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MATPRA

MATPRA is a cohesive unit of regional tourism partners encompassing Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia.

Visit Erie

The Best Golfing in the Erie Region

The Erie region is home to several golf courses that welcome every type of golfer from beginner to professional.  Sharpen your game and test your skills across their sprawling fairways and beautifully landscaped greens.  Whether you shoot a 72 or 144, there’s nothing like spending a couple hours, or even an afternoon, out on the golf course. Here are our suggestions for the best golfing in the Erie area.

Peek‘n Peak Resort

The Upper Course at Peek’n Peak is a championship-caliber, par 72 course and is perfect for players of all skill levels. The unique terrain and natural landscape creates an atmosphere that is unlike any other course. The panoramic views and mature woods give a serene experience to all who are on the course whether it be during spring, summer, or fall.

Erie Golf Club

Erie Golf Club is an 18-hole par 69 course, designed by the prolific American golf course architect A.W. Tillinghast. Enjoy lunch or dinner with a cocktail on their patio while watching the sunset and scenic views of the course. Erie Golf Club is a PGA operated facility with a fully stocked pro shop and a friendly staff of golfers.

Riverside Golf Course

Founded in 1915, Riverside Golf Course is one of the oldest courses in northwestern Pennsylvania. The 18-hole, par 72 course features rolling fairways, manicured greens, over 48 sand traps and 6 lakes spanning 242 acres. The newly renovated Rambler at Riverside restaurant offers contemporary American cuisine and overlooks the golf course. Photo by John Mangine

Mound Grove Golf Course

Mound Grove Golf Course features a beautiful scenic 18-hole, par 72 golf course set against the backdrop of an historic 1860’s barn/restaurant.  Year-round private and online golf lessons with their Golf Academy and Professional Coaching program are available by appointment.

Lake View Country Club

Lake View Country Club is a private 18-hole, par 72 golf club that offers one of the most challenging and beautiful courses in the area, with an elite practice facility that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy. Lake View was built by legendary golf course architect and Donald Ross protégé James G. Harrison.  The club has hosted several prestigious tournaments, including the West Penn Amateur Championship and the Pennsylvania State Amateur Championship.

Harbor Ridge Golf Club

Harbor Ridge offers an enjoyable round, for golfers of all ages and skill levels with expansive views of Lake Erie. It is a family-friendly public 9-hole, par 36 golf course, bar, and restaurant complex.  Their course features bent grass tees, fairways, and greens from four sets of regulation tees. Bring young golfers out to their USGA slope/rated family tees.

7 Favorite Summer Activities at Presque Isle State Park

Designated as a National Natural Landmark and Erie’s top attraction, Presque Isle State Park is a 3,200 acre peninsula that reaches out into Lake Erie.  There is always something fun to do at Presque Isle State Park, where you can easily spend an entire day enjoying the park’s many outdoor adventures.  Bring your family and friends and make your escape to Presque Isle!  Here are a few of our favorite summertime activities.

Visit Presque Isle Beaches

Presque Isle State Park features seven miles of sandy surf beaches, providing visitors with the only surf swimming within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The beaches of Presque Isle are great for sunbathing, swimming, picnicking and sunset gazing.  Presque Isle beaches are open daily from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. The regular hours are Noon – 7:30 p.m. Parking and admission to the park is free.

Go Biking or Rollerblading

Presque Isle has miles of hiking trails, both paved and unpaved.  The most popular and heavily used trail is the 13.5-mile Karl Boyes Multi-Purpose paved trail. Unpaved trails are located throughout the Park and include the Gull Point Trail, Graveyard Pond Trail and Dead Pond Trail.  Rental equipment is available near the Water Works Beach area and includes one person bicycles, tandem bicycles, surreys, rollerblades and more.

Explore the Presque Isle Lighthouse

Built in 1873, the Presque Isle Lighthouse offers visitors the chance to climb its tower for panoramic views of Lake Erie, all while learning its vast history and function. Public tours of the Presque Isle Lighthouse are available May through September.

