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Outdoor dining in Erie is more than just a meal; it’s about embracing all the sunny moments. From unwinding on the waterfront to discovering a cozy neighborhood patio, you’ll find that good food tastes even better with a little fresh air.

For more outside options, go to VisitErie’s dining page and look for the patio umbrella icon.

On the Water

The Cove Bayside Restaurant and Tavern: After a full-scale renovation, The Cove opened for the summer season with a fresh nautical look, a revamped menu, and the same unbeatable bayfront views. The 40-foot tiki hut adds a breezy, island-style touch, a perfect setting for sipping a tropical cocktail or digging into a plate of lobster nachos.

Edinboro Lake Resort Sunset Grill: Right on the edge of Edinboro Lake, the Sunset Grill offers casual waterfront dining in the picturesque town of Edinboro. With salads, sandwiches, burgers, and craft beer on the menu, plus live music Thursday through Sunday, it’s a low-key spot to kick back and take in the view.

JR’s on the Bay/Sloppy Duck Saloon: There’s nothing quite like summer at The Duck. A local favorite, this laid-back Erie Bayfront hangout comes to life with colorful bungalows, tiered decks, a roomy patio, and a sprawling tented space for dancing, sipping, dining, and soaking in the views.

Oliver’s Beer Garden: With up-close views of Presque Isle Bay and the Bicentennial Tower, Oliver’s is the place to unwind with cold beer, adult slushies, and casual food truck fare. Live weekend music adds an energetic vibe, making it a spot you’ll find hard to leave.

Pier 6 Rooftop Bar & Restaurant: Perched atop the Courtyard Erie Bayfront Hotel parking garage, this seasonal spot offers sweeping views of Presque Isle Bay from two spacious rooftop patios. Cozy up by a fire pit, sip under an umbrella, play cornhole, or settle into a lounge chair to enjoy a great meal and conversation.

Rum Runners: One of Erie’s go-to summer hangouts, Rum Runners is accessible via land or lake, with direct boat access to its sizeable patio. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arriving early can help you secure a prime spot for incredible sunset views and live music.

Woody’s Backwater BARge & Grill:  Erie’s only floating restaurant brings together casual eats, drinks, and live music, all in a breezy, Florida Keys-style setting. It’s a relaxed spot where delicious smash burgers and playful cocktails such as the Wobbly Worm are best enjoyed with a breeze and a view.

Around Town

Sara’s: Just outside the entrance to Presque Isle State Park, Sara’s welcomes visitors with its bright red picnic tables and playful 50s-style décor. It’s the kind of spot where a Smith’s foot-long hot dog or an orange-vanilla twist feels just right, especially on a warm Erie summer day.

Cloud 9 Wine Bar and Restaurant: Tucked in the middle of Downtown Erie, Cloud 9 pairs elegant small plates and a well-curated wine list with front-row views of city life. The sidewalk patio is also pet-friendly, making it a central spot to do a little people-watching with your furry friend as the city buzzes around you.

Give A Crepe LaCrepErie: The recent addition of a private outdoor patio complete with twinkle lights and greenery, elevates this neighborhood gem. With gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, anyone can enjoy their delicious sweet and savory crepes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

The Cork 1794: The stylish outdoor patio at The Cork welcomes guests in for a leisurely lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch while relishing in a creative menu sourced from local ingredients. Its outdoor space is thoughtfully designed with a decorative pergola, large-screen TV, and heaters that extend patio season through early fall.

Luckie Louie’s Beer and Wieners: For hot dogs with personality and a huge cooler of craft beer to match, Lucky Louie’s keeps things fun and flavorful. With names like Nacho Average Wiener and Asian Invasion, plus picnic tables to kick back with your beer and dog, it’s an easy-going spot that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

There’s so much more to wellness than meets the eye. While wellness may be perceived as something that’s achieved outwardly, true holistic wellness is a result of balance between the mind, body, and spirit. When you need a reboot, Fauquier County is a health-centric haven that specializes in spurring you on in your wellness journey. From workouts and day spas to alternative medicine and good-for-you food that authentically nourishes, a trip to Fauquier County will rejuvenate you from the inside out.

