Festivals/Events – Who doesn’t love a good party? Year-round, Erie, PA has plenty of festivals, fairs, expos, craft shows and celebrations to keep you busy. So unpack those lawn chairs, reserve your space, shake out your blankets and snag a seat. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store:  Roar on the Shore (July 17-19), Discover Presque Isle Days (July 25-27), Beer on the Bay (July 26), Art Museum Jazz & Blues Fest (Aug 2-3), Celebrate Erie (Aug 14-17), Wine Country Harvest Festival (Sept 26-28), ZooBoo (Oct 17-30) and Festival of Trees (Nov 26-30).

Presque Isle State Park/Lake Erie – With sandy beaches and endless outdoor recreation for every season, Presque Isle State Park, a National Natural Landmark, is one of Pennsylvania’s top vacation destinations. Visitors flock to Presque Isle for its distinctive blend of natural beauty and recreation including swimming, boating, biking, picnicking, water and cross-country skiing, kiting, birding and fishing. Dubbed the “Gateway to Presque Isle,” the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is a state-of-the-art, “green” facility, focused on educating visitors about the unique 3,200 acres that is Presque Isle State Park. TREC features interactive exhibits, observation tower, nature shop & gallery, Sunset Café and The Big Green Screen Theater.

Downtown/Bayfront Enjoyment – The Bayfront Parkway (part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, an America’s Byway™) offers convenient access to Erie’s ever-evolving Bayfront & Downtown Districts. See Pennsylvania’s Official Flagship, the U.S. Brig Niagara at the Erie Maritime Museum or experience spectacular views of Presque Isle and the City atop the 187’ Bicentennial Tower. Romantic dinners and sunset cruises are popular summertime activities on the Victorian Princess stern-wheeler or try a leisurely trip to Presque Isle aboard the Water Taxi. Erie’s Downtown District thrives in its diversity of museums, restaurants, nightclubs, theaters, shops, galleries and performance venues.

Shopping/Dining – With easy access off Interstates 79 and 90 plus the added bonus of no sales tax on clothing or shoes in Pennsylvania, Erie is an attractive shopping destination. The Millcreek Mall Complex and Upper Peach Street area offer great deals and endless selections. With over 150 stores, restaurants and three adjacent plazas, the 1.3 million square-foot Mall features everything from Abercrombie to Zales. Erie’s energetic Upper Peach Street shopping district, affectionately referred to as “Peach Jam” is definitely a sweet stop for shoppers. It’s here where national retail “big box” department stores and discount outlets flourish among the many restaurants and hotels. Numerous boutiques, consignment stores, thrift shops, antique markets and gift shops populate the city and county as well. Erie offers plenty of culinary preferences including Middle Eastern, Asian, Thai, French, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, fusion-inspired, vegetarian, gluten-free, barbecue, organic and traditional American classics. Toast your meal with thirst-quenching ales distilled from local micro brewers or bright savory wines from over 24 wineries across Lake Erie Wine Country. Local growers supply many area restaurants with a variety of farm fresh produce to give their menus a local flair.

Lake Erie Wineries – Spanning approximately 45 miles, Lake Erie Wine Country is located in the heart of America’s Grape Country between Harborcreek, PA and Silver Creek, NY. It is home to 24 wineries and GROWING! Step back in time as you explore the wineries, villages and beaches nestled among rolling hills amidst 30,000 contiguous acres of luscious, fragrant grape vineyards. Many wineries offer tours and tastings year-round. Stop by Arrowhead Winery, Courtyard Winery, Lakeview Wine Cellars, Mazza Vineyards, Penn Shore Vineyards, Presque Isle Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Five & 20 Spirits, The Grape Discovery Center and South Shore Wine Company.

Arts & Entertainment – Award-winning theatrical performances, riveting philharmonic concerts, professional sports, national touring acts, comedians and musicals. Enjoy dinner and a show at The Erie Station Dinner Theatre or Riverside Inn Dinner Theatre. Side-splitting laughs wait at JR’s Last Laugh Comedy Club. Get the party started at slots, table games and thoroughbred racing at Presque Isle Downs & Casino. Dramas, musicals, comedies and family performances abound at the Erie Playhouse and All An Act Theatre. The Erie Art Museum’s permanent collection, current exhibits and special events are enhanced with their LEED gold-certified building addition. Cheer on our teams: Erie Seawolves AA baseball, Otters OHL hockey, Erie Bayhawks NBA D-League basketball or Lake Erie Speedway racing!

Other Erie, PA Must-Sees – Great Lakes Seaway Trail™, Historic Pennsylvania Route 6, Asbury Woods Nature Center, Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort, expERIEnce Children’s Museum, Waldameer Park & Water World, Erie Zoo.

Visitor Information at VisitErie.com or 800-524-ERIE (3743)