Erie, Pennsylvania is one of the most affordable lakefront destinations for families, especially in spring and summer. With free beaches, low‑cost attractions, and dozens of kid‑friendly festivals, it’s easy to plan a memorable trip without stretching your budget.

Use the list below to find low-cost Erie attractions for families, free events and festivals, and weekly and monthly discounts for kids and families.

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Free and Low Cost Attractions and Things to Do

Presque Isle State Park

All of Pennsylvania’s State Parks are free to enter and explore, including the most-visited one, Presque Isle State Park. In the summer, visitors and locals enjoy swimming and relaxing on the 13 miles of sandy beaches at no cost, but there are so many things to do at Presque Isle year-round for little or no cost.

• Birding: Pick up a bird checklist at the Nature Shop at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center on your way into the park, and see how many you can find. More than 339 species of birds have been identified on the peninsula.
• Free Lagoon Tours: Lagoon by Pontoon are free guided boat rides through the lagoons near Misery Bay at Presque Isle, where park staff and volunteers share information about plants and animals that live there, as well as local history. The rides are free, but are first-come first served.
  Rides offered Friday, Saturday, Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and noon, from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Located at Presque Isle Canoe and Boat Rentals.
• Bike or Surrey: Renting a bicycle, aquabike, or surrey is a low-cost way to see Presque Isle from a new angle.

Waldameer Park: Free Admission Amusement Park in Erie

One of the few amusement parks in the country to offer free admission and parking is Waldameer Park – located at the entrance to Presque Isle in Erie, Pennsylvania. Visitors to Waldameer can expect to be treated to the classic summer experience: fast coasters, a Ferris Wheel with views of the Lake, and new and classic rides at prices that families can afford. While all-day wristbands can be purchased to allow for unlimited riding, all visitors are granted free general admission, so if you don’t want to ride, you don’t have to pay. Pay-per-ride options are also available. Note that free admission does not apply to Water World.

Big Green Screen at TREC

The Big Green Screen Theater at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center shows a rotating slate of interesting films centering on topics around animals, nature, and regional interests. Admission prices vary by show, and many are offered at no cost. Tickets are required of all patrons. Click here for show information.

The Griff Slides at Frontier Park

Frontier Park is one of the largest green spaces in the City of Erie, located just off the Bayfront Parkway. The Griff Slides are three, 40-foot hillside slides, open seasonally at no cost.

Tom Ridge Environmental Center

At TREC, visitors can get hands-on with interactive exhibits year-round, and always at no cost. The center is dedicated to teaching visitors about the many different animals and forms of life that reside at Presque Isle State Park, as well as interesting historical moments that have happened there. Exhibits change, but have explored topics like shipwrecks, the ducks of Presque Isle, wetlands, and more.

Kid-Friendly Restaurant Deals and Discount Days

Roma’s Italian Kitchen
Every Sunday
Children 12 and under eat free with the purchase of each adult entrée. Dine in only.

Erie SeaWolves
Thursday Home Games
During Thursday home games at UPMC Park, enjoy Smith’s hot dogs, popcorn, 12 oz Pepsi fountain beverages and select domestic draft beers for $2 each.

Erie Art Museum
Second Sunday of Every Month
Art making activities for families are offered on the second Sunday of each month from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is pay what you wish. Different mediums and materials are offered monthly.

National Comedy Center
Daily, through April 18
Voted the #1 Best Pop Culture Museum in the Country by USA Today 10Best in 2026, the National Comedy Center is a gold standard for interactive entertainment. Through April 18, kids and teenagers (under age 17) receive free admission.

Erie Zoo
Sundays
Enjoy free admissoin to the Erie Zoo every Sunday from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Final entry is at 4:15 p.m.