VisitErie is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Erie County, responsible for promoting the region as a year-round destination for leisure travel, conventions, and sporting events. One of the VisitErie's primary goals is to generate overnight stays that result in positive experiences, repeat visits and changed perceptions. A 501(c)6 organization, VisitErie is funded primarily through a percentage of the Erie County hotel tax, as well as dues from our more than 300 tourism partners.
VisitErie strives to inspire travel to Erie County through an extensive four-season, out-of-market media campaign, and provide visitors and residents with the most up-to-date information on Erie’s tourism product through a variety of promotions and activations. The organization comprises staff that works in marketing, research, communications, partnership, conventions, and sports (the Erie Sports Commission), and has earned local and national recognition for its campaigns, programs and leadership.
Tourism is Erie County's third-largest industry, generating more than $1.2 billion in visitor spending annually and supporting an average of 7,000 local jobs.
Our Mission: VisitErie is the leader of marketing Erie’s tourism industry and promoting its economic growth.
About Erie, PA
Welcome to Erie: Pennsylvania’s fifth-largest city and only port on the Great Lakes.
At the heart of the region is the lake that shares our name: Lake Erie. But it goes so far beyond that. Erie is a one-of-a-kind place to forget the day-to-day, with scenic trails to wander, miles of sandy beaches, and just about every water activity you could fathom. It's a timeless, favorite family vacation spot and a city on the rise, where creatives, makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs are celebrated and bringing renewed energy to Erie's shore. The result? A cool, charming small city brimming with unique shops, cultural happenings, and mouth-watering dining.
Erie is a destination where all are welcome to experience their version of the good life.
The City of Erie was founded in 1795 and named after the Eriez Nation, a Native American tribe that once lived along the southern shores of Lake Erie.
Approximately 267,750 people reside in Erie County, including 92,940 in the City of Erie (2024 Census).
Erie County encompasses approximately 1,558 square miles (including land and water) with Lake Erie to the north, Ohio to the west, and New York to the northeast.
Erie is easily accessible from Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Toronto via I-79, I-90, or scenic routes such as Route 5 (The Great Lakes Seaway Trail – An America’s Byway™) and historic PA Route 6.
Erie is a Certified Welcoming City, recognized for its LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies and immigrant-friendly atmosphere. The City of Erie has scored a perfect 100 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index (MEI) four years in a row (2022-2025).
Erie is one of Pennsylvania’s most diverse cities, with a refugee and immigrant population representing more than 50 nationalities.
Erie’s largest employer is Erie Insurance, headquartered in Downtown Erie, with more than 6,000 employees.
Accolades
Lake Erie - #1 Best Lake in America and #2 Best Lake for Water Sports, USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice (2026)
National Comedy Center – #1 Best Pop Culture Museum in America, USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards (2026)
Waldameer Park (Ravine Flyer II) – #5 Best Roller Coaster, USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards (2026)
Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park & Resort – #5 Best Indoor Water Park, USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards (2026); #8 Best & Biggest Indoor Water Parks in the U.S., Quartz (2026)
Johnson Estate Winery – 10 Gold Medals, including 4 Best of Class, Los Angeles International Wine Competition (2026);
Sparkling Rosé Ice Wine rated 94 points (“Exceptional”) by Beverage Testing Institute (2026)
Lavery Brewing Company – First Place (American Pale Ale) and Third Place (Czech Pale Lager), 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show
Of Note
Maritime Heritage and History
Known as the “Flagship City,” nods to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry can be found throughout the region U.S. Brig Niagara, which is homeported here.
The original “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag was sewn by Erie resident Margaret Forster Steuart and her family.
Erie was once home to one of the busiest shipbuilding operations on the Great Lakes, where an entire fleet was constructed in secret to secure the U.S. victory in the Battle of Lake Erie.
Attractions
Waldameer Park & Water World (est. 1896) is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country.
Built in 1927, Erie Union Station (now home to The Brewerie) was the first Art Deco train station in the United States.
Known as the “Walleye Capital of the World,” Lake Erie is one of North America’s most productive freshwater fisheries.
