Hi there!
Lake Erie is one of the “Great Lakes” of North America.
There are 5 lakes that make up the Great Lakes.
And one of the Great Lakes is Lake Erie!
Lake Erie touches 4 states in the United States (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan) and 1 province in Canada (Ontario).
The list below will focus on things to do as you are driving along Lake Erie in New York!
If you’re looking for a bit of a less crowded experience with amazing views, then you may want to add a trip to Lake Erie to your New York road trip!
Now, it’s not like you’ll be all alone when you go to Lake Erie.
Lots of people do visit Lake Erie, but it’s just that you won’t get the crowds as you’d see if you go to other destinations in the state of New York like Niagara Falls or New York City.
I went to Lake Erie as a part of a Western New York road trip, and here’s what you need to know about what stops to consider making!
On the U.S. side, the shoreline of Lake Erie extends from New York to Michigan. (map)
This list will generally go from east to west, starting with the furthest eastern shores of Lake Erie that touches New York, which means this is also the furthest east that Lake Erie goes. And then it will be a drive west along Lake Erie towards the New York – Pennsylvania border.
1. Buffalo NY
The big city in New York that is near Lake Erie is Buffalo NY.
You can make your trip to Buffalo all about the waterfront!
There are a number of things to do in Buffalo that are directly along the Buffalo waterfront.
Technically there is some of the Buffalo waterfront that is the Buffalo Outer Harbor, but it opens up to Lake Erie.
Along this area is the Lake Erie Outer Harbor of Buffalo.
In any case, you’ll get grand scenic views!
You can make it a trip along the Buffalo waterfront, starting at the Buffalo outer harbor lighthouse or Wilkeson Pointe, and then make your last stop the Gallagher Pier before heading on for more of Lake Erie!
In summer 2021, it was possible to find free parking near the Buffalo waterfront.
See more about things to do in Buffalo NY near Lake Erie
2. Lake Erie Seaway Trail Center
Now, the actual Lake Erie Seaway Trail Center may or may not be open. (It was closed when I went in the early afternoon on a weekday in July 2021)
If it’s open when you’re there, you can learn more about maritime history of the Great Lakes.
Even if the Lake Erie Seaway Trail is not open, it can be a landmark for a stop to make. (map)
This is along a busy main road, so it’s not exactly quiet, but it does come with views!
Side note! Check the reviews at partner websites included below!
How to save money on your trip to Western New York
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals or cottages.
Take a look at the Cambria Hotel in New York on the American side, and Sterling Inn in Ontario on the Canadian side.
/end side note
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Some people do swim near the Lake Erie Seaway Trail Center by going down the stairs, but there are better places coming up for you to swim at if you’re looking for a Lake Erie swimming beach.
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3. Great Lakes Seaway Trail national scenic byway
The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a national scenic byway that extends along Lake Erie in New York and Pennsylvania. (map)
When you’re continuing the drive from the Lake Erie Seaway Trail Center, you can make a slight detour by taking the slightly slower route onto Old Lakeshore Drive that’s part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail. This will continue to have you driving with views of Lake Erie for a little bit!
This section of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail is not something to go out of your way for, but a small detour for a few minutes on the slower scenic route.
Going along the main road from the Lake Erie Seaway Trail Center to Evangola State Park (next on the list) is around a 20 minute drive. Driving the scenic byway is around a 30 minute drive. (map)
4. Evangola State Park
Evangola State Park is a New York state park that is directly along Lake Erie.
There is a swimming beach here.
There is also the Evangola State Park campground.
👆 Lake Erie camping at Evangola State Park: Campsite #75.
There are also yurts at the Evangola State Park campground.
From the campground you’ll need to drive to the main beach area.
Or, if you don’t mind a little bit of walking, there is also a trail from the campground along the Lake Erie shoreline that will also take you to the beach.
5. Dunkirk Pier
You can make it a quick stop in Dunkirk NY or you can stay for longer to take in the views of Lake Erie!
Driving along the main road, you’ll pass right by the turnoff for the Dunkirk Pier (and Dunkirk Harbor) so it can be an easy stop to make as you’re driving along Lake Erie.
