Great food and drink, a sparkling history, beautiful heritage architecture and a lively contemporary vibe make Erie, Pennsylvania a can’t-miss port of call for boaters across the Great Lakes.
Let’s start with over seven miles of beautiful sandy shoreline.
Now let’s add the magic of Presque Isle State Park. Inject some excitement from amusement parks, then pump in some adrenaline from incredible hiking, biking, fishing and more.
Then wash it all down with an overabundance of great eateries, wineries, museums and theaters. Erie, Pennsylvania, is known for a lot of things, but mostly for serving up a healthy dose of the good life on a Great Lake.
Getting there is half the fun. Located on the south shore of Lake Erie about 90 miles east of Cleveland, 80 miles west of Buffalo and almost directly across the lake from Long Point on the Canadian shore, Erie is the fifth-most populous city in Pennsylvania with about 95,000 people enjoying the good life. The city was named for the Erie people who lived in the area until the mid-17th Century but is alternately known as Gem City (a reference to its outstanding natural harbor, sometimes called the gem of the Great Lakes) or Flagship City, as the homeport of Oliver Hazard Perry’s War of 1812 flagship Niagara.
Manufacturing remains a significant contributor to Erie’s economy, along with the insurance, healthcare, education and technology industries. And, of course, tourism.
Navigating to Erie is straightforward, with wide-open approaches utterly devoid of snags or obstructions. That said, it’s admittedly not the easiest U.S. city to spot from the water. That’s because Erie’s downtown core is physically hidden behind the 3,112-acre wooded peninsula that forms Presque Isle State Park. The sandy peninsula extends four miles northeast into the lake from the shoreline west of town, requiring boaters to navigate to the park’s east end where a well-buoyed entrance awaits in the shadow of the 74-foot-tall Presque Isle Lighthouse.
With such a lovely natural harbor, it comes as no surprise that Erie boasts excellent marine facilities. The first one to greet visiting boaters is the Captain John E. Lampe Marina, which sits on the lakeshore south of the main harbor entrance. Navigating along the north side of the harbor, a marked passage between the East and West piers leads to Presque Isle State Park Marina — a lovely and quiet spot within the state park, but farther from the downtown core.
Along the south shore, navigating west from the entrance passes the Presque Isle Yacht Club, the Commodore Perry Yacht Club, Sunlife Marinas Bay Harbor, Sunlife Marinas Perry’s Landing and the Erie Yacht Club, respectively (see sidebar).
All Along the Waterfront
Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore and get the lay of the land. The city of Erie is laid out as a grid for easy navigation, with State Street running north-south from the convention center and marking its east-west divide.
As you discover Erie, its French past quickly becomes apparent. The name Presque Isle, for example, is a French term meaning ‘almost an island’ — an apt description of the long peninsula protecting the harbor. The first French settlers arrived in the early 1750s, as part of New France’s efforts to flank the encroaching British colonists. But the British colonists ultimately prevailed, and the French abandoned the area by the late 1760s.
The British didn’t get to enjoy their victory for long, and their luck ran out during the War of 1812 when an American fleet sailing from Erie soundly defeated the British Royal Navy and assured American control of the lake. Known today as the Battle of Lake Erie, the engagement was the largest and most significant naval battle of the war. Visitors can learn more and enjoy a full-scale recreation of the Niagara at the Erie Maritime Museum, located on East Front Street.
The immediate waterfront area around the museum, and much of the downtown, reverberates with youthful energy as Erie enjoys a significant rebirth. Like so many waterfront communities on the Great Lakes, Erie enjoyed boom times through the first half of the 20th Century followed by a decline as baby boomers — and the downtown retailers who served them — largely shifted to the suburbs. But drawn by its heritage buildings, exquisite waterfront and the burgeoning tech and healthcare industries that brought high-paying jobs, a new generation has reclaimed the downtown and made Erie one of the most enjoyable ports of call anywhere.
Perhaps the best way to get one’s bearings upon arriving is by following one of several self-guided walking tours. Tour Erie [toureriepa.com] and the Historic Erie Preservation Trust [preservationerie.org] publish helpful guides that explain key historically significant buildings and public squares throughout the downtown, including Lower State Street and Millionaire’s Row, which explore Erie’s history in depth. Taking in the sights, Erie’s brilliant balance of heritage charm and youthful energy is simply impossible to miss.
PRESQUE ISLE lighthouse website
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ERIE ALE WORKS WEBSITE; CRAIG RITCHIE; YELLOW BIKE RENTALS FACEBOOK; LAWRENCE PARK DINOR FACEBOOK
Patrick Grab, VISIT ERIE
Plan Your Trip
visit erie
Visit Erie
visiterie.com
Pennsylvania Tourism
visitpa.com
discover presque isle
Left to right: VISIT ERIE; WALDAMEER WATER WORLD website; WARNER THEATER website; TREC website
Wine and dine
What’s also clear as you explore the city is that rebirth of Erie is driven in part by an outburst of great restaurants, craft breweries and wineries.
If you’re in the mood for barbecued fare, then you’ll want to head to Federal Hill Smokehouse on Peach Street East. Named by Food and Wine magazine as ‘the best BBQ joint in Pennsylvania’ for the past four years, Federal Hill Smokehouse is well loved for its succulent ribs, tender brisket and signature smoked turkey. In all, they smoke more than a ton of meat every single week (!!) and serve it up with boatloads of gourmet mac and cheese, baked beans and coleslaw. They don’t accept reservations and it’s not a big place, so just skip lunch and enjoy an early dinner instead. Founded in 1972, Mazza Vineyards began with a single humble vineyard and today ranks as Pennsylvania’s largest wine producer, bottling more than 500,000 gallons of fresh juice and wine annually. Located on East Lake Road, Mazza has accumulated a case full of awards over the past five decades including a coveted gold medal at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards — widely regarded as the most prestigious wine competition on the planet.
