Asbury Park

One of my favorite places to get away! Asbury Park is located southwest of the road to the Airport. It is located south of 38th street. You can find a couple places to park your car and I recommend parking at the park with the fields and pavilion. Across the street is an education center where you can learn more as well!
Asbury Park is a short little trail that leads you into the woods in Millcreek Township. You'll find a well groomed trail. It's great for trail runners or your casual walk. I know my dog Keegan loves this trail.
About a mile or so in, you will come to a creek and bridge. You can cross the bridge and head up towards Brown's Farm. You can make this trip up to 5 + miles depending on the different routes you take while you're there.
Asbury is pretty peaceful and can be great for a brief get away. Keegan spends a lot of summer days in the water chasing the stick we throw.... about 50 times!
It can be quite the romantic walk too. It's wear I accepted my husbands proposal!
Along the walk, you will come to an amazing tree. Maybe I should say trees. (pictured) It's one huge stump with large branches going in every direction. Very cool site to see.
So, need something to do on a weekend and want to get away, without getting away? Asbury is a great place to visit. This time of year will be beautiful with the leaves changing soon!
Enjoy!

North East Wine Fest

Wine & Wheels Tour
This crazy adventure takes you on a Wine Tasting Tour of several local wineries in North East, located roughly 15 miles east of downtown Erie. Not only is this for wine lovers, but outdoors enthusiasts as well! Lake Country Bike provides guided bike rides through beautiful landscapes and sweet, grape smelling air! You can visit their website at www.lakecountrybike.com to find out more information on their guided tours; the best time to ride is September when the grapes are ready to be harvested.
Not crazy about biking? All wineries are open for tours and tastings. Try visiting www.nechamber.org for more information about the local wineries and lodging.
Wine Fest
The 27th Annual Wine fest is vast approaching (9/26-9/28) with 5 wineries in the tent this year, serving more than 40 varieties of wine. You might even try your skills as a grape stomper… don’t wear your fancy pants if you plan on participating! Best of all- the festival provides free shuttle service to the wineries and other attractions in town. Simply park free at both festival locations and then ride as often as you like on Saturday and Sunday. There can be an entrance fee, but minimal for the enjoyment you’ll have in return!
One last recommendation for your wine & wheel adventure… make sure you have a bus, limo, taxi, or designated driver if you plan on doing more than sampling!

Penn Brewery Oktoberfest

If you have any interest in taking a trip to the Pittsburgh area (my hometown) you will find another Oktoberfest to participate in. The Penn Brewery Oktoberfest will run this weekend (19-21) and then again next weekend (26-28). My husband and I got to experience this and had a great time while we were there.
The delicious food and rockin music provides for great entertainment. Not to mention the never ending flow of German Beers! If you order food, you have to get the potato pancakes...delicious!
Remember to pack some cash because I am not sure if they accept credit cards in the tents outside where food, music and eating tables are. You can go inside the Brewery and try to get a table, but be prepared to wait for a table.
For more information you can visit PENN BREWERY

Wintergreen Gorge

Want something to do for a couple hours on a weekend or weeknight? Now that the weather is comfortable, you should think about visiting the Wintergreen Gorge in Erie, PA. The Gorge is located on the Penn State Behrend Campus. You park behind their housing complexes off of the Bayfront Connector and hike away.

While on the hike you can venture down to the waterfall (pictured). Take a camel pack and make a lunch trip out of it! Make sure you wear some sort of water shoe/sandal so you can cross and play in the water flowing through the gorge.

Wintergreen gorge is a beautiful place to go that will take you no longer than 15-20 minutes from wherever you are in Erie. It’s nice to get out of the city life for a few minutes and enjoy some scenery.

The hike around the area is not very difficult but remember when you walk down, you will have to walk back up. This is a great hike for families, singles, couples and friends!

Erie, PA Oktoberfest

Well, it’s that time of year when the Erie Oktoberfests begin! The Brewerie at Union station will be kicking off their Oktoberfest in Erie, PA on September 19th and will run until Sunday September 21. Parking and Admission for this Oktoberfest are free!
For directions to the Brewerie go to www.brewerie.com
Come with your fellow Erieites and celebrate traditional German Beers, Food and Entertainment.

