Tag Archives: Erie PA

The Double Dipper

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The Double Dipper

We’re on a hunt for the best ice cream place in Erie, PA, and The Double Dipper has us wondering if we found it! If you’re looking for great atmosphere, table seating, visual appeal, and yummy ice cream and other treats, this place has you covered! It’s nice enough to make a great spot for a quick dessert or even a great date in Erie, PA. However, it’s also a casual location for quick snacks, specializing in ice cream.

Location:

The Double Dipper is located at 5320 Buffalo Road, Erie, PA 16510. You will see the modern white and stone building from the road, along with another building that looks very similar to it. Whether you live on the eastern side of the Erie area or you’re heading over there, this is a great place to stop!

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Property Description:

This ice cream stand is decorated to perfection. Featuring fresh, simple decor, the outdoor dining area was wonderful to sit in. We honestly didn’t feel like we were eating beside such a busy road (Buffalo Road) because of the atmosphere. It’s also set back far enough that this is a quiet spot to enjoy dessert. We went just before sunset, but we look forward to visiting after the sun goes down. We’re sure the string lights bring a different ambiance in the evening as the sun disappears over the horizon. Open from 1-9 p.m. daily, you’ll be able to check it out in whichever light you’d like.

What to Do:

This is a great place to get ice cream in Erie, PA! They serve Perry’s Ice Cream, and when we visited they had 14 different flavors, so there’s bound to be a flavor for everyone to enjoy!

Along with Perry’s Ice Cream, The Double Dipper offers milkshakes, soft serve cones, dippers, build your own sundae, ice cream sandwiches, root beer floats, and slushies.

Not all of us enjoyed an ice cream cone on this visit, as we got a slushie and a swirlie as well. It was great to mix it up, and we appreciated the various options on the menu.

Dirt Sundae and Butter Pecan
Mint-Ting-A-Ling
Slushie
Swirlie

Who Can Go:

The Double Dipper is a great place for the whole family to enjoy! They have outdoor seating (and a pup cup on the menu, with a water bowl sitting outside), so you can feel free to bring your dog! The counter and the seating area are both easily accessible.

With its atmosphere, we love that this is a great spot for families to have a seat together and enjoy a tasty treat. And with its hours and lighting ability, we also think this is a great stop if you’re looking for places to go on a date in Erie. And, make sure to get your Instagram worthy photo with the ice cream Yeti!

While you’re there, take a picture with this guy

Final Thoughts:

Although we aren’t here to review anything, we have to say that this place was pretty darn great. The atmosphere was so charming, and the ice cream was delicious. We really enjoyed our visit and look forward to another one soon!

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[Editor’s Note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Double Dipper 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.]

Shorewood Park

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Shorewood Park

On our mission to bring you several locations to enjoy the beauty of the sunset in Erie, PA (click here for more locations), we were lucky enough to stumble across Shorewood Beach in Harborcreek, PA.

Unedited. Unfiltered. The beauty of a sunset on Shorewood Beach.

Location:

Shorewood Park is located along Lake Erie at the intersection of East Lake Road and Moorheadville Road.

Property Description:

Shorewood Park has over 14 acres of land. 12 Mile Creek intersects with the property, and we saw some great views from the beach. The park has over 1,200 feet of shoreline, which is known as Shorewood Beach.

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Be aware that the park and the beach both close at 10:00 p.m. daily.

What to Do:

Shorewood Park is beautiful, with many stunning views of nature. You can enjoy some time staring at beautiful Lake Erie on the rocky beach, or enjoy the lush, vivid greens of the leaves on the trees on the land surrounding.

You will see a playground when driving towards the beach, and alongside is a picnic table with a charcoal grill, making this a great place to enjoy a meal with your family.

One of the things we would highly recommend doing here is watching the sunset. We have only visited Shorewood Beach once, so we’re not sure if we got super lucky, but the sunset was absolutely phenomenal from this location.

We were also very fortunate on our trip to see a helicopter flying over the water as the sun set. It got extremely close to the water, and seemed like it was coming in right over our heads! It was honestly one of the coolest things we’ve ever seen, and we’re not sure if it was a one time thing or not, but you just might see it for yourself if you decide to visit!

Who Can Go:

Anyone is welcome at this park, but please be aware that accessibility to the shore isn’t necessarily easy. The shore is surrounded by rocks, making it very hard for anything to wheel near the water. Before the rocks, there is a sand and concrete parking area with ledges that reach out towards the water, and those ledges allow anyone who is unable to get into the rocks the ability to look out over the water. The good thing is between the creek and the countless feet of beach, you won’t ever feel cramped or shoved up against other people if you decide to come here. And while this might not be the beach most think of if they are searching for the best beach in Erie, PA, this is certainly one of the calmer beaches we have been to.

Final Thoughts:

We really appreciated the simplicity of this Shorewood Beach. The park was not crowded at all, and we only saw about 3 other groups of people besides us. This is highly desirable compared to a place like Presque Isle that is a high traffic area.

We really enjoyed our time at Shorewood Park. The views were stunning, and the waves rolling in made for the perfect soundtrack to our evening.

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[Editor’s Note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Shorewood Park 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.]

Main Street Cakery Café

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Main Street Cakery Café

If you’re looking for restaurants in Erie, PA, this locally owned café offers a great atmosphere and friendly service while dining. You can get a lot for a great price, and whether you want breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert, there is certainly something there for you.

A view from outside, including outdoor seating

Location:

The Cakery has two locations; the one we visited on this wandering in particular is located at 2900 Copperleaf Dr. Erie, PA 16509. The other location is 7403 W Ridge Rd, Fairview, PA 16415.

Property Description:

This is a café style restaurant, with a bakery and coffee counter located directly inside the entrance. The ice cream selections will be to your left. Seating is located both to the left and to the right, and also outside. You are to seat yourself, but if you opt to sit outside, let them know at the counter so they can send a server your way. The décor is very farmhouse in style, and we felt an “at home” feeling while being inside.

Coffee, Bakery, and Ice Cream Counter
Seating to your left as you walk in

What to Do:

The Cakery in Erie, PA is a great place to enjoy a meal, or even just a cup of coffee and or a sweet treat. This wandering was our second time eating food from this location, and we enjoyed is just as much as the first. They have a great menu featuring breakfast, appetizers, wraps, macaroni and cheese, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. They also have daily specials.

You can have a seat inside the café, or enjoy the weather on a beautiful day by sitting in their outdoor space. If you choose to have a meal at their location, you will be taken care of by a server. On this trip, we actually opted for takeout, and the food was just as good as if we would’ve eaten at the restaurant.

Black Bean Burger
(We split ours, so part is gone in this photo.)
Hawaiian
(Only half of the sandwich, we forgot to take a picture before we started eating!)

The Cakery also offers bakery items if you’re in search of something sweet. We saw cookies, muffins, cupcakes, pies, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and bread. You can view the items behind the glass right next to the ordering counter.

Bakery Case
Bakery Case

If you’re looking for a cold treat, The Cakery offers Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream. On the day we went, they offered 12 flavor choices, including Raspberry Chip Cheesecake and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup.

Ashby’s Ice Cream

Who Can Go:

Anyone can enjoy this quaint restaurant, coffee shop, and bakery in Erie, PA. There is ample space for strollers or wheel chairs, and it’s kid friendly.

Final Thoughts:

We really enjoyed the atmosphere inside and out, and the food was yummy. The Main Street Cakery is a great place to meet up with friends, have a nice meal with family, or enjoy a date with you significant other. If you’re looking for a lovely café in Erie, PA, you may have found the right destination in The Cakery.

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[Editor’s Note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Main Street Cakery 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.]

Farm to Table at Legacy Hydroponics

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Farm to Table at Legacy Hydroponics

If you’re looking for a farmers market in Erie, PA, add Farm to Table at Legacy Hydroponics to your list of places to check out. This variety of vendors provided a very interesting and fun local shopping experience on a summer afternoon.

Location:

Farm to Table is located at Legacy Hydroponics, 1357 Lane Road, Waterford, PA 16441. From the road, you’ll turn into a driveway that belongs to a home, and look forward to your left and see an arrow pointing you towards parking down in the open clearing.

Legacy Hydroponics

Property Description:

This is a large piece of land, lined with vendor booths. Upon entering, you will see a decent sized pavilion with picnic tables. Next to and across from that are vendors. If you continue walking forward, you will see move vendors. The vendor tents loop around so that you end up back where you parked after walking around all booths.

What to Do:

This is a farmers market and local vendor market. On this trip, we found quite a few booths that interested us. We looked around a farmers market stand from Legacy Hydroponics with fruits and vegetables, fresh eggs, jams, maple syrup, and honey. We visited a lovely handmade solar light stand customized for various interests from cows to fairies. We got snow cones from a food truck. We bought some beautiful handmade bracelets from Wild Luna Co. and listened to live music while eating delicious cheese and potato pierogis.

Wild Luna Co.

It’s also important to know that there are more vendors than just what we checked out, including Stuffed Pierogi Co., Tater Tater Erie, Knockerball of Linesville for the kids (or adults), flowers from Growing Strong farm, Luminary Distilling, and more. This is an open air farmers market, so there is a lot to do and check out while still being outside. If you’re looking for outdoor eating or drinks, this could be a good stop!

Who Can Go:

Anyone can enjoy this pop-up market. It is on grass, so pushing a stroller might be a little difficult.

Realize that you are in a field out on a farm, not on a cement path or parking lot; we recommend paying attention to what’s in front of you on the ground while walking, because we did have a cute baby frog that we had to do a quick stop for as it crossed our path as we were trotting from booth to booth.

Fresh Flowers

Final Thoughts:

We really enjoyed this experience and thought it was pretty cool to see vendors from around the area at this farmers market in Erie, PA. We love shopping locally and supporting small businesses. Unknown to us, they have been having these once a month since the spring. If you’re interested in checking this out, there is one more planned for the season, on September 12, 2021. Keep up with the Legacy Hydroponics Facebook page for more information such as vendors and timing of the event.

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Farm to Table at Legacy Hydroponics 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.]

Creamland

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Creamland

In our last post, we were “Wandering Beyond Erie” in Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, but now we’re back in Erie and wandering our hometown once again!

On a summer evening when temperatures just don’t seem to be dropping, one of our favorite things to do is search for the best ice cream in Erie, PA! And this time, our search led us to Creamland for some tasty treats!

Location:

Creamland is located at 6221 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506. Being on the west side of Erie, it’s a in a great spot for those located in or planning on heading out to West Millcreek, Fairview, Girard, and Lake City.

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Property Description:

This ice cream stand is outdoor only for patrons. It has a decently sized parking lot, with room to hang out as you’re enjoying your ice cream treat. There are benches on the side of the building so you can relax while you eat, if you’d like.

What to Do:

Creamland is typically known for it’s delicious Perry’s Ice Cream! When we went, they had 22 different flavors to choose from! We opted for Graham Canyon, Toasted Coconut, Vanilla, and Cotton Candy, all in cones. Perry’s Ice Cream seems to be a winner every time, and we all enjoyed our cones! To go along with their ice cream, they offer sundaes, floats, and banana splits.

Graham Canyon and Toasted Coconut, each one scoop
Vanilla Kid Sized Cone

If you’re looking for something less sweet and of more substance, they do offer hot dogs, french fries, chicken strips, pizza burgers, and more.

Who Can Go:

This space is open to everyone. It is easily accessible. You can bring your dog with you if you’d like; and we actually saw two pups hanging out with their families.

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Final Thoughts:

Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at Creamland, and we thought the ice cream was delicious. If you’re looking for a place to get Perry’s Ice Cream in Erie, PA, and you’re on the west side of town, Creamland could be just the spot you’re looking for!

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Creamland 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.]

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium (Pittsburgh, PA)

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Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

There are times when we wander a bit farther than normal, and today’s blog post is a prime example of that! Welcome to our first post in a series we entitled “Wandering Beyond Erie!” And, even though most of what we want to show you is about what to do in Erie, PA, we know sometimes it’s important to answer the question what’s close to Erie, PA?

On a beautiful summer day when you’re looking for fun and adventure, sometimes there’s nothing better than taking a drive on the highway to spend the day walking around a beautiful zoo! We decided to do just that as we went on a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo!

Location:

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is located at 7370 Baker Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, which is roughly two hours from Erie, PA. The zoo has a couple entrances, so when you’re coming in it can be a bit tricky to navigate. However, there are signs posted! The zoo boasts a HUGE parking lot, with enough access for strollers or wheelchairs.

Property Description:

This is a rather large zoo in Pennsylvania at 77 acres, especially when in comparison to the Erie Zoo at 15 acres. There are cement paths to walk on, and every exhibit is accessible by wheelchair or stroller, whether there are stairs going up to the exhibit or not. There are many different animal enclosures with various forms of fencing, be it natural or man-made, to keep you separate from your animal friends. Different buildings are located throughout the property, giving the choice to take a peek inside or continue on your way. The zoo features beautiful greenery, where you will see mammals and reptiles from all over the globe. The aquarium boasts brilliantly colored aquatic life from around the world, along with a lush rainforest and waterfalls.

Things to do:

There is so much fun to be had walking around the zoo! With over 4,000 animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo representing 475 species, there is bound to be interest for the whole family! We had a few favorites on our trip; which included the lemurs, big cats, komodo dragons, otters, and sea lions!

Not only are there exhibits to look at, but the zoo features a lot of interaction between guest and animal. We were lucky enough to get up close and personal with a bearded dragon and his keeper as we were walking along! You can also go on a “Wild Encounter” to learn more about specific exhibits, and go behind the scenes with animals such as elephants, giraffes, red pandas, and even sharks! This is something that will cost you a little extra ($250 per group), but may be well worth the experience. We did not try one of these encounters, but might consider it for a future trip.

If you need a break and the kids want to play, the zoo features a play area called “Kids Kingdom.” Kids can run, climb, and slide in the playground.

You’re going to want to pack a snack to bring with you, or you can visit one of the many locations for food and beverage throughout the zoo! Village Market, Arctic Express, Swahili Pizza, and Swahili Ice Cream are all great quick service counters, while the Jambo Grill (located in the exact middle of the zoo) offers a great made-to-order menu with a beautiful seating area surrounding the building. We opted for Dippin’ Dots, and I must say they were pretty delicious.

There are three gift shops located in the zoo; two in the front of the zoo where you enter and exit, and one in the PPG Aquarium. You’ll find everything from plushies to animal figures, t-shirts and tank tops, mugs and jewelry. The selection is expansive, allowing everyone in the family to find a souvenir they will cherish.

Who Can Go:

The zoo is a great place for anyone, young and old! We saw everyone from tiny babies to great-grandparents enjoying their day at the zoo. It’s wonderful for families, dates, school trips, and visits with friends.

The zoo is very inclusive and offers sensory bags and weighted lap pads available to check out while you’re on your zoo adventure. There is also an app you can download from their website to further enhance your visit.

Final Thoughts:

This zoo is a great place to go to if you’re looking for an all day activity that you’re willing to take a little bit of a lengthy drive from Erie to get to. We spent about four hours there during our trip, and I honestly think we could’ve stayed even longer. It was a nice experience for the little ones, and we will definitely be returning in the future.

If you’re on the search for zoos in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Zoo would be a great stop on your quest to find the best zoo in PA!

I also want to point out that they were setting up for a really cool event, The Asian Lantern Festival, while we were there. This year (2021), it runs on select nights from August 14 until October 30. As it gets darker, the lanterns will glow and new entertainment will be provided. The lanterns will be on display at all hours, but the actual festival is a ticketed event separate from regular daytime admission.

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Display from the Asian Lantern Festival

Check out the link below to find out more information and to plan your visit to the zoo!

Visitor Information

[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium 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.]

The Original Popcorn House Erie, PA

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The Original Popcorn House Erie, PA

When looking for great snacks in Erie, PA, we wouldn’t be able to create a list without including The Original Popcorn House! If you’re looking for a popcorn place in Erie to call your go-to, your search may be over with this family owned and operated business!

Location:

The Original Popcorn House is located at 2660 W 8th St, Erie, PA 16505, in the Shops at the Colony. It’s conveniently close to Presque Isle, so it’s become a tradition in our family to eat some popcorn while watching the waves. When leaving the Original Popcorn House in Erie, Pa, you head west on 8th Street and then make a right onto Peninsula Drive. You will arrive at Presque Isle State Park in roughly 5 minutes, if that. This is certainly a place to eat by the beach.

Property Description:

The setup is very similar to a quick service restaurant and a store. You walk in, and enter the roped line to check out what’s on their menu for the day. It’s important to note that they do rotate some flavors in and out, which means you really never know what type of popcorn is available at The Original Popcorn house, so popping in never hurts!

Menu Boards

After checking out the menu, a staff member will take your order and begin bagging your popcorn; that’s right, you are getting freshly bagged popcorn! You continue through the line to check out, where you will find merchandise, drinks, and more yummy treats. And while you’re checking out, a jar encourages donations to a local animal rescue, which is something we love to see in places of business.

What to Do:

Buy popcorn; you can’t walk into the Original Popcorn House without grabbing at least one bag! The bags come in four sizes; mini, small, medium, and large. You can also purchase tins and small pre-made sample bags. With so many flavors of popcorn to choose from, there is bound to be a treat for everyone in the family.

A few of the many gourmet classic flavors

Their popcorn is not all priced equally, and that’s because of the extra love they put into their gourmet specialty. It usually has some sort of extra glaze on it, whether it be white chocolate, peanut butter, or maple, just to name a few. The gourmet classic is just as wonderful, but contains more savory flavors (butter garlic parmesan, mac & cheese, cheddar beer) along with a few sweet concoctions (cotton candy, lemonade). They even offer vegan flavors, and more than just a couple at that!

Peanut Butter Jelly Popcorn
Ice Cream Menu

They even serve ice cream, and that includes popcorn sundaes! Who would have thought one of the best places for ice cream in Erie, PA was at The Original Popcorn House? With a variety of flavors, choose a flavor swirl cone or you have the option to go big with that popcorn sundae, stacked with your favorite flavor (mine is peanut butter chocolate drizzle, just saying).

Who Can Go:

This is a great place for anyone. The staff is wonderful and provides excellent service to all who enter; they will even help you choose some flavors, if you need the help. This is definitely a family friendly environment and an overall positive place to be.

The building is handicap accessible and friendly, and you enter off of a sidewalk.

Final Thoughts:

If you’re looking for a huge variety of popcorn, head to The Original Popcorn House. You’re bound to find a flavor you love, and that popcorn (and the friendly staff) will keep you coming back.

Although we personally have never done this, you can order on GrubHub and have your popcorn delivered right to your door, which is very convenient in these times. If you’re not able to go out or just don’t want to, check out the popcorn through delivery.

You’re not going to want to miss out on this, it just might be the best popcorn in Erie, PA!

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Some Gourmet Specialty Flavors, Popcorn Tins, Mugs

[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Original Popcorn House 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 can be hard.]

5 Places to Watch the Sunset in Erie, PA

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­We know that going to the same spot over and over again to watch the sunset may not be fun to some of you, which is why we’ve decided to bring you 5 different locations in the Erie area that have “instaworthy” sunsets, at least almost all of the time. Keep in mind while reading and checking out the photos that these sunsets were viewed by us in early January. And if you’re looking for even more places to watch the sunset in Erie, PA, here are 5 more locations to check out!

After spending time enjoying the holidays like looking at Christmas lights and staying in around the end of the year, this is unfortunately the slow time in Erie, Pa. After any vacation time has been used up, you are home from traveling or the house is empty, and you don’t know what to do with your time, most people start waiting for spring or summer. Let’s be honest, the snow is great and provides an excellent addition to winter, but many people quickly get tired of the cold and ice that come along with it. For that reason, we have been capturing some of the best sunsets in Erie and want to show you a few of the favorites. If nothing else, remember any location in Erie, PA we show today and hopefully these will help keep you warm and inspire you to check these out yourself (now or in the future).

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Presque Isle State Park

Presque Isle State Park is not just a well-known place, but even within the park itself you will find multiple popular points. This one can be slightly tricky because if you are trying to have a romantic moment or just enjoy the peaceful nature, there can be a decent crowd to deal with. This obviously depends on the time of the year. Mid-summer sunsets are going to be much different than cooler weather in the spring or fall. However, there are also multiple pockets along the miles of beaches. Many people will take one of the first few turns just to get in (and the parking lots show that). However, back towards kite beach or near the lighthouse, for example, you can find great sunsets with very few spectators. Because of the way Presque Isle jets out, virtually anywhere along the beach you will be able to capture an amazing view.

Shades Beach

Heading out to the east side of town, you can quickly find Shades Beach Park, just north of Route 5. We actually have a new post coming out on this one shortly, so be on the lookout! The important thing to note about Shades Beach is that it is a small beach (certainly smaller than Presque Isle), but it is also a major viewing area. It has a lot of space with a simple beach and not a lot of spectators, so you can certainly get the peace you are looking for. It also has ample parking, and a space to launch boats, so you can get right up on the water. The views are similar to Presque isle as the natural geography of the beach faces west. Make sure to bring your camera for this one.

