Local Eats & Artisan Finds in Erie, PA Delicious food, handmade goods, and a cozy neighborhood vibe
📍 Where it’s at
Westside Market is located at 1119 Powell Avenue in Erie, PA. It’s a hidden gem that combines a full café, ice cream counter, and a retail shop packed with local goods—all in one welcoming space.
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🥪 What We Loved
We stopped in for lunch and were genuinely impressed by the variety of food on the menu. Our table was a feast of flavor, including:
A crisp and refreshing cucumber salad
A warm and melty Greek panini
Cozy and hearty cabbage, potato & kielbasa soup
A classic BLT
A creamy peanut butter smoothie
And of course—ice cream!
The food was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying, and the atmosphere was just as good. It’s the kind of place where you want to take your time, chat with the staff, and enjoy every bite.
Beyond the delicious food, Westside Market shines as a cozy hub for local artisans. The shop is filled with handcrafted home décor, jewelry, candles, art, and gifts, all made by small businesses and creators in the Erie area. It feels like a mini makers’ market tucked into your lunch stop. Whether you’re browsing for a unique souvenir or a one-of-a-kind piece for your home, this market has plenty of treasures to discover.
We especially loved seeing a donation bucket for Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary, a great reminder that this place really supports the Erie community! We can’t help but love helping animals!
👨👩👧👦 Who It’s Great For
Families grabbing lunch or dessert together
Shoppers looking for locally made gifts and home items
Anyone craving comfort food with a creative twist
People who love to support community-focused businesses
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🌟 Final Thoughts
Westside Market on Powell is so much more than just a place to eat. It’s a welcoming space filled with flavor, creativity, and heart. From the tasty menu to the shelves lined with handmade items, this is the kind of spot you’ll want to return to again and again.
Looking for more hidden gems in Erie? WanderErie.com has you covered!
We were in need of some starts to add to our non-existent garden this year, so we headed to Johnston’s to check out what they had to offer! We knew it was a gamble considering we are now in late May, BUT we wanted to check out their current selection! We have been there many times before and love walking the property!
Location:
Johnston’s Garden Center is located at 10000 Wales Road, Erie, PA, 16510. They are open in MAY from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. In JUNE through SEPTEMBER, Monday through Friday hours stay the same, but Saturday changes to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and they are closed on Sundays. They are closed July 4 and Labor Day.
Property Description:
This is a garden center, so you can expect a LOT of walking space outdoors. They also have a little shop where you can go inside and make your purchases. You will find many different types of flowers, trees, fruit and vegetable starts, shrubs, and so many other beautiful plants and other landscaping needs. You will be walking through grass, stone, dirt, and gravel as you browse.
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Also, please understand that during different times of the year you will find different types of plants and more or less of a selection of what you’re looking for. This goes for all garden centers. For instance, I was looking for my absolute favorite tomato, and at this point in the year (late May), they were sold out of starts! And for those of you wondering what tomato that is, it is the green zebra tomato! They are so delicious and make an excellent addition to chili to give it a bit of a citrus zest! They are a family favorite of ours!
What to Do:
This is a garden center, so understand that you’re going to be looking at a lot of greenery and beautiful flowers! Expect to do a lot of walking through greenhouses and pole buildings, and up and down pathways to find what you’re looking for. Now, we’re not saying this is a bad thing! We enjoyed walking around and looking through the beautiful plants all around us!
Although it was not on this particular trip, I can say that we have purchased some beautiful fruit trees from this location! We have 2 amazing winecrisp apple trees and 2 cherry trees, one of which is already rapidly producing this year! Although we didn’t get any apples last year, we are looking forward to tasting them this year!
There are way too many varieties and plants to list, so if you’re looking for something specific, please check out their website here at https://www.johnstonplants.com and browse their selection before you go! You can also find planting guides and resources on their website.
One important thing to note it that they will deliver anything you purchase straight to your home! Delivery days and times vary, and there will be a fee, but we love that you can pick out a ton of greenery and not have to worry about getting it to your house yourself! You can also purchase gift cards for that special gardener in your life!
Who Can Go:
Anyone is welcome at this beautiful garden center, from young to old. We did bring our stroller in, as one of our littles wasn’t in the mood to cooperate. The stroller did not make it through some of the narrower pathways, so be aware of that if you do need to bring a stroller or a wheelchair with you.