Similar to the pier in Canandaigua NY, this is a pier that you can drive out onto, and then you’ll find benches so you can have a rest with views of Lake Erie!
6. Dunkirk Lighthouse
Just down the road from the Dunkirk Pier is the Dunkirk Lighthouse, one of the Lake Erie lighthouses in New York.
If you just want to walk around outside the Dunkirk Lighthouse, it’s free.
👆 Lake Erie a part of the War of 1812: An open battle on Lake Erie ended in the capture of all British ships.
If you want to walk inside the lighthouse, then you’ll need to get a paid tour that’s around $10 per person, with kids at a lower rate. See the current fees.
The Dunkirk Lighthouse tour will also allow you to walk up (climb up the stairs!) to the top of the lighthouse for vast views of Lake Erie!
Unlike some other lighthouses along the Great Lakes where you can walk around the grounds of the lighthouse even when the lighthouse itself is closed, you can only walk around the Dunkirk Lighthouse during opening hours. The lighthouse grounds are gated off and closed otherwise.
So you’ll want to be sure to know the Dunkirk Lighthouse hours before you go! Also note the time of the last tour, which is 1 hour before closing time.
In summer 2021, the Dunkirk lighthouse hours were 10am to 4pm, with the last tour starting at 3pm. See the current hours.
7. Lake Erie State Park
Lake Erie State Park is another New York state park that is directly along Lake Erie.
In the past, Lake Erie State Park has had a swimming beach, but this has recently been closed due to high water levels.
So if swimming is important to you, it will be best to call to ask about it. (Or go to Evangola State Park!)
There is a Lake Erie State Park campground.
There is also the Lake Erie State Park campground.
8. Barcelona Harbor Pier
You can make it a quick stop at the Barcelona Harbor Pier, or you can stay for longer to take in the views of Lake Erie!
Driving along the main road, you’ll pass right by the turnoff for the Barcelona Harbor Pier, so it can be an easy stop to make as you’re driving along Lake Erie.
There is also a swimming beach right at the Barcelona Harbor.
You can also find a picnic area near the Barcelona Harbor so you can eat with lake views!
In summer 2021, the Barcelona Harbor was free, and there was no parking fee.
And apparently concord grapes are a thing around Lake Erie!
You can go to the Lake Erie Grape Discovery Center for all things grapes!
Barcelona Harbor to the Lake Erie Grape Discovery Center is around a 5-10 minute drive.
There is also a region that’s known as the Lake Erie Wine Country.
9. Barcelona Lighthouse
Just down the road from the Barcelona Harbor is the Barcelona Lighthouse. This is also along the main road.
It’s possible to walk around the grounds of the Barcelona Lighthouse at any time.
If you want to go inside the Barcelona Lighthouse, there are limited hours for that.
In summer 2021, the Barcelona Lighthouse hours were 10am to 4pm on weekends. According to New York state parks, it’s not possible to climb to the top of the Barcelona Lighthouse because of structural issues.
Lake Erie day trip
You can make it a day trip to Lake Erie if you’re staying in places like Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park, or Canandaigua Lake or near one of the other western Finger Lakes.
It’s possible to go to all the places on the Lake Erie list in one day.
But of course, that also depends on how long you want to spend in each location!
More of New York past Lake Erie
So as the list above followed, going further west will take you into Pennsylvania.
In the opposite direction, going further from where the list above started, from the eastern “end” of Lake Erie (Buffalo NY), it becomes the Niagara River.
If you go further along the Niagara River, then you will find Niagara Falls. And then further along the Niagara River, there is Lake Ontario!
Plan more of your Western New York road trip beyond Lake Erie!
- Lake Ontario lighthouses
- Lake Ontario camping trip
- Things to do in the Finger Lakes
- Things to do near Canandaigua Lake
- Things to do in Letchworth State Park
More of the Great Lakes beyond New York:
- National lakeshores along the Great Lakes
- Lake Michigan beaches
- Lake Superior beaches
- Lake Superior lighthouses
- Lake Superior road trip
HAPPY DRIVING TO LAKE ERIE!
