Skip to Main Content

Family Fun

Family Fun in Erie

Plot your summer vacations, schedule fall outings, cure those winter blues or make it a spring fling. Whatever the reason or season, make your escape to Erie for entertaining, affordable and family-friendly fun!

Classic Family Fun

Waldameer Web

The enduring joy of shared traditions and timeless activities make Erie the ideal setting to create new memories and pass down moments from generation to generation. At Waldameer Park and Water World, iconic rides such as Wacky Shack, Pirate’s Cove, and Dodgem Cars greet park guests with their whimsical décor and that nostalgic amusement park scent. In addition to its long standing status as a family summer destination, Waldameer offers free parking and admission, all while continuing to update and expand rides. Water World offers a perfect remedy to beat the heat with more than 30 slides, a 500,000-gallon wave pool, and two dedicated family areas. Home to more than 400 animals in a compact and streamlined design, the Erie Zoo is a refreshing departure from sprawling metropolitan zoos, allowing visitors to explore its array of exhibits and wildlife in a couple hours, perfectly suited for young children and limited attention spans. The Zoo hosts several annual events including ZooBoo (October), and the Egg-Venture Easter Egg Hunt (March). The crack of a bat and the eruption of cheers from a home run resonates through UPMC Park when the Erie SeaWolves take the field. The SeaWolves are the AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. The SeaWolves' season (April – September) is filled with special promotions, and family fun, including frequent fireworks nights and a designated Kids Fun Zone.

Things to Do Indoors

SE Splash Lagoon 026 WEB

Escape from the ordinary as you explore Erie’s variety of indoor attractions. Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park is a tropical oasis for families craving more thrills and less chills, especially in the colder months. Consistently ranked one of the Top 10 Water Park Resorts in the country by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice, Splash Lagoon features nine dynamic water slides, a 200,000-gallon wave pool, FlowRider surf machine, arcade, food court, and a newly renovated Tiki Tree House complete with a giant tipping coconut! Splash Lagoon’s newest attraction is the Froggy Family splash pad featuring a zero-depth pool, fun water sprayers, and colorful frog figures. The feeling you get when your team slips a puck past the goalie is unforgettable, especially when shared among family, friends, and a crowd of like-minded fans when the Erie Otters take the ice at Erie Insurance Arena. Erie’s minor-league Ontario Hockey League team has a major following, with home games from October through April that entertain crowds both on the ice and in the stands with fun family promotions and giveaways.

 

Outdoor Excursions 

Port Farms

Here in Erie there are a multitude of ways to spend time outside and discover Erie’s natural side. Nature and recreation come together seamlessly at Asbury Woods where families can explore more than five miles of winding trails set among 216 acres of lush fields, forests, and wetlands. Asbury Woods Nature Center has interactive educational programs complete with animal exhibits, a gift shop, and annual family-forward events such as Maple Festival (March), Scary Creature Feature (October), and Winter Wonderland (December). Set in the scenic foothills of Clymer, NY just across the Pennsylvania border, Peek’n Peak Ski Resort’s picturesque setting and wide range of activities is a great spot for families seeking relaxation and excitement in one location. From downhill skiing, tubing, and snowboarding in the winter to giant zip lines, aerial ropes course, swimming, and mini golf in the summer, the Peek is a year-round destination for outdoor recreation. With a charming rural farm setting, Port Farms is a delightful place to take the family for a variety of farmed-themed activities and seasonal attractions. From picking pumpkins, and winding through corn mazes to horse-drawn holiday carriage rides and visits with Santa, Port Farms provides a wholesome environment for everyone. Their newly opened Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales serves locally hand-crafted beer made with regional ingredients, including some from their own farm!

Hands-On Experiences

National Comedy Center 2023 credit National Comedy Center 2 WEB

Engaging, hands-on activities combine entertainment and education to inspire creativity, strengthen family bonds, and make lasting memories. There’s always something imaginative, inventive, and immersive happening at the newly renovated expERIEnce Children’s Museum. The new three-story, 19,000-square-foot building features exhibits that pay homage to the Erie community: “Lake Life” celebrates Lake Erie and boasts the second-largest interactive water table in the country, featuring miniature versions of iconic Erie structures, and “My Town," a kid-sized town is packed with hands-on experiences from taking orders at a restaurant to changing the oil on a car. Inside the Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC), find two floors of interactive exhibits where guests can learn about the history and formation of Presque Isle State Park as well as its inhabitants. The free facility is open year-round and also features a 75-foot observation tower offering spectacular panoramic views of Lake Erie. Located approximately 40 minutes from Erie in Jamestown, NY, the National Comedy Center uses state-of-the-art technology and interactivity to create personalized environments by way of laugh wristbands and custom Sense of Humor profiles., created via easy-to-use kiosks. Once created, begin interacting with more than 50 immersive exhibits tailored to comedic tastes as well as age-appropriate material.

