Perry Square - Image 1
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Perry Square

4.4
·1k reviews·Erie, United States

Erie's historic town square, featuring a beautiful fountain and dazzling holiday lights, serving as a vibrant hub for community events.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer evenings

Local beer & music

CrowdMedium
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Perry Square - Image 1

Perry Square

Best Time

Summer evenings

Local beer & music

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Erie's historic town square, featuring a beautiful fountain and dazzling holiday lights, serving as a vibrant hub for community events.

4.4
(1k reviews)

"A nice park in Erie during the day.. but when it's dark the west side of State Street becomes a homeless encampment."

Vertical photo
TIP

Splash in the Fountain! 🌊

Cool off in the fountain during summer days; it's a local favorite for all ages.

Evening Ambiance :city_sunset:

Enjoy local beer and music on summer evenings; bring a chair!

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.4 · 1,110 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Perry Square Fountain

Perry Square Fountain

Center of Perry Square

A beautifully designed fountain that brings back childhood memories and offers a refreshing splash on warm days.

InstagramReddit
Holiday Light Displays

Holiday Light Displays

Perry Square

The square transforms into a magical wonderland with impressive Christmas lights during the holiday season.

Reddit
Community Events

Community Events

Perry Square

From farmers markets to Pridefest and local artist showcases, Perry Square hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

Instagram+2
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Planning Your Visit

Timing is Everything

Perry Square can be a vibrant hub, but some visitors note it can feel a bit 'creepy' early Friday mornings with loiterers. Consider visiting during daylight hours or for specific events to ensure a more comfortable experience. Reddit

Know Before You Go

While Perry Square is a beautiful town square with a notable fountain and holiday lights, it's important to note it functions more as a public gathering space than a traditional park. Don't expect swings, slides, or picnic facilities. Reddit

Best Times

When
Summer evenings
Why
Local beer & music
Crowd
Medium
When
Daytime
Why
Fountain fun & shopping
Crowd
Medium
When
Holiday season
Why
Magical lights
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍Save this for your next weekend trip🛴🦋🍹🌊 Spent the day scooterin around Put-In-Bay Ohio like it was my own lil island! Went to the butterfly house, explored Perry's Cave, and found the cutest random spots. Why did noone tell me Ohio had an island like this?? #daytrip #thingstodoinohio #thingstodoinmichigan #michiganders #daytrip #summerideas #southbassisland #mackinacisland #PutInBay #SouthBassI...
@jennabloomm
2.7K likes • 51.9K views

Splash in the Fountain! 🌊

Cool off in the fountain during summer days; it's a local favorite for all ages. InstagramReddit

Evening Ambiance :city_sunset:

Enjoy local beer and music on summer evenings; bring a chair! Instagram

Forgive me Commodore Perry but I couldn’t resist #lakeerie #History #presqueisle #perrytheplatypus
@thechickenking030
530 likes • 5.7K views
Stepping into Luxury @oneperysquare ✨🏡 From the moment I arrived at One Perry Square, Iknew this was something special. Nestled in the heart of Limerick’s Georgian Quarter, this @michelinguide Key 🗝️ & @irelandsbluebook gem is the perfect blend of elegance, history, and warm Irish hospitality. The beautifully restored townhouse, stunning period details, and the most inviting rooms made it feel l...
eannahass
40 likes • 1.1K views

Check Event Listings 📅

Perry Square hosts farmers markets, festivals, and more. Instagram+2

Nighttime Caution 🔦

The west side can become a homeless encampment after dark; be aware. Reddit

We had fun today Erie, pa at perry square. I was blessed enough to host this beautiful event! #localartists #reallifefunny #share #like #eriepa #gospelandsoul
reallifefunny_e.n.t
114 likes • 2.9K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Splash in the Fountain! 🌊

Cool off in the fountain during summer days; it's a local favorite for all ages. InstagramReddit

Evening Ambiance :city_sunset:

Enjoy local beer and music on summer evenings; bring a chair! Instagram

Check Event Listings 📅

Perry Square hosts farmers markets, festivals, and more. Instagram+2

Nighttime Caution 🔦

The west side can become a homeless encampment after dark; be aware. Reddit

Not a Traditional Park 🌳

No swings, slides, or picnic tables here, focus is on public gathering. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Perry Square is cherished for its beautiful fountain and dazzling holiday lights, bringing back fond childhood memories for many. It serves as a vibrant hub for community events, offering a lively atmosphere. However, some visitors note a less comfortable ambiance in certain areas during early morning hours and that it functions more as a public square than a traditional park.

