Tag Archives: family

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.

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.