Not every trip needs a passport. We kicked off our fall 2025 leaf-peeping road trip with a low-key weekend in Erie, Pennsylvania — wine country, the Lake Erie shoreline, and a quick hop into Westfield, New York. The dog came along.

Vineyard rows at dusk with fall-colored trees behind.
Vineyard rows at dusk in Erie wine country.

Wine country

Erie sits in the middle of Pennsylvania's grape belt — Concord grape country. We spent golden hour walking the vineyard rows.

A hand holding a cluster of dark Concord grapes.
Concord grapes, nearly ripe.
Close-up of grapevine leaves with dark grape clusters.
Grapevine leaves.
A grapevine row at sunset with a pink-orange sky.
A vineyard row at sunset.
A young tree with red fall leaves beside vineyard rows.
Early fall color in the vineyard.

On the trail

Woods, a creek, and a wasp nest — plus a four-legged hiking buddy.

Tall trees with early fall color and a cabin behind.
Early color in the woods.
A creek winding through woods with red and green foliage.
A creek through the trees.
Red sweetgum leaves with a wasp nest in the branches.
Sweetgum leaves — and a wasp nest.
A woman with a leashed white dog beside a grapevine row.
A vineyard walk with the dog.

Lake Erie and the Barcelona Lighthouse

Then up the Lake Erie shoreline into Westfield, New York — Daniel Reed Memorial Pier and the Barcelona Lighthouse.

A Welcome to Pennsylvania roadside sign with early-fall trees.
Welcome to Pennsylvania.
The Daniel Reed Memorial Pier sign by the harbor.
Daniel Reed Memorial Pier.
The Barcelona Lighthouse stone tower in Westfield, New York.
The Barcelona Lighthouse, Westfield, NY.
The Barcelona Lighthouse keeper's house in golden-hour light.
The lighthouse keeper's house.

Planning a dog-friendly weekend

Need a dog-friendly weekend that doesn't require a flight? I can help you plan your own Erie escape: send me a note at Sandy.Wilcox@fora.travel.

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