Nestled by the shores of Lake Erie, this expansive city is a wonderful destination for those seeking a break from the busy urban life.
It’s home to the scenic Presque Isle State Park, which offers visitors a range of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, boating, and birdwatching.
Another popular attraction in the area is Erie Zoo, which features over 400 animals, curated gardens, a greenhouse, and a play area for kids.
Erie is also situated in Pennsylvania wine country, making it a great destination for a girl’s weekend!
Whether you’re a local looking for a lakeside retreat or a traveler looking for new places to visit, Erie is sure to be an experience you won’t soon forget!
Read on for more exciting attractions and activities to add to your itinerary while you’re here
The 53 Most Popular Things To Do In Erie, Pennsylvania
53. Misery Bay
4.7 (3 reviews)
Credit: Ron Lavoie, License, Wikimedia commons
52. Wintergreen Gorge
4.7 (3 reviews)
Credit: Cpedler, License, Wikimedia commons
51. Erie Trails
4.0 (4 reviews)
Credit: User:Ruhrfisch, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Office Address: 150 E Front Street #300 Erie PA 16507 To find trail locations please visit erietrails org Erie PA
Tel: 814 454 1770
Web Address: http://erietrails.org/
50. Comet
4.3 (4 reviews)
Credit: Jeremy Thompson, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 220 Peninsula Dr Erie PA
49. Whacky Shack
4.8 (4 reviews)
Credit: Crumb Crunchers, Google Maps
Location: 3100 W Lake Road Erie PA
48. Fort Presque Isle (Blockhouse)
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: dbking, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Erie PA
Web Address: http://waymarking.com/waymarks/WMCBTW_Fort_Presque_Isle_Blockhouse_Erie_PA
47. Horseshoe Pond
4.7 (6 reviews)
Credit: Andy Arthur, License, Flickr
46. Steel Dragon
4.6 (7 reviews)
Credit: daveynin, License, Flickr
Location: 220 Peninsula Dr Erie PA
Web Address: http://waldameer.com/
45. Mill Creek
4.1 (9 reviews)
Credit: Niagara, License, Wikimedia commons
44. Evening Lagoon By Pontoon
4.6 (11 reviews)
Credit: Rhiannon Welton, Google Maps
Location: Thompson Dr Erie PA
Tel: 814 833 7424
Web Address: http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/event/evening_lagoon_by_pontoon_2494
43. Presque Isle Partnership
4.3 (15 reviews)
Credit: J. Stephen Conn, License, Flickr
Location: 301 Peninsula Dr Erie PA
Tel: 814 838 5138
Web Address: http://discoverpi.com/
42. Fort De La Presqu’ Ile
4.3 (35 reviews)
Credit: Ohio Fourth and Fifth Grade Science, Google Maps
Location: 300 398 E Front Street Erie PA
41. Firefighters Historical Museum
4.9 (35 reviews)
Credit: Rob Prindle, Google Maps
Location: 428 Chestnut Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 456 5969
Web Address: http://firefightershistoricalmuseum.org/
40. 9-11 Memorial
4.5 (35 reviews)
Credit: Becky Johnson, Google Maps
Location: 160 E Front Street Erie PA
39. Elbow Tree Park
4.2 (37 reviews)
Credit: David Solomon, Google Maps
Location: Erie PA
Web Address: http://lawrenceparktwp.org/parks-and-recreation/
38. Benedictine Sisters of Erie
4.5 (39 reviews)
Credit: Andre Carrotflower, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 6101 E Lake Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 899 0614
Web Address: https://eriebenedictines.org/
37. Erie County Historical Society at the Hagen History Center
4.9 (44 reviews)
Credit: Watson-Curtze Mansion at the Hagen History Center, Google Maps
Location: 356 W 6th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 454 1813
Web Address: http://eriehistory.org/
36. Ravine Flyer II
4.7 (45 reviews)
Credit: Michael A. Orlando, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Erie PA
Web Address: https://waldameer.com/
35. 6 Mile Cellars, Inc.
