The Erie Times-News has put together this guide to fun times, sounds, tastes and sights to check out around Erie County and nearby while the weather is warm, no matter if you're a visitor or vacationing in your backyard.
We'll update this article throughout the coming months as details about more summer fun emerge.
Erie need-to-know information
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- Things to do in Erie
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Trying to get around Erie? What to know about road work
- Summer schedule for major improvements
- Temporary lane shift for Bayfront Parkway
- West Fifth Street reopens in downtown Erie
- Route 20 work underway in west county
- Nighttime paving in Summit Township
- Interstate 90 construction status
- When will Waterford's covered bridge reopen?
Presque Isle State Park
Make the most of summer at Pennsylvania's most visited state park.
- What's happening with concessions at Presque Isle in 2024?
- Meet the bands playing the weekly Sunset Music Series on Beach 11
- What to know about water quality testing at Presque Isle
- Keep these emergency numbers handy when you're on the park
- Everything you need to know about summer 2024 at Presque Isle
- Visitor guide to Erie's lighthouses
- Here's what the park staff says about lifeguards this summer
- Where to rent kayaks for Presque Isle, Bay paddling
- What's different at the Presque Isle Marina?
- About those phone service dead zones around the park ...
- What to know about the lost and found at Presque Isle State Park
- Presque Isle Express bus route back in service for summer
- Bucket list: What to do at Presque Isle
- Big Green Screen finally reopens at Tom Ridge Environmental Center
- What's up with the limited parking and access at the North Pier?
- What are those new structures in the Beach 8 parking lot?
- Get a free ride through the lagoons on a pontoon boat
- Pip, pip hooray: What to know about piping plovers at Presque Isle
Waldameer Park & Water World
From the picnic groves to the heights of Ravine Flyer II, there's something for every visitor at Waldameer.
- What you need to know about Waldameer this season
- Which Waldameer Park rides are the classics? How old some of the attractions turn in 2024
- Ready to have a cheat day? What food and drinks there are at Waldameer this year
- What makes Waldameer Park's Ravine Flyer II wooden roller coaster unique?
- Who helps keep Ravine Flyer II on its tracks? Waldameer ride mechanic describes his job
- Waldameer Park president shares thoughts about the season
- Waldameer family member writes series of children's mystery books set at park
- Waldameer says residents of Village Mobile Home Park have until Oct. 31 to vacate property
Live music
Pack a folding chair and get a front-row seat for live music all over Erie County.
- When and where to find free outdoor concerts around Erie
- Gabby Barrett, Jimmy Eat World to perform at CelebrateErie
- Check out who is performing at Presque Isle's Sunset Music Series
- REO Speedwagon to pull into Erie's Warner Theatre in July
- Sexyy Red, Jeezy, Tay Money, Mooski, Rob 49 coming to Erie
- Erie Jazz and Blues Festivalis making a comeback. See who's featured.
- Who is performing at 8 Great Tuesdays?
- When and where Erie-area festivals are happening
- Catch Erie's First to Eleven on tour this summer
Fireworks
Save your ooohs and aaahs for these nights.
- When is Lights Over Lake Erie?
- When and where to find fireworks around Erie County in summer 2024
- Why Fourth fireworks won't be contained to the Fourth
Where to see movies around Erie
Check out big fun on big screens.
- Movies under the Erie stars
- Waterford drive-in one of precious few remaining in U.S.
- Tom Ridge Environmental Center's Big Green Screen reopens after hiatus
Eat and drink around Erie
There are great places to grab a bite everywhere, and what follows is just some of the reporting the Times-News staff has done recently. Find more openings, tips and news all summer with GoErie.com's dining coverage. Want some ideas for at-home recipes? Sign up for food reporter Jennie Geisler's free weekly Erielicious newsletter.
- Ice cream near you: Try these dozens of frozen treat shops around Erie County
- Smiley's Ice Cream to open in former GetGo location at busy Wesleyville intersection
- Elephant ears, fried foods and new food served at Waldameer
- 'Gnarly' new food truck is literally on another level near Erie's Bicentennial Tower
- 'Not just a hot dog' stand, MP Coney Island has more than franks on menu
- Bro Man's brings in crowd at second burger/taco shop in old George's
- Federal Hill Smokehouse lands spot on top 100 BBQ joints
- New bubble tea and noodle place open in former Molly's, drawing crowds
- Roma's Italian Kitchen is open. What inspired the menu?
- Erie pizza makers, customers loving brick-oven, wood-fired pies
- Owners of Pittsburgh Inn celebrate landmark restaurant's centennial
- Khao Thai owner is back with new restaurant on Peninsula Drive
- Siblings open Kitchen 601, a soul food restaurant at Brown and Cherry
- CheesErie owners to expand into new Taco Cabana kitchen in Food Hall
- Waterford's new barbecue restaurant serves more than a 'pile of meat'
- 'Evolved' Underdog BBQ open at new location in former Perkins
Erie SeaWolves
Follow Erie's Double-A Detroit Tigers affiliate as they chase major league dreams at UPMC Park and try for a second straight Eastern League championship.
- SeaWolves clinch a third straight playoff spot with five straight wins
- Championship celebrations to Fauxback uniforms: What to expect from the SeaWolves
- Defending Eastern League champion SeaWolves return 19 players from last year's roster
- More SeaWolves news
So many more things to do around Erie
- Celebrate Pride Month with Pride on the Bay and other events
- Everything you need to know about visiting the Erie Zoo
- Martina McBride, Beach Boys, Boyz II Men, more performing at Chautauqua
- Get your ticket for the annual Save-an-Eye all-star football game
- It's thoroughbred racing season at Presque Isle Downs
- What to know about visiting Erie's lighthouses
- Visit the renovated ExpERIEnce Children's Museum
- See what performances are coming to the Erie Playhouse
- Downtown Erie has an indoor rock climbing gym with a 52-foot-high wall
- Get free admission to the Erie Art Museum twice a month
- Go thrifting and for fun, savings and good causes
- There's mini-golf on Erie's bayfront
- Try glow golf at J.C. Martin
- Go roller skating at Gem City Skate
- 10 scenic views in Erie County that everyone should see
- Find a garage sale
- Visit some of the many public art installations around Erie County
- Rent an e-bike
Find something that makes Erie's summer special? Email your tip to newsdesk@timesnews.com.