Summer Break Playlist

School's out for summer! Let this playlist guide your family vacation in Erie County. For all of VisitErie's playlists, click here

Filter By

All An Act Theatre

814-450-8553
652 West 17th Street
Erie, PA 16502

Asbury Woods Nature Center

814-835-5356
4105 Asbury Road
Pet friendly (outside trails only)
Erie, PA 16506

ASCEND Erie

582-228-9035
426 State Street
Erie, PA 16501

Bicentennial Tower

814-455-6055
1 State Street
Erie, PA 16507

Board & Brush Erie

814-392-3500
3330 West 26th Street
Village West Plaza
Erie, PA 16506

Burch Farms

814-725-0747
9210 Sidehill Road
North East, PA 16428

Covert Escape Game

814-315-9694
2061 West 8th Street
Erie , PA 16505

Double D.A.B. Riding Stables

716-736-4418
5811 Welch Hill Road
Ripley, NY 14775

eBIKE DROP

814-823-1591

Erie Art Museum

814-459-5477
20 East 5th Street
Erie, PA 16507

Erie Commodores National Premier Soccer League

814-392-4785
Home field is Erie Sports Center
8159 Oliver Road
Erie, PA 16509

Erie Events

814-453-7117
809 French Street
Erie, PA 16501

Erie Food Tours

814-572-1407
Meets in front of Like My Thai 827 State Street
Erie, PA 16501

Erie Maritime Museum/U.S. Brig Niagara

814-452-2744
150 East Front Street
Erie, PA 16507

Erie Otters OHL Hockey

814-455-7779
Erie Insurance Arena
809 French St
Erie, PA 16501

Erie Philharmonic

814-455-1375
23 West 10th Street
Erie, PA 16501

Erie Playhouse

814-454-2852
12 West 10th Street
Erie, PA 16501

Erie SeaWolves AA Baseball

814-456-1300
Home games - UPMC Park/110 East 10 Street
Business Office - 831 French Street
Erie, PA 16501

Erie Sports Center

412-852-7508
8159 Oliver Road
Erie, PA 16509

Erie Station Dinner Theatre

814-864-2022
4940 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16501

Erie Zoo & Botanical Gardens

814-864-4091
423 West 38th Street
Erie, PA 16508

Escape Game Erie

814-580-9905
4838 West Ridge Road
Erie, PA 16506

Escape Game Erie

814-580-9905
23 W 10th Street
Erie, PA 16501

expERIEnce Children's Museum

814-453-3743
420 French Street
Erie, PA 16507

Fun Park at Erie Sports Center

8159 Oliver Road
Erie, PA 16509
visiterie-patio.svg

GypsyLyn Fishing Charters

724-316-2529
35 State Street
Erie , PA 16507

Hagen History Center Museum

814-454-1813
356 West 6th Street
Erie, PA 16501

Hidden Harbor Water Rentals

814-602-5846
12 East Dobbins Landing
next to Woody's Backwater BARge & Grill
Erie, PA 16507

Kellar's Magic & Comedy Club

814-461-0911
1402 State Street
Erie, PA 16501

Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF)

814-453-5323
1501 West 6th Street
Erie, PA 16505

Lake Erie Speedway

814-725-3303
10700 Delmas Drive
North East, PA 16428

Land Lighthouse

1200 Lighthouse Street
Erie, PA 16507

Lecom Sports Park

814-823-6706
8159 Oliver Road
Erie, PA 16509

Lettie G. Howard

814-449-9012
150 East Front Street - Erie Maritime Museum
Erie, PA 16507

National Comedy Center

716-484-2222
203 W. Second Street
Jamestown, NY 14701

Oliver's Bayfront Mini Golf

814-920-9666
130 E Front Street
Erie , PA 16507

Peek'n Peak Resort

716-355-4141
1405 Olde Road
Clymer, NY 14724
visiterie-patio.svg

Play Port

814-528-5257
2730 West 12th Street
Erie, PA 16505

Port Erie Sports

814-452-2628
402 West Bayfront Parkway
Erie, PA 16507

Port Farms

814-796-4500
2055 Stone Quarry Road
Waterford, PA 16441

Presque Isle Boat Rental

814-838-3938
Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle Canoe & Boat Livery
Erie, PA 16505

