Summer Things to Do in Erie PA with Kids

Make the most of your Erie, PA family vacation and fill your days creating memories that will last a lifetime. Summers in Erie are synonymous with boundless fun and adventure, offering a variety of activities for any age. Whether your family seeks an adrenaline rush from amusement thrill rides or a leisurely bike ride at Presque Isle State Park, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience.

Summer Days at Port Farms: Immerse yourself in five acres of vibrant sunflowers, cosmos, and zinnias during Port Farm’s annual Summer Days event. Running from August 3 through September 8, Summer Days features a different event each weekend including Sweet Summer Days (August 3,4,9-11) and Blooms, Bubbles and Butterflies (August 16-18, 23-25). Summer Days is also pet-friendly! Many of Port Farms’ regular attractions and the gift shop are included with admission.

Erie SeaWolves AA Baseball: The 2023 AA Eastern League Championship Erie SeaWolves are back in action! Throughout the season, the SeaWolves add an extra layer of fun to their home games with special promotions such as fireworks/Star Wars Night (June 28), and fireworks/Marvel Night (July 5). Kids can unleash their energy inside UPMC Ball Park’s Kids Zone featuring inflatables and interactive games, give high fives and hugs to SeaWolves’ mascot C. Wolf, or run the bases after the game. Between innings, the SeaWolves provide engaging activities such as cheer competitions, dance-offs, and trivia quizzes to keep fans entertained and energized. Every Sunday is a designated Family Fun Day, featuring concession specials and family-friendly activities.

Oliver’s Bayfront Mini Golf: The combination of beautiful waterfront views and 18 holes of unique challenges and terrain makes Oliver’s Mini Golf a great family activity. Share laughter and friendly competition while aiming for that elusive hole-in-one. Scattered throughout the course are a handful of educational placards that highlight fun facts about Erie’s maritime heritage. Oliver’s mini golf is conveniently connected to Oliver’s Beer Garden, so you can play a round and enjoy delicious food and beverages from the snack bar or Oliver’s Food Truck.

Meal Deals: Treat the family to delicious food without breaking the bank at the Flagship City Food Hall. Inside, Dina’s Dominican Kitchen offers a free la banderita (Mexican tortilla) on Mondays, complete with rice and a side with a regular purchase for children under 12. On Wednesdays, all Erie Applebee’s locations offer free small kids’ meals and 99 cents large kids’ meals with the purchase of an adult meal. Before or after a visit to Presque Isle State Park, swing by Sara’s for daily family value meals that include burgers, hot dogs, your choice of a side, and a drink.

Biking at Presque Isle State Park. Presque Isle’s 13-mile multipurpose trail forms a loop around the park, offering families an excellent opportunity to explore nature by bicycle and enjoy the outdoors together. The mostly flat, paved trail is accessible to cyclists of all skill levels with numerous points of interest along the way for you to stop and explore including the Presque Isle Lighthouse and Perry Monument. Bring your own or rent from Presque Isle Yellow Bike Rental, near Beach 7 (Waterworks Beach). Adult and kid-sized bikes, tandems, and surreys (four-wheeled, covered quadricycles) are available.

Waldameer Park and Water World: Celebrating its 128^th season this summer, Waldameer is filled with rides, slides, and endless smiles. Ranging from timeless classic rides such as the Grand Carousel and Thunder River to beloved family favorites like Water World’s Battle of Lake Erie and Kiddie Land, Waldameer is a cherished summer tradition for generations of families and friends. This season, Waldameer added six new cabanas plus shade structures to Water World, additional parking and free wi-fi, and an expanded Snack Shack with tempting hot apple pie logs and chicken sandwiches. Explore both parks for one low price through Waldameer’s wallet-friendly combo pass. As always, parking and admission are free.

Erie Sports Center Fun Park: Conveniently located to Interstate 90 and numerous hotels, the Erie Sports Center Fun Park is your spot for a little game of friendly competition. Who will claim the title for “fastest lap” on the go-kart track or get the first hole-in-one on the mini golf course? Let the games begin! The Fun Park is wallet-friendly, featuring a selection of money-saving packages such as a Go-kart and Mini golf combo pass and the Ultimate Family 4-Pass which includes four rounds of golf, go-karts, or batting cages, one pizza, four fountain drinks, and four ice creams.

The Erie Zoo: Featuring a compact user-friendly design, the Erie Zoo is a refreshing departure from sprawling metropolitan zoos, allowing visitors to explore its array of exhibits and wildlife in just an hour or two. With captivating attractions and a streamlined design, the Zoo is perfectly suited for young children and limited attention spans. The Zoo includes more than 400 zoo animals, 11 beautiful botanical gardens, a wildlife carousel, the Safariland train, and multiple exhibit areas. This summer, the zoo debuts its new River Otter exhibit, an upgraded red panda exhibit, a refurbished children’s zoo bridge, and a refreshed main entrance.

Nature Hikes: Embarking on a nature hike is a quintessential family summer activity. The Greater Erie Regional Trail Network features more than 15 trails and public parks for you and the kids to connect to nature. Frontier Park is a beloved network park in the City of Erie and is home to more than 1,000 trees, a labyrinth, The Griff (40-foot steel slides), stone bridges, and Cascade Creek. Other parks and trails in the network include Harborcreek Community Park, Wintergreen Gorge, and Asbury Woods. In the charming town of Corry PA, Mead Park offers 48 acres of landscaped outdoor space with tree-lined pathways, a playground, basketball and pickle ball courts.

YMCA Camp Sherwin: Since 1912, Camp Sherwin has been entertaining children of all ages with a wealth of amenities including a heated and guarded swimming pool, spray and play park, catch and release fishing pond, air jump pillow, hiking trails, playground, and scenic views of Lake Erie from its perch atop the bluffs. Located in west Erie County, Camp Sherwin is a short drive from the City and is open for camping and non-camping families. Day passes are available for $10 per person or $30 per family.