National Travel & Tourism Week is an annual industry tradition hosted by the U.S. Travel Association, celebrating the value that travel holds for our economy, businesses, personal well-being and more.
In Erie, tourism generates $1.2 billion in spending annually, and is the region’s third largest industry. In hosting these Open House events, VisitErie aims to showcase just some of the businesses that fuel Erie County’s tourism economy and the people behind them.
Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week by stepping inside some of Erie County’s local businesses during a series of special open houses. From guided tours and tastings to behind-the-scenes experiences, these open houses offer a rare look at how Erie’s makers, creators, and entrepreneurs bring their work to life. It’s a chance to connect with the people behind the places you love, discover something new, and experience the spirit of Erie County in a hands-on way.
Erie Zoo
Open House: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
The Erie Zoo is offering free admission from 2:00 p.m. to 5 p.m. with the last admission at 4:15 p.m. The Erie Zoo is offering two programs: Behind-the-Scenes Rhino Tours & Ambassador Animal Meet and Greet. Please note, these programs are sold out.
Behind-the-Scenes Rhino Tours (Sold Out)
Ambassador Animal Meet and Greet (Sold Out)
After the scheduled program, guests will receive a small goodie bag containing some zoo swag, a coupon for the gift shop, and zoo fliers for upcoming events. Guests will be given access to the zoo to roam until closing at 5 p.m..
Registration Deadline: April 30
Mazza Vineyards
Tours: 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.
Join Mazza Vineyards for an exclusive behind-the-scenes production tour and wine tasting at one of the oldest and largest producing wineries in the state. In addition to the complimentary wine tasting (4 wines, your choice of a dryer or sweeter tasting flight), guests will receive a small snack plate and a discount voucher for same-day in store bottle purchases.
Registration Deadline: May 1
Flagship City District
Tour: 9:30 a.m.
Join Ryan Hoover, Director of Events & Promotions, on a guided tour of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation footprint. The tour will include stops at the Flagship City Food Hall, Country Fair Flagship Store, Dave's Diner, the new parking ramp on Peach Street, the Flagship City commons constructions site, and the Flagship City District between 4th and 5th Street. Pre-tour coffee will be provided by Jo’s Brooklyn Bagel. Post-tour refreshments, provided by IPPA Pizza, will include a slice of pizza and a soda.
Registration Deadline: May 4
Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales at Port Farms
Tour: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (Sold Out)
Join the head brewer of Poverty Knob for a behind-the-scenes tour where you will enjoy three handcrafted beer samples and snack on complimentary treats. Take a wagon ride through Port Farms and hear the history of the family farm & brewery, plus receive a 10% off food coupon to use anytime.
Registration Deadline: May 4
Hagen History Center
Tours: 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. (Sold Out)
Step inside history with a free, guided tour led by knowledgeable docents from the History Center. Explore the elegance and stories of the Watson-Curtze Mansion and the Wood-Morrison House during a 1.5-hour immersive experience. Participants will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the campus, discovering spaces and stories that are usually off-limits to the public. Along the way, you’ll take part in a fun scavenger hunt, adding an interactive twist to your visit. After completing the hunt, choose a free book from the gift shop to take home as a keepsake.
Registration Deadline: May 5
Oliver's Beer Garden
Open House: 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Stop by Oliver's Beer Garden for an afternoon of great vibes, local flavor, and community fun. There will be live music, beer tastings, prizes, a free voucher to Oliver's Bayfront Mini Golf, and an opportunity to mingle with staff.
Registration Deadline: May 1
Tom Ridge Environmental Center & Erie Visitor Center
Open House: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy a day at the movies at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center with two free films on the Big Green Screen.
Complimentary popcorn and refreshments will be provided for registered attendants. Between movies, browse the many exhibits at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, take in the view from the top of the 75’ observation tower, learn about geology and maritime history at pop up stations in the exhibit hall, stretch your legs in the backyard nature play area and browse the nature gift shop inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center. Participants will receive a discount card, good for 10% purchases in the gift shop through May 31.
Registration Deadline: May 7
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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!
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.
VisitErie – 208 East Bayfront Parkway – Erie PA 16507 – (814) 454-1000 – info@visiterie.com
© 2026 Copyright VisitErie
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