Looking for the best family day trips from Erie, PA? Whether you want waterfalls, beaches, amusement parks, hiking trails, museums, scenic train rides, charming small towns, or hands-on attractions for kids, there are plenty of fun one-day road trips within about two hours of Erie.
To make planning easier, we rounded up family-friendly places to explore in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York — all close enough for an easy day trip or weekend adventure.
Last updated May 2026. Always check hours, tickets, weather conditions, and seasonal schedules before visiting.
Jump to Day Trips From Erie
Map of places included in this article:
New York Day Trips From ErieChautauqua County, NYPanama Rocks Scenic ParkBest for: Hiking, climbing, outdoor adventureDrive time from Erie: About 45 minutesExplore giant moss-covered rock formations, passageways, caves, bridges, and trails through a beautiful ancient forest.National Comedy CenterBest for: Tweens, teens, adults, indoor funDrive time from Erie: About 1 hourAn interactive museum celebrating comedy history, TV, movies, stand-up, and pop culture.Audubon Community Nature CenterBest for: Nature walks, younger kids, low-cost outdoor funDrive time from Erie: About 1 hourThis family-friendly nature center near Jamestown features trails, wildlife exhibits, gardens, educational programs, and hands-on opportunities for kids to explore nature.Chautauqua InstitutionBest for: Summer concerts, arts, lakeside strollingDrive time from Erie: About 1 hourA walkable lakeside community known for performances, lectures, art, and beautiful architecture.Chautauqua LakeBest for: Lake towns, boating, relaxing day tripsDrive time from Erie: About 45 minutes to 1 hourExplore Bemus Point, Lakewood, and nearby lake towns filled with restaurants, waterfront views, shops, and summer fun.Bemus Point-Stow FerryBest for: Scenic lake experienceDrive time from Erie: About 45 minutesA historic ferry crossing the narrows of Chautauqua Lake. Check operating schedules before visiting.Midway State ParkBest for: Younger kids, classic amusement park funDrive time from Erie: About 45 minutesFeatures vintage rides, mini golf, go-karts, games, and a nostalgic summer atmosphere.Cattaraugus County & Ellicottville, NYGriffis Sculpture ParkBest for: Outdoor art, hiking, creative kidsDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 30 minutesA massive outdoor sculpture park featuring giant sculptures across fields and wooded trails.Zoar ValleyBest for: Experienced hikers and outdoor adventureDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 30 minutesKnown for dramatic cliffs, forests, overlooks, and rugged hiking terrain.Holiday ValleyBest for: Skiing, mountain adventures, Ellicottville exploringDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA four-season resort offering skiing, mountain coaster rides, golfing, pools, and nearby shopping and dining in Ellicottville.Buffalo & Niagara Falls, NYBuffalo AKG Art MuseumBest for: Art lovers, indoor day tripsDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesFormerly the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, this newly expanded museum reopened after a major renovation and expansion.Buffalo Museum of ScienceBest for: Hands-on science funDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA fun indoor museum with interactive exhibits for kids and families.Explore & More Children’s MuseumBest for: Younger kids, indoor playDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA large children’s museum located at Buffalo’s Canalside waterfront district.Canalside BuffaloBest for: Waterfront fun, festivals, skating, concertsDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA popular waterfront district with seasonal events, kayaking, roller skating, food, concerts, and family-friendly activities.Buffalo ZooBest for: Animal loversDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesOne of the country’s oldest zoos featuring animals from around the world.Maid of the MistBest for: Classic Niagara Falls experienceDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursRide into the mist at Niagara Falls on one of the area’s most iconic attractions.Cave of the WindsBest for: Adventure seekers, waterfall viewsDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursWalk the famous decks near Bridal Veil Falls and get incredibly close to the crashing water.Aquarium of NiagaraBest for: Animal lovers, rainy daysDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursFeatures marine animals, penguins, seals, sea lions, and Great Lakes 360 exhibits.Ohio Day Trips From ErieAshtabula County, OHGeneva-on-the-LakeBest for: Arcades, mini golf, classic summer funDrive time from Erie: About 1 hourA nostalgic Lake Erie vacation town packed with family attractions, food, and summer entertainment.Conneaut Township ParkBest for: Beach days, playgrounds, picnicsDrive time from Erie: About 40 minutesA beautiful Lake Erie beach park with a playground, pavilion, and wide sandy beach.Ashtabula Covered Bridge TourBest for: Scenic drives, photography, fall colorDrive time from Erie: VariesExplore one of the largest collections of covered bridges in the country.Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OHCuyahoga Valley National ParkBest for: Waterfalls, hiking, scenic train rides, outdoor adventureDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursOne of Ohio’s most popular outdoor destinations, Cuyahoga Valley National Park features waterfalls, forest trails, scenic overlooks, wildlife, bike paths, and family-friendly hikes.Popular family stops include:Brandywine FallsThe Ledges TrailBeaver MarshCuyahoga Valley Scenic RailroadCleveland, OHGreat Lakes Science CenterBest for: Hands-on science funDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesFeatures interactive exhibits and the NASA Glenn Visitor Center.Children’s Museum of ClevelandBest for: Younger kids, indoor playDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA hands-on museum filled with imaginative and interactive exhibits.Cleveland Museum of ArtBest for: Art lovers, free indoor outingDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA world-class art museum with free admission to the permanent collection.Greater Cleveland AquariumBest for: Animal lovers, indoor funDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesFeatures aquatic exhibits and a popular walk-through shark tunnel.Rock & Roll Hall of FameBest for: Music fans, tweens, teensDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesExplore exhibits celebrating legendary musicians and music history.Cleveland Metroparks ZooBest for: Animal lovers, full-day outingsDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA large zoo featuring animal habitats, educational exhibits, and family attractions.Note: The zoo’s former RainForest building is currently closed during its transformation into the future Primate Forest exhibit.Pennsylvania Day Trips From ErieCrawford County, PALinesville Spillway at PymatuningBest for: Free quirky stop, fish feedingDrive time from Erie: About 1 hourSee the famous “ducks walk on the fish” spillway at Pymatuning State Park.Oil Creek & Titusville RailroadBest for: Train lovers, scenic ridesDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 20 minutesA scenic train ride through Oil Creek State Park and Pennsylvania oil country.Warren County, PAAllegheny National ForestBest for: Hiking, kayaking, overlooks, campingDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hoursExplore trails, overlooks, lakes, kayaking areas, and some of Pennsylvania’s prettiest outdoor scenery.Chapman State ParkBest for: Swimming, picnics, relaxing lake daysDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesA quieter Pennsylvania state park featuring a lake, beach, trails, and picnic areas.McKean County, PAKinzua Bridge State ParkBest for: Scenic views, dramatic photosDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursWalk out onto the Kinzua Sky Walk for breathtaking views over the valley below.Venango County, PADrake Well Museum & ParkBest for: History, educational tripsDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 20 minutesLearn about the birthplace of the modern petroleum industry.Oil Creek State ParkBest for: Hiking, biking, fall foliageDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 20 minutesA scenic state park with trails, picnic areas, and beautiful outdoor scenery.Clarion County, PACook Forest State ParkBest for: Hiking, cabins, river adventuresDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursKnown for towering old-growth forests, scenic trails, canoeing, and beautiful river views.Lawrence & Butler Counties, PAMcConnells Mill State ParkBest for: Waterfalls, hiking, covered bridge viewsDrive time from Erie: About 2 hoursExplore waterfalls, scenic overlooks, trails, and the famous historic gristmill.Moraine State ParkBest for: Lake days, biking, boatingDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesHome to Lake Arthur and miles of trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.Living Treasures Animal ParkBest for: Animal encounters, younger kidsDrive time from Erie: About 1 hour 45 minutesAn interactive animal park where families can feed and interact with animals.Best Outdoor Adventures Near ErieBest waterfalls: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, McConnells Mill, Panama RocksBest hiking: Allegheny National Forest, Zoar Valley, Cook ForestBest lake days: Chautauqua Lake, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Chapman State ParkBest scenic views: Kinzua Sky Walk, Holden Arboretum, Rimrock OverlookBest train rides: Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic RailroadBest Indoor Day Trips Near ErieBest for younger kids: Explore & More, Children’s Museum of ClevelandBest museums: Buffalo AKG, Cleveland Museum of Art, Buffalo Museum of ScienceBest for rainy days: Great Lakes Science Center, Aquarium of Niagara, Greater Cleveland AquariumBest for teens: National Comedy Center, Rock & Roll Hall of FameFrequently Asked Questions About Day Trips From ErieWhat are the best family day trips from Erie, PA?
Popular family day trips from Erie include Niagara Falls, Chautauqua Lake, Cleveland museums, Panama Rocks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Geneva-on-the-Lake.
What cities are within 2 hours of Erie, PA?
Buffalo, Cleveland, Jamestown, Niagara Falls, and many parts of northwestern Pennsylvania are within about two hours of Erie.
Why isn’t Pittsburgh included in this list?
Most Pittsburgh attractions are closer to 2.5–3 hours from Erie depending on traffic, so we focused this guide on destinations that are generally reachable within about two hours for an easier family day trip.
What are good road trips from Erie for kids?
Families often enjoy destinations with waterfalls, animals, amusement rides, hands-on museums, beaches, hiking trails, and scenic train rides.
Before you go:
Hours, seasonal attractions, train schedules, beaches, ferries, and outdoor conditions can change quickly. Always double-check official attraction websites before making the drive.
Know another great family day trip from Erie we should add? Email karam@macaronikid.com.
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