Vacation in Vivid Color this Fall in Erie, PA

Fall arrives in Erie with a spectacular flourish, through a rich tapestry of golden hues, fiery reds, and burnt oranges. Whether it’s sipping your way through Lake Erie Wine Country, taking in the area’s gorgeous fall foliage, or enjoying a relaxing, much-needed getaway, Erie is a rejuvenating destination for a fall escape.  

Celebrating the Fall Harvest

As the leaves begin to turn and the air carries a crisp note, it’s time to celebrate Erie’s rich agricultural bounty and its array of fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and delectable treats can be found throughout the area. Port Farms is a working, fourth-generation farm set in the scenic countryside of Waterford, PA, and is a great way to spend a brisk fall day. From mid-September through the end of October, Port Farms' annual Fall Harvest Festival embodies the spirit of the fall season with a variety of attractions for the entire family to enjoy including an eight-acre corn maze, wagon rides, pumpkin patch, and animal exhibits. Peek’n Peak Resort’s Fall Fest welcomes guests to enjoy two weekends (Oct 14-15, 21-22) filled with fall fun in the foothills of New York, just across the PA/NY border. Brilliant foliage sets the scene for the Peek’s juried craft show, chair lift rides, farmer’s market, and a thunderous pumpkin cannon that blasts pumpkins into the air. The 5^th Annual Downtown Fall Fest (Oct. 22), held in downtown Erie’s Perry Square brings the community and visitors together in a celebration complete with produce and craft vendors, live entertainment, local food trucks, costume contests, and a classic car trunk or treat!   

Check out a full list of year-round events here. 

Experience Vine to Wine: Lake Erie Wine Country

The fall season is a time to relax and unwind after the hustle and bustle of summer. Taking a trip to Lake Erie Wine Country provides a scenic escape to a destination where acres of fragrant vineyards and wineries are ready to fill your senses with the sweet smell of ripening grapes and expertly crafted wines. Lake Erie Wine Country is the largest grape-growing region in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains featuring 30,000 acres of vineyards and 23 distinct estate and commercial wineries, spanning an impressive 50 miles of shoreline from Harborcreek, Pennsylvania to Silver Creek, New York along the southern shorelines of Lake Erie. Wineries produce diverse, award-winning wines for all tastes, from fruity native Labruscas and exquisite French-American wines to European-style wines. All wineries offer tours and tastings year-round. Groups are invited to explore Lake Erie Wine Country through local transportation services that offer wine tours during multi-winery events, or just a weekend getaway. Rupp Limousine offers public and private wine tours for your group to experience comfortable, convenient, luxurious travel without the hassle of finding parking or taking more than one vehicle. Annual wine-related events include the North East WineFest and Lake Erie Wine Country Harvest Weekends.

Not sure where to start? Get a list of wineries here. 

Fall Family Activities

Erie’s crisp fall temperatures and stunning foliage offer the best excuse to take a pause from busy work and school schedules, don a cozy sweater or your favorite hoodie, and embrace the veritable cornucopia of family-friendly activities found throughout the region. At Presque Isle State Park, the sequence of warm sunny days and chillier nights transforms the park into a brilliant display of fall colors, making it the top spot to experience nature’s beauty up close. The best places for memorable photo opportunities are the Presque Isle Lighthouse, Perry Monument, “The Feather” bird observatory platform, and everywhere in between. Lions, tigers, and a talking pumpkin? Zoo Boo 2023, the Erie Zoo’s annual Halloween celebration (Oct. 12-30), is one of the largest kid-friendly Halloween events in the tri-state area. The “scary but not too scary” event invites children of all ages to put on their favorite costumes and visit trick-or-treat stations scattered throughout the Zoo grounds while a giant talking pumpkin and other spooky Zoo guests entertain visitors with silly songs and jokes. Spiders and other creepy crawlies take center stage during Asbury Woods “Scary Creature Feature” (Oct. 12-14).  Encounter and learn about some not-so-scary, nocturnal creatures that live in the forest during a guided evening stroll through the woods. Apples, cider, and freshly baked donuts are quintessential fall treats, and you can savor them all at Fuhrman’s Cider Festival and Burch Farms Country Market in North East, PA.  Hosted by Luminary Distilling, Eatery, Fuhrman’s Cider, the annual Cider Festival (Sept. 30) is a lively event filled with live music, vendors, homemade baked goodies, and a celebration of all things cider! Meanwhile, at Burch Farms, the family-owned business shines a spotlight on locally-grown fruits and vegetables. In the fall, an array of freshly picked apples straight from their farm are available including Cortland, Gala, Empire, Red Delicious, Crispin, and more.

Tax-Free Shopping

Fall is a great time to get a jump start on your holiday shopping list and take advantage of seasonal discounts, without the burden of sales tax on clothing and apparel. A visit to the Millcreek Mall Complex, in the bustling Peach Street shopping district, is a convenient option for those looking to get a lot of things done without having to drive to multiple places. Boasting more than 160 stores, ample parking, satellite plazas, a food court, multiple restaurants, convenience carts and relaxation stations, it is a one-stop destination. The Shops at 5^th and State is a trendy stretch of welcoming storefronts in the heart of Downtown Erie, showcasing Erie’s love for local businesses. Local business entrepreneurs are selling everything from artwork and photography to apparel and accessories. The walkable area is steps away from the Flagship City Food Hall and Public Market, a modern space filled with local vendors, historic accents, and large communal tables to encourage socializing with your neighbor while enjoying delicious food. One-of-a-kind products and hand-made creations designed by local and regional artisans are tucked in every corner of the region. Buona Cucina Oils and More is a gastronomic oasis for connoisseurs of fine oils, vinegars, and gourmet ingredients, looking to enhance any festive fall gatherings. Exquisite, handcrafted pottery pieces inspired by the colors of Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park adorn the shelves at Allen Stoneware Gallery where you have the opportunity to purchase a piece or enroll in one of their “Try It” classes to channel your own creativity and take home your very own masterpiece.