Pennsylvania's Affordable Borough Along Lake Erie Has Scenic Nature Parks, Tasty Eats, And Small-Town Charm

Visitors to Pennsylvania tend to spend time in Philadelphia, the city known as "The Mural Capital of the World." Or they might go to the Poconos, the scenic mountain region in the northeast part of the state — home to charming locales like Hawley, an artsy lake town with wineries and antiques. While these are all great vacation ideas, don't miss the northwest part of the state which borders Lake Erie. Within this region, you'll find the affordable borough of Lake City, with scenic nature parks, tasty eats, and small-town charm.

With a population of just under 3,000 people, Lake City has plenty of small-town aesthetic with retro eateries (including a diner inside a former train station), a small brewery, and a popular bowling alley. The area is comparatively affordable, with the cost of living sitting 11% below the national average. Lake City is also home to Erie Bluffs State Park, a free-to-visit state park with scenic beach bluffs, trails, and views as well as Lower Elk Creek Nature Reserve, a wetland nature preserve with hiking, birding, and fishing. Smaller local parks offer even more opportunities to explore the outdoors.

Lake City is home to several parks, all offering different types of scenery. The largest is Erie Bluffs State Park, which 587 acres of bluffs, woodland, and wetland including one mile of Lake Erie shoreline. It's a popular spot for hiking, boating, and fishing. In the winter, people enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. It's an excellent choice for lovers of undeveloped, natural beauty and a place to hike or bike in the great outdoors.

The Lower Elk Creek Nature Reserve is another large outdoor attraction which sits on 92 acres of land, including extensive wetlands. Along with hiking and fishing, it's a great spot for wildlife watching — you can even spot bald eagles. In the spring, the nature reserve is filled with wildflowers, making for beautiful views.

There are also smaller community parks in the area. At first glance, Lake City Community Park appears to be a small park with a playground. But despite its small size, it's notable for its stunning views of Lake Erie and the chance to see local wildlife (including more bald eagles). One Google reviewer calls it "One of the best views of Lake Erie in the county," adding, "Sunsets are pretty spectacular."

After exploring the outdoors, you can explore the borough of Lake City. Many of the town's amenities have a retro feel, like the bowling alley Lake City Lanes. "I have been coming here for at least 20 years and love the bar, food, and bowling!" writes one Google reviewer. Along with serving pub fare like burgers and brats, local brewery Twisted Elk is a popular community gathering spot that frequently features live music and events.

Hungry? Take your pick from retro diners, homey cafes, and more. One of the most popular eateries is the All Aboard Diner (or "dinor," as the sign is spelled), housed in an old train station and known for its quirky, train-themed decor; reviewers recommend the French toast. The Yellow Jacket Café is locally famous for its fluffy pancakes and giant omelets. Jim & Sue's Lake City Pizza has been a community staple since the early '80s. "I have lived in this community all my life, and we have been lucky enough to have Jim & Sue's for many, many, many years," writes one TripAdvisor reviewer. "I have had pizza from a lot of places, but I always come back to theirs!" Make sure you stop by the ice cream stand Lake City Dairy Oasis for dessert.