February Fun in Erie

February can be a tough time to live in the north. But there is beauty and fun to be found in Erie – even outdoors – year-round.

Here are bunch of fun ways to make the most of these mid-winter days in Erie.

1. If there is snow, go snowshoeing. This is something anyone can do. It requires no special skill beyond lifting your feet slightly higher when you walk. You’ll be surprised how quickly you warm up when snowshoeing! You can rent shoes at Asbury woods or Wilderness Lodge or Peek ‘n Peak, or you could invest in an inexpensive pair (available online for about $55). A few good places to snowshoe: Penn State Behrend’s Wintergreen Gorge Trail, Asbury Woods Nature Center, Pleasant Ridge Park, Harborcreek Community Park’s wooded trails and Headwaters Park.

2. Try out Erie’s newest adventure space. Ascend Erie is an indoor climbing gym at 426 State Street. The 25,000-square-foot facility offers four different walls to explore including a 24-foot-wall for beginners, and a 52-foot-high wall for more experienced climbers. Day passes ($20), 10-visit punch passes ($180) and memberships are available for three, six or 12 months. Discounts are available for students and those over 60 years of age. For more information, visit www.ascendclimbing.com.

1. Go hiking. Winter is a great time of year to go hiking. You don’t have to contend with bugs, humidity, or trail traffic. The key to winter hiking is to dress in layers and waterproof winter boots as you will likely encounter mud and high-water spots. Also, keep in mind that snow sticks around in the woods longer than on the roads and fields. You may want to take ice cleats and/or hiking poles. Not sure where to go? Check out any of the trails listed above for snowshoeing or look at nearby trail options at alltrails.com. Tip: If you like to hike, Alltrails is an app worth purchasing.

1. Go beach glass hunting. Turbulent lake waters churn up lots of treasures, and if you enjoy finding colored beach glass, don’t rule out winter hunting. You’ll likely have the shore—and all its “gold”—to yourself. It can be very cold at the lake, but on days when the wind is blowing toward Canada, you can stumble upon remarkably calm and warm days when the water is simply lapping. Check out two local beach cams to see what the lake conditions are like – one is at Avonia Beach is Fairview and one is a “sunset cam” at Freeport Beach in North East. Bookmark them so you can hit the beach on a calm-water day.

2. Go winter camping. Oh, sure everyone loves to go camping in the summer, but winter camping is a true adventure and is much more fun that it may sound, especially if you rent a cabin with electric and an outdoor fire ring that can keep you toasty on a starlit winter night. Bonus: The rates are cheaper in winter, and you’ll likely enjoy a lot of solitude and zero mosquitos. Do an internet search to find winter cabins rentals. A few nearby places to look include Cook Forest in lower Pennsylvania and the Allegany State Park Forest in nearby New York.

3. Be a visitor in your own hometown. Rent a hotel room here in Erie. Winter rates are lower at most hotels in the Erie area. Pick one with a nice pool and a free breakfast, or opt for one with a spectacular view, like one the bayfront hotels. Staying in a hotel room is a special treat for most children who enjoy the change of scenery, cable television, indoor pool, and vending machines. Brings some board games or cards and just spend the time connecting as a family.

4. Go ice skating, indoors or out. If you prefer a fresh-air experience, the Downtown Erie Community Ice Skating rink in Perry Square is open skating rink is still open (weather permitting) and is just $5 per person and includes skate rental. If you’d rather skate indoors, check out the public skate times at Flo Fabrizio Ice Center, 527 W. 38th St., or LECOM Sports Park, 8159 Oliver Rd., both offer several public sessions, skate rental, and concessions.

5. Go old school. Want to relive your youth, or expose your kids to entertainment 1980s style? Go roller skating at Presque Isle Skating and Events Center, 3162 W. Lake Rd. The rink has public skate sessions and skate rental on the weekends. Were you more of a video-game kid? Check out PlayPort, 2730 West 12th Street, which offers 100 video arcade games set on free play, including many retro games from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. PlayPort, which is open Wed-Sun., also offers laser tag and virtual reality games, too.

1. Hit a different kind of trail. If you’re looking for an adults-only winter activity, you can’t go wrong with an afternoon of tasting wine or beer. The Erie area has a thriving Lake Erie Wine Trail, which is not to be outdone by Erie’s growing Ale Trail for beer lovers. Pick a few places to try and a designated driver and go sip on some of the best libations the Erie region has to offer.

1. Go get a taste of summer. The Straw Hat Sundae Shop, 207 S Lake St. in North East, is open year-round and now has an enclosed, heated area that will allow you to enjoy our frozen treat without, well, freezing. This is the only local ice cream shop that offers Penn State’s famous Berkey Creamery Ice Cream and, when available, the Ye Old College Diner Grilled Stickies!

2. Attend a Park Ranger program. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Presque Isle State Park offers public education programs year-round. Programs range from in-person hikes and fireside chats at the park to virtual programs about wildlife, insects, geology and more. Most programs are free, but they do request you register in advance.