Erie is on the Lake Erie shore of Pennsylvania.

What are the top things to do in Erie?

Visit the Erie Maritime Museum, home port of the US Brig Niagara, a reconstruction of the ship Perry sailed to victory in 1813. Ride up the Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing for views across Presque Isle Bay to the peninsula. Start a Presque Isle day at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, whose observation tower overlooks the park and lake.

How much time do you need in Erie?

Allow 1–2 days to explore Erie.

Coastal town · Lake Erie

Erie

Pennsylvania's Great Lakes city beside Presque Isle Bay.

Photo: Tomdonohue1 at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Bicentennial Tower.jpg by Tomdonohue1 at English Wikipedia · Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Erie

Visit waterfront parks, beaches and the historic harbor on Lake Erie.

LakeLake Erie

RegionPennsylvania

Representative coordinates42.1292, -80.0851

Live · Erie

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

Summer for Presque Isle's beaches and bayfront evenings; May and September for migrating birds and quieter sands.

Time needed

1–2 days

Best months

Don't miss

Top things to do in Erie.

Visit the Erie Maritime Museum, home port of the US Brig Niagara, a reconstruction of the ship Perry sailed to victory in 1813.
Ride up the Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing for views across Presque Isle Bay to the peninsula.
Start a Presque Isle day at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, whose observation tower overlooks the park and lake.
Drive east into Lake Erie Wine Country, where vineyards line the shore in one of the country's major grape-growing belts.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Erie.

The Niagara sails and undergoes maintenance on its own schedule; check with the museum before planning to go aboard.
Presque Isle's beaches fill on hot summer weekends — arrive early and swim only where lifeguards are on duty.
Bring binoculars in spring and fall: Presque Isle is one of the region's celebrated stopovers for migrating birds.

Great for Beaches & dunes Shipwrecks & maritime history Lighthouses Birding & wildlife

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Representative location; not a verified entrance or navigation aid.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about Erie

Where is Erie?: Erie is on the Lake Erie shore of Pennsylvania.
What are the top things to do in Erie?: Visit the Erie Maritime Museum, home port of the US Brig Niagara, a reconstruction of the ship Perry sailed to victory in 1813. Ride up the Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing for views across Presque Isle Bay to the peninsula. Start a Presque Isle day at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, whose observation tower overlooks the park and lake.
When is the best time to visit Erie?: Summer for Presque Isle's beaches and bayfront evenings; May and September for migrating birds and quieter sands.
How much time do you need in Erie?: Allow 1–2 days to explore Erie.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources

Road trips

Put this place on a longer route.

4-6 days

Lake Erie Southern Shore Road Trip

Ohio's island region, Cleveland's waterfront, Pennsylvania beaches and Buffalo's harbor history.

View the itinerary