books, unique gifts, puzzles, and games for all interests and ages. Located across from Gibson Park in North East, their brand embodies the local business model and the local grape heritage. Tia believes that “there is always…local, an alternative, and a story.” They look forward to helping you discover your next read or gift.
Five Iron Golf is Erie’s premier indoor golf and entertainment destination, blending top-tier technology with a vibrant, social atmosphere. Featuring state-of-the-art TrackMan simulators, a full bar and kitchen, and Duckpin Bowling, it’s the perfect spot to play, practice, or just hang out. Whether you’re a scratch golfer or swinging for fun, Five Iron Golf brings people together through golf, food, and great times.
Presenting SiriusXM host, pianist, conductor, writer, and performer Seth Rudetsky in “Divas by the Decade” on Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Walker Recital Hall. Blending humor and insider insight, Rudetsky celebrates Broadway’s legendary leading ladies with stories, rare audio, and video from shows like “Hamilton,” “Gypsy,” and “West Side Story.”
From tailgating and birthday parties to travel sports and family reunions, Donatos is here to feed your whole crew! Right now, get four large 1-topping pizzas and three 2-liter bottles of Pepsi products for just $74.99! Use code 262 when ordering online or mention at our Harborcreek on Buffalo Road!
Experience 84 degrees all year at one of the top water parks in the country.
Voted Erie’s Choice Best Hospital for eight years in a row
Experience family summer fun on more than 100 great rides, slides and attractions at Waldameer!
Find true action with slots, table games, sports book, and horse racing.
VisitErie – 208 East Bayfront Parkway – Erie PA 16507 – (814) 454-1000 – info@visiterie.com
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