Lakeside Beach Bar

Lakeside Beach Bar

In realizing that the Erie summer is quickly coming to an end, we wanted to do something “summery.” We heard good things about Lakeside Beach Bar in Edinboro, PA and we really wanted to check it out, so we did! They are open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday- Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays. They are closed on Mondays.

Location:

Lakeside Beach Bar is located at 220 W Plum St # 575, Edinboro, PA 16412. You basically pull into what looks like a simple shopping plaza, and continue on straight to the back of the plaza, where there is parking located specifically for Beach Bar. To be honest, we thought we had the wrong location at first. Don’t fret, you’re in the right place.

Parking Lot and Entrance
Cornhole

Property Description:

The entrance to the indoor restaurant space is right off of the parking lot. From the parking lot, you’ll see the entrance and then towards the lake you will see some cornhole games set up. We went right up to the door and got seated outside at one of the many tables, which are covered with umbrellas to block out the sun. There are regular tables and hightops located in the outdoor area. If you’d like to be outside but prefer to be under a tent, you are able to sit at one of many tables set up inside of a tent located next to the cornhole game area. Inside, there are also tables set up and a bar area.

Indoors

To walk outside from the indoor area, you will pass through little seating areas that are around fire pits, which we thought was a really cool idea! There’s also a stage set up next to this space.

Fire Pit

Lakeside Beach Bar has a perfect view of Edinboro Lake. Adirondack chairs surround the lake, providing comfortable seating and beautiful views. There’s even a dreamy archway set up, and they do offer private events! So if you love the place and you’re looking for somewhere to get married in Edinboro, PA, this location may be a dream come true!

Archway in the Background

What to Do:

If you’ve been looking for a gluten free restaurant in Erie, PA, we highly suggest checking out the menu at Beach Bar. Not only do they have chicken bites with gluten free breading on the appetizer menu, but all of their flatbreads can be substituted out for cauliflower crust, gluten free crust, or sweet potato flatbread! They also have several vegetarian options. In our opinion, that is such a win! We know that everyone has different eating preferences, and when a restaurant really tries to cater to everyone, even with a smaller menu (which we loved, by the way), we really think that’s a great thing. And don’t worry if you eat meat or are gluten tolerant, you have just as many choices, if not more.

Menu and Malt Liquor Adult Slushie

Lakeside Beach Bar is a wonderful place to hang out with many differing groups. Not only would we recommend this for a night out or a date night, but we’d also recommend bringing the whole family to this restaurant. We brought our littles with us, among others, and they enjoyed the food and had so much fun listening and dancing to the live music!

And speaking of live music, we thought going on a night that entertainment wass provided was a ton of fun. With lots of space to run around, we were able to get up and have the kids dance. And there was ample space on the outskirts of the tables to move around. If you’re looking for easy accessibility and the ability to get away from the table when needed, we would recommend sitting at one of these tables on the outskirts.

Night View of the Lake

Who Can Go:

We truly believe that this restaurant in Edinboro, PA is fun for the whole family. Our kids were easily entertained and we were able to pull our stroller right up to a table for easy access to our toddler. We saw people of all ages enjoying the atmosphere.

If you are a student and looking for things to do around Edinboro University, this would be a great place for you to enjoy a night out with friends, especially in the beginning of the school year or the end of the school year when the weather is super nice.

This beach bar in Edinboro, PA is also dog friendly! We saw at least 3 dogs while we were there, and the pups were able to hang out in the shade underneath the tables as the rest of their family enjoyed food and drinks.

Final Thoughts:

We had a great time on our trip to Lakeside Beach Bar in Edinboro, PA! The food was delicious and the atmosphere provided for a fun, yet relaxing evening! Check it out for yourself before the warm weather turns to cold.

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Lakeside Beach Bar in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can be hard.]

Chautauqua Park

Chautauqua Park

Our quest to find the perfect sunst watching destination brought us to Chautauqua Park. If you’re looking for parks in Erie, PA, the simplicity and beautiful views of Chautauqua Park may be perfect for you.

Location:

Chautauqua Park is located at Lakeside Drive and Chautauqua Boulevard, Erie, PA 16511.

Great spot to watch the sun go down

Property Description:

This has a very “park like” setting, with a picnic pavilion and plenty of benches to sit on so that you can relax and enjoy the view of beautiful Lake Erie. The park is open from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.

There is a small parking lot located on the edge of the park right at the meeting of Lakeside Drive and Chautauqua Boulevard, but there are not many spaces, so be aware of that if you plan on meeting up with a large group.

