How long is the tour?

The tour runs approximately three hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

What does the ticket cost and are refunds available?

Tickets are $52 per person and are nonrefundable, so review timing before booking.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Cafe 7-10 (7 West 10th Street) and finishes at Bakery on 5th (502 State Street).

Is parking available?

Yes—there are metered spots and municipal lots throughout downtown; many guests park near the final stop for convenience.

Are alcoholic beverages allowed?

Alcohol is permitted only for guests 21 years and older at stops that serve it; bring ID if you plan to sample adult beverages.

Is the tour stroller or wheelchair accessible?

The route involves block-to-block walking and some narrow storefront spaces; mobility needs should be disclosed at booking so guides can advise.

Girls' Day Out Food Tour: Women-Owned Eats & Shops in Downtown Erie

Downtown Erie, Pennsylvania is compact, layered with lake-driven weather and a growing small-business scene. The Girls' Day Out Food Tour offers a three-hour Saturday walking route that introduces visitors to female-owned cafés, bakeries, and shops while delivering taste-sized plates, sipping stops, and first-person stories from the entrepreneurs themselves. Meet at Cafe 7-10 (7 West 10th Street) at 10:00 a.m.; the route finishes at Bakery on 5th (502 State Street), keeping the group small — maximum 20 — so conversations and sampling feel personal. The tour’s strength is its curation: each stop is chosen for flavor and local character rather than clever menu theatrics. Expect classic Erie comfort foods reinterpreted by owners who use regional ingredients, a pastry stop that showcases bread and butter from a shop rooted in neighborhood trade, and specialty bev stations where you’ll learn what makes a locally made coffee or cocktail distinct here. The walking distance between venues is short, urban block to block, letting you absorb storefront architecture, mural work, and the pop-up energy animating downtown streets. What makes this tour a standout is the emphasis on women entrepreneurs. Guides introduce owners and share candid backstories about launching businesses in a mid-sized Great Lakes city, so the experience doubles as a micro-lesson in community development. For visitors interested in mixing food with local culture, this is an efficient, flavorful primer on how Erie residents eat, work, and support one another. Practical notes: the tour runs Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., tickets are $52, and gratuities for guides are accepted. Alcohol is permitted only for guests 21 and older. Parking is available via meters and municipal lots; many guests choose to park near the final stop if they’ll be driving later in the day. Because groups are capped, book ahead to secure your seat. This is a great choice for food lovers, small-group travelers, and anyone who wants an approachable way to meet local makers without scouting dozens of storefronts. It also pairs well with a morning at nearby Presque Isle State Park or an afternoon at the Erie waterfront—both lies within short driving distance, giving you options to build a full-day itinerary around your tour. Guides keep groups moving at an easy pace while layering each stop with practical context: brief demos, time for questions, and space to taste either standing or seated. The walk is family-friendly but not stroller-friendly through some narrow storefronts, so note mobility needs when booking. Many stops sell packaged items and small gifts perfect for travel; bring a small tote for purchases. Book early—the tours cap at twenty—and arrive ten minutes before check-in at Cafe 7-10 to find parking and get settled for an engaging local food crawl.