Location: Erie
Top Things to do in Erie
Top Restaurants in Erie
The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Erie, Pennsylvania (PA)
Located in the very Northwest corner of Pennsylvania, Erie is the State's only Great Lakes port city. The Lake is the main attraction in Erie, with the sparkling water giving Erie its nickname, "Gem City." The nearby peninsula of Presque Isle State Park provides residents and visitors ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as sailing, swimming, hiking, and biking. The city is also part of the Snowbelt, famous for the winter wonderland created by the lake effect.
Restaurants in Erie
1. Erie Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 308 reviews
Multimedia exhibits and a 19th century U.S. Flagship are featured at this museum.
Reviewed By 727JimB
If you seek treasure, this is Erie's hidden chest. Erie is steeped in naval history and it comes alive here in this magnificent museum, so very well done (and well placed) and comes complete with a tall ship. Sad to say, even somewhat of a secret to area folks, this is a great take. Just a wonderful place well worth visiting.
2. UPMC Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By 111russellr - New Castle, United States
If you enjoy the game of baseball don't miss the chance to catch a AA minor league game at UPMC park. It is a beautiful venue located right in the heart of downtown Erie. It is very intimate and you sit very close to the action. The have activities during every break between innings that make it more entertaining. Games at this level are much more fun than that of attending a major league game, and much cheaper. Also you will find that you don't have to mortgage your home to buy a beer. It is a wonderful family atmosphere to go out with your kids on a warm night to a ball game here. The teams always give you their best efforts as they are working their way to the majors and big bucks Food and drinks are inexpensive for a cheap night out.
3. Erie Insurance Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 66 reviews
Reviewed By yvonnea516
We enjoy watching the Bayhawks Basketball. Great crowd and $$ priced. Typical Ball Park food and beverages. We love our Smith hot-dogs in Erie.
4. 9/11 Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By PeterG756 - Buffalo, United States
Situated right in front of the library is Erie's 911 Memorial. As you would expect it's very moving. They even have a section of steel beam from the Twin Towers implanted there. Do NOT be confused by some of other posters pictures. Some of them are of the NYC 911 memorial NOT Erie's . Plenty of free parking here for the memorial , the library and the Maritime Museum. The Memorial is free and self guided.
5. Erie Land Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By scottofhawaii - Honolulu, United States
I wish I lived close-by. I'd take the dog out here for a walk every morning just to see this impressive lighthouse. This was my final stop on a quick visit to Erie. It was evening and nobody was around so I spent a quiet moment admiring this beautiful structure which seemed like a work of art in a diffused twilight right before sunset. It never ceases to amaze me how the symmetry of a lighthouse can blend and improve the natural optic of any area. Near working class homes and a playground for everyday children, it stands like a guard taking care and watching over everyone sort of like a grandparent for the community.
6. St. Patrick Church
7. Presque Isle Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
One of Erie’s most treasured historic sites, is open to visitors during the summer season and continues to serve as a working aid to navigation. The lighthouse is located on the north shore of Presque Isle State Park, in Erie, Pennsylvania, at Leslie Beach near Beach 9. Open 10am-5pm, 7 days a week Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please call for seasonal hours.
Reviewed By 270deed - Naperville, United States
We were traveling on a leisurely drive from east to Midwest and decided to stop and stretch our legs, and how glad we were to take the side trip back in time to visit this lighthouse. For a low price of just $6 per person, you get a docent-led tour lasting about 20 minutes and a beautiful view from the top of the lighthouse. If you aren’t wanting or able to do the climb, you can still learn and enjoy the “house” tour ($3 pp) without climbing the steep stairs up to the top. Reservations may be made online, but we had none, so our short wait (about 30 min.) gave us time to explore the small gift shop, use the restrooms, and walk on the well-kept beach area all right next to the lighthouse. Bathroom, beach and brief tour made for a perfect break before hitting the road again.
8. St. Peter's Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Reviewed By B350m
The sanctuary is absolutely beautiful. The outsides is plain but wow once you go in. You feel so reverent as you enter the church. The stained glass is amazing. There is a very large crucifix on the altar. The pictures are accurrate, take a camera if you go. This is a catherdral not just a regular church. We parked in the school lot behind the cathedral.
9. Perry Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By J-K-B10_85 - Pickerington, United States
As we were driving around Presque Isle, we saw this monument and decided to stop. It's a nice walk up to the monument with the breeze off the lake. There are plaques all around with interesting facts about the history of the area.
10. Charles Vernon Gridley Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By V2960PYwilliamk - Erie, United States
Admiral Dewey gave the order to the commander of the USS Olympia at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War that resulted in one of the US Navy's most significant victories. "You may fire when ready Gridley." Though not an Erie native Gridley served on the USS Michigan hoeported in Erie and married into one of Erie's most notable families.
