Anyone drove to Groove City Outlet with kids?

[biggroofy]

We are driving there in November for shopping. Wonder if there is any kids attraction, or kid-friendly hotel/resort nearby. My children are 3 & 7 year-old.

Thanks!

 

[vacation_junkie]

We are driving there in November for shopping. Wonder if there is any kids attraction, or kid-friendly hotel/resort nearby. My children are 3 & 7 year-old.

Thanks!

I was wondering the same thing..i was thinking of doing a super of the moment trip this weekend.

 

[angelkk]

I am interested to know too. We live in Toronto and usually drove to Buffalo for shopping and another 45 min drive to Rochester - the STRONG museum of Play was a great place for my kids.

How far is Groove City away from Toronto? Is Crayola factory nearby?

 

[BackSlash3]

I've been to Grove City as a kid and as an adult, it's just like the rest of the prime outlets plazas, nothing for kids until they're ready to shop. I think the embroidery kiosk and the toy store outlet were the most kids friendly things there.

Oh, and a couple of mall kiddy rides in the food court if I remember correctly.

 

[biggroofy]

We used to visit Waterloo Prime (?) Outlet, but wanted to try something else. DW wants to do shopping, but I wanted to make such "boring" shopping trip fun for kids.

What else do we have in PA? I lived in Toronto and wanted to restrict driving time to 5 hours or less. My little one (3-year-old) becomes cranky when she cannot nap in the car

 

[iluveeyore]

Our family likes Erie, PA for shopping better than Grove City - don't like wandering outdoors from store to store, and there's not much there to do or many places to eat. Erie has many things along Peach Street - nice hotels with indoor pools, the Family Sports Park, Splash Lagoon, and we love shopping at the Mill Creek Mall. Lots of restaurants, including our favourites Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden. There's a movie theater, the usual Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, etc. Gas is cheaper there as well, and of course the no tax on a lot of things we buy. We've stayed at all the Choice Hotels along Peach Street, very decent with free breakfasts and indoor pools (Econolodge, Comfort Inn). The Country Inn and Suites is nice too, so is the Wingate by Wyndham hotel. If you check out the Splash Lagoon website, they have a lot of attached or nearby hotels that have really great packages that include a family size suite with your park passes as well.

 

[biggroofy]

Seems staying at Erie is better than Buffalo and worth the extra hour drive

Trying to get best of both worlds - which hotel would you recommend if we want to visit ...
1). Splash Lagoon
2). Walmart
3). Target
4). Olive Garden
5). Wegmans
6). Macy

 

[iluveeyore]

Seems staying at Erie is better than Buffalo and worth the extra hour drive

Trying to get best of both worlds - which hotel would you recommend if we want to visit ...
1). Splash Lagoon
2). Walmart
3). Target
4). Olive Garden
5). Wegmans
6). Macy

All the hotels are on Peach Street just minutes from the stores you listed above. If you google hotels Peach St. Erie PA that should give you a list. I just usually visit each hotel's website for the best price. The Splash Lagoon hotels are on the website that are attached or have a package (I think its the Holiday Inn Express, Residence Inn and Comfort Inn that are attached or on the same side of the road as Splash) Econolodge, Country Inn and Suites and Wingate by Wyndham are right across the road from Splash Lagoon. We are at the Comfort Inn by Splash this week (not doing the water park) for our anniversary, and I got a King suite with hot tub, living rm and kitchenette for $84.

 

[Disneyof3]

Don't waste your time and the money. We just did a weekend away trip with DH for our anniversary trip in September. We went to Grove City for the day from Buffalo. The same stores at Grove City are at the Niagara Falls outlet. I even found the one in Niagara falls was a bit cheaper. I actually went 30 minutes further to Buckley to a Ross dress for less store and spent my money there. I wouldn't go back to Grove City if I was just going to the outlet. Ross's store is my favourite and I was so excited to find one that close to Canada

 

[dsneygirl]

There isn't much in Grove City itself at all. It's a pretty small town. The advantage over Niagara Falls is there is no tax on clothes or shoes in PA. So if you are planning on spending a few hundred bucks the savings will add up.

You can easily drive to Grove City to hit the outlets then back to Erie for the night. The Peach Street exit has everything you could imagine both stores and restaurants (there is a Chik Fil A there)

 

[iluveeyore]

OP - just wanted to update you on Erie - just went with hubby this week, and I got a king suite at the Comfort Inn on Peach Street - it's attached by indoor walkway to the Splash Lagoon. The room was awesome and only paid $84 booking online, and they might have specials with the Splash Lagoon for passes. Our room had a kitchenette, island with four chairs, separate living room with pullout couch, desk, chair and tv, separate huge master bedroom with king bed and tv, a large jetted tub, separate vanity area. Hot breakfast items, nice indoor pool, great value.

 

[biggroofy]

OP - just wanted to update you on Erie - just went with hubby this week, and I got a king suite at the Comfort Inn on Peach Street - it's attached by indoor walkway to the Splash Lagoon. The room was awesome and only paid $84 booking online, and they might have specials with the Splash Lagoon for passes. Our room had a kitchenette, island with four chairs, separate living room with pullout couch, desk, chair and tv, separate huge master bedroom with king bed and tv, a large jetted tub, separate vanity area. Hot breakfast items, nice indoor pool, great value.

Thank you!

Did you stop by Buffalo? I am wondering if we can have lunch at Cheese Factory in Walden Galleria, then drive to Erie. I guess it is about an hour drive from Buffalo?

 

[iluveeyore]

Thank you!

Did you stop by Buffalo? I am wondering if we can have lunch at Cheese Factory in Walden Galleria, then drive to Erie. I guess it is about an hour drive from Buffalo?

It's actually about an hour and a half from the border in Buffalo. The Cheesecake Factory is great for desserts, but very expensive, especially for regular menu items which my teenagers don't like. We love Cracker Barrel or Olive Garden, both are in Erie. But if you want to go to the Galleria for lunch, you'll still be in Erie in plenty of time for check in (usually 4pm).

Have a great time!

 

[candielips]

Isn't Sesame Place not too far from Erie?

 

[biggroofy]

Isn't Sesame Place not too far from Erie?

Yes, but I believe it is closed now?

 

[angelkk]

Wanted to ask, is there any price (tax) difference if I buy something other than clothing, in Buffalo vs Erie (or even Grove City)?

I am quite interested to visit the waterpark in Erie, but wondering if it worth the extra 2 hour drive to Grove City - assuming I will buy tax-free clothing in Millcreek Mall.

For other stuff like books, grocery, and electronics - is it better off to buy in Buffalo or Erie? Thanks!

Don't waste your time and the money. We just did a weekend away trip with DH for our anniversary trip in September. We went to Grove City for the day from Buffalo. The same stores at Grove City are at the Niagara Falls outlet. I even found the one in Niagara falls was a bit cheaper. I actually went 30 minutes further to Buckley to a Ross dress for less store and spent my money there. I wouldn't go back to Grove City if I was just going to the outlet. Ross's store is my favourite and I was so excited to find one that close to Canada