Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Monroeville, PA

  • Published 2022/07/18

Looking for the best things to do in Monroeville, Pennsylvania?

Monroeville is a Pittsburgh suburb in the hills about 12 miles east of downtown.

Its wide range of companies, pleasant neighborhoods, vibrant commercial areas, world-class health care providers, and exceptional schools attract people to settle in the municipality.

Due to its closeness to Pittsburgh, Monroeville’s social and economic milieu is bolstered by its easy access to interstate highways, first-rate government services, and proximity to the nation’s “most livable” area.

Monroeville is now a flourishing community of neighborhoods and businesses, developed over half a century with inhabitants’ wants and needs in mind.

Even though Monroeville is Southwestern Pennsylvania’s second-largest retail area, it provides a wide range of professional and educational options.

In Monroeville, you’ll find a stunning sight, a rich history, and a progressive mindset.

Read on to discover the best things to do in Monroeville.

Shop at Monroeville Mall

Exterior of Monroeville Mall

Msact, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Monroeville Mall is a retail center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, about an hour east of Pittsburgh.

It is close to I-376 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Monroeville intersection, on frequently frequented U.S. Route 22 Business (U.S. 22 Bus. ). U.S. 22 Business (U.S. 22 Bus).

This shopping mall, which opened in 1969, was completely restored and expanded from 2003 to 2004.

Interior of Monroeville Mall

Msact, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It now houses Cinemark Theaters, Barnes & Noble, Macy’s, JCPenney, and other major retailers.

Monroeville Mall is Pennsylvania’s eighth-largest retail center, with 150 merchants.

The mall was the setting for the 1978 George A. Romero horror film Dawn of the Dead.

Come to Monroeville Mall to shop, eat, and have fun!

Tour the McGinley House

The McGinley House, Monroeville’s oldest stone house, is a classic example of western Pennsylvania’s vernacular stone building of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The acclaimed historian Jamie Van Trump has described this style of architecture as “…elemental building of a primitive nature and so part of the earth and on which it rests.”

The Westinghouse Electric Corporation purchased the site in 1967 and was preparing to destroy the home for its planned Nuclear Research Center.

On the other hand, Monroeville Councilman James Mirro urged the municipality to take over the mansion and convert it into a local museum.

According to Westinghouse, Mrs. Betty Miller, the last Solomon family to live in the home, was permitted to do so under the terms of the sale agreement until 1975.

That year, the Municipality of Monroeville assumed ownership and entrusted the property to the Monroeville Historical Society.

In 1976, it became a museum for the first time.

Pittsburgh’s History and Landmarks Foundation has recently designated this home a historical landmark.

The McGinley House has been repaired and appears like a farmhouse from the late 1800s.

Admire the Architecture of McCully Log House

The McCully Log House, constructed in the early 1800s, is one of Monroeville’s oldest standing houses.

The Miers (Myers) family owned the property on which the home now stands, one of the area’s first occupants. He may have erected the log home about that period.

Additions were constructed, and the house’s look altered throughout the years, most notably by a “modernized” siding that covered the logs.

Over time, the building deteriorated to the point that it was abandoned. In 1992, the building was deemed unsafe and was removed.

Monroeville Historical Society and the City of Monroeville collaborated on a preservation campaign for the home.

An exceptional illustration of an early American log house may be seen today after a renovation completed in 1995.

“Log House” rather than “Log Cabin” describes the construction since it has two stories.

The two massive logs supporting the second story are cantilevered out to support the top porch, making this a one-of-a-kind specimen.

Furniture, agricultural equipment, and other antique characteristics of an 18th-century farmhouse have been incorporated into the interior.

Check Out the Historic McGregor Stone Bridge

Near Route 22, on Beatty Road, is a well-preserved example of a 19th-century one-lane structure that facilitates horse, wheel, and foot traffic.

According to local historian Charles Coates, the Thompson family’s history points to a considerably earlier date for this building.

The Bridge is a 14-foot segmented arch cut stone construction that previously serviced MacGregor Road by crossing a brook to link Beatty Road to Center Road.

It wasn’t until 1984 that Center Associates surrendered property, including the Bridge, to the Municipality of Monroeville for the Bridge to be preserved as a historical monument at their behest.

The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation designated The Old Stone Bridge as a landmark in 1985 and it has been protected ever since.

Read a Book at Monroeville Public Library

A suburb of Pittsburgh, Monroeville Public Library [MPL] is situated in Allegheny County.

Residents in Monroeville, Pitcairn, and East Suburbs, as well as all of Allegheny County and the areas participating in Access PA, are served by MPL’s services.

Additionally, MPL offers a wide range of educational services to community members of all ages to enhance their lives via personal enrichment, intellectual pursuits, and fun.

Complimentary wireless Internet connection and public P.C.s are available in three library locations.

Monroeville Public Library is an Allegheny County Library Association member.

Play with Your Friends at Miracle Lanes Bowling Center

Suppose you want to go bowling with your pals. In that case, Miracle Lanes Bowling Center is an excellent choice since it has everything a family needs.

Are you looking for a venue to celebrate your kid’s birthday?

This is the place to be.

It also has an on-site bar called Strike Zone Pub.

Enjoy a cold drink or a quick bite as you get competitive at Miracle Lanes!

Practice Your Swing at Par 2 Golf Course

In 1987, Par 2 Golf Courses in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was established.

Until 1986, an older plant half a mile distant was in operation.

At every Par 2 Golf Course, there are three different 18-hole courses to choose from.

As a result, every hole is a par two and is no more than 32 feet long.

