With comfortable weather, colorful foliage and the smell of grapes in the air, Fall is a wonderful time to visit Erie, Pennsylvania. From outdoor adventures enjoying the beauty of nature to cozy indoor activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of the best things to do in Erie during the fall season:
Visit Presque Isle State Park: The most visited state park in Pa., Presque Isle is a beautiful peninsula on Lake Erie offering both paved and unpaved trails for hiking or biking while enjoying stunning views of the fall foliage. For a more unique point of view bring or rent a kayak to explore the numerous lagoons that provide a colorful and relaxing experience that cannot be seen on foot. Presque Isle is also known as one of the best places in the US for birdwatching, especially during the fall migration which sees a number of unique birds heading south for the winter. Of course, a visit to Presque Isle is not complete without taking a walk on one of the beaches while enjoying one of our world-famous sunsets.
Hike – While Presque Isle gets most of the attention for outdoor adventures, there’s good hiking all around Erie once the leaves start turning. Wintergreen Gorge and Asbury Woods are both close to town and offer quiet trails through the woods, the kind of walk where the only sound is leaves underfoot. For something with a view, Erie Bluffs State Park is about twenty minutes out and rewards the walk with a nice overlook of the lake.
Attend a fall festival: Erie County loves a good fall festival, and the season kicks off early with the Waterford Community Fair and the Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival. From there it keeps rolling: the Erie Irish Festival brings music and dancing downtown in mid-September, the Northeast Wine Fest pairs local wine with live entertainment and craft vendors, and October brings both the Peek-n-Peak Fall Fest and the Great Lakes Beach Glass and Coastal Arts Festival. If you can time your visit for early November, Lake Erie Wine Country’s Fall Harvest Weekends are worth planning around, though they do sell out fast. Visit Erie has a full calendar of event information.
Take a scenic drive: The countryside surrounding Erie is filled with picturesque roads that are perfect for a leisurely fall drive. Enjoy the colorful trees, rolling hills, numerous vineyards and views of Lake Erie as you explore the area.
Visit a winery or brewery: With the largest grape growing region East of the Rockies, Lake Erie Wine Country features a number of award-winning wineries that offer tastings of both sweet and dry wines to meet a variety of taste preferences. For those who prefer craft beer Erie is home to the Lake Erie Ale Trail featuring more than fifteen craft breweries with several of them located in and around downtown. We can provide your designated driver with our Stay and Tour Experience Package which can be used for a wine tour, ale tour or a combination of both.
Enjoy World Class Fishing – The tributaries of Lake Erie are renowned for steelhead trout which start their migration out of the lake in the fall when the water cools. When the streams are flowing well the fishing cannot be beat. If fishing from a boat is your preference the charter boats are often fishing into mid to late October weather permitting.
Ghosts and Goblins – While Spencer House Bed & Breakfast is not the home of any ghosts, for those that are interested in ghostly things a Haunted History Tour of the Brewerie at Union Station would fit the bill. Downtown Tour Erie offers the Eerie Stories, Legends and & Lore evening downtown walking tour available weekends through October. For those that are more into the Haunted House fear factor a visit to Eeriebys factory of Terror will not dissapoint.
Enjoy a Show – Erie is blessed with several great venues including the historic Warner Theatre, the Erie Playhouse and Kellars Magic & Comedy Club. Hosting musicals, comedy acts, rock bands and the Erie Philharmonic symphony orchestra, there is something for everyone’s interest.
After a day on the wine trails, a hike through Presque Isle, or a walk through one of Erie’s haunted history tours, there’s nothing quite like coming back to a quiet porch and a warm bed. At Spencer House Bed & Breakfast, we’ll have a made-from-scratch breakfast waiting each morning before you head back out to enjoy everything fall in Erie has to offer. Book your stay and let us be your home base for the season
FAQ
When is the best time to see fall foliage in Erie, PA?
Fall color in Erie typically peaks in mid to late October, though it can shift a week or so earlier or later depending on the year. One thing to keep in mind: the lakeshore area tends to change color later than spots further inland, since the warmth of Lake Erie keeps the immediate shoreline milder longer. So if you’re chasing peak color, it’s worth checking both the lakefront and the inland countryside, since they won’t necessarily hit their best at the same time. Presque Isle State Park and the countryside around Lake Erie Wine Country are two of the best spots to take it in.
What wineries are near Erie, PA?
Erie sits in the middle of Lake Erie Wine Country, the largest grape growing region east of the Rockies. A number of award-winning wineries offer tastings just outside the city, and our Stay and Tour package can arrange transportation so you don’t have to worry about a designated driver.
Is Presque Isle State Park good to visit in the fall?
Yes. Fall is one of the best times to visit Presque Isle, with cooler weather, fall foliage along the trails, and one of the best birdwatching seasons of the year as migrating birds pass through. It’s also a great time for a quiet walk on the beach.
Walking in fall leaves Photo Credit: pixelshot via Canva
