Spring in Erie, PA

Say farewell to any winter doldrums and embrace the arrival of spring! It's a time when nature awakens, flowers bloom, the weather gets warmer, and the days are longer, making it the perfect time to enjoy outdoor activities and events. Whether it’s reuniting with Zoo animal friends or casting a line in the sparkling waters of Presque Isle Bay, treat yourself to a refreshing dose of springtime sunshine on Erie’s picturesque shores!

Family Activities

Erie’s small size can be beneficial for you and your family, providing a convenient, safe, and affordable experience with many of family-forward and budget-friendly activities. No need to worry about too much time spent in the car - Erie County roadways are generally free of congestion, and attractions are within short driving distance.

With an intimate-sized footprint, the Erie Zoo and Botanical Gardens is designed to give you a more personalized experience without feeling overwhelmed or rushed. With more than 400 animals and 600 species of plants from all over the world, there's something new for you to discover at every turn. New exhibits in 2024 include a new River Otter enclosure and Red Panda exhibit. The 2023 Eastern League Champion Erie SeaWolves are back in action this spring at UPMC Park in Downtown Erie and you won't want to miss a single game.  As the AA Minor League Baseball affiliate team of the Detroit Tigers, the SeaWolves bring the excitement of professional baseball to you up close. Forget about watching the game from the nose-bleed section, every seat is the best seat in the house! Inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (affectionately referred to as “TREC”), you'll find two floors of exhibits where guests can learn about the history and inhabitants of Presque Isle State Park, as well as take in panoramic views of Lake Erie from a 75-foot observation tower. The free facility is open year-round. After a renovation in 2023, the expERIEnce Children's Museum in downtown Erie is better than ever. The three-story facility features exhibits that pay homage to the region, including the second-largest interactive water table in the country, as well as "My Town," a kid-sized neighborhood with hands-on experiences including taking orders at a restaurant and changing the oil in a car. 

Outdoor Recreation

In Erie, outdoor fun is taken seriously. Throughout the year, Presque Isle State Park provides miles of scenic trails, beaches, and awe-inspiring views for you to enjoy. During the spring season, expect to be greeted with newly budding foliage and as you explore the park, keep an eye out for a few of its animal inhabitants emerging from their winter hiding places. Presque Isle State Park is known for its outstanding hiking, biking, birdwatching, and fishing. You can even bring your furry friend along with you! If you’re an eager angler, cast your line for some springtime fishing in Presque Isle Bay. Whether you fish from shore or boat, you’re almost guaranteed to catch something as yellow perch, panfish, and crappies are in abundance. Nature and recreation come together seamlessly at Asbury Woods where visitors can explore more than five miles of winding trails set among 216 acres of lush fields, forests, and wetlands. Asbury Woods Nature Center has interactive educational programs complete with animal exhibits. In Western Erie County, hike through more than 500 acres of undeveloped, old-growth forest at Erie Bluffs State Park. In addition to its fields of spring wildflowers and breathtaking cliffside views of Lake Erie, you can also take one of several trails that lead down to the Lake Erie shoreline. (Pictured: Cyclist at Presque Isle State Park, North Pier Light by @quid_dicis on Instagram)

Dining

With crisp, fresh air, the warmth of the sun, and a delicious meal, spring dining at a restaurant can be a revitalizing and enjoyable experience whether you are with friends or family. Nothing represents spring’s arrival in Erie more than the annual April 1 opening of Sara's Restaurant where the funky decor and whimsical photo cut-outs are almost as popular as the food.  Load up on Sara’s signature foot-long hot dogs, burgers, curly fries, and milkshakes, before or after a visit to Presque Isle State Park. For a unique dining experience with beautiful views of Erie’s Bayfront and Presque Isle Bay, the Bay House Oyster Bar and Restaurant, serves up delicious lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch paired perfectly with Erie’s world-class sunsets. Lucky Louie's Beer and Wieners' spacious outdoor seating area is perfect for spring, featuring picnic tables for patrons to soak up the spring sunshine while enjoying a cold beverage and a meticulously crafted hot dog. Their extensive craft beer selection, and eclectic wiener menu features more than 25 hot dog creations including the Nacho Average Wiener, the eight-legged, kid-friendly Octo-dog and the spring seasonal Bratty German Kid beer brat dog. (Pictured: Lucky Louie's Beer and Weiners by @happylifeblogspot on Instagram)

Festivals and Events

Spring is here, and there are lots of celebrations and events to enjoy! Starting with Erie’s largest tourism event in recent memory – the Total Solar Eclipse! On Monday April 8, for nearly four minutes, the skies over Erie will turn dark as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth in a spectacular celestial event! Events and celebrations of the eclipse are occurring all throughout Erie County, and you can find them all here. The annual Erie Home and Garden Expo fills the Bayfront Convention Center March 22-24 with more than 150 vendors showcasing a range of home-improvement projects. On April 13, the Erie Craft Beer Fest inside The Brewerie at Union Station is the perfect setting for beer enthusiasts to sample a variety of locally crafted beer. Enjoy three days of grassroots arts, music, and workshops at the Edinboro Art and Music Festival May 17-19 celebrating the unique spirit of Appalachian culture. Finally, the Troika Russian Festival returns for its 14^th year, kicking off Erie's famous ethnic festival season from May 24-26 on the beautiful grounds at The Church of the Nativity featuring authentic Russian music, food, entertainment, and the popular Lake Effect Ice Bar.

Check out the full calendar of events and start planning your springtime fun.

Arts and Entertainment

Spring sparks creativity and illuminates Erie's arts and entertainment landscape. Laughter fills the air, specifically at The National Comedy Center (pictured) in nearby Jamestown, NY, and Kellar’s Magic and Comedy Club in Downtown Erie. The National Comedy Center offers an unprecedented visitor experience using state-of-the-art technology, interactivity and personalization to create the first true 21st Century museum environment, showcasing the progression of comedy throughout history and artifacts from comedy legends. Kellar’s features prominent names in magic and comedy performing live on stage. View the creative talents from a variety of regional artists during the Erie Art Museum’s 101^st Annual Spring Show, on exhibit from March 15 through August 9. Round up your family and friends for an exciting gaming experience that will test your puzzle-solving skills within the immersive walls of Escape Game Erie, 5 Wits, and Covert Escape Game.