12 Family-Friendly Attractions in Erie County for Kids to Enjoy!
The city of Erie is located in Pennsylvania’s Erie County on the lake’s southern side.
The Erie Indians, who lived in the location until the middle of the 17th century, are the source of the city’s name.
The largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania and the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania is Erie.
Many amateurs and professional performing-arts organizations can also be found there.
The Erie Art Museum, Lake Erie Ballet, and the Erie Philharmonic are all located there.
The city has a strong background in music and the arts, which is evident in its lovely infrastructure and engaging activities.
You shouldn’t ignore this list if you’re looking for entertaining activities to do in Erie with kids!
- Presque Isle State Park
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,112-acre Pennsylvania State Park situated on a sandy peninsula along Lake Erie, 4 miles (6 kilometers) west of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Before it became a state park in 1921, it was the location of lighthouses.
Why You Should Take Your Family
The park offers several environmental education programs in addition to birdwatching and scenic viewing.
Your group would develop awareness, knowledge, and care of natural and cultural resources through practical activities, accompanied excursions, and nighttime activities.
It would help if you tried it; it’s among the top family activities in Erie.
Activities for Kids
This is the spot to go if you have surfers or scuba divers in your family.
Along with educational programs, they also provide boat tours, kayaking, and pontoon boat rides.
These are some hobbies that teenagers might enjoy.
Suitable Ages
There is no entrance fee for this park, which is open to visitors of all ages.
- Waldameer & Water World
The early years of Waldameer were known as Hoffman’s Grove in the late 1800s.
The city’s top trolley firm, Erie Electric Motor Co., took notice of it, leased and refurbished the property.
And Waldameer Park was established in 1896.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Get ready for some of the most enjoyable times ever in this region.
If you’re looking for a thrilling ride and entertaining splash, this is unquestionably one of the best locations to take kids to Erie.
Activities for Kids
A park with over 100 rides, slides, and other attractions would be a blast for your kids.
The Kiddieland rides are perfect for little ones, or you may ride the waves in their 500,000-gallon Giant Wave Pool.
You could even spend the entire day cooling off by floating along their Endless River.
It’s a great destination to visit this weekend and has something to offer everyone.
Suitable Ages
There are no age restrictions at this park. However, visitors must be at least 30 inches tall.
- Erie Zoo
One of the few organizations recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is the Erie Zoo (AZA).
Why You Should Take Your Family
Your family will appreciate seeing the zoo’s collection of 400 animals and the park’s 11 lovely gardens.
One of the greatest things to do in Erie with toddlers is perfect fun for traveling with a newborn.
Activities for Kids
Your kids could enroll in the Junior Zookeeper program, which allows them to interact with animals and just observe them.
Your youngsters will enjoy the hands-on educational experience.
Suitable Ages
The zoo is suitable for visitors of all ages.
Children ages eleven to seventeen are eligible for the Junior Zookeeper program.
All children under the age of 23 months are admitted free of charge.
- The Resort at Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park
The public was allowed access to the hotel and water park known as Splash Lagoon in March 2003.
It has grown more than four times and now features one of the largest indoor wave pools in the eastern United States.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Visit this hotel and park to enjoy luxury and entertainment in a tropical Polynesian setting.
Try this location if you’re looking for unique family activities in Erie.
Activities for Kids
Seven water slides, pools, hot tubs, a 12-level interactive tree house, a tree tops ropes course, an arcade with more than 100 games, and much more are available at Splash Lagoon.
Suitable Ages
Children of all ages—babies, toddlers, older children, teenagers, and adults—enjoy this park.
Children below the age of two are admitted free of charge.
- Presque Isle Lighthouse
The 73-foot-tall Presque Isle Lighthouse was started in early September 1872 and completed in July 1873.
Up until 1944, the U.S. Lighthouse Service keepers and their families lived in the nine-room adjoining house.
Even now, the Presque Isle Lighthouse is still a functional help for navigation.
Why You Should Take Your Family
One of the city’s most amazing free, family-friendly activities is this.
The vista from the tower’s summit is ideal for taking the ideal family portrait.
Activities for Kids
The kids may run around, canoe, ride, or go swimming in freshwater, in addition to climbing the tower to observe the expansive beauty of the beach below.
Suitable Ages
Children must be at least 44 inches tall to be allowed to climb the tower.
A baby or young child may not be carried.
- Visit a Children’s Museum
The Situation, the Children’s Museum, is situated in the center of the downtown Erie leisure and cultural area.
