Erie's location along the shores of Lake Erie provides a plethora of outdoor activities throughout the year. The region's largest attraction is Presque Isle State Park, drawing over four million visitors a year. The region grows grapes and produces the third largest amount of wine in the United States.

Historical sites also draw people to Erie including 2 art deco icons still in use- Union Station and the Warner Theatre.  The Warner Theatre, costing $1.5 million, was one of four art deco movie palaces built by Warner Brothers in 1931. It was used as a movie theatre until 1976.  In the early 1980s, Erie converted the theatre to a performing arts centre which has become the focus of a downtown revival.

Other tourist destinations include: The Bicentennial Tower that overlooks Lake Erie; Dobbins Landing, a pier in downtown Erie; the Erie Maritime Museum, the home port of the US Brig Niagara; and Millcreek Mall, the 11th largest shopping mall in the United States.