Traditional Movement

Moving the body can profoundly still the mind to recalibrate your whole being. At Main Street Wellness, a wide array of yoga, Pilates, and barre classes, including warm vinyasa and yoga sculpt, are offered throughout the day. Plyoga (using yoga for recovery after plyometric intervals) is also a must-try for much-needed stress relief.

Vint Hill Yoga tailors your experience to what your body is craving in mindful and unique ways. Try a Rise and Shine class to harness yoga’s energizing benefits at the start of your day, or wind down with a Deep Stretch class. To feel the burn in all the right ways as your muscles lengthen and strengthen, reserve a spot in one of their barre fusion, body sculpt, or POUND classes.

For individualized attention as you flow through postures and breathwork of vinyasa, kundalini, and yin yoga, Lee Lorber at Equipose Yoga designs classes to reconnect yourself to your truest form. Your deeper tissues of your body will feel wonderfully released as you take your mantra from class with you throughout your day.

Whether you’re looking for your tried-and-true method or to explore something cutting edge, Old Town Athletic Breathe has essentially all you could desire in the realm of yoga and Pilates. With 32 classes weekly and 14 certified instructors in methods from reformer Pilates to hot vinyasa and asanas, you’ll bend your body while mending your mind and soul.

Alternative Wellness

While life in the 2000s may be synonymous with screen time and ultra-processed foods, recent technological advances using basic health elements like light and oxygen are becoming increasingly popular to nurture your body in new ways.

Feeling a little blue? Schedule a light therapy session at Warrenton Wellness. Enter their Blu Room, a patented technology that surrounds you in UVB rays, giving a dose of Vitamin D while easing anxiety and opening your brain’s creativity pathways.

Warrenton Oxygen Wellness (WOW) offers hyperbaric oxygen dives to infuse oxygen into every single cell of your body. This innovative process heals injured cells, in turn lowering inflammation, increasing immunity, and much more.

Healthy Eating

A recipient of the “National #1 Retail Excellence” award, The Natural Marketplace makes navigating a balanced life simple – from scrumptiously nutritious meals to functional medicine services. Try their most popular curried chicken sandwich on a paleo wrap with a Lavendar Fields smoothie bursting with grapes, blueberries, and dried lavender. 95% of everything on the menu is organic, so practically anything you choose will provide your body with nutrient dense, whole foods. The first floor of The Natural Marketplace offers appointments for numerous health services including blood microscopy and ion foot bath detox, perfect for learning more about how to best serve your body or flush out impurities.

For meals that are more like preventative medicine, Warrenton Wellness Kitchen serves up dishes featuring fresh and local ingredients with an international twist, Tuesday to Friday. You can also sign up for a subscription meal plan or even a personal chef service – perfect for locals or stocking your fridge with wholesome options for the duration of your stay in Fauquier County.

Goodness and Grace Bakery, Market, and Café has just the right ratio of pick-me-ups, mellowly cozy vibes, and homemade bites to make you feel good every time you walk in the door. The toffee nut latte, served by the friendliest baristas, will have you at the first sip. Pair it with a scratch-made cinnamon roll for a treat that’s truly worth the splurge – after all, a healthy lifestyle must be sustainable (read: 80/20) to continue being attainable, right?

Toast to gut health with a tasting flight at Mad Magic Kombucha. All varieties – including creamsicle, elderberry, and lemon rosemary – are probiotic-rich, organic, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO yet mouth-wateringly delicious. An alternative to a traditional libation, this bubbly beverage will put an amino-acid sponsored spring in your step. Don’t forget to pick up an assortment of kombuchas before you leave.

Day Spas

The options to unplug and unwind in Fauquier County are almost as limitless as the choices of services at the local day spas. As the recent winner of 3 “Best of Fauquier” awards, Salon Emage is the place to make an appointment when what you see in the mirror needs a refresh – from hair, makeup and nails to quick skin fixes to make zits gone in a flash.

