Oil City, Pennsylvania travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Oil City is the largest city in Venango County in the Erie Region of Pennsylvania.

5 sights · 4 things to do · 8 places to eat

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Oil City

National Transit Building

Oil Creek State Park

Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry

Samuel Justus Recreation Trail

Oil City Marina

Hasson Park

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Franklin)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
DUJ DuBois Regional Airport, Dubois — 45 mi away. Directions
ERI Erie International Tom Ridge Field, Erie — 51 mi away. Directions
PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 70 mi away (major hub). Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry, Oil Creek State Park, Oil City Marina
Lunch Famoores Family Restaurant
Afternoon Arts in the Park:, Pipeline Alley Concerts
Dinner The Taco Shack

Day 2

Morning National Transit Building, Samuel Justus Recreation Trail
Lunch Casey's Restaurant and Lounge
Afternoon Hasson Park, Oil Heritage Festival
Dinner Villa Italia

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

Oil City grew large after oil was struck in Titusville. It was founded in 1860 on the site of a Seneca Indian village. It burgeoned as an oilcentre after the drilling of the world's first oil well (in 1859) at Titusville, about 16 miles up Oil Creek. Incorporated as a borough in 1862, it became a city in 1871 after merging with Venango City.

See

See Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry

📍 270 Seneca St☎ +1 814-676-2007⚠ Last checked Apr 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See National Transit Building

📍 206 Seneca St⚠ Last checked Nov 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Do

Do Hasson Park

Hasson Park is 48 acres of open and forested land containing many activities for the public. Hiking trials wind through the park amid a collection of rare rhododendron which are abundant with blooming color in the spring. A playground is located centrally and pavilions are available for picnics and parties. Immediately adjacent to Hasson Park is the public swimming pool, DekHockey rink, Skate Park, and ball fields.

⚠ Last checked Apr 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Oil Creek State Park

📍 305 State Park Rd⚠ Last checked Apr 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

See Samuel Justus Recreation Trail

⚠ Last checked Apr 2019 — confirm before you go

Maps

See Oil City Marina

The 7-acre Oil City Marina is one of only three public access points to the Allegheny River in Venango County. The Marina provides a boat launch, picnic area, fishing, access to the Justus Trail (part of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail), parking, and public restrooms. The City is undergoing a process to improve the Marina to provide additional amenities and features to benefit residents and visitors.

⚠ Last checked Feb 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps