PHOTO: VISIT ERIE

If you’re looking to take the family on a beach vacation that doesn’t start and end with a full day in the car, Erie is the perfect destination.

Presque Isle State Park has numerous beaches with kid-friendly amenities over seven miles. Beaches 7 and 11 are adjacent to playground equipment, and Beach 11 also has the most shallow water and is regarded as the best beach for young children. Beaches 6 and 8 offer concessions, or you can always stop at Sara’s for a famous hot dog as you head out at the end of your day. Beach 6 also boasts eight sand volleyball courts.

Keep in mind the sand in Erie is rocky, lake sand, not smooth ocean sand, so kids may want to wear water shoes rather than go barefoot.

Related: Escape to Erie for a Nature-Focused Getaway

Pirate Adventures

2 State St. | scallywagspirateadventures.com

PHOTO BY HUCK BEARD

The word “pirate” may conjure up images of swashbuckling characters on Caribbean waters, but the Great Lakes have a long and storied history with buccaneers terrorizing boats on their waters. At Scallywags Pirate Adventures, themed cruises play up on that history — no real cannons involved.

Located at Dobbins Landing on Presque Isle Bay, Scallywags runs tours for guests of all ages. Their 90-minute Pirate Adventure Show is perfect for families with children — even teens and tweens are enticed by the nautical antics. Costumed characters begin weaving their tale dockside before boarding their pirate ship to hit the open lake. The cast enlists families to help retrieve a treasure map taken by Captain Skull, who is determined to avoid capture. Sea shanties, face painting, treasure chests, and an epic water cannon battle with a rival boat mean this 90-minute tour is nonstop entertainment for families.

Scallywags also hosts evening Wobbly Pirate cruises for guests 21 and over to “party like a pirate” with a cash bar, DJ and more as the ship rounds the bay.

Water World

200 Peninsula Drive | waldameer.com

PHOTO COURTESY WALDAMEER

Erie’s beaches aren’t the only outdoor water play in town. Don’t miss the 32 slides at Water World, located within the Waldameer Park amusement park at the entrance to Presque Isle. Beyond their impressive collection of water slides, there is an endless river, wave pool, two oversized family hot tubs, a water play area for the tiniest guests and a massive water-soaked playground called “The Battle of Lake Erie,” which is themed around the War of 1812.

For Pittsburghers who love Sandcastle, Water World will be a guaranteed hit. The two water parks share common features like the wave pools, children’s splash areas and endless rivers. Compared to Sandcastle’s 16 water slides, though, there are more options at Waldameer Park. One slide, the Rocket Blast, which opened last summer, is reminiscent of Kennywood’s now-defunct Log Jammer. Riders traverse twists and turns throughout the park in an inflatable rubber flume before finishing with a 60-foot drop — making it the largest ride in Water World.

Because Water World is adjacent to Waldameer Park, guests can move from one area to the other, and no wristband is needed to visit the amusement park. Water World does require an all-day wristband. Both sections of the park are cashless but Wally Cards can be loaded at stations throughout the park.

Splash Lagoon

8091 Peach St. | splashlagoon.com

PHOTO COURTESY SPLASH LAGOON

No matter the weather outside, Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park on Peach Street is a tropical oasis for kids and adults alike. Opened in 2003, the expansive destination (which regularly attracts more than 300,000 visitors per year) features nine water slides, a variety of pools, a multi-level, interactive tree house, a ropes course and an arcade with more than 100 games.

There’s also the 200,000-gallon Wild Waters Wave Pool and a FlowRider Surf Machine, where participants can ride waves (overseen by a lifeguard) without the fear of shark bites.

For those in search of adult time, there are cocktails and mocktails aplenty at the Surf Bar, plus a grownups-only hot tub behind the family-friendly Lava Pool. Guests may also grab a raft and relax on the circular Lazy River (watch out for the waterfall above!) or rent a private cabana.

There’s no need to leave the Polynesian-themed atmosphere (perpetually kept at a balmy 84 degrees) for lunch either. Besides the Laguna Grill on the lower level of the attraction, the facility is connected to a Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant. For dessert, check out Treasure Island Ice Cream Parlor.