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!
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.
Discover the perfect way to experience dining and genuine hospitality across our family of restaurants. With the John Russell Hospitality Gift Card, you have the freedom to enjoy six local establishments — each offering its own unique atmosphere, menu, and commitment to quality service. Dine, drink, and savor the best of local flavors — all with the convenience of a single gift card.
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 here for a weekend getaway or a full vacation, Erie Events brings the best of entertainment, sports, and culture right to the heart of downtown Erie. Managing five of Erie’s premier venues — Erie Insurance Arena, Warner Theatre, Bayfront Convention Center, UPMC Park and Rebich Investments Amphitheater. Erie Events hosts everything from national touring concerts and Broadway shows, to thrilling hockey games, baseball, conventions, and community celebrations.
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.
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 red pandas and playful otters to vibrant gardens and seasonal events, adventure awaits at every turn. Our habitats will bring you closer than you imagined to animals from around the world, creating wondrous and truly unforgettable moments. Your visit isn’t just about seeing wildlife—it’s about connecting with nature, discovering the unexpected, and making memories you’ll treasure for years to come.
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 either of our two convenient locations: Greengarden, on 8th and Greengarden or Harborcreek on Buffalo Road!
NWPAMade is a regional mission dedicated to locally made products and the artisans behind them. We connect shoppers with the stories and craftsmanship that defines our community, such as Borgia Artistry Studio's inventive crystal ball photography, or Sealed by Nature's artisan soaps made right in Edinboro. Grab your eco-friendly outdoor adventure gear at Hikes & Hose, stop for a delicious mead cocktail at Meadville's Blissful Meads, and visit Tia Maria Wigs for high-quality helper hair of all types and beauty accessories. At NWPAMade, we celebrate real people and real craft.
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.
The Bicentennial Tower offers Erie’s best view in every direction, every season of the year! Take a quick ride up to the observation deck to enjoy the scenic and tranquil view of Presque Isle Bay. Now open for winter hours: Friday/Saturday/Sunday from 10 am - 6 pm. In December, don’t miss the tower lit in holiday colors!
Experience the magic of Christmas at the farm from November 22 – December 21! Start a new family tradition as you cut your own Christmas tree and enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride through our winter wonderland. Plus, decorate cookies and crafts, enjoy live music, and visit Santa every weekend in Santa’s Workshop! Free admission — activities are priced a la carte. Located just 13 miles south of I-90.
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, premium beef cuts, and bone in tomahawk pork chop. Private dining room available.
Presented by the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture, Tony-nominated Broadway star and writer Melissa Errico reunites with America’s great piano man, Billy Stritch, for their fourth holiday season together—this time with a brand-new winter show, “The Secret Diary of Mrs. Santa,” on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Mercyhurst University’s Walker Recital Hall.
Families can escape the cold at Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort, where it’s always 84 degrees and tropical. This Polynesian-themed destination features nine water slides, pools, hot tubs, a multi-level Tree House, and a massive arcade for all-day family fun. Recently ranked the No. 2 Best Indoor Water Park in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10Best, Splash Lagoon is the ultimate cold-weather getaway.
Find true action with slots, table games, sports book, and horse racing.
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!
Experience 84 degrees all year at one of the top water parks in the country.
VisitErie – 208 East Bayfront Parkway – Erie PA 16507 – (814) 454-1000 – info@visiterie.com
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