Tag Archives: ice cream shops

Serendipity Sweets

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Serendipity Sweets

**WE’RE SORRY TO SAY THAT SERENDIPITY SWEETS HAS CLOSED THEIR LOCATION ON EAST 38TH STREET. THEY ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A NEW LOCATION, AND WE WILL UPDATE YOU AS SOON AS WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION**

Summer is leading into Fall, and we haven’t brought you all of the amazing ice cream stands in Erie just yet. However, we did recently visit Serendipity Sweets, and we think it’s worthy of being added to your lists of places to visit in the summer, and in the colder months as well!

Location:

Serendipity Sweets is located at 861 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504.

If you are looking for things to do by Mercyhurst College, Serendipity Streets is a quick walk away from the college.

Property Description:

Serendipity Sweets is a very colorful, uplifting space that definitely makes you feel like a kid in a candy store, or in this case, a kid in an ice cream and bake shop! We loved all of the colorful tiles on the floor and the bright blue bubbly walls that made us almost feel like we were underwater.

There are plenty of tables set up inside, and there are also benches available outside if you want to enjoy the nice weather.

  • Tables set up inside
  • A little lounge area and bar top
  • Outside benches

What to Do:

Serendipity Sweets was different than any other ice cream bar we’ve ever been to. You will start at the left of the counter and make your way down towards the right. You choose your flavor, and then choose toppings from the sundae bar that will be put on for you. Or, you can choose a specific sundae and they will just make it as it is on the menu. Once you pass through the bar, you can make your way to the topping wall. There are dispensers with several different toppings, such as sprinkles, Reese Puffs, Skittles, and snickerdoodle cookies that you can “dump” onto your ice cream or non dairy ice cream. Each topping will cost you an additional fifty cents.

Not only does Serendipity Sweets offer ice cream, frozen yogurt, and non dairy ice cream, but they also offer baked goods as well. Grab a brownie, cake slice, or even an entire pie when you stop in! They even offer froyo pies! Yum!

We are always on the lookout for menu items for those who have food allergies or need vegetarian or vegan foods, and Serendipity Sweets was so accommodating for those of us who have food restrictions. They have several gluten free options, not only in ice cream but baked goods as well. They also have non dairy ice cream choices, which is actually what one of us got, and it was really, really good!

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Who Can Go:

This is a really cool ice cream shop and bakery that anyone can come to. It is very easily accessible for a wheelchair or a stroller. If you’re limited on time, you can go to their website and place an order to be picked up at their drive through window! You can find the link to order by clicking here.

They do offer private parties in their dining area, which I believe are held on the weekends before their normal hours of operation.

And for those of you who go to Mercyhurst College, Serendipity Sweets would make for a great quick date or even a place to study at, given the tables and the small barstool area as well as the booth area in the corner.

Final Thoughts:

We thought this was a really cool place to grab a DIY sundae. The atmosphere was really fun and bright, and you just feel happy as you walk in. As far as finding ice cream in Erie, PA, this is a very fun and different location!

Serendipity Sweets is open from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

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

Mitchell’s Ice Cream

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Mitchell’s Ice Cream

A quick trip out of town as we wandered beyond Erie led us to one of the best ice cream shops in Cleveland, OH, and we just have to share the goodness!

View from the parking lot

Location:

Mitchell’s Ice Cream has 10 different locations in the Cleveland area, but the particular Mitchell’s we recently visited was located at 2101 Richmond Road at LaPlace, Beachwood, OH 44122.

Mitchell’s is specifically located in Cleveland and the surrounding area, and proud to get produce from surrounding farmers, as well as use local crafts and trades to furnish, design, and market their business. Cleveland owned and operated, and Cleveland proud.

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Property Description:

This is an ice cream shop, and is designed accordingly. You can enter from the outside, or from inside LaPlace Shopping Center. There is a long ice cream counter with over 30 flavors to choose from, a drink refrigerator, and a freezer containing pints of ice cream for purchase. A few tables and booths line the side of the ice cream shop.

Menu boards

It appears all locations have the same hours; Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m..

Things to Do:

Eat ice cream! Here’s how your visit should go: If you enter from the outside, you will walk straight forward to get into line; which is usually pretty long considering this is a very popular ice cream place! Once in line, you can gaze at the many, many ice cream flavors you have to choose from.

Flavors and Options

If you’re unsure of what you want, you can taste test for free! Order your ice cream; bowl or cone, sundae, root beer float, shake, or malt. Gaze at the wonderful flavors behind the glass as you continue walking down the counter.

Ice Cream Flavors
Which one would you choose?

Your ice cream will be handed to you, take it down to the register and pay. Have a seat; enjoy your delicious ice cream inside the shop, outside, or inside of LaPlace.

Who Can Go:

Anyone who loves the cold goodness of ice cream will be more than welcome here!

Campfire Smores, Strawberry with
Sprinkles, Coconut

It is definitely handicap and stroller accessible, but you may have a bit of a hard time squeezing into line if you enter from inside of LaPlace Shopping Center. We found it a little difficult to sneak our stroller through because of the amount of people in line and eating inside the shop.