We think that this can be a fun place for kids to come, especially to see how food is produced as they look at all of the different varieties of plants. Our littles also love looking at the beautiful colors of all the flowers. It is definitely important to stress a “look don’t touch” approach before you go, but as long as your kids can remember that you can spend a lot of time here checking out everything they have to offer!
Final Thoughts:
This is a great garden center with a huge selection of plants to meet anyone’s needs! We really love to come to Johnston’s Garden Center, even if it’s just to browse!
What do blooming cherry blossom trees, construction equipment, frisbee golf, and muddy trails have in common? You can find all of these things right now at Pleasant Ridge Park!
Weather reaching up to 70 degrees brought us to Pleasant Ridge Park for a little stroll. Even though it rained early Saturday morning, we decided to grab the dog and head to the park; clearly we were hoping it wasn’t too muddy throughout the woods.
FYI: Because this is an update on a previous wandering, we’re linking the article with general information on Pleasant Ridge Park here. With that in mind, check out how our visit on April 23, 2022 went!
With the rain, comes mud.
Currently, the park is pretty muddy. On our walk, we went through several areas of thick, wet, “your shoe will stick in this” mud. The kiddos had a really hard time getting through some of it and had to be picked up. The dog needed a bath when we got home. Our shoes are all being washed. If you don’t like mud, don’t plan a walk here for at least a week. If you don’t mind mud, head on over!
A section of the trails through the woods
“Your shoe will stick in this” mud
It’s that time of year…
Another thing we would caution you about is to check yourself and your dog for ticks. We found 2 on our pup when we arrived home. This shouldn’t deter you from going as it is to be expected in the woods this time of year, but be aware of it and make sure to check your dog any time they spend long periods of time outside.
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Get out your camera!
On another note, the cherry blossom trees are starting to bloom and they are absolutely gorgeous. If you’re a fan of pink trees, head to the park and get some photos as they have 2 on the outskirts of the parking lot, across from the sports fields.
Blooming Cherry Blossom Tree
Perfect Photo Spot
Construction Vehicles
Upon entering the parking lot, you’ll see several construction vehicles currently parked (or at work, depending on when you visit) on the edge of the lot by the fields. They were simply parked during our visit as it was a Saturday afternoon, so we were unable to tell exactly what they were there for. From the looks of the parking lot and the vehicles, our guess is the parking lot refurbishment. If you know what’s going on, please drop us a comment!
Parking Lot
No matter what reason they were there, we had fun looking at them. The littles loved seeing the big vehicles. If you head to the park be sure to take a peek, but remember to keep a safe distance; we kept about a 15 foot distance. It’s important to let kids know this is a “looking” experience and not to touch them. If they look forward to seeing construction vehicles up close and personal, Equipment Day at the zoo is scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022.
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Golfing at the park…with a frisbee?
Walking around, we saw several “holes” (they look like big metal and chain baskets) set up as we went on our walk, and noticed several signs warning you to watch out for flying discs. Pleasant Ridge Park now boasts a disc golf course throughout their 80 acres of park. If this is something you’re interested in, you should definitely go check it out. Although we didn’t play ourselves, we did see other people playing.
Frisbee Golf Hole
We never saw a flying disc or feared getting hit by one, so don’t let this stop you from coming to the park. There are strict rules the disc golfers must follow, signs posted throughout to let you know where you could run into someone playing the sport, and pathways to walk as they play the course.
For more information about disc golf, specifically at Pleasant Ridge Park, please click here.
Final Thoughts:
Although very muddy, we still managed to have a lot of fun on our visit! The mud is not bad at all in the grass near the cherry blossom trees, so if you just want to visit those and play at the small playground, you won’t end up with soaking wet shoes like we did after venturing through the trails. If you do want to venture through the trails, in its current state after the rain, we would recommend visiting the open areas before you head into the woods and get muddy.
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On this trip, we were thankful to be wearing our Vessi shoes. Our feet were completely dry because of our Vessi’s yet again! A walk in the wet, sticky mud never felt so dry! Vessi makes 100% waterproof sneakers that we highly recommend. We have an exclusive code for $20 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Click here to be directed to Vessi’s website to browse and use our code!
[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.]
This post contains affiliate links for a product. If you buy something, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
We know what time of year it is. Finals week is quickly approaching and end of the semester projects are due. Knowing there are many colleges in the Erie area, we wanted to highlight a few coffee shops students may want to stop by to have a cram session or work on a project while taking in some much needed caffeine, and maybe even grab a bite to eat!