What to Do:

Chautauqua Park is a great place to watch the sunset in Erie, PA, and in fact, the reason we visited in the first place. However, once there, we realized that the park had more to offer.

This would be a great place to come to for a family gathering, a meet up with friends, or a simple date. Because of the picnic pavilion and tables provided, we thought it might be a good place to bring a meal, hang out, and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Picnic pavilion and other seating

There is a utility road with access to a creek, but you cannot get into the water. It is, however, a nice place to enjoy the views of the lake.

Creek Access

Clearly, watching the sunset from this location can be stunning. The park provides several benches that allow you to take a load off your feet and watch the beauty that is an Erie sunset. If you enjoy photography, this would be a great place to post up for the evening and capture some beautiful photos.

Sunset

Who Can Go:

We think this park is very accessible by anyone, except if you’d like to walk down to the actual shoreline. There at stairs to get down, but they are built into the earth and very, very steep. One of us was brave enough to venture down and take some photos.

Yep. This is how you get down to the beach.

If you’re looking for beach glass in Erie, this might be the perfect park for you as we found a ton of it on the shoreline at the beach. You do have to walk down steep steps, but if you’re an adventurer and enjoy collecting or crafting with beach glass, this could be a great spot for you!

Pets are welcome at Chautauqua Park, but be sure to keep them on a leash and clean up after them!

Final Thoughts:

We enjoyed Chautauqua Park, especially as an option to go to when wanting to watch the sunset in Erie, PA. This is not a place to swim, so if that’s what you’re looking to do, we would advise to steer clear of this location. It’s a park we think would be great to spend a little bit of time at, whether you want to just take in the beauty of your surroundings, or enjoy a simple meal in the picnic pavillion.

Sunset view from a park bench

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Chautauqua Oark in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around the Erie area as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA can be hard.]

Pleasant Ridge Park – Fairview, PA

When it comes to getting outside in this climate, one of your best options is traveling to a park. We explored Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview, PA and it checks off all of the boxes for a way to get out into nature.  

Entrance Sign

Location:

Pleasant Ridge Park is located in Fairview, PA, on the west side near the border with Girard, Pa. It is located at 8271 Barker Road, Girard, PA 16417. It can easily be reached by taking U.S. Route 20 westbound until you get to the border of Girard and Fairview.

Property Description:

This park is an 80-acre recreational park with portions that include woods, trails, sports fields, and rolling fields. In addition, there is a small playground and a pavilion which can seat approximately 100 people and can be rented out.

Athletic Fields

Things to do:

The specific sports amenities include full-sized soccer fields, softball fields, a sand volleyball court, and a small playground. Also, there are ample trails to walk or run. The park is open year-round, so the hills are great for sled riding and the trails double down as cross-country skiing when snow is on the ground.

In addition, the trails, trees, and scenery make for a popular destination to anyone having pictures taken. This includes family portraits, wedding photography, senior photos, and other announcements.  

Playground

Who Can Go:

Pets are welcome at this park. It should go without saying that you are responsible for your pet, as well as cleaning up after them. While you should check to be certain before you go, we have seen horses and horseback riding on the trails in the past. The trails are made of dirt and grass, and while maintained and wide, they are not paved. They do provide for very easy walking, however, individuals requiring a flat surface may want to be aware of this before venturing too far back.

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More Information:

With respect to the size of the trails, you could easily spend 30 minutes walking, but there are different trails to run and you could easily pick up a few miles in the longer loop, while also being able to take shorter routes or different paths every time you go.

One point to note. There is a drinking fountain at the entrance as well as bathrooms which are well maintained. During this current COVID crisis, bathrooms are currently closed (This blog post was written in 2020, please check the website for current bathroom operations).

Park Scenery

In addition to the items already mentioned, this site is great for bird watching as there are many different species throughout the park. There are also deer trails, and occasionally deer can be spotted. You also won’t mistake the sound of bull frogs which can heard in the frog pond in the corner of the larger field, and also as you walk across the foot bridge.

Park Rules

Be aware of the basic rules before you go. Some of the basics are that the park is open from dawn until dusk. In addition, be smart. This is a community park, so clean up after yourself and your pets. And if you have any other questions, you can also contact the Fairview Parks and Recreation Authority at 814-474-5077.

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Buffalo Cherry Blossom Festival in any way. This is true of all of our posts. We simply enjoy wandering around Erie as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA area can be hard.]