Monthly Archives: June 2025

Lehigh Valley Zoo

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Charming, manageable, and just the right size for a full family day without the overwhelm.

📍 Where it’s at

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is located in Schnecksville, PA, nestled inside the larger Trexler Nature Preserve. It’s about a 5.5-hour drive from Erie, making it a great add-on to a trip through central or eastern Pennsylvania. Once inside the preserve, you follow signs up a winding road to the zoo’s entrance, which has a nice view and ample parking.

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🦖 What’s good

This zoo is small but mighty—perfect for families with younger kids or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a full 6+ hours navigating a massive zoo layout.

  • Wide paved paths are easy to walk or push a stroller on.
  • There are plenty of shaded areas, which makes summer visits more bearable.
  • Animal habitats are well-maintained and offer great close-up views of giraffes, camels, zebras, and more.

One of the highlights is the giraffe feeding station—definitely worth the few extra dollars for the experience. The zoo also features penguins, kangaroos, and river otters, plus a variety of birds and reptiles.

There are educational encounters scheduled throughout the day, and staff members are friendly and eager to chat about the animals.

There are a few play spaces and interactive zones for kids to climb or explore, and the gift shop is surprisingly cute. We picked up a few Fahlo plushies and bracelets, which let us track a snow leopard, a lion, and an elephant through an app. It was a fun and educational souvenir that the kids are still excited about! They even had sensory-friendly accommodations available when requested.

The zoo is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and there are clean restrooms and picnic tables available near the entrance.

👨‍👧‍👦 Who it’s good for

  • Families with small children who want a zoo experience without walking 10 miles
  • Grandparents or visitors who prefer compact, accessible layouts
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  • Animal lovers who enjoy up-close encounters
  • Travelers heading to eastern PA looking for a fun half-day activity
@wandererie814

Lehigh Valley Zoo Adventure! #zoo #animals #lehighvalleyzoo #lehighvalley #cutezoo #familyfun #giraffe #schnecksville #wandererie #aza #fun

♬ African Safari – Derek Fiechter

🌍 Final thoughts

The Lehigh Valley Zoo makes for a lovely half-day adventure. It’s not overwhelming, but still full of charm and animal magic. We left with tired legs, happy hearts, and plenty of photos.

If you’re driving through eastern Pennsylvania or looking for a relaxed, kid-friendly outing, this little zoo is worth the detour.

Looking for more family-friendly animal experiences? Check out our full list of zoos, aquariums, and outdoor wildlife stops across Pennsylvania on wandererie.com.

Penn State Behrend Fields

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Where it’s at:

The track at Behrend Fields is located right on the campus of Penn State Behrend, near Erie Hall. Parking is available in the lot used for the baseball and softball fields, just off Station Road. The whole area feels tucked away and peaceful—great for unwinding or letting the kids stretch their legs.

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What’s Good:

This is a classic outdoor rubberized track, in excellent condition and well-maintained. In addition to the track itself, there’s an excellent opportunity for walking on both pavement and dirt paths around the area, making it a great spot to mix up your routine or enjoy a more scenic stroll. While it’s not nestled between the athletic fields, it’s surrounded by trees and open green space that give it a peaceful, natural feel.

  • Walking or jogging with a stroller
  • Letting kids run safely in circles
  • Track workouts if you want to time your laps

There is a port-a-potty available just past the track, and the surrounding Behrend campus has wide sidewalks if you want to extend your walk. It’s also dog-friendly, but remember to clean up after your pup.

There are usually a few college students jogging or teams practicing, but it’s rarely crowded—especially in the mornings and evenings. And because it’s slightly elevated, you get a bit of a view of the hills beyond, especially at sunset.

If you’re looking for a little variety, there’s also a frisbee golf course on the nearby fields. Just be sure to bring your own frisbee—it’s a fun, low-key add-on to a walk or jog.

Can I bring my dog?

While dogs are not permitted on the track itself, they are welcome on the nearby sidewalks and open grassy areas around Behrend Fields. Keep them leashed and clean up after them, and you shouldn’t run into any issues.