Pressed
If you’re looking for a place to not only grab a coffee and study, but do a little shopping for books and gifts too, Pressed is a super cool place to visit. Head into the bookstore first and pick up some new reading material (or bring your own) and then walk through the doors into the coffee shop to grab a drink and a snack to enjoy while you read. Hightops, tables, and a couch provide different locations for you to relax while you indulge (in studies or coffee, or both). You can also sit outside, right in front of the shop. This is a great option for Gannon and Mercyhurst students, as it isn’t a very far drive from either. Open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sundays, convenient for those of you who may have evening classes.
Above: Seating in Coffee Shop
Interested in more info? Click the picture above.
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The Crick Coffeehouse & Eatery
Although it is a small drive from most colleges in the area, we think The Crick is worth it. With seating indoors and outdoors, you can choose your atmosphere. This is a great place to go if you’re looking for a place to study while eating breakfast or lunch. The Crick is great for students who enjoy studying earlier in the day, as it is open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. every day except Monday, when they are closed.
Outdoor Seating
Some Indoor Seating
More info? Click the photo above.
The Mainstreet Cakery Cafe: 2 Locations
Either location (Fairview or Millcreek) of The Mainstreet Cakery Cafe would be great for studying while grabbing a bite to eat. While both locations offer indoor and outdoor seating, you will find a wonderful atmosphere to dive into your studies while enjoying a coffee, eating a meal, or even indulging in a bakery treat or some ice cream. The tables are spaced well, and it’s a great place to meet up with a group for dinner as you dive into your studies. Open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. every day except for Sunday, this is for studiers at any time of day.
Outdoors: Fairview Location
Indoors: Millcreek Location
Want more info? Click the picture above.
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Javamango’s Outpost
A quaint coffee shop and small eatery as a pass-through inside of an office building, Javamango’s Outpost offers a few tables and a hightop bar that are perfect for posting up while hitting the books and enjoying some much needed caffeine. Enjoy the calm atmosphere of a quiet space while you get your study on. Open from 6:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, this is for morning and early afternoon studiers.
Want more info? Click the picture above.
Romolo Chocolates
Studying while drinking coffee in a candy store? Initially, it sounds like a bad idea, and quite unattainable. But if you’ve ever been to Romolo Chocolates, you would understand why it’s a good idea. With a quiet atmosphere in the ice cream and coffee shop, you’ll find couches and tables set up for social interactions or some time to yourself. If you’re more of an outside person, you’ll find several tables outdoors in front and to the side of the building, and even heaters available to warm you in the colder months. Enjoy the provided scenery of a fictional alleyway well lit with many Instagram worthy spots to snap a picture in between cramming for your classes. And added to all of that, you can induldge in some amazing sponge candy! Romolo Chocolate is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays.
Above: Seating inside of the shop Beside: Seating in front of the shop
[Editors Note: We know there are several other coffee shops in Erie, some we have yet to visit and post on our site. We are not trying to be selective, simply offering choices from our current blog posts. If you have any suggestions of other places we could visit and highlight, please comment and let us know! We want to make sure we mention as much of what Erie has to offer as we can!All business hours are current as of 4/18/2022, please check the hours on their Facebook pages or Google Search if you are reading this at a much later date.]
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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 Erie as we know finding what to do in Erie, PA area can be hard.]
Many of you may have noticed we’ve included Legacy Hydroponics and their events in our previous articles, as we plan to also keep telling you about them in future posts. They are an organic and hydroponic farm loacted in Waterford, PA. All of their produce is ripened on the vine and harvested daily to bring it fresh to your table. They provide the community with several seasonal events on their property, and these events are always a great time.
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We were recently informed that while they were in Florida with their CBD business in January, their main greenhouse collapsed due to a heavy snowstorm. Unfortunately in Pennsylvania, insurance will not cover greenhouses. The estimate given to them was over $30,000.
Their wonderful customers, vendors, family, and friends are throwing a Bingo Fundraiser to help provide funds to fix the greenhouse. The event will take place on April 24, 2022. It will be held at the old McLane Church, as it’s now a Bingo Hall and Event Center, located at 2319 West 38th Street, Erie. Doors open at 1:00 p.m., and at 2:00 p.m. Bingo will promptly start. TIckets for Bingo are $30 if purchased before the event and $35 at the door. All extra Bingo cards will be available at the door for $15. Anyone that reserves their card early will receive a special Bingo card for a special game.
