The Erie center point is around the area of Glass Growers Gallery and the area of Erie County Historical Society.
One of the best times to visit Erie is April and May. By the time April rolls around, most of the snow from winter has melted, and the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold. In April, highs hover in the upper 50s, and by May the highs reach the upper 60s. However, the weather can change quickly from one day to another during these months, so make sure you check the forecast before you leave home, and pack accordingly. Also, keep in mind that peak tourist season starts after Memorial Day, so at that point hotel prices start to go up and crowds of tourists become larger.
June through August is the most popular time to visit Erie, so it's also when hotels raise their rates. If you're trying to get a good hotel deal during these months, you need to book your reservation well in advance of your trip. Temperatures are comfortably warm, with highs typically around the upper 70s and low 80s. However, summer can bring rainstorms to the area, so make sure you pack an umbrella.
Fall is another spectacular time to visit Erie. September and November bring gorgeous orange and red leaves to the trees, and high temperatures are a crisp mid-60s and 70s. If you're interested in enjoying the many outdoor activities around Erie, this is an excellent time to go. However, weather in late September can quickly turn cool, turning rain to snow. If you're planning on visiting during this time, make sure you dress in layers.
If you don't mind snow and frigid winds coming off Lake Erie, you can get some really great hotel deals by visiting from December to March. While you can't enjoy many of the outdoor attractions around Erie during this time, you also won't have to deal with crowds. High temperatures in the daytime usually don't get out of the 30s, and lows at night can dip into the 20s. However, there are many festivals and indoor activities that will keep you busy and entertained during these months.
If you know where to look, you can find some great discounts and package deals in Erie. Hampton Inn Erie-South offers AAA members a 10 percent discount on their room rate. If you're not a AAA member, consider one of the hotel's exciting packages. For example, the Erie Shop-a-Thon Package comes with a bottle of local wine and a $50 Millcreek Mall gift card.
Wingate By Wyndham Erie also offers excellent discounts and savings. AAA or CAA members can receive up to 10 percent off the best available hotel rate, AARP members can get up to 20 percent off the best available rate, and seniors 60 and over can receive special savings.
Erie also has plenty of mid-range hotels that are close to many top attractions and offer convenient amenities. If you're interested in tax-free shopping at Millcreek Mall, book a stay at Fairfield Inn Erie Millcreek Mall. This property is less than a mile from the mall. It features an indoor pool, computer station, and dry cleaning and laundry services. Start your morning with a free hot and cold buffet breakfast. Then enjoy room amenities like a pillow top bed, free Wi-Fi, free bottled water, and flat screen television with satellite channels.
Candlewood Suites Erie offers a relaxing home away from home. All 68 rooms come with kitchens that have a dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, and cooktop. Rooms also have a flat screen television with satellite channels and DVD players, and free Wi-Fi. If you want to get in a quick workout while you're at the hotel, swim a few laps in the indoor pool or take advantage of the fitness center. Then, stop by the deli for snacks and drinks.
If you fly into Erie, take advantage of the free roundtrip airport shuttle to Comfort Inn Presque Isle. Or, if you drive to the area, you'll enjoy free self-parking at the hotel. In the morning, stop by the free breakfast buffet before you head out to enjoy popular nearby attractions like Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier, Presque Isle State Park, and Waldameer Water World.
Presque Isle State Park is the most visited state park in Pennsylvania, welcoming over 4 million visitors every year. Popular activities at the park include hiking, biking, boating, swimming, picnicking, and bird-watching. The park is also home to Tom Ridge Environmental Center, which offers exhibits that help you learn about the ecology of the park. If you're interested in enjoying everything the park has to offer, consider staying in a nearby hotel such as Clarion Hotel Lake Erie.
Presque Isle Downs & Casino features horse racing, poker, table games, over 1,700 slot machines, award-winning dining, and live entertainment. If you want to enjoy everything at Presque Isle Downs and Casino, look into a stay at Baymont Inn & Suites, which is located directly next door.
Whether you're looking for a luxury hotel right on the water, or you'd like a budget-friendly hotel in the heart of downtown Erie, the city has plenty of options available. By picking the best hotel for your stay, you can enjoy everything Erie has to offer.
Below are reviews of the city of Erie, PA from an actual visitor's perspective.
Great shopping & great food!
Lots of places to shop and dine, love it!
Didn't expect what we saw…very nice city, beautiful areas and walking paths at lake.
The view!
Beautiful harbor and marina. Loved Olivers 💜
Downtown near the bay was very nice!
Had a chance to drive down to the waterfront where I found a vintage car rally. Walked around a bit, very nice town!
We loved the accessibility to Presque Isle, the newly paved bike trail, and all the amenities of Lake Erie.
We loved the accessibility to Presque Isle, the newly paved bike trail, and all the amenities of Lake Erie.
Graduated from Mercyhurst, saw the lighthouses, went to the beach and enjoyed the restaurants on the water!
Presque Isle and Sara's.
The lake is the place to go!
I love the area near the bay!
Erie was enjoyable!
We come to Presque Isle to visit the beaches. Relaxation for my husband. That plus beach glass hunting for me. We also like to dine at Olive Garden where they have our favorite wine and Firebirds where there beef is delicious. Barnes and Noble is my favorite shopping stop after supper.
