Heading to Meadville? Stopping through on your way from the East Coast to Chicago? If you like nature, charming towns and great food, I have the perfect day planned for you!
Stop 1: French Creek Coffee and Tea Co.
Every great day starts with coffee. This charming spot downtown Meadville has delicious cold brew, scones and a super cute sitting area on the second floor. Eat in or take your coffee to go and explore all the shops downtown.
Stop 2: Ernst Trail
If you’re looking to work off some of that caffeine with a nice walk, this five-mile paved trail is close to downtown, dog-friendly and easy to navigate. Denver and I made so many dog friends!
Stop 3: Eddie’s Footlong Hot Dogs
Eddie’s is a Meadville must when in Meadville. Head to the original location on Conneaut Lake Road for the full experience. Open since 1947, this local favorite uses Smith’s footlong hotdogs which are a staple in the northwest PA region.
Stop 4: Hank’s Frozen Custard
Right down the road from Eddie’s is another local favorite – Hank’s! This family-owned business has delicious treats and still uses the original machines from when they opened in 1952. It seems like everyone had the same idea – I ran into multiple people there that had just eaten lunch at Eddie’s.
Stop 5: Linesville Spillway
From there, head outside Meadville to do some more exploring. The Linesville Spillway is a beautiful, fun stop for the whole family. It’s sometimes called the place where ducks walk on fish because there are so many! Look for birds in the sky as well – it’s a commonplace to spot raptors.
Stop 6: Mortal’s Key Brewing Company
On your out of town from Meadville, end the day with a drink and some live music. This sprawling green space is the perfect place to wind down after a full day of fun. Mortal’s Key uses Old World recipes to brew their craft beers and the dining environment is great, too. It’s dog-friendly, super relaxed and a great way to wrap up your visit!
Blog post by Hannah Brenner
Hannah is a travel, wildlife and environmental sustainability influencer who spends weekends camping in her renovated van across the country. She loves to share her passion for the environment, birds and travel experiences in a variety of multimedia formats on social media and blogs.