Enjoy the Picnic Areas

Numerous picnic tables can be found throughout Presque Isle and are perfect for a casual day at the beach or a gathering.  If you prefer to reserve a table in a specific spot, there is a small fee, however there is no charge if a table is not in use.  If you have a larger group such as a birthday party or reunion, there are various size pavilions available for rent. To inquire about picnic or pavilion rentals click here.

Take a Ride Aboard the Lady Kate

Enjoy a leisurely 14-mile, 90 minute tour of Presque Isle Bay and Lake Erie aboard the Lady Kate.  This fully narrated sightseeing boat tour includes Erie’s lighthouses, Gull Point Nature Preserve, Presque Isle’s shores, Erie’s skyline, beaches, wildlife and more.  Sunset tours are also offered. The Lady Kate is docked at Perry Monument.  Tours are available May 22 – September 26.

Learn about the Perry Monument

Located next to Misery Bay, the Perry Monument is dedicated to Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, who was a prominent naval squadron leader during the War of 1812. Perry, along with Presque Isle, played a vital role in the victory over the British in the War. Interpretive panels detailing the story of the War of 1812 and The Battle of Lake Erie line the sidewalks surrounding the monument.

Explore the Lagoons

The lagoons of Presque Isle are perfect for exploring by canoe, kayak, paddle board or row boat.  You can bring your own equipment or the park offers rentals for various watercraft. Throughout the summer, the park offers free guided lagoon by pontoon educational boat tours.

Five Ways to Spend a Spring Day on Erie’s Waterfront

Now that warmer temperatures are on the way, are you ready to “spring” out of the house and find some fun things to do? Here are our top suggestions on how you can enjoy Erie’s beautiful waterfront this spring!


Experience New Heights at the Bicentennial Tower

One of our area’s most recognizable landmarks, the Bicentennial Tower, is open year-round and offers birds-eye views of Downtown Erie, Presque Isle State Park, Lake Erie and on a clear day, Canada! You can access the 138-foot top level observation deck via stairs or elevator.  From the top deck you can also get a unique perspective of the abstract mural entitled “Flotsam”. It is painted on the entire second-level observation deck and was created by internationally-known artist SatOne.

Dig for Hidden Treasure at Presque Isle

Bring a bag for beach glass hunting on the sandy beaches of Presque Isle State Park! Our friends at Relish Inc. tell us that the best beach glass can be found at Beach 1, located near the entrance to the Park.  These sparkly, colorful gems are great for making crafts and gifts such as jewelry or picture frames.  For tips of the trade, seminars and of course, tons of beach glass products, make plans to come back in October for The Great Lakes Beach Glass & Coastal Arts Festival.

Order Lunch with a View

One of Erie’s dining hot spots is the Bayfront Grille’s outdoor patio at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel.  The Bayfront Grille is the top-rated Sheraton restaurant in the world, features American fare with flair! Enjoy your lunch amid the relaxing waters of Presque Isle Bay set in a casual atmosphere.  We recommend their signature house salad or the chicken salad croissant with a side of truffle fries.

Discover Erie’s Maritime Heritage at the Erie Maritime Museum

Learn Erie’s role during the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie and how it helped shape the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The museum’s central exhibit is the U.S. Brig Niagara.  It is home –ported just outside the maritime museum and serves as a floating exhibit and sail training vessel.  During the summer, you can board this majestic Tall Ship for a day or sunset sail.

Cruise Presque Isle Bay aboard the Victorian Princess

Sailing the waters of Presque Isle Bay since 1998, this three-level Victorian-style paddlewheel boat is the Grand Dame of Erie boat tours.  Sunset, sightseeing, dining and party cruises are available May to October.  It’s the perfect way to enjoy life’s special events with friends and family.

The Best Places for Outdoor Winter Fun in Erie, PA

It’s safe to say this season our area has received a healthy amount of the fluffy white stuff and for a lot of people that means SNOW MUCH FUN is waiting to be had!  So layer up, grab your friends and family and head outdoors for some wintry adventures!

