Okay, taking a little weekend getaway with my daughter to Erie...I know, not too exciting...still, where would you recommend staying and how good is the shopping?

There is the Millcreek Mall which has all the standard stores like Sears, Penneys, Kaufmanns etc. It's small as malls go now a days. Also, on Peach Street are a lot of chain restaurants and stores like Target, Kmart, Walmart, Fridays, etc. At the other end of Peach street are also a lot of little plazas with some stores. Peebles Department store is more like the old Boston Store or Halles. If it's nice it might be nice to take a drive out by the beaches. Can't really help with a place to stay as we usually go just for days trips.

Thanks for the speedy response...just going to avoid the GST and PST on clothing as we are from Canada...starting to wonder if it is worth it...have you been to the Grove City outlet...gosh, that is even further!

susan, I dont know where you're coming from, but if you're crossing the border at buffalo, niagara falls or Queenston Lewsiton, you can probably do better shopping in the buffalo, niagara falls area even paying the 4% sales tax in new york. I haven't been to Erie in a while, and when I went, I always stayed at Grandma's so I'm no help for places to stay or eat (Grandma had the best food too so we never went out). Between Erie and Grove City, I would actually go to Grove city to shop, but back to Erie for the beach. Also, depending on your daughter's age, they have a nice zoo for young children

Yes, I've been to Grove City and it is worth the trip. Lots of name brand stores. If the only reason you are going is for shopping then I would skip Erie and go to Grove City. I'm not sure where in Canada you are from but there is also good outlet shopping in Niagara Falls, NY. Grove City has all the designer outlet stores which I think would be more fun and you'd probably find a lot more bargains than at the Millcreek Mall. Same thing in Niagara Falls.

ditto on Grove City..there are good restaurants and new hotels there...Comfort Inn.Holiday Inn Express,Super8 and AmeriHosts....it`s not too far down I-79.....better tha Erie to shop....there are always the shopping in NY but I don`t know what stores are in the outlet....GC ones are Prime Outlets....

Grove City is about 75 minutes from Erie. If you're into outlet shopping, I guess it's okay, but the only reason I go there is that I pass right by it on my way from DC to NW PA.

Erie has some great beaches--head to Presque Isle.

As for hotels, you basically have all of the standard chains strewn along Routes 79 and 90.

Thanks to all of you for your speedy responses...my daughter is 19 and we just thought we would get away from dad and brotherfor a weekend and simply shop. We do live an hour away from the Niagara outlets in the US and visit from time to time. Often, we find things different from in Canada and despite our lousy dollar, bargains can be found beyond the variety. I originally thought that GC outlet was near Millcreek but think I will still visit and shop that weekend. Will stay at the Fairfield or Country inn and Suites in Erie and drive down Saturday morning. I know a mall is just a mall, but your shops are just different often times. Thanks again and have a good summer.

try Hoss`s restaurant....or when you come back out of the outlet mall make a left and follow till you hit route 19 and make a right to you reach Rachel`s Roadhouse,Iron Bridge or Springfield Grill...and you can follow 19 till you hit routeI=80....and take it east till you hit the intersection of 79 to Erie....3 excellant restaurants..all owned by some people....

Have written that down...will do, thanks!

Well, I wouldn't exactly call any of those excellent restaurants. They're fine for chains. You could try the Pump House (sorry, don't have an address). It's an old fire station turned into a restaurant. Erie has a derth of good restaurants. I used to like the Elephant Bar, but haven't been there in years, so it may not even be around or worse, have bad food now.

I'd recommend Grove City Outlets too. It really is worth the trip. It is enjoyable to walk around the shopping plan. There is a British style restaurant called the Elephant (not sure about whole title)- loved their steak sandwiches and huge fries.

Also a bonus, no sales tax on clothing in PA.

these restaurants aren`t chains.and not in Erie...they are by the Grove City Outlet Mall...yes. the Hoss`s is a local chain of a few restaurants.....

Sorry my post was a bit inaccurate. I meant to say that those restaurants are basically like chains (which they are, since 3 are run by the same owners), with the typical mediocre food, etc. And yes, they are in the vicinty of Grove City Outlets.

Between Grove City and Erie is a town called Meadville. In Meadville is a good little Italian place called Valenti's, and a great frozen custard place called Hank's. Both worth a stop.

they happen to have excellent food...don`t knock it if you haven`t tried it....if you did then you could complain....

Again...thanks to all of you!