If you enjoy craft beers, then you’ve definitely come to the right place as Erie boasts a number of outstanding options including Black Monk Brewery, on 12th Street, Erie Ale Works, also on 12th, John Russell Brewing, on Peach Street, Lavery Brewing Company on West 12th, Nostrovia Brewing on East Road, The Brewerie at Union Station, inside a former train station on West 14th, Voodoo Brewery on Boston Store Place, and Erie Brewing Company, with locations on Knowledge Parkway and West Lake Rd. All are part of the Lake Erie Ale Trail [lakeeriealetrail.com], which celebrates American craft beers throughout the region and invites visitors to visit them all.
Located on North Park Row, the Flagship City Food Hall boasts seven local restaurants and a variety of choices for even the pickiest eaters. It’s a great place for boaters with kids in tow, with periodic family events and special kid’s options.
There’s also the Lawrence Park Dinor, on Main Street. Named one of Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best Hidden Gems and the only Pennsylvania diner listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Lawrence Park Dinor has been delighting customers for more than 75 years with classic comfort breakfast and lunch staples and an ever-changing menu of homemade soups and pies. Why “Dinor” and not “Diner?’ The distinctive spelling is said to be a nod to Erie’s rich cultural heritage, with a number of local establishments using the ‘Dinor’ name through the early 20th century. Think of it as a way to honor Erie’s nostalgic past while enjoying simple food done really, really well.
Presque Isle Calling
When you visit Erie you’re going to eat well. So what better way to walk off those calories than by enjoying Presque Isle State Park?
The best way to get to know the park is by bicycle, with the 13-mile Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose National Recreational Trail being the best way to take in all the best views. Don’t worry about the ‘trail’ name — it’s fully paved and pancake flat, so even the younger riders in your crew can easily handle it. Bring your own bikes or, if you don’t have them aboard, rent some inside the park at Yellow Bike Rentals.
Be sure to get off the bikes now and then to check out the miles of beautiful sand beaches, build some sandcastles, go for a swim or hunt for beach glass. There are 11 separate beaches at Presque Isle, each with its own unique features.
To really get to know Presque Isle, take the free, guided pontoon boat tour of the park’s diverse lagoon system that departs from the boat launch near Perry Monument. This is a great way to connect with nature and learn about the local environment without digging out your own dinghy. Tours are offered Saturday and Sunday mornings from Memorial Day to Labor Day on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’d rather explore the calm, wildlife-rich lagoons by kayak, canoe or paddleboard and don’t want to bring your own gear across the harbor, you can rent what you need at Presque Isle Canoe and Boat Livery, just past the Perry Monument.
You might also want to check out the Presque Isle Lighthouse, which you can climb for awesome panoramic views of the surrounding area. It’s one of three lighthouses in Erie, along with the North Pier Light, and the Erie Land Lighthouse.
Something For Everyone
Once you think you’ve unlocked all of Presque Isle’s secrets, make a stop at the nearby Tom Ridge Environmental Center to gain a better understanding of Presque Isle’s unique environment. A range of interactive exhibits delight kids of all ages, including those with grey hair. Admission is free.
If you really want to spoil your inner kid, go cut loose at Waldameer Park & Water World — an enchanting amusement and water park at the base of the Presque Isle peninsula.
Waldameer Park is the fourth oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, and the 10th oldest in the country. Starting with a single roller coaster in 1902, the park has expanded steadily over the years while always maintaining its heritage charm. Opportunities to go ride an actual wooden roller coaster are pretty limited these days, so go do it while you can. You can thank us later.
Back downtown, the Bicentennial Tower offers exceptional 360-degree views of Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie and even Canada on clear days. Admission is $6 for adults and $2 for kids — or free for everyone on the first Tuesday of each month from April through October.
In a similar vein, go see a performance at the historic Warner Theatre, on State Street. This magnificent heritage gem opened in 1931 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Built by Warner Brothers, the theater features a 65-foot by 28-foot stage with crushed velour, gold leaf, silver leaf and gold-backed French mirrors throughout. Today it hosts concerts and Broadway performances while serving as home to both the Erie Philharmonic and the Lake Erie Ballet.
Erie enjoys a surprisingly active arts scene, with the Performing Artist Collective Alliance presenting a wide range of productions in the historic Mayer Building, on State Street. Built in 1899 by Civil War veteran Henry Mayer, it is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to more than 35 artist tenants and a second-floor theater. Open to the public, PACA’s theater produces year-round avant-garde performances, special events, musical performances and art shows.
With so much to see, do, eat and enjoy, Erie stands alone as a unique and exciting port of call that needs to be on every Great Lakes boater’s bucket list. With truly something for everyone, Pennsylvania’s northernmost city can’t help but amaze and enchant, making any trip there memorable.
Marinas
Wolverine Park Marina
lakeshoretowing.com/wolverine-park-marina/facilities
Presque Isle State Park Marina (pictured)
presqueislesp@pa.gov
Presque Isle Yacht Club
piyc.com
Commodore Perry Yacht Club
cpycerie.com
Sunlife Marinas Bay Harbor
sunlifebayharbor.com
Sunlife Marinas Perry’s Landing
sunlifeperryslanding.com
Erie Yacht Club
erieyachtclub.org
commonwealth of PA website
