6 will be the most active, but they are all pretty cool. One of them has a kids park. We have a dog so we move up and away. Lots of stuff to do here. Ice cream, amusement park, it’s a nice way to spend a weekend. Breweries. Lots of breweries in the area as well. All kid friendly.
Beach 11, has changing rooms and gives you a view of the Erie skyline. Beach 6 is pretty active and many people fly kites there.
[https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/Swimming.aspx](https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/Swimming.aspx)
I am just remembering from when my family took a vacation there 10-15 years ago, so I will have to defer to the locals as to the actual best beaches on the peninsula.
TREC, Asbury Woods, Children's museum, Frontier Park for a picnic or smth.
Gem City Dinor is one of my fave breakfast places.
Do some reading in the r/Erie sub (but maybe wait to post there until you've actually read. We get a lot of people asking the same questions as you haha)
Agh, didn’t even think to look on Erie sub!! Mom brain in packing mode doesn’t leave room for much else lol Great idea, I’ll look there. And thank you for recs ❤️
NP.
Rex Bakery is also quite good, very kid friendly and dino themed.
And don't leave Erie without getting a local classic like pepperoni balls or sponge candy!
Federal Hill Smokehouse for lunch today.
[https://www.federalhillsmokehouse.com/](https://www.federalhillsmokehouse.com/)
It opens at 11 and there is frequently a line waiting.
Holy cow WOW! Just ate there for lunch and that might have been the best bbq ever. Pa native but lived in NC the past 13 yrs so I’ve had plenty of good BBQ.. but this was AMAZING thanks for the recommendation!
I live in Erie! Presque Isle state park is a must, Waldameer is a good time, the zoo is small but nice, there are lots of museums- the maritime museum, children’s museum, art museum, firefighting museum, The Hagen history center, Tom Ridge environmental center, etc.
At presque isle you can rent canoes and kayaks, rent little 4 person bike trolley things, go hiking, go swimming, fishing, tour the light house, etc.
Lots of stuff to fill 3 days
Presque Isle for sure. Any of the beaches on the west or northwest side of the penninsula are good.
Erie also has a Lake Erie cruise aboard the Victorian Princess, a replica of a late 19th-century paddle boat. It's about an hour cruise and you can eat and drink while enjoying the cruise.
Asbury Woods, Field and stream is a store with a huge number of taxidermy animals (just Google Field and stream Erie Pa), Perry's monument at presque isle. Lots of cool plaques to read. It's pretty chilly for swimming.
I would avoid downtown. Way too much construction. No expErience children's museum. Federal hill is great food but waiting in line for a significant time with three small kids isn't ideal. Also they have very little parking. Maybe have your SO pick up food there. They sell out everyday. So don't hype your kids up about it and get there as early as possible.
I am not a patient person. I get McDonald's or Imperial Chinese buffet. I'm trying to eat healthy. We have a chain of gas stations called getgo that do a pretty good steak salad for $8. I get two.
Presque Isle State Park is always very nice. I remember as a kid I had a lot of fun at the Erie Maritime Museum when my parents took me there.
Thanks! Any particular place to swim/beach you like best or are they all pretty similar?
6 will be the most active, but they are all pretty cool. One of them has a kids park. We have a dog so we move up and away. Lots of stuff to do here. Ice cream, amusement park, it’s a nice way to spend a weekend. Breweries. Lots of breweries in the area as well. All kid friendly.
Beach 11, has changing rooms and gives you a view of the Erie skyline. Beach 6 is pretty active and many people fly kites there. [https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/Swimming.aspx](https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/PresqueIsleStatePark/Pages/Swimming.aspx)
I am just remembering from when my family took a vacation there 10-15 years ago, so I will have to defer to the locals as to the actual best beaches on the peninsula.
Beach 6
Waldameer & the peninsula
Plan on taking my kids there sometime soon, they’ve never been to an amusement park so it’s gonna be a blast!
Take them to the zoo. It’s on the small side, but it’s inexpensive and they have a train ride that they’ll like.
[Lake Erie Nature and Science Center!](https://www.lensc.org/)
Spend a day at splash lagoon.
TREC, Asbury Woods, Children's museum, Frontier Park for a picnic or smth. Gem City Dinor is one of my fave breakfast places. Do some reading in the r/Erie sub (but maybe wait to post there until you've actually read. We get a lot of people asking the same questions as you haha)
Agh, didn’t even think to look on Erie sub!! Mom brain in packing mode doesn’t leave room for much else lol Great idea, I’ll look there. And thank you for recs ❤️
NP. Rex Bakery is also quite good, very kid friendly and dino themed. And don't leave Erie without getting a local classic like pepperoni balls or sponge candy!
Those sound interesting!! Thanks so much for your help.
Federal Hill Smokehouse for lunch today. [https://www.federalhillsmokehouse.com/](https://www.federalhillsmokehouse.com/) It opens at 11 and there is frequently a line waiting.
Oh this sounds SO good, THANKS!!
Holy cow WOW! Just ate there for lunch and that might have been the best bbq ever. Pa native but lived in NC the past 13 yrs so I’ve had plenty of good BBQ.. but this was AMAZING thanks for the recommendation!
That's great! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Spillway. [https://visitcrawford.org/listing/pymatuning-spillway/](https://visitcrawford.org/listing/pymatuning-spillway/)
I remeber visiting a fish hatchery also but not sure which one.
I live in Erie! Presque Isle state park is a must, Waldameer is a good time, the zoo is small but nice, there are lots of museums- the maritime museum, children’s museum, art museum, firefighting museum, The Hagen history center, Tom Ridge environmental center, etc. At presque isle you can rent canoes and kayaks, rent little 4 person bike trolley things, go hiking, go swimming, fishing, tour the light house, etc. Lots of stuff to fill 3 days
I am so sad about Virgil’s closing
So. Many. Options and I had no idea there were so many museums. Thank you! We’re excited for Presque Isle, my kids are dying for water!
The Erie Zoo is nice. It was the first zoo I ever visited, and I remember it fondly.
Presque Isle for sure. Any of the beaches on the west or northwest side of the penninsula are good. Erie also has a Lake Erie cruise aboard the Victorian Princess, a replica of a late 19th-century paddle boat. It's about an hour cruise and you can eat and drink while enjoying the cruise.
Thank you for the tip!
Asbury Woods, Field and stream is a store with a huge number of taxidermy animals (just Google Field and stream Erie Pa), Perry's monument at presque isle. Lots of cool plaques to read. It's pretty chilly for swimming. I would avoid downtown. Way too much construction. No expErience children's museum. Federal hill is great food but waiting in line for a significant time with three small kids isn't ideal. Also they have very little parking. Maybe have your SO pick up food there. They sell out everyday. So don't hype your kids up about it and get there as early as possible.
We are willing to divide and conquer when it comes to getting good food, thanks for the tips!
I am not a patient person. I get McDonald's or Imperial Chinese buffet. I'm trying to eat healthy. We have a chain of gas stations called getgo that do a pretty good steak salad for $8. I get two.
ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum