To celebrate our 50th blog post (Yes, this is number 50!) and Summer 2021 coming to an end soon, we’ve paired some great ice cream stands with our favorite places to watch the sunset, so you can enjoy the close proximity and won’t have to drive all over Erie to plan a fun evening!
Whether you’re looking to have fun on a date night in Erie, enjoy time with friends, spend an evening with family, or take some me time, this list will bring you some pretty wonderful ice cream and sunset locations.
We even included a map and directions from the ice cream shop to the park, so you can visualize it before you go! Click the name of each location to find out more! (Side note: We haven’t posted our blog about Dairy Oasis yet, but we will link it when we do.)
[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with any of these businesses or locations 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.]
After taking the time to wander Brown’s Farm, we needed a simpler plan. It’s one thing to enjoy the summer heat, the sun, and longer trails, but when fall starts to creep around the corner it is important to enjoy the summer before they’re gone for the year. That’s why we headed down to Lake Erie Community Park.
Location
Lake Erie Community Park is a small park in Lake City, PA. It is located at 10192 West Lake Road in Lake City, PA 16423. It has recently been renovated. It used to be full of campers and seasonal living, but those have been removed which makes this an ideal location to enjoy peace and quiet, events, using the baseball field, or just taking a walk. It is also conveniently located right on the water, so many people enjoy ice cream from the also conveniently located Dairy Oasis right at the entrance to the park.
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Property Description:
The property itself is a simple one, but has ample space. In addition to the already mentioned items, there are benches facing the water with a beautiful view from the cliffs to the lake down below. There is also a pavilion for events. Technically there are 4 pavilions, each with grills, electrical outlets, water, etc. – but only one pavilion has walls and can hold more than 180 people.
Things to do:
In addition to the baseball field, there is a lot of walking space. This location technically has a west side to the park, with some trails and the ability to actually get down to the water. All in all, the park is 125 acres. Dogs are welcome (but as always, you are responsible for them and any cleanup you may need to do). Besides hosting parties, weddings, graduations, and more, there is also a playground for children to play. This is also another popular destination for photography, as the views of the trees and nature, combined with the cliffs and the lake, make for a photogenic location.
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Who Can Go:
If you are looking for an opportunity to get out to an area of privacy, this is a location for anyone. It’s a simple park, but the views and opportunity to find a quiet location are enough to bring anyone down to relax.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you grab ice cream, have an event to celebrate, want to play on the baseball field or at the playground, or just want to see nature, this is a simple location. In times where social distancing is the norm, this is a great location because it’s not often overcrowded, and it tends to be a little more hidden compared to some of the parks and playgrounds where children can usually go. But, whatever your purpose, this is definitely a spot to check out and bring your friends or family, whether younger or older.Â
Interested in finding out about more parks in Erie? Click here.
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We had a ton of fun being spectators at the Erie Ultimate Disc Dogs event (which are still going on, so be sure to check them out!), it was time to let our toddler run around and explore. For that reason, we headed to Avonia Beach in Fairview, PA. We were also strategic in choosing a day after a storm for a handful of reasons.
Location
Avonia Beach Park can be found somewhat easily. Find Avonia road which cuts through Fairview, PA, and then head north. There isn’t technically an address that we could find, but there are many signs. You will also know you are there when you’ve reached the parking lot as well as where trout run empties into the lake.
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Property Description:
The property itself has a decent sized beach. This is yet another way to get into the water without having to fight some of the larger crowds of Presque Isle. And if you are out in the west county area, this is a quick place to get to without needing to head down into the heart of Erie.
There is a long beachhead which stretches nearly 1,000 feet. And, though this isn’t the miles and miles of Presque Isle, it is certainly a great place to enjoy the waves and breeze if you are trying to have some privacy and maintain social distancing.
Things to do:
This access to the lake is not only a great place to enjoy sights, but it is a place to fish or swim. However, because fishing is allowed along trout run and at the beach, please be cautious when swimming as there could be lures. This is probably not a beach to travel on with bare feet, but wading in the water with shoes or crocs is completely doable.
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We specifically chose to come out to this beach the night after a rainstorm (and it was still raining at the time) to look for beach glass! The rains and storms cause enough disruption in the lake that stones and glass are pushed around and have a better chance of floating into the shore during higher tides.
It also just so happens that if a toddler is going to splash in the water anyways, it doesn’t matter if it’s lightly raining outside! Just remember to bring a towel!
Another item to note is that there is a house available for renting. The Brugger house is a popular place to host parties for graduation, wedding receptions, showers, and more. Just contact Fairview Parks and Recreation at 814-474-5077.
Who Can Go:
This is a great spot for anyone in the family. The access to this beach can be a little harder to get to the water because there is a lot more rocks mixed in with the sand than in some places. However, you can park literally just feet away from the beach itself, so as far as accessing the beach – it’s not going to be hard to get to it. There are also benches and places to sit just off of the beach which make this have availability for all to enjoy the water.
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In addition, there are plans in the works to install a viewing platform over trout run, and to have a handicap accessible fishing platform, so anyone can find something to do here when it comes to the water, and more accessibility and additions are on the way.
Final Thoughts:
Besides just the water itself which could be for splashing, swimming, or fishing, this is a quiet park with ample wildlife. In addition to the Brugger house for possible rental, this is a place where some can come and just walk and talk, take photos, skip rocks, or hunt for beach glass. If you are looking for a place to go when it comes to the outdoors, this is another place to check out. It’s worth the drive if you aren’t on the west side of Erie, Pa, and if you’re already out there it’s a quick spot to get away and enjoy the view while passing the time for anyone in the family.
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Wander Erie 