Walnut Creek Marina

Heading back out to the west side of town, you can check out Walnut Creek Marina for a sunset. As we have shown previously, Walnut Creek Marina is another large space to enjoy the beach. There is actually sand and a number of spaces to sit down and enjoy the sunset. Because there is usually tremendous space for parking and for boat launching, you might be able to see a number of boats on the water, people flying kites, and dogs being walked. It’s a fairly popular place, but in no way should you feel crowded. This would be an ideal location for watching the sunset either out and on the beach, or even comfortably seated in your car if you can find the right parking spot.

Avonia Beach

Just a short drive from Walnut Creek Marina (in fact, we checked out this one once because Walnut Creek Marina was too busy) is Avonia Beach. We have been to Avonia Beach on multiple occasions and love it. It is usually a quiet beach without a great deal of people. It seems in all of the times we have been there most of the people who are there are just enjoying the water or are hunting for beach glass, but there isn’t a tremendous amount of hustle and bustle. For that reason, you can enjoy the short stretch of beach, sit on the benches or blocks, and be able to just relax on the water. The beach isn’t deep, which means you can literally be a few feet from the water and listen to the waves the entire time.

Lakeside Boat Launch

The lakeside boat launch is a decent view and easy to access. Though there isn’t a perfectly clear skyline view, you actually get a unique view compared to the other locations. Instead of looking at the sun over the water, you actually see the sun disappearing behind the sliver of Presque Isle behind the water. This is a very uncrowded site, as we were the only people there. There are also multiple benches, and this spot is adjacent to both the lakeside recreation area and not far from the Lake Cliff playground. This is another easy one to get to if you are in the city, on the east side of Erie, or even just in the GE vicinity. It’s a great spot to watch as well as stretch your legs as there is a walking path – and you don’t get many of those within the city.

Final Thoughts:

As you can see, regardless of where you are there are a great deal of places to see the best sunsets in Erie, PA. There are more than enough places right on the water where you have a great view, and ones that most people won’t be able to see at all – but you have access to them right in your own backyard and almost any day of the week. As long as there are clear skies scheduled, any of these locations will work. And if you are checking these out while it’s still cold and gray outside, you should be able to watch these and hopefully buy yourself some time until you can get out and check out these sunsets in person.

Again, if you’re looking for even more places to enjoy a Lake Erie sunset, we’ve got you covered! Click the picture below.

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[Disclaimer: We went to see the sunset on random nights, and all of these sunsets were recorded in January. No sunset in Erie is ever the same. We may have caught the most awesome sunsets or the less dramatic kind. Either way, it’s always a beautiful sunset in Erie, PA.]

Barber Center Home for the Holidays Christmas Lights Contest

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Sticking with the theme of checking out Christmas Lights, such as the previous walk through Asbury Woods’ Winter Wonderland (which is still ongoing!) … we decided to check out the popular “Home for the Holidays” 2020 Barber Christmas Lights Contest. And while this one is a great event if you and your family are looking for something to do in order to get into the holiday spirit, a fair warning is that this event is huge! There are houses all around Erie county, and it could easily take you multiple nights!

Location

We strongly recommend you check out the Barber contest website for the rules of the contest as well as the map. The great benefit is that you could literally be driving from one side of town to the other and back again, and still not hit all of the lights. This includes the fact that you will probably see lights and displays up that aren’t officially part of the contest as well, but we recommend the map as these homes are more likely to be on and have the effort necessary to participate in the contest. These homes are ones that take the competition seriously!

Property Description

The property descriptions will vary. These homes might not just be homes – they can be businesses as well. The locations can be on busy streets, in the middle of subdivisions, or even down what looks like more private or less traveled roads. And while some places are probably closer to where you live, you can set up a list of addresses in advance so you can be sure to take as many of these houses in as possible. You might just be surprised at some of the displays, as we saw one that covered the full house and yard, one that had more figures than we could count, and even a set that you drive through as it was between two houses across the street from one another!

Another point to make is that according to the rules this contest technically covers Erie, Crawford, and Warren counties, so regardless of where you are there are probably some lights near you!

