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The Cottage at Howard Falls

Photo gallery for The Cottage at Howard Falls

A wooden deck with a bench and chairs, surrounded by lush greenery.
Property video
Living room overlooking Howard Falls
Kitchen with dishwasher
A bedroom with a bed, a window with curtains, a door, and a staircase.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Deck or patio
  • Internet access
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View map
Girard, PA
  • Place, Platea Borough Hall
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Place, Edinboro Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Place, Edinboro University
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Airport, Erie, PA (ERI-Erie Intl.)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

The Cottage at Howard Falls

Experience a stay at the historic Cottage at Howard Falls in Girard. Located above Howard Falls, the largest waterfall in Northwestern PA, this cozy cottage features a spacious, open kitchen and dining room, a cozy living room, and a lower-level bedroom with a walkout patio offering stunning views of the Falls. Falls Run, which flows behind the cottage, cascades 50 feet over Howard Falls before joining Elk Creek, just two miles to the north.

This delightful cottage serves as a perfect retreat for guests. It includes one bedroom with a full-size bed, a well-equipped bathroom with a tub/shower combo, and charming amenities throughout. The property is ideal for a relaxing getaway, allowing you to fully enjoy your time in the countryside.

Please note that the bedroom is located on the lower level and is accessible via a spiral staircase. We do not recommend booking a stay for guests with mobility issues. Access to the base of Howard Falls is not available. Additionally, the cottage is a duplex, with the south side rented to full-time residents.

Learn more about Howard Falls at Howardfalls.org.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4709104vb
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Girard

Located in Girard, this cottage is in a rural area. Millcreek Mall is worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Splash Lagoon and Waldameer & Water World. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Sox Harrison Stadium or Family First Sports Park. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including winery tours.
Map
Girard, PA

What's nearby

  • Platea Borough Hall - 10 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Edinboro Lake - 11 min drive - 16.3 km
  • Cannon Park - 11 min drive - 13.9 km
  • Girard Township Town Hall - 13 min drive - 16.0 km
  • Edinboro University - 14 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

  • Erie Station - 24 min drive
  • Erie, PA (ERI-Erie Intl.) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sheetz - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪American Legion Post 742 - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Cottage at Howard Falls pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Cottage at Howard Falls?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Cottage at Howard Falls?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Cottage at Howard Falls?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Cottage at Howard Falls located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Platea Borough Hall, Lake Erie and Battles Estate. Cannon Park and Girard Township Town Hall are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adrianne O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were just passing through the area for one evening and didn't want to stay at a hotel. Just a short jump off of the highway and we were in a wonderful and relaxing space. The cottage was very clean and comfortable. The waterfall was such a peaceful sound to fall asleep to and we got to see a bear!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alex I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little cottage , very affordable, and in great location for visiting the Erie area. No problems whatsoever
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Doreen V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place. A Gem. Host was fantastic. Would love to go back.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at The Cottage at Howard Falls. The cottage was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. The peaceful setting around the falls provided beautiful scenery and a quiet escape from everyday life. Everything we needed was available, and the property was exactly as described. We especially enjoyed sitting outside and taking in the natural surroundings. If you're looking for a cozy getaway with a unique and relaxing atmosphere, I would highly recommend staying here. We would definitely return for another visit.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Place was nice and quiet. Peaceful. Well stocked with the things u need to cook. Water views are outstanding. The rain that moved through made the falls amazing. The sounds of the waterfall were great. Place is wonderful. great weekend to unwind from the busy city. Host was fantastic in responding, was even very thoughtful about the balloon for my birthday. Thanks so much for a wonderful time. Definitely will be back. Loved it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Duncan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Excellent location next to Howard Falls made for beautiful views of the surroundings. The cottage itself was very clean and quite cozy. The host left a well stocked kitchen for cooking at the cottage.However with our stay we were plauged by constant wifi problems. The area has very poor cell service (we used AT&T) so Internet access was extremely limited, which may be a good thing for those wanting to disconnect. We had an issue with the bed frame not
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cassandra L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This truly is a gem, an oasis away from home, with a waterfall right in your backyard. The cottage is clean, wonderfully decorated, and well maintained. The description is accurate, with the bedroom in the lower level, walking down a metal spiral staircase. The view is spectacular, and very tranquil. Also the host puts out a wonderful complimentary snack basket, and a bottle of wine in the frig for guests to enjoy, which is so thoughtful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026

About the host

Hosted by Laura Howard

Host profile image
For more than 185 years, the Howard family has served as stewards of Howard Falls and the surrounding Falls Run Gorge. Since the family's arrival in the late 1830s, seven generations have lived on and cared for this remarkable landscape, helping to preserve its forests, waterfalls, wildlife, and natural beauty. Today, through the Howard Falls Irrevocable Trust, the family continues its commitment to protecting over 200 acres of the gorge so future generations can experience one of northwestern Pennsylvania's most unique natural treasures. Read more about our story at HowardFalls.org.

What makes this property unique

A stay at the Cottage at Howard Falls offers something incredibly rare: the opportunity to experience a private waterfall as your backyard. Perched at the edge of more than 200 acres of protected woodland in the Falls Run Gorge Natural Heritage Area, the cottage combines the tranquility of a secluded nature retreat with the convenience of being less than 25 minutes from downtown Erie, Presque Isle State Park, Waldameer, and the region’s restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Here, you can spend the morning listening to the falls from your window and be exploring Erie’s best destinations just minutes later.
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