Asbury Woods
With over 216 acres, 5 miles of trails, cross country skiing and snowshoeing is a great way to embrace Erie’s chilliest season.  Fun for all ages and skill levels. Check out clinics, rentals, nature explorations, bird watching, community and school programs and the popular Maple Festival populate the winter months.

Mount Pleasant of Edinboro
Featuring downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow programs, lessons and a tuning shop, Mount Pleasant offers so much for winter lovers in the heart of Erie County’s Snow Belt.  6 manmade trails and 4 natural trails with most trails lit up at night to allow for safe night skiing and snowboarding. The 600’ tubing hill has 8 lanes for the ultimate outdoor winter fun – bring your own tube or use theirs!

Ice Fishing
Presque Isle Bay was recently named as one of the Top Winter Fishing Destinations in the Country by FishingBooker.  When the ice is at least 6” thick, Presque Isle Bay is the most popular ice fishing spot along with Horseshoe Pond and Misery Bay at Presque Isle State Park. Most ice fishing is for pan fish, especially perch or the occasional steelhead. Fish USA is a great resource for ice fishing tips.

Presque Isle State Park
Open year-round the Park’s multi-purpose trail is cleared of snow from the main entrance to the Public Safety building.  Call ahead to check which areas are open for walkers, cross country skiers and snowshoeing. Ice dunes along the shorelines are popular with visitors, however, due to hollow, hazardous conditions, please enjoy them from a distance.

Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF)
Frontier Park features paved, natural and gravel paths for walking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing. While there, discover the Benjamin Winter Garden, only the third of its kind in the United States.  The garden showcases plants that are at their best when most other plants are asleep.

Peek n Peak
Get ready for a totally tubular experience on one of the Peek’s 14 tubing lanes.  Ride the “Magic Carpet” lift, try Lunar Lights Tubing or test yourself at the Peak’s progressive Terrain Parks (180, 360 and 540 degrees) that are designed to challenge skiers and riders.

Erie Bluffs State Park
Erie Bluffs is the largest undeveloped stretch of land overlooking Lake Erie and is a great place for a natural winter nature hike.  The Park features a variety of environmental education and recreational programs year-round including guided walks, hands on activities and evening programs.

Top 5 Tours to Try in Erie County

Hop in your car or explore on foot, Erie has plenty of self-guided driving and walking tours to keep you busy for days.  Self-guided tours gives you the flexibility to do a tour on your own time, stopping and starting at your leisure. We also offer guided tours that show you the ins and outs of subjects such as whiskey making, pottery and horse-back riding.  Immerse yourself in any tour and get to know Erie County in an organized, non-traditional, educational and FUN way!  Whether you’re by yourself or a small group of family and friends, stay overnight, choose one or more tours and make it a weekend or week-long adventure!

VisitErie tours are available on the FREE ‘Hello Erie’ mobile app or you can check out our experiential tours on VisitErie.com’s DIY Tours page.

African American Heritage Trail Tour – VisitErie has partnered with the creators of A Shared Heritage Tour and Erie Arts & Culture to create a self-guided, narrated tour that celebrates Erie County Black History. The African American History Tour features numerous historic points of interest, public art, and businesses that pay tribute to the City of Erie’s African American heritage including the church where internationally celebrated soloist and composer Harry T. Burleigh sang in the choir. Another stop, New Jerusalem, is one of Erie’s oldest neighborhoods. Here African American families provided much-needed refuge for men and women fleeing enslavement through the Underground Railroad. Click here to learn more.

Murals of Erie County – If you’ve been to Erie and the surrounding area, you had to have noticed a multitude of colorful murals decorating the exterior walls of local buildings. There are OVER 80 murals scattered across the City of Erie and throughout the surrounding towns of Girard, Edinboro, Union City and North East. They range from abstract works to specific figures, historical moments, landscapes and pure whimsy. Be inspired by the creativity of our local muralists and residents.  We challenge you to try to find them all in the pursuit of Great Art!  Some of our favorites include: Flotsam (Bicentennial Tower), Her Voice, Her Vote (downtown Erie), The Pontiacs (Bayview Park) and Rudy (Methodist Towers). NOTE: Most of the murals are located outside, however, there are a few located inside.  The majority of murals are not artificially lit, therefore we recommend viewing them during daylight hours.  Click here to download the full list of Erie County Murals. Click here to download the Erie County Mural Google Map.