4.7 (49 reviews)
Credit: 6 Mile Cellars, Inc., Google Maps
Location: 5727 Firman Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 580 8375
Web Address: http://6milecellars.com/
34. Presque Isle
4.7 (70 reviews)
Credit: Andre Carrotflower, License, Wikimedia commons
33. Liberty Park
4.6 (81 reviews)
Credit: denisbin, License, Flickr
Location: 828 W Bayfront Pkwy Erie PA
Web Address: https://facebook.com/LibertyParkandHighmarkAmphitheater/
32. Watson-Curtze Mansion at the Hagen History Center
4.5 (82 reviews)
Credit: Watson-Curtze Mansion at the Hagen History Center, Google Maps
Location: 356 W 6th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 454 1813
Web Address: https://eriehistory.org/
31. Saint Peter Cathedral
4.8 (119 reviews)
Credit: Codera23, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 230 W 10th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 453 6677
Web Address: https://stpetercathedral.com/
30. Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle
4.7 (128 reviews)
Credit: Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes Region, License, Flickr
Location: 301 Peninsula Dr Erie PA
Tel: 814 833 7424
Web Address: https://dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/TRECPI/Pages/TRECPI.aspx
29. Rainbow Gardens
4.2 (152 reviews)
Credit: John Dowling, Google Maps
Location: 220 Waldameer Park Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 838 3591
Web Address: https://90sdancepartyerie.com/
28. Frontier Park
4.8 (176 reviews)
Credit: Dawnleelynn, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Erie PA
27. Escape Game Erie
4.8 (185 reviews)
Location: 23 W 10th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 580 9905
Web Address: http://escaperoomerie.com/
26. Six Mile Creek Park
4.5 (191 reviews)
Location: 7725 Clark Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 451 6000
25. Picnicana Park
4.7 (191 reviews)
Credit: Erie Steve, Google Maps
Location: 9260 Old French Road #9144 Waterford PA
Tel: 814 868 9686
Web Address: http://summittownship.com/departments/parks-and-recreation/picnicana/
24. Scott Park
4.6 (227 reviews)
Location: Erie PA
Tel: 814 835 4122
Web Address: https://erietrails.org/scott-park/
23. Headwaters Park
4.6 (260 reviews)
Credit: Sharrief Lentz, Google Maps
Location: 1927 Wager Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 825 6403
Web Address: http://erieconservation.com/headwaters-park/
22. Perry Monument
4.7 (282 reviews)
Credit: “Tichnor Quality Views,”, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Perry Monument Erie PA
21. Glenwood Park
4.4 (301 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: West 38th St Glenwood Park Ave Erie PA
20. Whitford Park
4.6 (311 reviews)
Credit: Lewis Clarke, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5400 Iroquois Ave Erie PA
Tel: 814 899 3171
Web Address: https://harborcreek.org/departments/parks/whitford/
19. McClelland Park
4.7 (338 reviews)
Credit: Steven Krauza, Google Maps
Location: 2438 E 26th Street Erie PA
18. Wintergreen Gorge
4.8 (433 reviews)
Credit: Cpedler, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3399 Cooper Road Erie PA
17. Beach 11
4.5 (472 reviews)
Location: Coast Guard Road Erie PA
16. Asbury Woods
4.8 (483 reviews)
Credit: Pnoble805, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 4105 Asbury Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 835 5356
Web Address: http://asburywoods.org/
15. Shades Beach Park
4.5 (721 reviews)
Credit: Unknown author provided, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 7000 E Lake Road Erie PA
Tel: 814 899 3171
Web Address: http://harborcreektownship.org/
14. Perry Square Park
4.3 (908 reviews)
Credit: uniquelycat (Cathy) Smith, License, Flickr
Location: 571 601 Streetate Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 455 3743
Web Address: http://perrysquarealliance.com/
13. Play Port Arcade & Family Fun Center
4.6 (924 reviews)
Credit: Play Port Arcade & Family Fun Center, Google Maps
Location: 2730 W 12th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 528 5257
Web Address: http://playporterie.com/
12. Splash Lagoon
4.3 (4,037 reviews)
Credit: Hogyn Lleol, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 8091 Peach Street Erie PA
Tel: 866 377 5274
Web Address: http://splashlagoon.com/
11. Waldameer & Water World
4.6 (5,591 reviews)
Credit: LECACHOT, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 220 Peninsula Dr Erie PA
Tel: 814 838 3591
Web Address: http://waldameer.com/
10. Presque Isle Downs & Casino
3.8 (5,645 reviews)
Credit: Eddie~S, License, Flickr
Location: 8199 Perry Hwy Erie PA
Tel: 866 374 3386
Web Address: https://presqueisledowns.com/
Our Top picks
9. Flagship Niagara League
4.7 (112 reviews)
Location: 150 E Front Street Suite 100 Erie PA
Tel: 814 452 2744
Web Address: http://sailfnl.org/
8. Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier
4.7 (288 reviews)
Credit: Lake Erie Arboretum, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1501 W 6th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 453 5323
Web Address: http://leaferie.org/
7. Erie Land Lighthouse
4.5 (317 reviews)
Credit: Baekemm, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1200 Lighthouse Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 833 3604
Web Address: http://presqueislelighthouse.org/
6. Erie Art Museum
4.6 (475 reviews)
Credit: Erie Art Museum, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 20 E 5th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 459 5477
Web Address: https://erieartmuseum.org/
5. Erie Maritime Museum
4.6 (546 reviews)
Credit: uniquelycat (Cathy) Smith, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 100 Blasco Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 452 2744
Web Address: http://eriemaritimemuseum.org/
4. expERIEnce Children’s Museum
4.7 (729 reviews)
Location: 420 French Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 453 3743
Web Address: http://eriechildrensmuseum.org/
3. Bicentennial Tower
4.6 (1,288 reviews)
Credit: Nolabob, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1 Streetate Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 455 6055
Web Address: http://porterie.org/bicentennial/
2. Erie Zoo
4.4 (3,831 reviews)
Credit: Niagara, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 423 W 38th Street Erie PA
Tel: 814 864 4091
Web Address: http://eriezoo.org/
1. Presque Isle State Park
4.8 (11,040 reviews)
Credit: Andre Carrotflower, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 301 Peninsula Dr Erie PA
Tel: 814 833 7424
Web Address: http://dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/default.aspx
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Erie, Pennsylvania! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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