Stag & Drags

Stag & Drag

This has to be an Erie thing, right? I am originally from the Pittsburgh area, and most “outsiders” have never heard of a Stag n Drag. I’m not sure I understand the purpose of them, but they sure are fun! Feel free to comment if I miss something!

Stag n Drag’s is an event held by the future bride and groom. You will usually find these events at pavilions or fire halls. The bridal party, family and friends help sell tickets to the event which typically includes free booze and food all night. At the Stag you’ll find picnic type food to eat and kegs of beer. Not bad for the usual $5 ticket fee. That won’t be the only money you spend for the event, so come prepared with small bills!

Stag’s include a variety of chance and card games. You’ll find poker, black jack, 50/50, basket raffle, tip boards, prize wheels and much more. Each game requires you spending some money which ultimately benefits the bride and groom. Throughout the night family or the bridal party will help by walking around and selling chances to win bottles of liquor and run the games. The bride and groom are simply to enjoy themselves and thank everyone for coming out and supporting their event.

Stags can be a lot of fun when you bring groups of friends to hang out with during the event. You don’t have to know the Bride and Groom to go and have some fun.

Hopefully you learned a little about these events and won’t feel out of place and wondering “what is that” when you get invited to your next Stag n Drag!

Calorie Burner

Like almost all Americans we need to workout to enjoy all the wonderful pleasure’s food brings to us! So, I am here to list a couple different places you can join to help shed some pounds and get ready for the holiday feasting!

Currently, I am a member at the YMCA of Erie. The YMCA offers various locations around Erie and even down in the Edinboro area. You can check out their website at www.ymcaerie.org for more information. Each location offers classes from yoga to boxing. Classes run first thing in the morning until evening. Most locations offer typical gym equipment, courts, a pool and even daycare! Memberships can run around the $30 range for an individual to about $60 for a family per month.

If you are looking for something a little more classy; Nautilus Fitness Center maybe a good choice for you. This club offers most of the same services as the YMCA, and classes come in abundance. More info on this fitness center can be found at www.nautilusfitness.com. The monthly fee for an individual is roughly in the $40 range, they do offer discounts to students.

If you are interested in limited classes to focus on treadmills, free weights and machines… one of these many other options maybe best for you. The monthly fees are reasonable, depending on what you are looking for. Curves is great for women looking for a more private workout. This workout includes 30 minutes of rotating exercises on various machines or running in place. It Figures and Express Yourself offer similar qualities as Curves. Snap Fitness is popping up in the Erie area and offers members 24-hour access into the building. This gym offers you all the general equipment you would see in a gym. I am not a member, so I cannot speak if they have classes or not. Another new gym opening soon will be best fitness on W 12^th in the Oscar’s pub plaza. Memberships begin at $19.99 a month and offer several different workout equipment AND classes for their members.

So, depending on what you need, Erie health clubs have something for you.

Date Night

Looking for a fun time on a budget? Here is a fun date night for anyone of any age!

Why not take advantage of Erie's gorgeous views? Take your date up the bicentennial tower for a romantic view of Presque Isle and the Bay. This 187 ft tower features two observation decks and markers of Erie's harbor history and geography. Downstairs is a souvenir and food shop. You can go for free on Sundays or pay $3 per person any other day of the week. Check out www.porterie.org for more information.
After your done checking out the romantic view, why not challenge your date to a round of mini golf. Just a short walk up state street you'll find Harborview Mini Golf. At $6 per person this fun time is a great way to help your date with their stroke or put out a little challenge. Note to all you guys out there. Let the lady win, it will make the night a lot more enjoyable!
Once your round of golf is over, try ending the night on a sweet note. You can stop into one of the many restaurants to split an ice cream sundae or other dessert. A personal favorite is to try the Chocolate Snowball from Pufferbelly Restaurant located on French Street.

So total cost for this romantic night out for two ~ $25

ENJOY!

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog!
I am here to help inform the 20 and 30 somethings of Erie, PA- all it has to offer. This blog is meant to serve as a great way to meet new people, find Erie's "Hot Spots" and its current night life. I am not only going to be giving personal recommendations of fun for singles, but young couples and families as well.
I am interested to hear what other people are doing in the area and spread the word of fun! So please post comments!
I think Erie is totally under-rated for its entertainment value. If you can't find something to do, it's not Erie... it's YOU!

Thanks for visiting and I hope to keep everyone entertained.