Presque Isle State Park is the most visited state park in Pennsylvania, drawing millions to its shores each year.
The Erie region is the largest grape-growing region in the Great Lakes, with more than 30,000 acres of vineyards, producing enough grapes to fill 800 million glasses of wine annually. Many of the grapes used to produce Welch’s products are grown here.
Industry and Innovation
GE Transportation (now Wabtec), headquartered in Erie, has produced locomotives used worldwide.
Griswold Manufacturing Company, founded in Erie in 1865, became one of America’s most iconic cast-iron cookware brands.
The Hagen History Center houses one of the largest collections of Griswold pieces in the country.
Marx Toys, with major operations in Erie, grew to become the largest toy company in the world at its peak, producing millions of toys found in homes across America.
Film and TV
Erie and Northwest PA have served as filming locations for several notable films and TV shows, including The Road (2009), Before the Border (2015), Undercover Billionaire (2019), and Comeback City (2021).
Erie was the feature of a series of episodes of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver in June 2025 that “rebranded” the Erie SeaWolves as the Erie Moon Mammoths.
Famous Erie-ites
Pat Monahan – Grammy Award-winning lead singer of Train
Bruce Baumgartner – Two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest wrestlers in U.S. history
Paul Allman Siple – Scientist, explorer, inventor, and diplomat who devised the “Wind Chill Index”
Fred Biletnikoff – Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and Super Bowl MVP
Billy Blanks – Martial artist, actor, and creator of the Tae Bo fitness program
Marc Brown – Author and illustrator, creator of the Arthur children's book series
Harry T. Burleigh – Acclaimed composer, arranger, and musician
Ann B. Davis – “Alice” from The Brady Bunch
Harry Kellar – One of America’s most famous magicians
Kayla McBride – WNBA All-Star and Olympic medalist
Alaska – International entertainer and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 2
Tom Ridge – Former Pennsylvania governor and the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Bob Sanders – NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion
Walker Scobell – Actor and star of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Paul J. Weitz – NASA astronaut and commander of Skylab and Space Shuttle missions
VisitErie Annual Report
To receive a printed copy of VisitErie's Annual Report, please email Christine Temple, Director of Communications.
Ben Huggler Executive Director, Erie Sports CommissionEmail Ben
Sydney Dietz Events and Marketing ManagerEmail Sydney
Board of Directors
Terry Cascioli, Board Chair Executive Consultant, Decision Associates
Lance Rihn, Vice Chair Executive Director of Hotel Operations and Sales, Scott Enterprises
AJ Moore, Treasurer General Manager, Lake Erie Speedway
Stacy Tupek, Board Secretary General Manager, Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel
Gus Pine, Past Chair Executive Director, Erie Events
Kathy Dahlkemper Representative from Erie County Convention Center Authority
Anne DiPillo Director of Marketing, Red Letter Hospitality
Jennifer Farrar Executive Director, TREC Foundation
Anna Frantz Deputy Executive Director, Erie-Western PA Port Authority
Matthew Greene Park Operations Manager, DCNR, Presque Isle State Park
Sara Harris Owner, Pulakos Chocolates
Gary Hendricks Vice President and General Manager, Presque Isle Downs & Casino
David Hugar VP of Sales, iHeart Media Erie
Derek Martin Executive Director, Erie Regional Airport Authority
Ellen Schauerman Representative, Erie County Council
Joe Spano Director of Athletics, Mercyhurst University
John Stehlin Countywide Engagement Officer, Erie County Government
Melanie Whaley Local Sales Manager, Spectrum Reach
Contact VisitErie
VisitErie is here to help ensure your trip is memorable and easy. Chat with us by phone, in person, or by using our contact page for help planning your trip, suggestions on what to do, and other trip planning support.
Launch your career in tourism! VisitErie offers college students a valuable opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience in the tourism, marketing and hospitality industries.
Every successful campaign begins with a brand truth and here’s ours: Erie, PA offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the good life on their own terms. People unwind and relax. Families re-connect. And outdoor adventurers find their four-season happy place.