Studio 22 Salon and Spa will embrace you as you walk in the door a la Cinderella for one of their many services, including a haircut, balayage, lash extension, or facial. Emerge as the belle of the ball, no matter where the rest of the day takes you.

To check out of reality and into the serenity of the Virginia countryside, Poplar Springs Manor is where to go to find your zen and zone out. Try one of their signature treatments like the Hanakusumi Body Renewal for exfoliating decadence, or the CBD Pain Relief Massage to knead out aches and pains while relaxing the nervous system. Day passes to enjoy their calm poolside deck are also available.

For a spa day with lasting results, Virginia Regenerative Medicine offers the best in medical massage, corrective facials, and injectables like Juvéderm. Treat yourself to a Storz Acoustic Shock Wave massage that targets scar tissue and calcification or indulge in a hydrafacial for deep cleansing and extraction. Their large selection of medical-grade skincare from Skin Better and Neocutis makes creating a home self-care regimen a breeze.

Make it a Weekend of Wellness

Accommodations in Fauquier County will make your time here a truly all-inclusive wellness retreat, from the moment your feet hit the floor to when your head hits the pillow. Let your soul sprawl out over Airlie Hotel and Conference Center’s 300 acres of blue skies and rural hills. Even though you’ll be nestled into a country cottage retreat, you don’t have to forgo modern comforts like flatscreen TVs and high-speed WiFi no matter what room you choose.

For a getaway that feels like you’ve been transported back to the golden age though just steps away from restaurants and attractions, The Rooms Up There at the Rosemary is the area’s premier boutique lodging. Three light-filled suites boast historical Victorian charm that’s been quaintly updated – since the 1800s – with well-manicured additions to make you feel at your best, like accessing your room via a private courtyard.

Refresh and Restore in Fauquier County

Just like a pond when a stone is thrown into it, you create a ripple effect for those around you when you’re living a life of holistic wellness. Let a visit to Fauquier County be the wave that brings your mind, body, and spirit into harmony with one another, for you and so many others in your path.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Media Contact: Chris Temple, Director of Communications
(O) 814-454-1000 ext. 136 (C) 814-504-5486

VisitErie Unveils New Brand, Celebrating the Good Life

Rebranding initiative aims to enhance visitor attraction and support the region’s third-largest industry

Erie, Pa: VisitErie, Erie County’s official destination marketing organization, has launched a new brand that celebrates the region’s nautical heritage, natural beauty, authentic charm, and modern attractions—elements that research shows are highly appealing to today’s travelers.

Erie offers a wide range of experiences, making it an attractive year-round destination for those who savor life’s simple pleasures. This strategic rebranding follows a record-breaking year for tourism, which ranks as the county’s third-largest industry. In 2024, tourism generated over $1.2 billion in visitor spending and supported more than 15,000 jobs.

VisitErie President and CEO John Oliver unveiled the new brand, with the tagline: “VisitErie: Good Life. Great Lake.” to enthusiastic community stakeholders and business leaders this morning at the Bayfront Convention Center, which overlooks Presque Isle Bay—a fitting backdrop for this celebratory occasion.

VisitErie has not experienced a major change in identity in more than 15 years and has never had a research-based brand. “It was time for VisitErie to embrace a fresh, forward-thinking vision; one that reflects Erie as a four-season destination and better positions our region as a desirable destination among its target markets,” Oliver said. “The new brand has a stronger, more competitive identity, and we believe, successfully reflects Erie today. Ultimately, this will prepare our region for the next decade, aligning us with what our target visitors want with the assets our region offers, and showing them why Erie is a place they will want to visit again and again.”

The rebrand is the result of an intensive, strategic, 18-month research-based process spanning five phases. More than a new logo or tagline, Oliver continues, “A brand is how we want people to see us. It’s the impression we create. It’s essential in capturing attention and inspiring people to take action; in our case, choosing to visit our beautiful destination here in Erie.”

Research showed that the desires, motivations, and behaviors of visitors to Erie have evolved. Today’s visitors seek authentic, in-the-moment experiences that blend relaxation, outdoor activities, local culture, and food experiences, regardless of the season.

