Planning a household getaway to Erie, Pennsylvania this summer season? Add these 5 kid-friendly sights & experiences to your must-do listing while you’re within the space…
That is our second summer season (and sadly our final) dwelling in Erie, Pennsylvania, and summertime is when this space most comes alive. The lake glows a bluish-green. The seashores at Presque Isle State Park open for swimming. All of the rooftop bars and eating places on the bay re-open. And each weekend, guests from all instructions make the drive on 79, 80, or 90 to spend the weekend on Erie’s shores.
I’ve to confess that the town of Erie and its surrounding neighborhoods have stunned me in some ways. I undoubtedly had a very completely different imaginative and prescient of what dwelling on this northern Pennsylvania metropolis would seem like when my fiance first approached me with the potential for us shifting to the world for a profession alternative that he was contemplating pursuing.
Actually, all I may take into consideration is how terrible the winters have been most likely going to be right here as a result of I’m not a woman who enjoys a lot multiple or two snow days a yr. I do not just like the chilly, and the considered something “lake impact” gave the impression of a deal breaker to me.
And right here we’re about 10 months and a few change later, and I’m truly just a little unhappy that we’re leaving. We’ve grown to like the lake and the minor league sports activities groups right here, the native breweries, and the individuals.
However our subsequent journey is simply taking us a 2 hour straight shot down I-79, so I’ve a sense we will probably be making the drive as much as go to a minimum of a couple of instances a yr.
Perhaps simply not through the winter months. 😉
That being stated, I do actually assume summertime is when the magic occurs right here in Erie, Pennsylvania. The entire space will get this laidback seaside getaway sort of vibe, and there may be a lot to do- particularly should you occur to be making the journey right here with the kiddos in tow.
Whereas Erie undoubtedly gives households extra than simply the handful of sights that I’m sharing with you all on this put up, I really feel like these 5 locations/experiences are particular must-do’s when within the space (in no explicit order)…
1. Erie Zoo & Botanical Gardens
423 West thirty eighth Road
Open 10am-5pm each day (March-November)
There isn’t a have to rush via with over-tired, cranky kiddos to attempt to cram in each little habitat and attraction since you wish to be sure to get your cash’s price. Erie Zoo’s admission charges are tremendous inexpensive with grownup tickets costing $10 and admission for kids ages 2-12 being simply $8.
Along with the over 400 animals that at the moment name Erie Zoo residence, the zoo additionally boasts 10 completely different botanical gardens on their grounds offering for a lot of gram-worthy picture ops.
Make sure you hit up their spectacular interactive playground when the youngsters have to run off just a little power (and the mother and father want just a little break 😉 ).
2. The Seashores at Presque Isle State Park
301 Peninsula Drive
Open Every day 12pm-7:30pm (Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day)
If there may be one space of Erie that pulls each locals and vacationers alike probably the most through the summer season months, it must be the well-kept seashores at Presque Isle State Park. The state park is located on 3200 acres of a sandy peninsula that stretches into Lake Erie serving to to create the Presque Isle Bay. The state park has 9 swimmable beaches- every with their very own distinctive really feel and options. (Seaside #6 is pictured above.)
The seashores at Presque Isle are additionally nice for doing just a little seashore glass searching relying on the time of the day and season and the way crowded the seashores are at the moment. Pictured above is my haul from an hour or so of searching alongside the shoreline on the finish of final season.
3. Erie Meals Excursions
Beginning areas range by tour
Excursions run seasonally from June to August
A strolling meals tour is probably not the very first thing that you just consider when contemplating a family-friendly expertise whereas in a brand new metropolis, however hear me out for second:
The excursions are performed by academics on their summer season break, so there’s a heavy emphasis not solely on the meals and drinks but additionally on the schooling and historical past behind the town of Erie and of every location.
And, the eating places in every tour are tremendous accommodating relating to offering kid-friendly choices alongside the best way.
Whereas an Erie Meals Tour is probably not the most suitable choice for youthful youngsters who could get cranky or drained through the tour, I feel it might be superior for the older children (perhaps 10 years outdated & up?) to expertise with their mother and father.
4. Scallywags Pirate Adventures
2 State Road
For an journey on the excessive seas on the bay, look no additional than reserving a pirate adventures tour on the Scallywags pirate ship!
The boat departs from the dock close to Dobbins Landings into Presque Isle Bay on a quest to retrieve the key treasure map from the evil Captain Cranium.
Be ready for the kiddos (and presumably you!) to get moist because the battle with Captain Cranium takes you on a chase throughout the bay.
CLICK HERE to see my Instagram reel of our journey tour on the Scallywag.
All in all, I feel my daughter had loads of enjoyable on this 90-minute boat tour though 10 years outdated could also be on the cusp of when children would possibly discover this sort of tour enjoyable and funky. That is undoubtedly one thing that youthful youngsters would most admire and bear in mind for years to come back as they are going to be formally sworn in as pirates earlier than disembarking from their journey.
For the adults, the pirate cruise not solely gives some wonderful views of the bay and Presque Isle State Park that you just simply can’t get from the shoreline, but additionally a money bar. … simply in case. 😉
5. Waldameer Park & Water World
220 Peninsula Drive
In the course of the summer season season- Waldameer is open 12pm-9pm, Water World is open 11am-7pm
Whereas final on my listing, however definitely not the least, Waldameer Park conjures up the nostalgia of summer season childhood reminiscences and a time passed by. For these of you acquainted with Kennywood, I like to think about this amusement park close to the shore of Lake Erie as a mini model of the Pittsburgh staple.
You will not discover any gravity-defying metal coasters screaming at over 70 miles an hour right here, however what you will see that on this quaint park are loads of traditional rides, a number of carnival-style recreation cubicles, and old style picket curler coasters– like their signature Ravine Flyer II (the very best and quickest picket curler coaster within the state of Pennsylvania) and extra kid-friendly picket coasters, just like the Comet and the Ravine Flyer 3.
CLICK HERE to take a look at a view of the park from above whereas using the Sky Journey at Waldameer.
If you happen to select to remain on the park after the solar goes down, count on just a little magic as Waldameer completely lights up at midnight.
Adjoining to Waldameer Park is Erie’s premier out of doors water park, Water World. You should buy particular person tickets for every park or save just a little cash by shopping for the combo move for each.
Probably not into amusement park rides? No worries. You will not need to pay the ticket value to get inside with the remainder of the household as a result of admission is free! You solely pay if you wish to leap on the rides. Parking can be free for each Waldameer and Water World.
Have you ever visited Erie, Pennsylvania in the summertime earlier than?
What are your favourite issues to see and do whereas within the space?
If you happen to liked this Pennsylvania journey put up, then you may also like:
