Modern Tool Square

Erie's beautiful downtown neighborhood, located on the shores of Lake Erie, combines contemporary architecture and views of the lake intermixed with apartment living and condos. Sail aboard the USS Brig Niagara during Erie's annual Tall Ships Erie festival every September, when eight to 10 historic tall ships sail into the harbor. The Erie Art Museum hosts classes, workshops, and live concerts among the paintings, sculpture, and pottery on display.

One block from the art museum sits Tandoori Hut Indian Cuisine, a casual, cafe-style restaurant with a lunch buffet featuring all of your Indian culinary favorites, including tandoori-style shrimp, chicken masala, paneer palak, and aloo baingan. U Pick 6 Tap House sells its own brews, and its giant pretzel remains a great appetizer that goes with just about any beer selection.