From Shopping to Water Parks: Things to Do in Millcreek for All Ages
Millcreek is a picturesque township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, known for its abundance of natural beauty and fun attractions. The township is home to several notable destinations, including the Millcreek Mall.
One of the most popular attractions in Millcreek is the Millcreek Mall, which offers a vast selection of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The mall is home to over 160 retailers, major department stores and specialty shops, and various restaurants and cafes.
Visitors can enjoy a day of shopping, catch a movie at the onsite cinema, or participate in special events and activities throughout the year.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Presque Isle State Park is a must-visit destination in Millcreek. The park boasts 11 miles of sandy beaches, scenic hiking, biking trails, and opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water activities.
Visitors can also explore the park’s lighthouses, wildlife, and natural landmarks, including the stunning Wintergreen Gorge. Meanwhile, families with children will love the nearby Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort, which features a variety of slides, pools, and other water attractions, as well as a hotel and restaurants.
Millcreek Mall
Located in the southern suburbs of Erie, Pennsylvania, Millcreek Mall is the second-largest mall in the state. It is home to 165 stores and peripheral retailers.
The Cafaro Company owns this shopping center near the busy Interstate 79 and Edinboro Road intersection.
The mall is known for its many amenities. For example, it is home to several restaurants, including the Mad Mex restaurant and a few hotels.
The mall also hosts meet and greets with celebrities. In addition, it sponsors a variety of health awareness events. There is also a kids’ playground and a food court.
One of the most notable changes to the mall has been the renovation of the entrances. The construction of porcelain floors and new parking lot lights accompanied this.
Presque Isle State Park
In Millcreek Township in Erie County, Pennsylvania, Presque Isle State Park is a 3,112-acre (1,259 ha) park on the arching peninsula of Presque Isle in Lake Erie. In 1921, Presque Isle became the second state park in Pennsylvania, after Pennsylvania State Park at Erie.
There are many recreational activities to enjoy at Presque Isle. You can take a day trip on the water, swim, fish, hike, or bike.
The park is also home to many historic sites, including the Presque Isle Lighthouse. The lighthouse is a beacon for passing ships. The lighthouse was built in 1870.
The park is also home to a natural history museum. There are exhibits and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn more about Presque Isle’s history and ecology. A small staff of volunteers runs the museum. The museum features specimens that have been preserved and mounted.
The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, bicycling, swimming, and ice skating. The park also has an extensive trail system. In addition, a bicycle and quadricycle rental concession stand is also located in the former waterworks building.
A Pontoon Boat Tour is offered four times per day from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The tours take up to 16 guests on Misery Bay.
This is a great way to see parts of the park that aren’t accessible by land. Park volunteers lead the tours, and sign-ups start 30 minutes before the tour time.
Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort
Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort is a tropical Polynesian theme park that is open year-round.
Splash Lagoon is the largest indoor water park in the United States. It has been ranked as the top 10 water park in the country by USA Today readers’ choice. It is also the largest indoor wave pool in the Eastern United States.
Splash Lagoon boasts more than 80,000 square feet of water slides, interactive water play structures, and swimming pools.
It also has a food court, lounge, and candy shop. It also has a 200,000-gallon wave pool, a FlowRider indoor bodyboarding and surf machine, a lazy river, and nine water slides.
Waldameer Park & Water World
Located near Presque Isle State Park, Waldameer Park & Water World offers family fun, great food, and exciting entertainment.
With more than 75 rides and attractions, a modern arcade, free parking, and a variety of midway games, Waldameer is the perfect place for family fun.
The park opened in 1896 as a picnic spot but quickly developed into a full-fledged amusement park. Today, it is the fourth-oldest in Pennsylvania and tenth in the nation. It has been adding new rides and attractions in recent years, including the mega Vortex thrill ride and Ravine Flyer II wooden coaster.
It has also expanded into a water park, opening the largest wave pool in the tri-state area. In addition, the park offers a variety of slides, raft rides, and kiddie pools. In 2016, Waldameer added Kidz Zone, a large water play area for younger children.
Wintergreen Gorge
Located in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania, Wintergreen Gorge is a six-mile canyon carved out of shale and sandstone by Fourmile Creek. At its highest point, the canyon is 250 feet deep. The gorge is surrounded by a mature forest and includes two rare habitats.
Wintergreen Gorge was named for the wintergreen plant that grows in its gorge. The gorge is situated along Fourmile Creek, which flows from Greene Township to Lake Erie.
It enters Harborcreek Township and then turns northwards. It flows through Lawrence Park Golf Club and into Erie County.
In recent years, the gorge has been the subject of a restoration effort. The effort began in 2010 with the development of the Wintergreen Gorge Sustainability Master Plan.
The plan included stabilizing an 850-foot trail, upgrading environmental upgrades to prevent erosion, and improving access for visitors to the gorge.
Funding for the project was provided by the Erie County Planning Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The project’s initial phase included trail surfacing, boardwalks over protected wetland areas, and two ADA-accessible parking spaces.
Later phases will improve the 2,300-foot creek trail, use limited boardwalks to protect wetland areas, and stabilize the footbridge over Trout Run.
A sustainable master plan was completed in 2020. This plan includes new boardwalks, aggregate rock material, compact dirt, and natural surfaces. It also protects wildlife and improves visitor access to the gorge.
Wintergreen Gorge is located between Station Road and Shannon Road in Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. It is a natural heritage area on the Penn State Behrend campus.
Bundle your hotel + flight together to save more on your next trip! Book now at Expedia.com
