DISCLOSURE: Occasionally we work with affiliates during our adventures. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in our posts.

Despite living in Cleveland for 12 years, making the 90 minute trip to Erie, PA for a weekend getaway was not on my radar. We met the VisitErie team at a local travel show and they introduced us to what Erie has to offer. We are so glad they convinced us to visit. Erie offered me many unique accessible experiences, including one special experience that I had not been able to do in my 27 years of living with disability. And our beloved dog Callie even came along for a day of accessible adventures and dog friendly activities. 

One of the highlights of our weekend in Erie was cruising the accessible beach at Presque Isle State Park. I was able to get close to the water in my manual chair thanks to a matted ramp. I could then transfer to a beach wheelchair to cruise the sandy areas. Presque Isle’s beach wheelchairs are available on a first come, first serve basis. The lifeguard on duty told us the beach wheelchairs are very popular but fortunately both were available the afternoon we went. We also explored the accessible paved trails, the Perry monument, and the lighthouse. Callie joined us for this experience.

Another highlight of our visit was exploring the Oliver’s complex at our Hampton Inn Hotel. Oliver’s includes a restaurant atop the hotel, a paved accessible beer garden near the harbor and to my amazement an accessible mini golf course which just opened this year. I have not been able to do mini golf since my spinal cord injury largely due to inaccessibility of mini golf courses. When I was told the course was built to accommodate guests in wheelchairs I was skeptical but willing to try it out. 18 holes later I had completed the whole course and stayed out way past our bedtime to do so. I was so excited to be able to fully participate. I can’t wait to go back and take on my nephews. Not to brag, but I even got a “hole in one” on the ninth hole and was making par on most holes by the end of the course.

Within close walking distance from our hotel was Erie’s beautiful Bicentennial Tower, which is fully accessible. We took an elevator straight to the top where beautiful views of Lake Erie and Presque Isle awaited us. We also loved taking Instagramable pictures in front of the tower down on the second level.    

The other highlight was the flower festival at Port Farm. Using my freewheel device I was able to navigate the flower fields. I was also impressed that our whole family could go for a wagon ride thanks to a recently installed wheelchair lift! The pictures we took in the gorgeous flower fields are beautiful. The farm was very dog friendly and Callie raved about their pup cups!

We really enjoyed the Erie food scene. From the parmesan crusted walleye, a house special at Oliver’s, to the Chicken and Waffles at Pineapple Eddy’s, we struggled to decide where to go for each meal and were satisfied every time. When you go, be sure to save room for dessert. Or if you are too full, get the homemade desserts at Pineapple Eddy’s to go. Personally, we loved the pineapple eddy cake. 

Before hitting the beach we stopped for lunch at Sara’s Restaurant right at the entrance to Presque Isle State Park. Modeled after a 50’s diner we enjoyed our grilled entrees and the orange vanilla twist cone for dessert. This seasonal restaurant welcomes dogs and Callie devoured her pup cup, after begging her dad for all of his fries.

We ended our weekend with a stop at Wegman’s. As a grocery store enthusiast, Wegman’s is one of my absolute favorites for the wide variety of products; great beer and wine selection, fantastic store brands, and the delicious sub shop! We went home with a cart full of local wine and beer to share with our family and friends and a bunch Wegman brand products too. 

A quick and easy drive up 90 east, Erie is a great accessible destination and a wonderful weekend getaway for our readers in North East Ohio. We will absolutely be back, particularly to enjoy Presque Isle State Park and Port Farms in the fall and to take my nephews on in minigolf. It is so close and convenient that we stopped in Erie for subs and groceries at Wegman’s on our way back from the Finger Lakes recently.