A score of par or better is considered the performance benchmark on the golf course.

An ace may be made on any of the 18 holes. Each of the three courses may be completed in 30 minutes.

Clients come to play on a gorgeous Par 2 Course because of the pleasure and delight that it provides them.

You may take a quick break from Par 2 by playing some entertaining and challenging games at an arcade.

There are “redemption tickets” that you may earn in most of our games that can be used at reward centers. Toilets are within a short distance.

Plenty of courses are waiting for you outdoors, so don’t get too comfortable with air conditioning.

Have a Picnic at Monroeville Community Park

Several park-wide enhancements have transformed the Monroeville Community Park West into an excellent family-friendly location.

A total of 14 soccer fields and various sports courts are available for players of all skill levels to enjoy throughout their time on the 125.4-acre campus’ scenic hills and forested pathways.

Farmer’s Markets are held at the Amphitheater in the park throughout the year and live music events.

Picnic areas, playgrounds, and enough parking make this park an excellent choice for any outdoor gathering.

There are also well-kept bathrooms spread around the park for your convenience.

Jump in Joy at Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Trampoline parks are great for kids, teenagers, and adults’ birthday parties.

Sky Zone has a wide range of activities and can accommodate groups of any size.

A separate party room or the whole venue may be reserved for your event.

Sky Zone’s got your back, no matter what the occasion.

Celebrate in style at Sky Zone’s most incredible kids’ birthday party.

It takes care of all the bother of preparing a birthday party so that you and your children can concentrate on having a good time.

Take advantage of its birthday party packages, including a private party location, birthday invites and materials, and a hostess!

Practice Your Game at Pro Sports Monroeville

Pro Sports Monroeville is a premier indoor training and playing facility in the region.

The hub of Monroeville, the facility has three basketball courts, as well as facilities for volleyball, futsal, flag football, and other indoor training.

Two men’s and two women’s restrooms are provided on-site, and two locker rooms with extra facilities.

Please be aware that there are no concessions available on site.

But it is placed near residential areas and eateries, making it convenient.

Pro+Sports is the apparent option for any event that demands a gymnasium environment.

Grab Your Outdoor Gears at DICK’S Sporting Goods

DICK’S Sporting Goods provides everything you would require for every game, whether starting an exercise program, preparing to play golf, or shopping for new running shoes.

Shop a wide variety of footwear, gym gear, and more in-store.

DICK’S Sporting Goods at the Monroeville Mall has something for every sports enthusiast and athlete.

You’ll find everything you need for the baseball diamond, basketball court, football field, and more here.

Obtain a pair of running shoes around Monroeville by visiting a sports store.

There are several ways to push yourself to a new personal best.

Looking for some running shoes?

You may get high-quality exercise equipment and apparel at DICK’S to make your workouts even more impressive.

With hunting equipment, camping gear, and high-quality kayaks for sale, you can enjoy the outdoors.

Invest in high-quality apparel to protect you from the weather.

Grab Fres Produce from Monroeville Lions Farmer’s Market

The Monroeville Lions Club founded Monroeville Lions Farmers Market in 1982 to support the community’s food movement.

Lion’s Club member Alek Wozniak of Monroeville was pivotal to the project’s growth.

Initially, the market was housed in the Gateway High School Parking Lot.

In 2011, it was moved to the Monroeville Community Park due to parking concerns.

The merchants have a significant role in the operation of this particular Farmers Market, making it unique in the Pittsburgh region.

This novel approach to running a market encourages the selling of goods that are really created and cultivated right here in the United States.

You’ll discover a wide variety of fresh produce, fruit, baked products, and more at this market.

Plus, the vendors are friendly!

Get Spooked at The Living Dead Museum & Gift Shop

The Living Dead Museum and Gift Shop is a tribute to zombies in popular culture.

To commemorate George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, a themed attraction is housed at Monroeville Mall, which served as the filming site for the original.

Props and memorabilia are incorporated into a display that includes interactive encounters and zombie gift shopping.

A significant fan gathering and convention called “Living Dead Weekend” occurs at the museum every second week of June.

It features guests that have all impacted pop culture, from its stars to the crew.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Visit the Rivers of Steel: Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark

Daytime view of the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark

NatalieSchorr / Shutterstock.com

Driving 16 minutes from Monroeville will get you to a relic of Pittsburgh’s dominance over the steel industry throughout the twentieth century: the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

They were previously components of the vast and famed U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works.

Pre-World War II iron-making equipment is exceptionally unusual in the form of Carrie Furnaces #6 and #7, which tower 92 feet over the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Since the region’s steel industry collapsed in the 1970s and 1980s, these are the remaining non-operational blast furnaces.

You may learn more about Pittsburgh’s steelmaking history by taking a tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces.

The site’s iron-making technologies, as well as its people and their culture, are highlighted on the Industrial Tour.

See Peculiar Displays at Trundle Manor

Comedy night in Trundle Manor parlor

Popscreenshot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Take a tour of Trundle Manor, just 14 minutes from Monroeville, and view some interesting artifacts and displays! It’s an excellent time for all ages!

Trundle Manor is a tourist trap that will have you and your family scratching their heads and wondering how they ever survived without viewing this mini museum.

Take advantage of the time to impress your friends with your knowledge of this location.

Tours are only available by appointment, and the owner cannot always accommodate last-minute requests.

Final Thoughts

Monroeville’s location makes it accessible to numerous major North American cities.

It is, however, a vacation destination in and of itself.

Come and experience what this community offers with our list of the best things to do in Monroeville, Pennsylvania!

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