Looking for fun things to do in Erie, PA this summer? From Presque Isle beaches and splash pads to outdoor concerts, ice cream stands, festivals, hiking trails, and family-friendly attractions, Erie is packed with ways to make the most of summer with kids.
Whether you're building an Erie summer bucket list or just trying to answer, "What should we do today?", here are 60 outdoor things to do with kids and families in Erie this summer.
Updated May 2026
Looking for even more summer fun in Erie?
Check out our full Erie Summer Fun Guide for family-friendly events, camps, free activities, outdoor fun, and more ways to make summer easier.
Jump to Erie Summer Fun Ideas
- Beaches, Splash Pads & Water Fun in Erie
- Parks, Playgrounds & Outdoor Adventures
- Family Attractions & Erie Summer Classics
- Outdoor Concerts, Festivals & Summer Events
- Ice Cream, Food Trucks & Summer Treats
- Easy Any-Day Summer Ideas
Beaches, Splash Pads & Water Fun in Erie
Some of the best summer activities in Erie, PA involve water — whether you're heading to Presque Isle, splashing at a park, kayaking, or cooling off at a creek on a hot day.
- Spend the day at Waldameer for rides, classic summer fun, and one of Erie's favorite family traditions.
- Chill out at Water World with slides, splash areas, pools, and water fun for all ages.
- Swim at Presque Isle and enjoy one of Erie's most popular free summer activities.
- Search for beach glass along Lake Erie's shoreline and see what treasures your kids can find.
- Get wet at the Bayview Park splash pad, one of Erie's favorite free ways to cool off with kids.
- Explore the lagoons by kayak on Presque Isle for a quiet, beautiful outdoor adventure.
- Fly a kite at Sunset Point on Presque Isle on a breezy Lake Erie day.
- Get wet at the Perry Square fountain in downtown Erie.
- Splash in a shady Erie creek on a hot summer day. See our guide to Erie beaches, pools, splash pads, and creeks→
- Take a sunset cruise on the Victorian Princess and enjoy Erie from the water.
- Take a ride on the Lettie G. Howard for a classic Erie maritime experience.
- Check out a kayak at Edinboro Lake for an easy outdoor adventure outside the city.
- Relax as the sun sets on another day at Presque Isle — one of the simplest and best Erie summer traditions.
Parks, Playgrounds & Outdoor Adventures in Erie
From shaded trails to playgrounds and family-friendly hikes, Erie has plenty of outdoor places where kids can run, climb, explore, and burn off energy.
- Explore Wintergreen Gorge and look for waterfalls, creek spots, and shady trails.
- Whiz down the slides at Frontier Park, then stay to explore the trees, trails, and creek area.
- Visit the Grandmother Tree at Asbury Woods and enjoy one of Erie's best nature spots for families.
- Zip through the playground at McClelland Park, then keep the fun going outdoors.
- Romp with a four-legged friend at the Larry R. Fabrizi Dog Park.
- Play pickleball at Zuck Park for an easy family-friendly activity with older kids and teens.
- Catch a fish — and remember you can "check out" fishing poles and gear for free from Blasco Library.
- Hike to Buttermilk Falls for a pretty outdoor adventure close to home.
- Park hop through Erie. See some of our favorite Erie parks and playgrounds→
- Catch lightning bugs at Brown's Farm for a simple summer night your kids will remember.
- Explore Goodell Gardens in Edinboro for gardens, trails, and outdoor family time.
- Go geocaching and turn Erie County into a treasure hunt.
- Enjoy a round of disc golf at Penn State Behrend for a fun, low-cost outdoor activity.
- Ride bikes on Presque Isle and enjoy one of the most scenic family bike rides in Erie.
Family Attractions & Erie Summer Classics
These are the Erie summer activities families come back to year after year — from baseball games and local landmarks to favorite museums and attractions.
- Request a visit from the Erie Alsies truck. Download the app→
- Visit the expERIEnce Children's Museum outdoor classroom for hands-on play in the fresh air.
- Let the kids run the bases after an Erie SeaWolves game for a classic summer memory.
- Laugh at the orangutans at the Erie Zoo and enjoy one of Erie's favorite family attractions.
- Go on a mural hunt and see how many colorful Erie murals your family can find.
- Enjoy a picnic on the steps of the Erie Art Museum for an easy downtown adventure.
- Take your picture with a car creature at Schaefer's Auto Art for one of Erie's quirkiest stops.
- Say "Aaargh!" on a Scallywag pirate cruise and enjoy the bay with a pirate twist.
- Explore the Erie African-American Heritage Trail and learn more about Erie's history.
- See the view from the top of the Bicentennial Tower. It is free the first Tuesday of each month.
- Bet on a fast filly at Presque Isle Downs & Casino for a different kind of summer outing.
- Climb the 76 steps to the top of the Erie Land Lighthouse. Free tours are offered on the first Tuesday of each month.
- Compete in a friendly round of mini-golf at Adventures Erie at Lake Pleasant while learning some interesting area history. Watch out for Bigfoot!
- Race the go-kart track at Sunview Miniature Golf for a little friendly competition.
- Set up a tent for the weekend at Lampe Campground and enjoy a summer stay close to home.
- Take part in the Erie County Public Library summer reading challenge to keep kids reading all summer.
Outdoor Concerts, Festivals & Summer Events in Erie
Summer in Erie means outdoor music, festivals, fireworks, movies under the stars, and plenty of family-friendly events happening all season long.
- Oooh and ahh over July 4 fireworks and celebrate summer in Erie.
- Enjoy a sunset concert on the beach or find free outdoor music around Erie.
- Enjoy a family-friendly movie under the stars at one of Erie's outdoor summer movie nights.
- Take home a beautiful bouquet from Port Farms Summer Days.
- Explore Erie County on two wheels with Lake Erie CycleFest.
- Enjoy the sweet sounds of the Erie Philharmonic outdoors at one of the free outdoor community concerts this summer.
- Welcome the sun with free sunrise yoga at Dobbins Landing.
- CelebrateErie! Add this big Erie summer festival to your family calendar.
- Set up for a weekend at Erie Blues & Jazz Fest and enjoy music outdoors.
Want more Erie events?
Check the Macaroni KID Erie event calendar for free events, festivals, outdoor concerts, library programs, family activities, and things to do with kids this week.
Ice Cream, Food Trucks & Summer Treats in Erie
No Erie summer bucket list is complete without ice cream, local eats, food trucks, and a few treats that just taste better in the sunshine.
- Lick your way through an orange vanilla twist cone at Sara's.
- Don't share a Blue Moon from Denny's Ice Cream Stand.
- Take the dogs to Rita's for a pup-cone.
- Buy local produce and goods at an Erie farmers market.
- Grab a yummy meal on Food Truck Fridays at Shades Beach.
- Take the dog and dine on an outdoor patio at one of Erie's locally owned restaurants.
Easy Any-Day Summer Ideas in Erie
Not every summer activity needs a big plan. These easy Erie summer ideas are perfect for those days when you want to get out of the house without overthinking it.
- Find and leave a book at a Little Free Library.
- Take a family photo with the ERIE sign at Bayview Park.
More Summer Fun in Erie, PA
Want more ideas for things to do with kids in Erie this summer? Visit our Erie Summer Fun Guide for camps, events, free activities, outdoor adventures, rainy day ideas, and family-friendly fun all season long.
Have a GREAT Erie summer!
