Trying to keep kids busy all summer without spending a fortune? Same.
The good news: Erie is packed with free things to do—from beaches and splash pads to festivals, live music, and hidden gems you might not even know about.
Here are 50 completely FREE things to do in Erie this summer.
Updated June 2026
Outdoor AdventuresRide around Presque Isle and celebrate finishing the 13-mile loopTake a family hike at Asbury Woods and find the Grandmother and Grandfather TreeExplore trails at Erie Bluffs State ParkVisit Goodell Gardens & Homestead and walk the groundsPack a picnic and spend the day at a local parkVisit multiple playgrounds and make it a “playground tour” dayHead to the lake at sunset and search for beach glassGo birdwatching at Presque IsleTake fun selfies at the Erie sign at Bayfront ParkRide the Griff slides at Frontier ParkVisit a new-to-you park or trailFly kites at the lake (or watch the pros at the beach)
The 13-mile loop around Presque Isle is flat enough that kids can do it without trouble and long enough that they’ll feel accomplished when done!
Water FunSpend the day at the beaches at Presque Isle State ParkCool off at the Bayview Park splash padWade in shallow beach areas (Beach 11 at Presque Isle is a favorite for families)Walk to Buttermilk Falls from Brown’s FarmSkip rocks along the lakeExplore the lagoons by pontoon with a free tourExplore Wintergreen GorgeEvents & EntertainmentSponsored content
🐦 Don’t Miss TREC: After Hours
Every Thursday through Aug. 20 | 4-8 p.m.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center stays open late every Thursday this summer for FREE TREC: After Hours, featuring hands-on nature activities, family crafts, science stations, movies, and special weekly themes. No registration is required—just stop by!
July 30: Learn about Presque Isle’s endangered piping plovers and the conservation efforts helping them make a comeback.Aug. 6: Celebrate National Root Beer Float Day with fun science activities.Aug. 13: Discover the amazing world of insects during Stop Bugging Me!Aug. 20: Meet local bird experts, watch live bird banding, dissect owl pellets, make crafts, and explore interactive bird stations during This One’s for the Birds!
Admission is always free, and no registration is required.
Head to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center for a free Thursday night TREC: After Hours event. See the weekly themes→Attend a free outdoor summer concert (there’s one almost every night!)Watch an outdoor movie at a community eventExplore local festivals (many are free admission)Browse at a farmers’ marketBrowse our full list of FREE Erie events anytime 
The big bonfire at Discover Presque Isle — Free!
Easy “Any Day” ActivitiesVisit your local library (storytimes, events, and AC!)Join a summer reading programHave a geocaching adventure Make a backyard picnic dinner just for funCreate chalk art on your drivewayStart a “try every playground” challengeBuild sandcastles at the beachBuild a fairy house using sticks, leaves, bark, and stones.Have a no-spend “yes day” with your kidsGo on a neighborhood color huntTake a trash bag on a walk and clean up a local park or trail — how many pounds can you collect?
Kids under 16 fish for free in Pennsylvania. The ponds at Presque Isle have never failed us!
Local Spots & Hidden GemsVisit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and explore exhibits + the nature playgroundBe wowed by the oversized yard art at Schaefer’s Auto Art, 3705 Hershey RoadVisit the dinosaurs in the 700 block of Bartlett RoadCheck out 100+ local murals around ErieCheck out fishing poles from Blasco Library (kids under 16 fish free in PA)Watch boats come in along the baySee if you can spot Canada from the Bicentennial Tower (free first Tuesdays of the month)Visit the Erie Land Lighthouse (free days 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month May-Sept)Just-for-Fun Erie TraditionsSpend a full day outside with zero plansWatch a summer storm roll in over the lakeCount how many seagulls try to steal your snacksGo for an after-dinner walk every night for a weekVolunteer as a familyPick your favorite activity on this list and do it againBefore You Go
Deals, hours, and free offerings can change—so it’s always smart to double-check details before heading out.
Don’t Lose This List
Bookmark this page—new free events and ideas pop up all summer long, and you’ll want this list handy when you hear “I’m bored.”