Wander Erie

Local ciders, cider slushies, orchard walks, and peaceful pond views — perfect for a family retreat. Where It’s At Tucked just a short drive from Erie, Davenport Cidery & Winery sits nestled on a century-old apple and pear farm at 13124 Townline Road in Meadville. The setting is a restored barn surrounded by a beautiful orchard and ponds—an inviting escape into orchard life.…

Farm-to-table comfort, craft brews, and rustic charm in a lovingly restored barn 📍 Where It’s At Just over the line, about 30 minutes east of Erie, Riverside Brewing Company is tucked beside French Creek at 1 Fountain Street, Cambridge Springs. Housed in a beautifully reconstructed 1800s barn from Cochranton, the setting is homey, historic, and impossibly inviting. The grounds include gardens,…

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. 🥪 What We Loved We stopped in for lunch and were genuinely impressed by the variety…

Whimsy, charm, and shops you could spend hours exploring. 📍 Where it’s at Tucked right off the Parkway at 634 Parkway, The Village Shops feel like a hidden European-inspired courtyard just steps off downtown Gatlinburg. Enter beneath the iconic arched entrance, and you’re transported into a cobblestone-lined mini-village—24 hours of charm in one walkable plaza, with a mix of boutiques,…

Locally grown produce, cozy country charm, and ice cream right off the road. 📍 Where it’s at Sweny’s Godfrey Run Farm is located in Lake City, just a short drive west of Erie. The address for your GPS is 9000 West Lake Rd, Lake City, PA 16423. You’ll spot it along Route 5. There’s a big white sign outside, you can’t miss it! Open hours are: Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 9…

📍 Where it’s at Tucked at 804 E. 38th Street, Niagara Creamery is a bright little shop in a residential Erie neighborhood. It’s owned by the local Paris family and was named after Erie’s famous Brig Niagara—it feels like Erie pride in every scoop niagaracreamery.com. There’s street parking nearby, and while it’s not on the beaten tourist path, it’s worth seeking out. 🍦 What’s good This is…

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…

Where it’s at: The track at Behrend Fields is located right on the campus of Penn State Behrend, near Erie Hall. Parking is available in the lot used for the baseball and softball fields, just off Station Road. The whole area feels tucked away and peaceful—great for unwinding or letting the kids stretch their legs. What’s Good: This is a classic outdoor rubberized track, in excellent condition…

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…

Whippy Dip 2 We were on the west side and wanted some ice cream along with some Erie nostalgia, so we got our fix at Whippy Dip 2! Location: Whippy Dip 2 is located at 3100 West 12th Street, Erie, PA 16505. If you’re coming from Peninsula Drive above 12th street, you make a left onto 12th street and Whippy Dip 2 will be on your right. If you are coming Peninsula Drive below 12th street, you…

German Heritage Fest Do you have German ancestry? Do you like German food? Do you enjoy having a beer or two with friends and family? If any of these apply to you, head on over to German Heritage Fest in Erie, PA and have yourself a fun filled afternoon! This festival in Erie, PA is put on by DANK Chapter 71 of Erie and Lake Erie Fanfare. Location: German Heritage Fest is held at St. Nick’s…

Zabawa Polish Festival We’ve attended a lot of festivals in the Erie area, but this year we had our first experience at Zabawa Polish Festival! This year (2022) the festival runs from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on August 26, 12 nnon-10 p.m. on August 27, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on August 28. This festival has free admission and free parking! In order to get the free parking, you can park at a lot on 34th and Ash…

Buccia Wineries in Erie are plentiful on the east side, but if you’re looking to go west and maybe enjoy a little getaway close to home, you may want to head out to Buccia Winery in Conneaut, OH! Location: Buccia is located 518 Gore Road, Conneaut, OH, 44030. We were able to get there easily using Google Maps, and finding it once we got close by was fairly simple. Property…

Huling’s Blueberries

Huling’s Blueberries We love a great farmers market, and Huling’s in Edinboro is one of our favorite seasonal stops for produce in Erie County! Location: Huling’s Blueberries is located at 5095 Old State Road, Edinboro, PA 16412. You can’t miss it as the signage is there, right off of Edinboro Road (99). Property Description: Huling’s is a country market style indoor/outdoor stand with a…

There are several events that we look forward to every summer, and one of those events is the Greek Fest! We were so excited to see it back in full swing Friday night after 2 years after a very light version of its former glory. Location: The Panegyri Greek Festival is located at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 Westlake Road, Erie, PA 16505. You really can’t miss it; you’ll notice…

St. Nick’s Third Annual Food ‘n Cruze

St. Nick’s Third Annual Food ‘n Cruze We love summer events in Erie, PA! Anything that brings us outdoors and can bring family and friends together is a win for us. We were so excited to find out about St. Nick’s Food ‘n Cruze, where you can take a look at some awesome cars while enjoying some of Erie’s great food trucks! This event is free to enter and has free parking! Location: This event…

Wintergreen Gorge Update May 16, 2022 We have a lot of favorite spots in Erie that we wander to several times; Wintergreen Gorge is one of them. Here’s a quick update on the Gorge and some tips on one of our favorite trails from our trip out there on May 16, 2022. If you want more information about Wintergreen Gorge, click here to read our full blog post. We arrived at Wintergreen Gorge around…