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Travel here isn’t about rushing from one attraction to the next. It’s about weekend getaways, open roads, wild landscapes, local stories, and the moments that make a trip memorable.
So take the scenic route. Wander a little. Stay longer than you planned. From the shores of Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania Wilds and the energy of Pittsburgh, there’s always another reason to keep going. |
An Easy Road Trip from OntarioPennsylvania is closer than many Canadian travellers might expect. From Toronto, Erie is approximately a 4.5-hour drive via the QEW, Peace Bridge, and Interstate 90, making Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes coast an easy road-trip destination from Ontario.
For travellers crossing the border near Buffalo, Pennsylvania is just down the road. Erie is approximately 90 minutes from Buffalo via Interstate 90, putting Lake Erie’s shoreline and Presque Isle State Park within easy reach. |
Discover Erie and Lake Erie’s WaterfrontErie is an ideal starting point for exploring Pennsylvania’s Great Lakes coast. At Presque Isle State Park, visitors can spend the day relaxing on Lake Erie’s beaches, cycling along the peninsula, or watching the sun set over the water.
The city’s waterfront also offers a chance to explore the region’s maritime heritage. At the Erie Maritime Museum, visitors can learn about Erie’s Great Lakes history and the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie. The museum is also the home port of the U.S. Brig Niagara. For wine enthusiasts, Lake Erie Wine Country offers an 85-kilometre, self-guided winery route stretching from Silver Creek, New York, to Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. Sports fans will also feel at home in Erie. Hockey fans can catch the Erie Otters, Pennsylvania’s Ontario Hockey League team, at Erie Insurance Arena during a fall or winter getaway. |
Scenic Roads and the Pennsylvania WildsBeyond Erie, Historic Route 6 turns northern Pennsylvania into a scenic road-trip adventure. The highway passes through Erie County and continues into the Pennsylvania Wilds, leading travellers toward Wellsboro and Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the “PA Grand Canyon.”
The Pennsylvania Wilds is also home to some of the region’s most distinctive outdoor experiences. At Cherry Springs State Park, visitors can take in some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States. When conditions are right, the park offers excellent opportunities to see constellations, planets, and the Milky Way. Wildlife is another highlight. Around Benezette, visitors can spot Pennsylvania’s wild elk from designated viewing areas. The best opportunities are generally early in the morning or in the evening, particularly during the rut in September and October. |
Dramatic Landscapes and Outdoor ExperiencesNear Mount Jewett in McKean County, Kinzua Bridge State Park offers another spectacular stop along a northern Pennsylvania road trip. Visitors can walk along the remaining towers of the former railroad viaduct and look down into the valley from the glass observation area. The skywalk stands 69 metres above the Kinzua Creek Valley, offering a dramatic perspective on the surrounding landscape.
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End the Journey in PittsburghThe road trip can continue southwest to Pittsburgh, a city that blends cultural attractions with a deep-rooted passion for sports.
Visitors can explore The Andy Warhol Museum, ride the historic Duquesne Incline, and discover Pittsburgh’s lively riverfront neighbourhoods. For sports fans, catching a Pittsburgh Penguins game offers another way to experience the city’s strong sporting culture. From the shores of Lake Erie to the forests and mountains of the Pennsylvania Wilds and the urban energy of Pittsburgh, northern Pennsylvania offers Canadian travellers a diverse road-trip experience within easy driving distance of Ontario. |
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