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Who it’s Good For:

  • Families with kids who need a safe open space to burn energy
  • Fitness walkers and runners looking for a calm, consistent surface
  • Anyone rehabbing or easing into movement thanks to the soft track and flat layout
  • Parents with strollers

Final Thoughts:

The track at Behrend Fields is one of those hidden-in-plain-sight places. Whether you’re looking for a quick walk, a way to reset your afternoon, or a place to run in peace, this spot is worth bookmarking.

If you’re nearby on a sunny day, stop by and take a few laps—you might just find a new favorite rhythm.

Looking for more walkable places in Erie? Check out our full list of family-friendly parks, trails, and low-stress local strolls on wandererie.com. And check us out on tiktok!

The Great Wolf Lodge Poconos

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Where it’s at:

Great Wolf Lodge Poconos is one of several locations across the U.S., but it’s a top pick for families in Western Pennsylvania. Located just off I-80 in Scotrun, PA, it’s about 5 and a half hours from Erie—perfect for a weekend getaway. Surrounded by trees, it feels like a giant log cabin built for kids (and their exhausted parents).

Parking is free and easy, and we checked in at the front desk. They give you wolf ears and a free photo booth opportunity, and then we were ready to splash!

What’s Good:

The indoor waterpark is absolutely the main attraction and it’s perfect year-round. It’s warm, splashy, and packed with fun for all ages.

  • Young children have safe splash zones, gentle slides, and climbing areas.
  • Older kids loved thrill rides like the Howlin’ Tornado and Alberta Falls.
  • Adults appreciated relaxing by the outdoor pool, enjoying a moment of peace while the kids played nearby.

Both of our kids had a blast with MagiQuest, the live-action scavenger hunt game. Our older child dove into the full adventure, running up and down the halls solving clues with their wand. And our little one loved it too—he played a simpler version that wasn’t too hard, but still made him feel like part of the magic.

Don’t skip the gift shop: there’s a Build-A-Bear Workshop right inside the lodge! Our kids built their own custom Great Wolf Lodge plushies, which became beloved travel buddies. The merch is actually super cute—fuzzy hoodies, themed drinkware, wolf-ear headbands, and even matching family shirts.

We grabbed some delicious pizza during our stay, and we were happy to see they offered gluten-free options as well—perfect for families with dietary needs. There was even a Dunkin’ Donuts right inside the lodge, which made mornings extra convenient for tired parents. And the ice cream? Incredible. Creamy, fun flavors, and the perfect end-of-day treat after splashing and exploring.

In addition to the water fun, there are morning yoga sessions for kids to stretch and get energized for the day. In the evening, the resort comes alive with nightly dance parties, which were a huge hit with our crew—everyone was out there dancing like no one was watching. And at 9:30 p.m., it’s time for Story Time, where kids gather in pajamas for a magical tale. The story we heard was about a wolf named Luna, and our kids absolutely adored it—it was the perfect wind-down to an exciting day.

The fun didn’t stop there. The kids also got to try a mining experience, which included a really fun mirror maze that was cleverly incorporated into the activity. It was interactive, creative, and something they’re still talking about! Yes, we had ice cream before dinner once (no regrets).

Watch our Great Wolf Lodge adventure — from swimming to MagiQuest fun to nightly dance parties!

Who it’s Good For:

This Poconos water park resort is ideal for:

  • Families with toddlers to tweens
  • Grandparents and multi-gen groups looking for easy fun in one building
  • Families looking for everything in one place—no car rides or complicated planning
  • Anyone whose kids are obsessed with stuffed animals, swimming, and scavenger hunts

Whether it’s your first time visiting a Great Wolf Lodge or you’re coming back for more, this location checks every box.

Final Thoughts:

Would we go again? Absolutely. It’s not cheap, but you’re paying for convenience, safety, and kid-joy levels off the charts. Everything’s walkable, the entertainment is built-in, and the vibe is nonstop fun. Did we mention the waterpark is included with your room reservation? No extra fees for that!