They will have food, drinks, a 50/50, a lottery/gardening raffle tree, pull tabs, tip boards, and a basket raffle. Vendors will also be set up with all of theri wonderful items available for purchase.
If you have any questions about this event or if you would like to make a donation, please contact Legacy Hydroponics through messenger on Facebook. You can purchase your tickets by clicking HERE. You can also support their event page for the fundraiser on Facebook by letting them know that you’re coming!
All money collected by this event will go toward rebuilding their greenhouse.
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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.]
Fall is not complete without a trip to Frank’s in Erie, PA! This amazing farmers market provides food that will satisfy any appetite, including a rather large bakery for anyone with a sweet tooth!
Location:
Frank’s Market is located at 5880 Sterrettania Road, Fairview, PA 16415. It is literally right across the street from Walnut Creek Middle School, and conveniently located near Browns Farm. We highly suggest grabbing a treat from Franks and heading over to Browns Farm for a little picnic or walk through the trails! It’s also a great place to stop for an after school snack!
Property Description:
Frank’s Farm Market and Bakery is such a lovely country store and bakery. Park anywhere in the parking lot surrounding the shop, and enter through one of their doors. When we went, the doors were propped open to let in the fresh air. Take a look at the produce and products outside, then walk inside and enjoy the wonderful country atmosphere while you shop!
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What to Do:
There are so many unique finds at Frank’s! First and foremost, because we are doing this post in the Fall, we have to mention that you can get pumpkins here! They also have a beautiful selection of mums surrounding the building and in front of the greenhouses.
You will have an abundance of choice if you’re looking for fruits and vegetables! While browsing, we saw potatoes, onions, apples, carrots, celery, spinach, peas, plums, and pears, just to name a few!
And if you’re looking for other staples, grab some eggs, milk, cheese, and bread while you’re browsing the store for locally grown produce!
One thing you must check out while you’re there is the bakery! Frank’s Farm Market offers a plethora of sweet treats. Everyone with us found something that looked yummy to them behind the glass. And trust us, when we sat down to enjoy those treats, they were just as yummy as we expected!
They also have plenty of ornaments for your lawn and garden, or to adorn the site a loved one is buried at. They also have decor for inside of your home, such as signs and plaques to put around your house.
Who Can Go:
Come one, come all to this farmers market in Erie, PA! The little one’s will especially love it because, well, bakery items!
Final Thoughts:
Save yourself a trip to the grocery store by heading out to Franks! No, you’re not going to find name brands and random pantry items that you don’t really need, but you will find fresh fruit and vegetables and locally made food! Shopping local is so important, now more than ever! If you’re looking for more farmers markets in Erie, PA to add to the list that you frequent, we suggest adding Frank’s Farm Market and Bakery to that list!
[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.]
Even though the weather wasn’t very nice, we decided to take a walk at Presque Isle on Saturday, October 23, to check out the trees and see if the colors of Fall have reached the shores of Lake Erie.
We did, indeed, find more color on the trees.
However, we were surprised to see the amount of color below the trees! Colors of all kinds were found in blooming flowers along the water.
If you’re missing Spring and Summer, be sure to take a walk and enjoy looking at these beautiful flowers!
But if you’re ready for Fall and loving the Autumn leaves, you’ll find them by looking up.
The trees are definitely changing, and more vibrant than they were last time we visited.
Our feet were saved by our Vessi’s yet again! A walk in the rain never felt so dry! Vessi makes 100% waterproof sneakers that we highly recommend. We have an exclusive code for $20 off your first purchase of $100 or more. Click here to be directed to Vessi’s website to browse and use our code!
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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Presque Isle 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.]
This post contains affiliate links for a product. If you buy something, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
When you’re not looking for a great new coffee place, you probably won’t find it. A lot of us just travel in the car (whether in the passenger seat or back seat), staring at our phones, not paying attention to the world around us outside of our windows. Well, we’ve recently decided to put the phones down and start looking out the window, and we’re happy to say that we found Javamango’s Outpost in Waterford, PA.
Location:
Javamango’s in Waterford, PA is a very simple coffee shop in a limited space. First of all, we think it has a great location amidst the different types of offices located in Heritage Center. If you are headed to the outpatient center or physical therapy, it’s a great stop to grab a cup of coffee or quick meal.
