More than 280,000 people live and work in Erie County – but hundreds of thousands more come each year to enjoy our unique assets.
Many are drawn by the natural assets that Erie County is known for, in all four seasons.
In winter, that means snow – and a beautiful base for skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. In spring, our lakes and streams draw anglers from around the world to take advantage of our abundant fish populations and our location at the heart of “Steelhead Alley.” In summer, boats flying crisp sails dot the horizon, and residents and visitors alike flock to the lake’s shore to bask in the summer sun and enjoy cool lake breezes. Come autumn harvest time, we relish the bounty of our vineyards, orchards and fertile farmlands.
Year round, Presque Isle State Park, a peninsula that arcs into Lake Erie and creates Presque Isle Bay, offers recreation opportunities in a one-of-a-kind setting. The park each year hosts more than 4 million visitors, who enjoy trails for hiking and biking, beaches for swimming and sunbathing, lagoons for kayaking, and plentiful opportunities for bird watching.
Beyond the peninsula, Erie County offers activities for any taste. For families, the Erie Zoo and the Experience Children’s Museum are must-see spots. Sports fans cheer on minor league teams. History buffs explore the Erie Maritime Museum and the U.S. Brig Niagara, as well as various historic assets, and art lovers take in the Erie Art Museum, the Erie Playhouse, the Erie Philharmonic and more.
Erie County also is home to Presque Isle Downs and Casino and a bustling retail corridor. Our community boasts four major universities – Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University and Penn State Behrend – as well as Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, the largest medical college in the country.
With a bounty of outdoor activities, a thriving cultural scene and a welcoming, friendly attitude, Erie County is more than a great place to visit – it’s an ideal place to live, work, play and stay.