Presque Isle State Park: A Visitor's Guide to Erie's Peninsula
Which beach to pick, the lighthouses, the 13.5-mile loop by bike, the free nature center and its tower, sunsets at Sunset Point and how to time your visit.
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Erie, Pennsylvania · Lake Erie travel guide
Sunsets, Sand & the Flagship City
Pennsylvania’s only seashore, a War of 1812 flagship, a 130-season amusement park and wineries down the road. Here’s how to plan a great Erie trip.
Photo: User:Cards84664, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Day trip
Lake Erie Wine Country
Vineyards along the lake, small-town North East and harvest weekends, about 30 minutes east of downtown.
Where to go
Explore Erie
Pick a corner of the city to start. Our things to do guide covers 20 more ideas.
Mark your calendar
What’s On in Erie
From holiday lights on the peninsula to beach season and harvest weekends. Green tags are confirmed by the organizer; grey tags show the usual timing, so check before you plan around them.
13 datesDate confirmedUsual timing · check
hello, Erie!Hi, I’m Ashley!
I love a good Lake Erie trip: sandy beaches on Presque Isle, sunsets over the bay and slow afternoons in wine country. I started Let’s Go Erie to put together the honest, practical guides I’d want when planning a visit. I check the details against official sources and link every place I mention, so you can see it for yourself. I’m here to help you…
- Find the best beaches, lighthouses and sunset spots on Presque Isle
- Choose where to stay, from bayfront hotels to the Peninsula Drive strip
- Plan around what’s on, from holiday lights to summer festivals
- Take easy day trips into Lake Erie Wine Country
Sign up for The Erie Weekender, a seasonal email about what’s on in Erie and along the lake.
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Popular Erie Guides
Long, practical guides built from official sources. Every place we name links to its own website.
Where to Stay in Erie, PA: Bayfront, Presque Isle or Peach Street
Bayfront hotels with water views, the Presque Isle gateway on Peninsula Drive, family resorts with indoor waterparks and vacation rentals near the lake.
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20 Things to Do in Erie, Pennsylvania
A rebuilt War of 1812 flagship, the bayfront tower, three lighthouses, a historic amusement park, minor-league baseball and junior hockey, and a lot of beach.
Read the guide →Where to Eat in Erie: Waterfront Dining, Local Classics and Breweries
Bayfront patios and rooftops, Erie's own hot dogs and chocolates, a restaurant in an old firehouse, breweries and the seasonal beach stand at the park entrance.
Read the guide →A Day Trip to Lake Erie Wine Country
Grape vineyards along the lake, more than a dozen wineries between Harborcreek and New York, small-town North East and how to plan a safe tasting day.
Read the guide →Erie Events, Season by Season
Holiday lights on the peninsula, lake-effect snow and hockey, baseball and bird migration in spring, beaches and festivals in summer, harvest in fall.
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When to visit
Erie, Season by Season
Every season on the lake has its own reason to visit. See the full seasonal guide.
Fall
Harvest weekends in wine country, fall color on Presque Isle, the start of hockey season and quiet beaches.
Winter
Lake-effect snow, Presque Isle Lights, downtown holiday events, Otters hockey and indoor waterparks.
Spring
Bird migration on Presque Isle, baseball's home opener in April, and Waldameer's opening weekend in May.
Summer
Guarded beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Discover Presque Isle, CelebrateErie, sunsets and boat trips.
Erie in pictures
Lighthouses, Lake Views & Sunsets
Free-license photos from Wikimedia Commons. See credits.