Property Description:
When you walk into the center door of the Heritage Center in Waterford, continue straight forward and you will see Javamango’s on your left. There is a small counter where you order. You’ll see bakery items for sale behind a case, and different drink descriptions to your left as you stand at the counter.
There is a table to eat at before you even get to Javamango’s when you walk in, but theres also a 4 top table across from the counter and a bar area on the back wall.
What to Do:
This coffee shop in Waterford, PA offers a good selection of coffee, drinks, bakery items, and sandwiches. We only tried a few things on this visit, but we really enjoyed what we got!
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We’ll talk drinks first. One of us enjoyed the “French Lumberjack,” which is a café au lait, with smoked maple syrup and cinnamon. It was delicious, to say the least. A wonderful Fall hot beverage that just gives you all those Fall feels. If only we had flannel on and were walking in the Autumn woods. The second drink we tried was the “Latte-da-de-da,” which is flavored Macadamia nut milk with caramel and a little dark chocolate. It was very, very tasty, and also full of caffeine!
Latte-da-de-da
French Lumberjack
We also wanted to try the Italian soda, and when we saw the flavor sign we just had to ask for the secret menu! We ended up choosing watermelon, and we have to say we’re proud of that choice! Beware that the soda is slightly on the sweeter side, but they can tweak it to your liking by messing with the amount of flavor.
We wanted to try some of their baked foods as well, so we went with two different muffins, blueberry and chocolate with chocolate chips. Both muffins were really good; moist inside yet still crumby and flaky. The littles thought they were “so yummy and delicious.”
Who Can Go:
Anyone can come to this coffee shop in Waterford! Don’t assume that you can’t come in if you don’t have an appointment in the building. The location of this coffee shop in Erie County adds convenience to those who work or visit the building. We were confused at first, wondering if we could enter; however, this coffee shop is for all!
Although it is a bit far from our local colleges, we really think this would be a great setting to study in. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of traffic, and the atmosphere was calm and quiet.
Final Thoughts:
We really enjoyed this simple coffee shop. We’re happy to try several different kinds of coffee, and the flavors at Javamango’s were exceptional. If you’re on the hunt for a great cup of coffee in Erie County, try Javamango’s!
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[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with Javamango’s Outpost 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.]
Are you looking for that perfect Instagram Fall photo in Erie, PA? How about places to take Fall photos in Erie, PA of your kids, family, yourself, etc? Fall displays in Erie County for photos? We found some wonderful Fall backgrounds and we’ve compiled a list of great places to take photos in Erie, PA this Fall.
If you’re like us and you can never have too many photos of your kids, your animals, yourself, etc, let us recommend a few places you can grab your cell phone (or bring a camera) and take photos with all the Fall things in the background! Some of these places allow pets, some cost money to enter, and some have several locations on property available for photos! Click each photo to be redirected to the complete blog post about the location for more information!
*Disclaimer: You have to bring your own device to take the photo (camera, phone) and person to take the photo at each location! However, if you can’t bring that extra person, you could always ask someone around you to take a photo for you.
Mason Farms Lake City Farm Stand
Port Farms
Mason Farms Pumpkintown
Sissons’ Pumpkin Patch
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Wiser Farms Farm Stand
Fedei Farms
Wooden Nickel Buffalo Farm
Presque Isle
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[Editor’s Note: This does not represent a full list of every place you could take Fall photos in Erie, PA, but a list of everywhere we have wandered so far. Continue to check back for additions to our list!]
Erie Zoo Boo is one of our favorite events of the year. There’s something about taking your own kids to events that you went to as a child; not only is it nostalgic, but you get to experience it through your child’s eyes, which is such a beautiful thing.
This great Halloween event not only provides fun for the entire family, but is also a major fundraiser for the Erie Zoo contributing to animal care and daily operations. We get to have a great time while knowing we’re helping the animals? Sign us up!
Location:
Zoo Boo is located at the Erie Zoo, 423 West 38th Street, Erie, PA 16508.
When entering Zoo Boo, pay attention to signs as advanced ticket holders can head right to the tent to enter, which is not located where you normally enter the zoo, but to the right of the entrance if you’re looking at it.
This year, Zoo Boo is open as follows. Wednesday – Friday Oct. 13th-15th from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday & Sunday Oct. 16th & 17th from 12 p.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday – Friday Oct. 20th-22nd from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Saturday & Sunday Oct. 23rd & 24th from 12 p.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday – Friday Oct. 27th-29th from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday Oct. 30th from 12 p.m.-9 p.m., giving everyone the opportunity to attend one of our favorite events in Erie, PA.
