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Top 10 Things to do in Erie, PA
Erie is characterized by buzz-worthy restaurants, exciting entertainment venues, enriching cultural institutions, and of course, the stunning shoreline of Lake Erie. Our team at Tanglewood Apartments & Townhomes has come up with a list of our favorite local hotspots so residents can experience the very best that Erie has to offer.
Top 5 Restaurants in Erie, PA
Federal Hill Smokehouse
Recognized by Food & Wine Magazine and multiple other outlets as the best barbeque in all of Pennsylvania, Federal Hill Smokehouse is *essentially* required dining in Erie. The menu is simple, yet powerful enough to garner widespread national attention. Customize your own plate with smoked meats (brisket, ribs, pulled pork, turkey, sausage) and classic sides (mac n’ cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, pinto beans), or throw your favorite meat between two sesame speckled buns and enjoy a hearty barbeque sandwich. Afterwards, top off the meal with their sole dessert option: the famous peach cobbler. There’s no two ways about it— Federal Hill Smokehouse should rank high on your list of restaurants to try in Erie.
Colao's Ristorante
Bro Man's Birria N' Burger Joint
One thing’s for sure— you’ve never had a dining experience quite like the one at Bro Man’s Birria N’ Burger Joint. Owner and operator Stephen Stanbro has drawn inspiration from around the world to create a menu that’s truly one-of-a-kind, featuring signature hamburgers and birria tacos. “Birria” is a style of braised beef from Jalisco, Mexico and one of the centerpieces of the Bro Man’s menu. Stuffed inside a tortilla with onions, cilantro, and mozzarella, and served with a side of rich broth for dipping, the birria tacos pack a serious punch of international flavor. The burgers are also innovative. Take the Sooner Burger for example, a hand-smashed brisket short rib patty that’s loaded with onions and topped with cheese and red pepper aioli. Located just a short distance from Tanglewood Apartments, Bro Man’s Birria N’ Burger Joint serves up bold, mouthwatering dishes that locals can’t get enough of.
Cloud 9 Wine Bar & Restaurant
Cloud 9 Wine Bar & Restaurant is best described as a sophisticated yet relaxed sipping lounge featuring a diverse tapas and wine menu that draws on flavors from around the world. Relax on the shores of the Mediterranean with the hummus and baba ghanouj platter, dance your way through the streets of New Orleans with Cajun beer mussels, or stroll the Champs-Elysees in Paris with the escargots. Of course, Cloud 9’s wine menu is bound to impress with a mix of tried-and-true varietals and more eccentric bottles from Argentina, South Africa, and the Oregon coast. They also serve handcrafted cocktails that pair wonderfully with the tapas. It’s easy to elevate your evening at Cloud 9 Wine Bar & Restaurant.
Born & Raised
Emblazoned across the Born & Raised website are the words: “Genuine. Local. Chef Owned.” Set inside a charming brick two-story at the corner of Liberty Street and West 18th Street, this American-inspired eatery delivers a focused selection of refined dishes. Receiving five-star review after five-star review, Born & Raised has quickly risen in the ranks of Erie’s culinary scene with notable items like the B&B Burger, made with a dry-aged ribeye patty, the sea salt and honey chicken entrée, and a range of tasty appetizers, salads, and sides. Guests are invited to finish the meal with award-worthy dessert options like the popcorn flavored ice cream, lemon crème brulee, and the bananas foster bread pudding. Born & Raised is fine casual dining at its best.
Top 5 Places To Go In Erie, PA
One of the city’s most notable and historic institutions, the Erie Zoo is home to over 400 animals and 600 species of plants. It’s a zoological and botanical menagerie that provides visitors with a rare opportunity to glimpse species from around the globe while fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world. Guests can see warm-blooded mammals like Amur tigers, Bornean orangutans, and African rhinoceros, as well as reptiles, amphibians, and a diverse array of birds. The zoo also hosts a series of events throughout the season and is the perfect place to have birthday parties, weddings, and other special occasions.
Well-known as Erie’s signature attraction, and one of the most beautiful state parks in Pennsylvania, Presque Isle State Park is almost synonymous with the city of Erie itself. The iconic coastal spit flares out into Lake Erie creating a protected harbor on one side and an abundance of lakefront recreation opportunities on the other. Visitors come from all around to swim, hike, camp, and birdwatch along the coast of Presque Isle State Park. Pro-tip: there are three famous lighthouses along the lakeside that offer picture perfect backgrounds for photo and video.
Located in the heart of downtown on E 5th Street, the Erie Art Museum stands proudly as one of the city’s most impressive cultural monuments. The collection of over 8,000 pieces excels in the realm of American ceramics, Tibetan paintings, Indian bronzes, photography, and comic book art. The lifelong body of work from local Erie legend Joseph Plavcan is on full display at the museum, with pieces that date all the way back to his early work in the 1930’s. Fans of Plavcan make frequent pilgrimages to the Erie Art Museum just to see the artist’s vivid oil paintings. The museum also hosts exhibitions and artist residencies, which keeps things fresh and dynamic throughout the year.
The Bicentennial Tower, a one hundred and eighty seven foot observation tower stationed at the furthest end of State Street, was erected in 1996 to celebrate the city of Erie’s 200th anniversary. Today, the tower is one of the bayfront’s most visible landmarks, providing locals and visitors with 360° view of Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay, Presque Isle State Park, and a gigantic, multi-colored mural that splays out across the lower elevated section of the observation deck. The bird’s eye view of Erie and the surrounding landscape is easily accessible at the Bicentennial Tower.
Open throughout the warmer months (May to Labor Day), Waldameer Park & Water World is a historic amusement park that was originally opened in 1896. During the last 100+ years of operation, the park has evolved into a dynamic entertainment venue with an array of rollercoasters, carousels, water slides, wave pools, and thrill rides. The centerpiece of the park is the Ravine Flyer II, the tallest and fastest wooden rollercoaster in Pennsylvania and a consistent contender in the nationally recognized “Top 10 Wood Coaster” rankings. Waldameer Park & Water World provides a fantastic opportunity to try new rides, enjoy the sun, eat tasty food, and let loose!