While this is a great ice cream shop for families, we believe this is also a great stop for a date night in Beachwood, Ohio. Open until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Mitchell’s could provide that perfect ice cream treat after dinner and a movie!

Final Thoughts:

If you’re looking for some of the best ice cream in Cleveland, we think we might have found the right destination to go to in Mitchell’s Ice Cream. Maybe you have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic and would like to treat yourself after, or maybe you’ve just enjoyed a day at the zoo with your family, or maybe you want to impress your date; no matter what the occasion, Mitchell’s is a great place to check out if you’re looking for things to do in the Beachwood, OH area!

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

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

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Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

If you’re looking for a frozen treat, but you’re not in the mood for ice cream, we have a great spot for you to check out! Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is a unique alternative to your basic ice cream stand. This is a great location to get frozen custard in Erie, PA!

Location:

Rita’s Italian Ice is located at 1406 West Gore Rd, Erie, PA 16509. They are conveniently located right off of Peach Street, close to Med Express and PNC Bank. Across Peach Street is Monroe Auto Service, so if you plan according to Rita’s hours, you could always grab a treat while your car is being worked on!

They are open from 2 p.m.-9 p.m. daily. They do close for the winter season at the end of September, so be aware of that.

Property Description:

Rita’s is an outside only Italian Ice and Frozen Custard stand for patrons. You will stand in line and order through a window. Once you get your treats, you can hang out on the benches to the left of the building or eat in your car.

There are quite a few parking spots to the right of Rita’s. Try to stay within the Rita’s parking lot when you park as there are other businesses close by.

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What to Do:

Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard is nothing short of delicious. When we go, some of us get the same thing every visit while others like to try new treats each time. A tried and true favorite of ours is the Misto Shake! We can also vouch for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Concrete! Try it with Salted Caramel Custard if it’s available. It may sound weird, but you won’t regret it! The classic Gelati, a mix of Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, is also a fan favorite at Rita’s.

  • Misto Shake
  • Reese’s Concrete
  • Italian Ice

Our littles love to get Frozen Drinks, which is Italian Ice blended into a drink. It really hits the spot on those hot summer days! They’ve also enjoyed a custard cookie sandwich, and we have to say it was pretty delicious as we ended up finishing it for them as it’s pretty large.

  • Custard Cookie Snadwich
  • Custard Cookie Sandwich
  • Frozen Drinks

Who Can Go:

Rita’s is for everyone, and is accessible by anyone. Although it may appear from the front that you have to walk up stairs to order, that’s not true as there is a ramp to the right of the stand.

Italian Ice can be enjoyed by all, even the little littles! It’s definitely a favorite of most everyone who lives within walking distance; you’ll typically see as many people walking towards the stand from nearby neighborhoods as there are that drove their cars there.

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Final Thoughts:

We love the traditional ice cream stands in the Millcreek area, such as Whippy Dip and Creamland, but if you’re looking for something truly different and unique, give Rita’s a try! The Italian Ice is super refreshing on a hot day. We also love that Rita’s allows everyone with differing wants a chance to get something that looks good to them, whether you’re looking for a loaded custard sundae or just a simple Italian Ice drink!

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

Ice Cream and a Sunset in Erie, PA

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Ice Cream and a Sunset in Erie, PA

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.)

The Double Dipper and Shorewood Park

Castle Ice Cream and Elk Creek Access

Whippy Dip and Chautauqua Park

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Dairy Oasis and Lake Erie Community Park

The Straw Hat and Freeport Beach

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[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.]

The Straw Hat Sundae Shop

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The Straw Hat Sundae Shop

We’ve shown you a few ice cream stand locations on the west side of Erie County towards Ohio, such as Castle Ice Cream, and even though we’ve been east at the Double Dipper, we decided to head even east even more towards New York, and we ended up at The Straw Hat in North East, PA. And we have to say, it is a really cool place to visit with some great ice cream treats! With over 50 years of service to the North East community, this sundae shop is pretty impressive!

Location:

The Straw Hat is located at 207 South Lake Street, North East, PA 16428. It is right on the main street of town, and very easily accessible.

Property Description:

The Straw Hat is an ice cream stand that is outdoor only for patrons. The area where you order is covered, which is the first we’ve seen of this in the Erie area! You actually feel like you’re indoors because it is covered so well, with overhead lighting included. There are picnic tables outside for you to enjoy your food at.

We found parking across the street, but we think you may also be able to park behind the building as well.

View from the side
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What to Do:

The Straw Hat in North East, PA is home to not only Perry’s Ice Cream, but ice cream from the Penn State Berkey Creamery as well! Between the two, we counted well over 30 flavors of ice cream! We tried the Grilled Stickies ice cream, and it was so, so yummy! They also have milkshakes, root beer floats, and soft serve ice cream.

  • Bubble Gum
  • Pumpkin Pie in a Waffle Cone
  • Chocolate Mint
  • Grilled Stickies over Pumpkin Pie in a Waffle Cone
  • Some of the many flavor options!

We also love that The Straw Hat has dairy free options, for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. They also have dairy free shakes!

