Erie
Around Erie
Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Pennsylvania · 267k people
Erie
“Flagship City”
A lakefront town with a big heart.
Navy blueGold
Welcome to Erie, where the lake is never far away and the peninsula is your backyard. Whether you're here for a SeaWolves game or a sunset on the bay, you'll find a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Grab a Smith's dog and enjoy the water!
Clubs for Erie
No clubs for Erie yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Erie. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Erie. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Presque Isle State Park A sandy peninsula with beaches, trails, and lighthouses
- Waldameer Park Historic amusement park with a water park
- Erie Zoo Home to diverse animals and a train ride
- Erie Maritime Museum Showcases the region's maritime history and the USS Niagara
- Bayfront District Waterfront area with parks, restaurants, and the Bicentennial Tower
- Bicentennial Tower Offers panoramic views of the bay and Lake Erie
- Outdoors Bike the Presque Isle loop
- Outdoors Kayak on Lake Erie
- With kids Visit the Erie Zoo
- With kids Ride rides at Waldameer Park
- Evenings Catch a show at the Warner Theatre
- Evenings Enjoy live music on State Street
- Locals love Lakefront beaches
- Locals love Lake Erie wineries
Through the year
- Erie County Fair August August
- CelebrateErie September September
- Erie Blues & Jazz Festival August August
- Presque Isle Marathon October October
- Erie SeaWolves home games April–September April–September
Erie has a humid continental climate with significant lake-effect snow in winter and mild summers. The best time to be out is from late spring to early fall when the lake moderates temperatures. Best: Late spring through early fall (May–September) is ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Peninsula”
- Refers to Presque Isle State Park
- “Bayfront”
- The waterfront area along Presque Isle Bay
- “Eriez”
- A nickname for locals
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Erie SeaWolves MiLB
- Erie Otters OHL
Eat and drink
- Lake Erie perch Freshwater perch, often fried, served at local fish fries
- Sponge candy A local confection of crunchy sugar with chocolate
- Smith's hot dogs Iconic local hot dog stand chain
Where people go
- Presque Isle State Park A sandy peninsula with beaches, trails, and a lighthouse
- Bayfront District Marina, restaurants, and the Bicentennial Tower
- Lake Erie wineries Grape-growing region with several wineries along the shore
- Lighthouses Historic lighthouses along the lake, like the Erie Land Lighthouse
Heritage and traditions
Erie is proud of its lakefront heritage, from the Battle of Lake Erie to its historic lighthouses, and its tight-knit ethnic communities that celebrate with food and festivals.
Say it like a local: “Lake-effect snow” — A term for the strong, cold wind off the lake in winter.
Festivals
- Erie's Greek Food Festival June Held at the Greek Orthodox church, featuring gyros and baklava.
- Erie's Italian Heritage Festival July Celebrates Italian-American culture with food and music.
- Feast of the Assumption August A traditional Italian religious procession and street fair in the Little Italy neighborhood.
- Erie's Polish Festival September Highlights Polish food, dance, and heritage.
Landmarks with a story
- Erie Land Lighthouse The first lighthouse on the Great Lakes, built in 1818.
- North Pier Light A historic lighthouse at the entrance to Presque Isle Bay.
- Erie Maritime Museum Houses the U.S. Brig Niagara, a replica of Perry's flagship.
- Bicentennial Tower A 187-foot observation tower at the bayfront, built for Erie's bicentennial.
- St. Stanislaus Church A historic Polish Catholic church in the Little Italy area.
Food traditions
- Lake Erie Perch Fry Friday fish fries featuring yellow perch from the lake, a local staple.
- Sponge Candy A local confection of honeycomb toffee covered in chocolate, made by several Erie shops.
- Smith's Hot Dogs A local brand of hot dogs with a distinctive casing, served at ballparks and backyard grills.
Music and arts
- Erie Philharmonic A professional orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
A little history
- 1813 Battle of Lake Erie
- 1851 Erie becomes a city
- Late 1800s Erie's industrial boom with iron and coal
- Mid-1800s Erie's role as a stop on the Underground Railroad
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Sunset at Presque Isle
- Outdoors Ice fishing on the bay
Locals speak with a neutral Northern accent, but you'll hear 'the Lake' for Lake Erie and 'lake-effect' for winter weather. Some older residents say 'EER-ee' with a flat tone.
Only here
- The only place where you can see a replica of Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship, the U.S. Brig Niagara.
- Home to the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes.
- The only city in Pennsylvania with a shoreline on the Great Lakes.
New here? A few tips
- Winter can be harsh with lake-effect snow; invest in a good snow shovel and warm boots.
- Try a fish fry at a local tavern on Friday—it's a tradition.
- Learn to say 'EER-ee' with a flat tone, not 'Erie-ee'.
- Spend a summer day at Presque Isle State Park; it's free and beautiful.
- If you're new, join a local club or church to meet people—Erie is community-focused.
Make this page better
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Part of Erie area
Nearby
Every areaMeadvillePennsylvaniaWhere the oil boom began and the lakes are calm.JamestownNew YorkWhere the grapes grow and laughter livesNorfolkOntarioWhere the land meets the lake and the sky opens wide.Oil CityPennsylvaniaRiver town with a deep history and warm communityWarrenPennsylvaniaWhere the wild forest meets the river's calm.Haldimand CountyOntarioWhere the Grand River meets the harvestTillsonburgOntarioA warm welcome in Ontario's tobacco heartlandHermitagePennsylvaniaWhere the Shenango flows through hills and history.
Erie, PA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.