Busy place. Everything is close.
The location offered family restaurants, shopping centers, and a great Chinese Buffet. Multiple attractions for families.
Stayed there for world lacrosse tournament.
Lots of things to do in Erie for families!
Lots of things to do in Erie for families.
Never actually went into the city, just went fishing!
We love Erie, PA! We love the beaches that are part of the state park and we loved the zoo when our daughter was little and we love the restaurant Smuggler's Wharf!
close proximity to casino, racetrack, food and shopping.
Presque Isle
Tom Ridge exploration and conservation tower. Port and dinner, sunset boat ride. Casino was as good as any other.
We really enjoy coming to Erie, there are a lot of activities to keep us busy!
Good restaurants. Good shopping. Good shoreline. It's a good place to stay when you visit Grove City because it's close enough to drive to easily.
Meals at the Boardroom, Pier 6, Public House, Gem City Diner and Sloppy Duck!
The view!
Variety of things to do and the Lake!
Love the beaches and Presque Isle Park!
We always enjoy Erie. Favorite thing to do is Presque Isle, eating and shopping!
I love Erie especially the bay area. Oliver's restaurant was absolutely fantastic. Oliver's Beer Garden was the perfect setting for a sunset. Perfect temperature too. Rum Runner's has the absolute best Rum Runner's. Pier 6 was a first time visit and had very tasty Bloody Mary.
The beach and restaurants
We come here yearly for soccer tournaments.
Like the views!
We love watching the horses race! The casino is really fun and sitting on Lake Erie is Devine!!
Our room was very clean, and our stay was comfortable. Thank you for being pet friendly!
The restaurants in area are great with very friendy staff.
Clean place near shopping and casino.
I like Erie, nice place for a vacation!
Friendly and helpful staff!
Fishing!
Did not see much as my husband is in hospital.
I was at the hospital 90% of time.
Lots of restaurants and things to do!
The shopping!!!
Shopping!
Clean!
Girls shopping trip!!! So many stores!!!!
Shopping!
Near great bars, restaurants, Presque Isle Waldameer and shopping.
Convenient to the interstate.
At church convention at The Wharf downtown.
Steelhead fishing!
We love Erie! It has familiar shopping but also has things in the mall we do not have in Cleveland!
We love Erie and visit OFTEN from Upstate NY. It's a short distance for us and we love the shopping at Millcreek Mall- especially Boscov's! Cheddars and Bob Evans are very reasonably priced and the food is excellent. We love the beaches on Presque Isle. Erie is an amazing place to visit with so much to do and the people are very friendly!
The view of the lake breathtaking!
The view of the lake is breathtaking!
Lots to do in Erie. Preque Isle is a must see!
The beach!
Penn State University
The lake, the shopping, the zoo.
Presque Isle
The Downs.
Shopping!
The beach!
Great zoo. Casino and horse track were first rate.
Second family fun day, the kids wanted to go back. We returned because we all had fun with both the rides and water. Totally exhausted. We went to the lighthouse in Presque Isle. The tours were a lot of fun. We happened on a path next to the lighthouse that took us to a small beach. The children, big and small, waded in the water and played in the sand. The town is so clean with so many stores and restaurants.
Erie is an old favorite place for us. We've been visiting Erie as a couple for 50 years. The lake, Waldemeer, restaurants, shopping and wineries in northeast are all great attractions. We've enjoyed seeing how Erie has changed over our visits and the mall still has great shopping!
The staff was friendly and welcoming. The room was clean.
My husband was in ICU at hospital. Didn't ask to be in Erie at the time.
Lots of things to do and places to eat in the city and also on Presque Isle. Loved the beaches on Lake Erie!
Staff is great, room was very clean and quiet.Breakfast service was Excellent and the choices was good
Presque Isle Beach, Odis 12 Grille, Whippy Dip ice cream!
There are beaches and that's cool!
Lake Erie is why we came to Erie, PA.
Went there to dine at Smugglers Wharf. Excellent restaurant.
The beach and the movie theater.
We were there because our son and nephew are in the Hamot Hospital. One of the nurses suggested your hotel. Very convenient and close to the hospital
Nice people; lots of walking/biking trails.
Casino, shopping, ballgames!
Visited the casino!
Presque Isle State park was great for car birding on a rainy day. Attended a concert at Mercyhurst University. Campus was easy to navigate and theater was beautiful.
Shopping at Millcreek Mall!
I was only there for a quick but enjoyable night. It was easy to get to.
Good food. Good shopping. Stefanelli's chocolates are great. Easy to drive around. Prices very reasonable.
The shopping!
Shopping and restaurants!
Lots of restaurants and shopping close by.
Room was spacious and comfortable! Staff was super friendly and helpful! Lots to do and pretty clean.
Love visiting Erie. We enjoyed the RV Show and did some shopping. We'll be there again this summer. We like the beaches, riding on Presque Isle, going to the pier and wineries, especially Penn Shore.
Went to Lucky Louies Hotel Dog and the casino.
Shopping!!!!
Casino
Steelhead fishing!
Shopping!
Having been born and raised in Erie and watching it's decline and now rebirth is impressive. The new waterfront development is great. I attended Aladdin with my granddaughter at the Warner Theatre and the theater is beautiful and the production top notch.