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Property Description:
Think the Erie Zoo, but add everything Fall and Halloween! There are inflatables, statues, photo opportunities, and so much more! There are 10 trick-or-treat stations situated around the zoo, and they can cause a back up of traffic in some areas. (For more information on the Erie Zoo unrelated to Zoo Boo specifically, see the link at the bottom of the article.)
What to Do:
First and foremost, this is the first year that everyone is welcome to trick-or-treat at the event! When purchasing your tickets online, all you have to do is select “treater” if you would like to get goodies yourself! We thought this was wonderful and so fun, as this opens up the event as a great way to have a date night in Erie, PA! Technically you could do this previously, but being able to trick-or-treat adds that element of fun! It will cost slightly more to trick-or-treat, as a trick-or-treat ticket is $2.00 more than a non-treater. (See ticket prices in the Who Can Go section of this post.)
There are 10 different stations placed around the zoo that you can trick-or-treat at. Each station passes out candy, a drink, or other treat to take home with you. Trick-or-treat reusable shopping bags are provided for you upon entering, but you can bring your own bag if you’d like.
This event is wonderful because it allows you to view animals at night, when we wouldn’t otherwise see them. Not every animal is out, but you will see a lot of them.
One thing our kiddos loved was the music in the center of the zoo. DJ Bill Page is playing all of the popular songs at his Spooky Jukebox, and there’s a big dance floor for all the kids to let out that energy they’ve been bottling up all day!
If you like getting photos of the kids, you’ll love the Chick-fil-A photo spot in the Wild Wings Theater. There’s also a wonderful Zoo Boo entry display, and our advice is to get that photo right as you come in! We noticed a lot of people doing that, and we made the mistake of waiting until the end of our Zoo Boo fun, which had us waiting in a line to get that photo. We also had cranky littles who didn’t want to take a picture.
Don’t forget to have fun as you go through the UPMC Wellness Walk! Mimic the signs as you walk down the path and head towards the dance party!
And don’t forget to pass through troll bridge! You’ll have to answer a riddle to continue on to the children’s zoo!
If you’re hungry while there, you’ll find a GrubsHub right on the front lawn! Lombardo’s Concessions and Fowler’s Taffy provides food nightly at the event!
There are even more activities throughout the zoo, such as a giant talking pumpkin, make-a-monster contest, the train, carousel, and more! We don’t want to spoil all of the fun, so head on out and see it for yourself!
Who Can Go:
Zoo Boo is for everyone to enjoy! Make sure you bring the kids in their Halloween costumes! We love events that encourage them to dress up and have the opportunity to wear their costumes! And let us just put this out there, it’s OK for adults to dress up, too! We have been rocking the matching family costumes for a while, but our costumes tend to be very toned down from the littles.
Ticket Pricing this year is: Advanced Member Treaters: $8.00, Advanced Member NonTreater: $6.00, Advanced NonMember Treater: $11.00, Advanced NonMember NonTreater: $9.00. All ticket prices will increase by $2.00 at the door. This event will not be refunded, and is held rain or shine! You can reserve your date and purchase your tickets by clicking here!
Final Thoughts:
We may be a little biased as we love this event, but we truly had a wonderful time at Zoo Boo in Erie, PA this year! Not only is it exciting to have another opportunity to trick-or-treat, but it’s really cool to see the animals out at night. We would recommend this event to everyone!
For more information about the Erie Zoo, check out our previous post about this zoo in Erie, PA on a typical day!
[Editor’s note: Please be aware that we are not affiliated with the Erie Zoo or any of the events sponsors 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 canbe hard.]
Here is a list of this year’s Zoo Boo sponsers; you’ll find a lot of them running the trick-or-treat booths! UPMC Health Plan, Utz, Hammerlee Dental Care, ERIEBANK, Sam’s Club, Jet 24/Fox 66/YourErie, Mason Farms, McDonald’s, Gannon University, John V Schultz Furniture & Mattress, Z1023/1043 The Vibe/Nash FM 979/CBS Sports Radio Erie 96.3 1260/Classy 100, Chick-fil-A Erie, Sonic Drive-In, BOTH Studios, McCreary Roofing Co., National Fuel, The Erie Community Foundation
Wander Erie 