Erie’s Lighthouses – The Erie area boasts not one, not two but three lighthouses! For the first time in its historic history, the Erie Land Lighthouse will open to the public this summer (May 22, 2021).  The lighthouse, located at the foot of Lighthouse Street on the east side of Erie, has previously only been available to tour during special events.  Public tours will run every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, and on every first Tuesday of each month will offer tours free of cost. Visitors will be able to climb the tower, get panoramic views of Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and the North Pier Lighthouse, and learn about the history and function of the lighthouse. The Presque Isle Lighthouse, located on Presque Isle State Park, will open for the 2021 season on May 27th. That lighthouse will be open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Erie Harbor North Pier Light, also known as the Presque Isle North Pier Light, isn’t an actual lighthouse, rather, it is a beacon has a design that is unique among surviving U.S. lighthouses with its black band and a fixed red light. In 1995, the fourth-order Fresnel lenswas removed, and a modern flashing red light was installed in its place. To view the North Pier Light, simply walk out along the north pier at Presque Isle (just past the entrance to the Coast Guard Station). More information on lighthouse tours and programs can be found here.

Whiskey Barrel Tour (Guided) – Our friends at Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing invite you to join them at the first combination winery, distillery and brewery in nearby Westfield NY, surrounded by 80 acres of farmland, for a tour of the facility where a member of their distilling team will lead you through an exclusive tasting of whiskey being aged in their selection of barrels…samples not available in the tasting room. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how whiskey is produced and a peek into the magical world of whiskey aging and wood. A member of their distillery staff will guide you through a selection of samples that illustrates how the nuances of barrel aging influence the finished product in the bottle. You will then be invited to enjoy a featured cocktail (included with ticket). Watch a video about it here.

Downtown Erie Sculpture Walk – Erie Arts & Culture assisted the Erie Downtown Development Corporation to plan and implement  the first-ever Downtown Erie Sculpture Walk, a year-round outdoor exhibition of art. This privately funded initiative was curated by a panel of local leaders, art enthusiasts, and Downtown stakeholders. The Downtown Erie Sculpture Walk features 15 sculptures in Downtown Erie and the Bayfront, representing the work of 13 different artists from throughout the United States. The inaugural set of sculptures are on display through August 2023. As you participate in the Downtown Erie Sculpture Walk, Erie Arts & Culture encourages you to think critically about public art. They’ve created a handy guide to assist you in the process. The questions they encourage you to reflect on are intended to assist you in moving beyond immediate responses such as “I like/don’t like it” and “I don’t get it.” For a list and map of current sculptures, click here.

Other Available Tours:
Courtyard Winery Meet the Winemaker Private Tour
Erie Food Tours
Outdoor Adventures and Trails
Gems of the City Walking Tour (available on the ‘Hello Erie’ app)
Get Your Grape On In Lake Erie Wine Country (available on the ‘Hello Erie’ app)
West Bayfront Walking Tour (available on the ‘Hello Erie’ app)
Cruise on Lake Erie Waters(available on the ‘Hello Erie’ app)

Pennsylvania Historical Markers in Erie County

Did you know Erie County is home to over 56 historical markers? Each marker is dedicated to either a person, place or event that has had a historical significance to our community on a state, regional and even national level. Travel throughout the City of Erie and surrounding towns of Union City, Corry, Edinboro, Girard, Waterford and others to discover such markers honoring the Erie Extension Canal, Fort LeBoeuf, Harry Kellar, Perry’s Shipyards and Miracles on Maple Hill.   Also included in the list are missing markers and their significance along with GPS coordinates for every stop on this list.  All historical marker information was compiled by Bethany DeMuth from the Erie Times News.  Click here to access the tour information.