For many schools, summer vacation ends in a little over a month. If the kids are getting restless at home, maybe a day trip can add some more fun to summer and create family memories.
You could head to Presque Isle, the Erie Zoo or Waldameer, but if you want to explore just a bit farther afield from Erie, quite a few landmarks and institutions are just miles away from the area.
Here is a select list of just some of the fun activities to consider while getting out of town for the day:
Drake Well Museum and Park
Address: 202 Museum Lane, Titusville
Phone: 814-827-2797
Website:drakewell.org
Administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Drake Well serves as the heart of Pennsylvania's Oil Region National Heritage Area. It's about 46 miles from Erie, or a 70-minute drive.
The museum has been preserving the site of Drake's Well for more than 80 years and tells the story about the birth of the petroleum industry.
Visitors will enjoy a 240-acre site along with 12,000 square feet of interior exhibits and more.
Drake Well includes bike trails, fly fishing, hiking trails and more.
Things to do this summer:Festivals, movie nights, and more
Geneva-on-the-Lake
Address: 5540 Lake Road E., Geneva, Ohio
Phone: 800-862-9948
Website:visitgenevaonthelake.com
Geneva-on-the-Lake in Ashtabula County, Ohio, is 63 miles from Erie and a destination that has something for everyone.
From family attractions to live music, Geneva-on-the-Lake offers much to explore with entertainment that sits near Lake Erie.
Some of the activities include mini golf, axe throwing, arcade games, fishing, haunted historical walks, spa treatments, zip-lining and more.
National Comedy Center
Address: 203 W. 2nd St., Jamestown, New York
Phone: 716-484-2222
Website: comedycenter.org
Just under an hour away is the cultural institution dedicated to preserving and telling the story about comedy.
The National Comedy Center is a 37,000 square-foot building filled with comedy collections, educational exhibits, interactive technology and more.
Families can walk through more than 50 immersive experiences as they take a journey through comedy history while having some laughs along the way.
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
Address: 49 S. Perry St., Titusville
Phone: 814-677-2192
Website: Octrr.org
All aboard! Along with Drake Well, the Oil Creek Valley is famous for its history and people.
The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad will take riders back over 150 years into oil country during a vintage train ride.
The 3-hour round trip will take passengers through Oil Creek State Park to discover the history of oil in Pennsylvania.
Panama Rocks
Address: 11 Rock Hill Rd., Panama, New York
Phone: 716-703-0021
Website:panamarocks.com
Take the family on a hike. Just 38 miles away from Erie, Panama Rocks was listed the No. 1 nature and hiking trail in New York by iloveny.com.
Visitors will enjoy towering rocks, deep crevices, passageways, small hidden caves and more.
Pymatuning Deer Park
Address: 804 East Jamestown Road, Jamestown, Pa.
Phone: 724-932-3200
Website: pymatuningdeerpark.com
This deer park features more than 250 animals and birds from around the world.
The park allows families to get up close with domestic farm animals while seeing both domestic and exotic animals.
Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Address: 311 Curtis St. Exd., Jamestown, New York
Phone: 716-665-2473
Website:rtpi.org
Why not take a trip with some enrichment and art inspiration?
The Roger Tory Peterson Institution, 49 miles from Erie, is the largest collection of Roger Peterson's work. The art institution includes works that illustrate the beauty of nature and challenge viewers to confront environmental issues.
The institute serves as a gateway to the natural wonders that inspired Peterson throughout his career.
Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.
Local Pennsylvania State
Most Popular
Comments / 0