Presque Isle Boat Tours - The Lady Kate

814-836-0201
Perry Monument at Presque Isle
Erie, PA 16501

Presque Isle Lighthouse

814-833-3604
Presque Isle State Park, east of Beach 6
Erie, PA 16505

Presque Isle State Park

814-833-7424
Foot of Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505

Presque Isle Yellow Bike Rental

814-835-8900
Waterworks Beach area
Presque Isle State Park
Erie, PA 16505

Quaker Steak & Lube

814-217-1140
8071 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509

Scallywags Pirate Adventures

814-453-2627
2 State Street
Erie, PA 16507

Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort

866-3SPLASH (77-5274)
8091 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509

Stumpy’s Hatchet House (Axe Throwing)

814-528-5005
3728 Liberty Street
Erie, PA 16508

Sunview Golf

814-734-5098
12270 Edinboro Road
Edinboro, PA 16412

The North Pier Light

814-833-7424
E Fisher Drive
Erie, PA 16507

Tight Lines Sport Fishing LLC

724-880-1283
Captain John E. Lampe Marina, Foot of Port Access Road
Erie, PA 16507

Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC)

814-833-7424
301 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505

Victorian Princess Cruises

814-459-9696
Foot of State Street/Dobbins Landing
Erie, PA 16507

Waldameer Park & Water World

877-817-1009
220 Peninsula Drive
Erie, PA 16505

We Rock the Spectrum- Erie

814-315-0940
2167 W. 12th Street
B2
Erie, PA 16506

Your Sailing Adventure

Wolverine Park Marina
34 State Street
Erie, PA 16507

Partner Spotlight

Mazza spotlight 1

Mazza Vineyards and the South Shore Wine Company

The Mazza family welcomes you to explore 3 unique locations in Lake Erie Wine Country. Sip and savor award-winning wines at Mazza Vineyards and the historic South Shore Wine Company, both located in North East, PA, and be sure to visit their combination winery, distillery and brewery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits and Brewing, in nearby Westfield, NY.

Learn More

The Cove spotlight v3

The Cove Bay-Side Restaurant & Tavern

Welcome to The Cove Bay-Side Restaurant and Tavern. We invite you to enjoy a unique dining experience on Erie’s Bayfront with our nautically inspired decor, a carefully crafted menu, and an unbelievable view of Presque Isle Bay. With both indoor and outdoor seating right next to the bay, we want to be your destination of choice when you “just want to get away from it all” but without having to go far.

Learn More

Port Authority Water Taxi spotlight

The Easiest Way to Cross Over Presque Isle Bay

Hop aboard the Presque Isle Water Taxi “Aquabus” for a scenic ride across the bay! Depart Downtown from the Landing Dock (5 State St, Erie, PA 16507) and be dropped off at the Public Dock on the Presque Isle Bike Trail.

Learn More

U Pick Tap House spotlight

U Pick 6 Craft Beer Pubs & Restaurants

Erie’s own local craft beer pubs are a must-visit! With 4 great locations, just pick one that’s convenient for you! A casual, family friendly dining experience with something for everyone! To view our menu, check out what’s on tap, or get to directions to our pubs, learn more now!”

Learn More

Spotlight Ad Visit Erie 6

Poverty Knob Farmhouse Ales

Poverty Knob offers hand-crafted beer, cocktails, mocktails and delicious sharable food year-round. The brewery is family and dog friendly with both indoor and outdoor spaces. We offer games, music and entertainment for all ages.

Learn More

UPMC Hamot spotlight

UPMC Hamot – Local Access to Specialized Care

UPMC Hamot is a 445-bed hospital in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is a regional hub for specialized health care, including advanced surgical services, private intensive care suites, and the area’s only accredited trauma center.

Learn More

Erie Events spotlight 1 v2

Something for everyone in Erie, PA!

Erie Events plays a pivotal role in hosting a diverse array of events, including concerts, Broadway productions, family shows, and sporting events. Visit the five venues: Erie Insurance Arena, Waner Theatre, Bayfront Convention Center, UPMC Park and the Rebich Investments Amphitheater at Liberty Park.