It is housed in a heritage structure that was constructed in 1906 and used as a stable livery.
Over 20 years after it first welcomed visitors, the Children’s Museum has grown to include three floors of displays in addition to an outdoor classroom.
Why You Should Take Your Family
One of the best family activities in Erie is learning.
The Experience Children’s Museum has more than 50 exhibits encouraging active participation.
Activities for Kids
Allow your children to experience the fun of learning through engaging stimuli.
The Explore Floor, the Imagination Floor, and the Discovery Corner are all open to them at their leisure.
Suitable Ages
The museum is intended for families with young children (0–12 years old).
An adult must accompany children under the age of 16 at all times.
- The Pirate Adventures of Scallywag
The Scallywags is a 6-month-old, custom-built wooden sailboat that was constructed in Maryland.
The ship has an overall length of 62 feet, a beam of 20 feet, and a draft of 4 feet. It is 54 feet long at the waterline.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Join us for some swashbuckling fun in one of the top family-friendly destinations in Erie.
You won’t want to miss the pirate adventure on this 90-minute boat cruise.
Activities for Kids
Engage your scallywags with tales of pirates’ exciting exploits.
You’ll participate in a pirate battle and even see water cannons in operation while you’re there.
Suitable Ages
Every age group is encouraged to take this boat ride.
Children under three are admitted free of charge.
- Harbor View Golf Miniature
In the center of Erie’s Bayfront, an 18-hole miniature golf course called Harbor View Miniature Golf was expertly created.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Mini-golf is one of the best kid-friendly pastimes in Erie, Pennsylvania.
In addition to having mini golf for all ages, this location has a beautiful backdrop for everyone in the form of a waterfall, canals, and flora.
People of all ages and skill levels find it entertaining and demanding.
Activities for Kids
Kids will love trying to get a hole-in-one at this place’s various entertaining spots.
Every website also has a humorous spin.
If you’re searching for some low-cost family entertainment, this is ideal.
Suitable Ages
Children at least three years old and older are advised to participate in this activity.
- Eastway Lanes
Public bowling events are held at Eastway Lanes, a bowling alley.
The bowling alley is the location of several bowling leagues and may host special events.
At Eastway Lanes, there is also a restaurant called Kegler’s Lounge.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Bring your group to Eastway Lanes for fun bowling if you’re looking for kid-friendly weekend activities.
This strike will go down in family history!
Activities for Kids
You can start learning to bowl at any age.
They’ll have fun whether the ball is too light for your teens or too heavy for your toddlers.
Suitable Ages
No age restrictions apply at this bowling alley.
- Hagen History Center In Erie, Pennsylvania
The Hagen History Center, originally the Erie County Historical Society, is a public museum specializing in the history of Erie County over the past 200 years.
Why You Should Take Your Family
How could you resist when this museum is housed in a storied Victorian mansion?
It would help if you took advantage of the chance to educate your family on Erie County’s past.
Activities for Kids
Children might enjoy exploring exhibits filled with regional treasures.
Additionally, this museum offers activities, including history lectures and kid-friendly craft sessions.
Suitable Ages
This museum is ideal for older children, teenagers, adults, newborns, and toddlers.
Free admission is offered to children under the age of six.
- Enjoy the Family Fun Center and Port Arcade
More than 100 video arcade games with Free Play are available at Play Port Arcade.
They arrange field excursions and birthday parties; their games are vintage favorites.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Take your kids to an experience that recreates what it was like to have fun in the 1980s.
You can never go wrong with a good old arcade if you’re wondering what to do in Erie with children.
Activities for Kids
Classic retro games from the 1980s that have been updated to meet present times would amaze and excite kids.
Virtual reality is also available at this arcade facility.
Suitable Ages
Toddlers, older children, teenagers, and adults are all advised to play at this arcade.
- Erie Playhouse
One of the biggest and oldest community theaters in the country is Erie Playhouse.
The former Strand Theater, which was erected in 1947 as a movie theater, has been in its current location since 1983.
It is now a recognized theater with shows appropriate for all ages and family-friendly content.
Why You Should Take Your Family
Seeing unfiltered talent on stage with your loved ones is one of the most entertaining things to do in Erie with kids.
You can be shocked by the emotions that come out of you if you immerse yourself in the experience of stories and drama.
Activities for Kids
For hours, your children would be enthralled by the acting, play, set designs, and narrative.
Suitable Ages
This theater is suitable for people of all ages, and seating is charged per seat.