Pro tip: bring a robe and extra swimsuits for the kids, and maybe an extra tote for all the souvenirs and wolf ears you’ll end up with.

It’s wandering beyond Erie, but The Great Wolf Lodge is a memory-making machine.

Would we go again? Absolutely. It’s not necessarily cheap, but you’re paying for convenience, safety, and kid-joy levels off the charts. Everything’s walkable, the entertainment is built-in, and the vibe is nonstop fun.

Pro tip: bring a robe and extra swimsuits for the kids, and maybe an extra tote for all the souvenirs and wolf ears you’ll end up with.

It’s not Erie, but it is a memory-making machine. Check out their website for more information! www.greatwolflodge.com

Planning a Family Getaway?

If you’re dreaming of your next road trip from Erie, Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos is a must-see.

Check out more family-friendly day trips, weekend escapes, and Erie area adventures right here on wandererie.com.

Johnston’s Garden Center

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We were in need of some starts to add to our non-existent garden this year, so we headed to Johnston’s to check out what they had to offer! We knew it was a gamble considering we are now in late May, BUT we wanted to check out their current selection! We have been there many times before and love walking the property!

Location:

Johnston’s Garden Center is located at 10000 Wales Road, Erie, PA, 16510. They are open in MAY from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. In JUNE through SEPTEMBER, Monday through Friday hours stay the same, but Saturday changes to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they are closed on Sundays. They are closed July 4 and Labor Day.

Property Description:

This is a garden center, so you can expect a LOT of walking space outdoors. They also have a little shop where you can go inside and make your purchases. You will find many different types of flowers, trees, fruit and vegetable starts, shrubs, and so many other beautiful plants and other landscaping needs. You will be walking through grass, stone, dirt, and gravel as you browse.

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Also, please understand that during different times of the year you will find different types of plants and more or less of a selection of what you’re looking for. This goes for all garden centers. For instance, I was looking for my absolute favorite tomato, and at this point in the year (late May), they were sold out of starts! And for those of you wondering what tomato that is, it is the green zebra tomato! They are so delicious and make an excellent addition to chili to give it a bit of a citrus zest! They are a family favorite of ours!

What to Do:

This is a garden center, so understand that you’re going to be looking at a lot of greenery and beautiful flowers! Expect to do a lot of walking through greenhouses and pole buildings, and up and down pathways to find what you’re looking for. Now, we’re not saying this is a bad thing! We enjoyed walking around and looking through the beautiful plants all around us!

Although it was not on this particular trip, I can say that we have purchased some beautiful fruit trees from this location! We have 2 amazing winecrisp apple trees and 2 cherry trees, one of which is already rapidly producing this year! Although we didn’t get any apples last year, we are looking forward to tasting them this year!

There are way too many varieties and plants to list, so if you’re looking for something specific, please check out their website here at https://www.johnstonplants.com and browse their selection before you go! You can also find planting guides and resources on their website.

One important thing to note it that they will deliver anything you purchase straight to your home! Delivery days and times vary, and there will be a fee, but we love that you can pick out a ton of greenery and not have to worry about getting it to your house yourself! You can also purchase gift cards for that special gardener in your life!

Who Can Go:

Anyone is welcome at this beautiful garden center, from young to old. We did bring our stroller in, as one of our littles wasn’t in the mood to cooperate. The stroller did not make it through some of the narrower pathways, so be aware of that if you do need to bring a stroller or a wheelchair with you.

We think that this can be a fun place for kids to come, especially to see how food is produced as they look at all of the different varieties of plants. Our littles also love looking at the beautiful colors of all the flowers. It is definitely important to stress a “look don’t touch” approach before you go, but as long as your kids can remember that you can spend a lot of time here checking out everything they have to offer!

Final Thoughts:

This is a great garden center with a huge selection of plants to meet anyone’s needs! We really love to come to Johnston’s Garden Center, even if it’s just to browse!