Learn More

ASCEND spotlight ad photo 400 x 300

COME SEE WHAT ASCEND ERIE IS ALL ABOUT!

ASCEND is a community hub in downtown Erie that features climbing, fitness, yoga, youth programming, and so much more. We opened up last year and would love to meet you! Visit on your own, with friends and family, or book a team-building event with your coworkers.

Learn More

Two45 Web 400 x 300 px

Two45 Waterfront Grille

Located at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel, Two45 pays homage to the precisde moment in history that Oliver Hazard Perry bravely led the US Navy on the path to victory during the Battle of Lake Erie. As a tribute to our fair city, the restaurant offers upscale, traditional American cuisines with a focus on seafood adn coastal fare. Chef's specialities include macadmania-crusted grouper filet, premium beef cuts, and bone in tomahawk pork chop. Private dining room available.

Learn More

Tia Book Cellar Spotlight 400 x 300

Tia Book Cellar

Tia Book Cellar is an independent bookstore offering new and bargain books, unique gifts, puzzles, and games for all interests and ages. Located across from Gibson Park in North East, their brand embodies the local business model and the local grape heritage. Tia's believes that "there is always … local, an alternative, and a story." They look forward to helping you discover your next read or gift here.

Learn More

five iron golf spotlight 400 x 300

Five Iron Golf is Now Open in Downtown Erie

Five Iron Golf is blurring the lines between indoor golf and entertainment. State-of-the-art simulators and world-class instruction meet premium events and amenities plus delectable food and cocktail menus.

Learn More

MIAC spotlight 1

Reserve Your Seat Now for the 2025-2026 Shows

Get ready for another season of world-class performances as the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture returns with an electrifying 2025–2026 lineup spanning genres, generations, and global influences.

Learn More

MCM Guest Rewards 400x300

Exclusive Tourism Rewards

If you live more than 50 miles from Millcreek Mall, stop by the Customer Service Center to register. You’ll receive a Guest Rewards Tourism Program Luggage Tag. Scanning the QR Code on it will reveal special offers from participating mall merchants. If you spend $200 or more that day, take your receipts back to the Customer Service Center and you’ll get a FREE $20 Mall Gift Card. You get rewarded just for shopping!

Learn More

eced partner listing 400 x 300

Visit Edinboro, PA!

Edinboro Community and Economic Development is a regional Edinboro area non-profit committed to fostering positive community-wide growth. Through economic and civic initiatives, the ECED seeks to empower the Edinboro community to effectuate targeted change to meet current needs and build regional resilience. Edinboro is a unique area where rural and urban values intersect, and the best "small town America" qualities shine.

Learn More

Erie zoo spotlight v2

Celebrating 100 Years of Wild Wonders at the Erie Zoo

In honor of its Centennial year, the Erie Zoo invites guests to be part of a century-long legacy of discovery, conservation, and connection. Throughout this year’s celebration, visitors can enjoy special events, interactive keeper talks, and up-close animal encounters that inspire curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. Whether it’s a family outing or a day of adventure with friends, the Erie Zoo continues to be a cherished destination for fun, education, and unforgettable memories.

Learn More

Scott Enterprises spotlight

Enjoy great food, music, and drinks!

Join us on Erie’s beautiful bayfront for a new experience from the creators of Oliver’s Rooftop restaurant. Oliver’s Beer Garden is an outdoor facility with great views of the Erie Bayfront and the nearby Bicentennial Tower. Enjoy craft brews, signature cocktails, and refreshing drinks served alongside delicious food from our very own food truck.

Learn More

One stop convenience.

Fill your tank, pick up fresh food from local brands, and a six-pack to go in 40 regional locations.

Soak in the fun!

Experience 84 degrees all year at one of the top water parks in the country.

Ante-up, Erie.

Find true action with slots, table games, sports book, and horse racing.

Award-Winning Compassionate Care

Voted Erie’s Choice Best Hospital for eight years in a row

Just for fun!

Experience family summer fun on more than 100 great rides, slides and attractions at Waldameer!

Just for fun!

Experience family summer fun on more than 100 great rides, slides and attractions at Waldameer!

Soak in the fun!

Experience 84 degrees all year at one of the top water parks in the country.

One stop convenience.

Fill your tank, pick up fresh food from local brands, and a six-pack to go in 40 regional locations.

Award-Winning Compassionate Care

Voted Erie’s Choice Best Hospital for eight years in a row

Ante-up, Erie.

Find true action with slots, table games, sports book, and horse racing.