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What to Do & Who Can Go:

All you need to do to participate in this event is check out the map and drive to some of the competitor’s displays. We want to note that you can also go back to the website and vote for your favorite. It’s also important to note that this is sponsored by the Barber National Institute, so if you feel the event is worth it and one you hope to continue seeing, consider making a donation to the nonprofit (which you can do right through the website).

As long as you, your significant other, your little one (or ones), or anybody else who is tired of being couped up can see out the windows of the car, this is a great event. You can get out of the house and take a drive. The common theme is to play some Christmas music if you would like, possibly grab some hot cocoa before you go, and just enjoy. You will want to plan ahead. And be aware that some of the busier streets may be a little bit harder to slow down, so have a plan. It is easy to pull over to the side of the road and park, and it’s a lot easier to slow down on side streets or in neighborhoods. Also, be sure to watch traffic because chances are there will be other people doing the same thing!

Final Thoughts:

With a fun event like this, you really are going to have a surprise at every home. The reality is every house is unique in some way. Because this is up to the individual home owners you never know what they are going to display or what you are going to get. That’s why you should make a plan to at least see a few, and then if you have fun you can either keep going or hit other houses on the other side of town the next time out. With only a few days left until Christmas, there is still time to get into the holiday spirit. With the ongoing pandemic, however, people are looking for reasons and activities to get out of the house. This even runs from December 12th, all the way through January 2nd, so you will definitely have time to check out the lights at least for a few nights!

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Asbury Woods Winter Wonderland

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In order to remain in the holiday spirit, we followed up our trip with the Presque Isle Lights by heading to the Asbury Woods Winter Wonderland. This event was a solid opportunity to actually get out onto the boardwalk of Asbury Woods and see the staged lights they have set up for the crowd.

Location

The location of this event is right inside of Asbury Woods. The address is 4015 Asbury Road in Erie, and the walk itself is entirely outside on the property. The good news is that this entire trip is only about 1/3 of a mile for the path, so this is a simple walk that anyone of any age can enjoy.

Property Description

If you’ve never been to Asbury Woods before, this is a perfect time to go. Winter Wonderland continues at Asbury Woods from December 4th until December 31st (please note, there will be no program on December 24th, or December 25th). It runs from 5:00PM – 8:00PM nightly, and is a very nice walk which is open to the public. The event is free, but donations are accepted on-site. When we went, there was just a bit of snow on the ground and on the boardwalk. However, it was fairly well shoveled which meant we even had the ability to take our stroller through with us.

It is important to note that in most seasons Asbury Woods has more activities going on for their Winter Wonderland, but despite the restrictions of COVID-19, the viewing area is a perfect walk. It’s also important to note that in addition to the social distancing aspect, this event allows individuals to walk around entirely outdoors. You can enjoy the sights while the event continues to follow the guidelines as given by the government.  Currently those guidelines are under than 50 people at one time. However, they are subject to change and the officials at Asbury Woods continue to monitor the number of people on the trail at any time.

What to Do & Who Can Go:

These lights are a great walk through the woods and enjoy nature while also being able to see the lights. It’s a simple walk, but can really be part of the holiday spirit. In a year where not everything has been “normal,” this event is something anyone can enjoy. It’s a great opportunity for couples, individuals, or the whole family. The fact that it’s all on a boardwalk versus on a dirt trail means you can be sure of your footing in the winter elements. Let’s be honest, Erie, PA gets snow and inclement weather, and that means if you want to enjoy the outside you at least will have sure footing.

Final Thoughts:

This is a fun event for the family. The best way to enjoy this holiday is to try and get outside, but the number of opportunities in the winter can be few and far between. That’s all of the more reason for looking at this event as a must-do. You will be outdoors so it might be a great opportunity to meet others from outside of your household while maintaining the social distancing aspect. Or you might just want to take your children or parents out yourself.

One other point to note is that this event can be popular. When we went, we arrived at the Asbury Woods parking lot right as the event was starting, and the lot was full. In fact, some individuals were parking across the street and we were able to pull into one of the last spots. The entire walk only took us about 30 to 40 minutes with little ones who took their time and wanted to see everything, however. And when we left, the parking lot was almost half-way open, which means you shouldn’t have a problem getting into this event quickly and enjoying it before little ones (or you yourself) start to get cold. Bring your camera and enjoy these, because if you enjoy looking at Christmas lights then this is a great opportunity to not only go, but to possibly go multiple times.

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