We found something here that we have never seen before; the Straw Hat has a Mighty Fine Donut ice cream sandwich! We had to try one, and of course it was all sorts of delicious! This insanely good donut sandwich is filled with soft serve ice cream. Fair warning, one might not be enough to fill you up, and in our case took a lot less time to eat than an ice cream cone!

Mighty Fine Donut Sandwich

We also found several “Instagram-able” spots if you enjoy taking photos. On the side of the building, there’s a sign with a giant ice cream cone on it, as well as a vintage Straw Hat sign with a chicken on it. In the very front, near the road and within the picnic tables, there is also a giant rooster statue to take photos with as well.

“Instagram-able” Ice Cream sign

Who Can Go:

We love that this ice cream stand is easily accessible by anyone who wants to stop by. We also really appreciate the covering over the front, which makes it so that you can always get your ice cream, even when it’s raining!

Final Thoughts:

This is a really cool place! We love the amount of seating, the covered ordering area, and the yummy donut sandwiches!

We appreciate the variety of flavors between Perry’s Ice Cream and Penn State Berkey Creamery. If you’re a Penn State alumni or if you live in the Erie area and you’re looking for Penn State ice cream without traveling to State College, this is a great stop for you!

They are open from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with The Straw Hat Sundae Shop 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.]

5 Places to Get Ice Cream in Erie, PA

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5 Places to Get Ice Cream in Erie, PA

The weather is warm, sometimes too warm, so we decided to bring you 5 places to get ice cream in Erie, PA. Check one out, or check all of them out!

Creamland

6221 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506

Creamland is typically known for it’s delicious Perry’s Ice Cream! To go along with their ice cream, they offer sundaes, floats, and banana splits.

Click here for more info!

Mr. Shivers

11220 Old Route 19 N, Waterford, PA 16441

Mr. Shivers scoops out Perry’s Ice Cream, boasting 30 flavor choices on our last trip there! We love that this stand also has a menu that’s fit for lunch or dinner, so if you want to enjoy a meal and then go back and get some ice cream for dessert, this may be a great location for you!

Click here for more info!

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Main Street Cakery Café

2900 Copperleaf Drive, Erie, PA 16509

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. This is a café style restaurant which also serves meals, with a bakery and coffee counter located directly inside the entrance. The Cakery would be a great choice if you’d like to enjoy a sit down meal before your ice cream treat! Upon walking in, the ice cream selections will be to your left. Seating is located both to the left and to the right, and also outside.

Click here for more info!

The Double Dipper

5320 Buffalo Road, Erie, PA 16510

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.

Click here for more info!

Whippy Dip

2527 Chestnut Street, Erie, PA 16502

They serve fantastic soft serve ice cream! If you enjoy soft serve, this is an awesome location for you to visit. They also have shakes, snowstorms, slushies, and bakery items. And cold desserts are not their only forte, Whippy Dip also serves several savory items!

Click here for more info!

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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with any of these businesses 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.]

Mr. Shivers Custard Treats

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Mr. Shivers Custard Treats

It seems like there are so many ice cream stands in Erie, but we recently came across this gem on Route 19 (or as we in Erie call it Peach Street) and we simply adore it!

Location:

Mr. Shivers is located at 11220 Old Rte 19 N, Waterford, PA 16441. If you’re on Peach going south, continue past the mall and then pass Splash Lagoon, and in about 8 minutes you’ll reach the stand.

Menu & Ice Cream Flavors

Property Description:

Mr. Shivers is an ice cream and food stand, with seating on both sides. To the left you’ll see tables with umbrellas, and to the right a bar like seating area. You order at a window, and will pick up your order in that same window or another, depending on how busy the stand is at the time.

What to Do:

We couldn’t imagine coming to Mr. Shivers without trying an ice cream cone! There are so many Perry’s Ice Cream flavors to choose from. On the day we went, we had 30 different flavors to choose from!

Northern Lights
Cotton Candy Baby Cone

What we really liked about Mr. Shivers Custard Treats is the amount of ice cream you get. We were very surprised to find out that a baby cone has 1 scoop, a small cone has 2 scoops, a medium cone has 3 scoops, and a large cone has 4 scoops! And for the amount of ice cream that you get, we thought the prices were great.

Ice cream isn’t the only thing Mr. Shivers serves, as you can get anything from fresh cut fries and hot dogs to buffalo chicken or a grilled cheese. We love that this stand boasts a menu that’s fit for lunch or dinner, so if you want to enjoy a meal and then go back and get some ice cream for dessert, this may be a great location for you! And we do have to say, the soft pretzel with cheese that we got was super good!

Menu
Soft Pretzel with Cheese

Who Can Go:

Anyone can enjoy all of the yummy treats and sweets at Mr. Shivers! It is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, and has ample seating on both sides of the stand. You can also bring your dog if you’d like!

We would recommend coming here if you’re looking to do a date night in Erie, trying to spend time with your family, or meeting up with some friends.

Table Seating

Final Thoughts:

Mr. Shivers in Waterford, PA is a wonderful place to check out! We really liked the setup and we thought the menu was extremely extensive for a stand like this. If you’re looking for ice cream in Erie and you’re in the area, this is something we wouldn’t pass by.

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

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.]