"Pretty awesome town square in Erie. Checked it out before going to the SeaWolves baseball game. Nicely designed fountain, and had plenty of seating available. Luckily drive past it during nighttime as well, really pretty when the lights were lite up on it. Honors the great Captain Perry."

Brian Dible

"I've been coming here since I was a child. The fountain brings back great childhood memories"

cathy harbaugh

"Both sides of the street look really nice with all the improvements they've made over the years. I enjoyed bringing my daughter here throughout the summer to cool down in the fountain. I also love checking out the Xmas lights during the holiday season, whoever decorates it does a wonderful job! Even though it's called a park, there isn't any swings, slides, grills, picnic tables, etc. There isn't a bathroom either as far as I know."

Cari Hurd

What People Like

Beautiful fountain
Holiday lights
Community events

What People Dislike

Not a traditional park
Early morning creepiness

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Perry Square is located in downtown Erie, PA, easily accessible by car. If you're relocating to Erie and don't have a car initially, the area around Erie Insurance HQ (near Perry Square) is walkable, and local buses are available. Reddit

Street parking is generally available around Perry Square, though it can be competitive during events or peak hours. Several parking garages are also located within a short walking distance in downtown Erie. Instagram

Yes, biking is a great option for reaching Perry Square, especially if you're coming from nearby neighborhoods. There are bike racks available in the downtown area. Instagram

Perry Square is a central point for exploring downtown Erie. You can walk to shops, cafes, and restaurants, or use local bus services for longer distances. Instagram

While not explicitly mentioned for Perry Square itself, scooter rentals are common in many city centers, and could be an option for exploring the surrounding downtown area. TikTok

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, Perry Square is a public town square and is free to enter and enjoy. Reddit

Perry Square is generally accessible at all times as a public space. However, specific event hours will vary. Instagram

For most general visits and enjoying the fountain, no tickets are needed. However, specific ticket requirements will depend on the event being held. Instagram+2

While generally open, be mindful of the time of day. Some visitors have noted a less comfortable atmosphere in the early morning on certain days. Reddit

As a public square with paved walkways, Perry Square is generally accessible. Specific accessibility details for events may vary. Instagram

🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining

Downtown Erie, near Perry Square, offers a variety of shopping options including local apparel stores like @erieapparel, vintage shops like @coppercarriage, and unique boutiques. Instagram

You can find diverse dining options near Perry Square, from tacos and pizza at @flagshipcity.foodhall to cafes like @bakeryon5th and @purristacatcafe, and bars like @voodooerie. Instagram

Perry Square is primarily a public gathering space. Dining options are located on the surrounding streets of downtown Erie. Instagram

Yes, Perry Square often hosts farmers markets and craft fairs where you can find local goods and artisan products. Instagram

Downtown Erie offers a range of cuisines, including American, Italian, and casual fare, with many establishments focusing on local ingredients and craft beverages. Instagram+1

📸 📸 Photography

The fountain is a prime spot, especially when lit up at night. The surrounding architecture and seasonal decorations, like Christmas lights, also make for great photos. InstagramReddit

Yes, Perry Square is quite pretty at night, especially when the lights are on. However, be aware of your surroundings as some areas can feel less safe after dark. InstagramReddit

A smartphone with good low-light capabilities will work well for capturing the fountain and evening lights. For daytime events, any camera will do. Instagram

Golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) can offer beautiful lighting. For vibrant event photos, check the schedule for festivals or markets. Instagram

Drone usage is subject to local regulations. It's advisable to check with the City of Erie for any restrictions on flying drones over public spaces like Perry Square. TikTok

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