VisitErie’s new identity features a nautical-inspired logo, a warm and inviting color palette of lake blues and nature hues, seasonal imagery, and elements that immerse visitors in the essence of “the good life.” A sizzle reel highlights the brand pillars, which are rooted in the values that define “the good life”: a vibrant blend of community, natural beauty, and family-friendly activities for all ages.

The new brand will be integrated into VisitErie’s new summer campaign in a phased rollout across multiple markets, including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg/Lancaster/Lebanon/York, Johnstown/Altoona, Cleveland/Akron, Buffalo, Wheeling/Steubenville, W. Va., and Youngstown, Ohio.

VisitErie partnered with Red House Communications, its agency of record, to develop its comprehensive branding system, which includes new positioning, visual identity elements, and digital and advertising materials. This award-winning Pittsburgh-based agency is recognized for its expertise in tourism and economic development. Red House previously served as the branding firm for the Pennsylvania Tourism Office for more than a decade and has been VisitErie’s agency since 2023.

Gus Pine, board chair of VisitErie and executive director of Erie Events, stated, “Rebranding VisitErie to promote Erie as a true four-season destination is a crucial step for driving tourism and maximizing the economic benefits for our community. Engaging with Red House on this initiative has resulted in a branding strategy that I believe will engage new audiences and tell our brand story better than ever before.”

“Our new brand embodies authentic, unpolished moments that evoke a sense of carefree and stress-free living,” Oliver said. “It reflects what we hear time and again: being in Erie means living the good life. With Lake Erie, easy access to modern attractions and amenities, and a relaxed pace, Erie is a beautiful place to create lasting memories. Residents treasure these experiences and take pride in calling Erie their home.”

For more information, explore VisitErie.com/goodlife.

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Juniata River Valley Flight School Takes Off for Second Semester with Chicken Wing Flights and New Prizes

LEWISTOWN – The Juniata River Valley Flight School is back for another semester, and this time, it’s bringing the heat—literally—with the addition of chicken wing flights to its roster of delicious experiences. Beginning May 16, the popular passport program returns with 25 locations offering flavorful flights of beer, wine, spirits, coffee, ice cream, and now wings.

After a successful first semester, the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau is excited to invite past participants—and new recruits—to join the journey once more. Whether you’re a seasoned flyer or ready for your maiden voyage, the updated passport delivers new tastes and new reasons to get out and explore.

“This program isn’t just about food and drink—it’s about discovering the Juniata River Valley in a fun, rewarding way,” said Jenny Landis, Executive Director of the JRVVB. “And now, with chicken wing flights added to the mix, we’re kicking it up a notch.”

The Juniata River Valley Flight School is powered by Bandwango, a user-friendly digital passport platform. Sign-up is simple at www.jrvvisitors.com/flight-school, where users enter basic contact information and receive a link to add the passport to their mobile home screen.

Once signed up, participants visit any of the 26 participating locations to purchase a flight. With each purchase, users earn points by entering a location-specific PIN provided by staff. Points add up to fun, exclusive prizes—and this semester features all-new rewards including a Flight School luggage tag, beanie, t-shirt, and even a bottle of Wingman Brew N Que’s signature wing sauce. Longtime favorites like stickers, pennants, hats, and hoodies are still available, along with the top-tier prize: earning your golden wings pin.

Redeemed prizes can be picked up at the Visitors Bureau office at 1 W. Market Street in Lewistown or shipped directly. All prizes must be redeemed by May 31, 2026.

“The Juniata River Valley Flight School is a flavorful adventure,” Landis said. “Whether you’re sipping, scooping, or now snacking on wings, we promise a journey your taste buds won’t forget.”

Ready to get your boarding pass? Visit www.jrvvisitors.com/flight-school to sign up and start collecting points.

For more information, call (717) 248-6713 or email [email protected].

It’s never been easier to make memories, toast s’mores, and connect with your favorite people. Experience more of the spring, summer, and fall seasons when you stay at one of our favorite campgrounds!

Did you know there aren’t campgrounds in Allegheny County? Explore outdoor lodging and embrace nature in Pittsburgh’s backyard!

Bear Run Campground