Pittsburgh is the largest city in Allegheny County and the county headquarters of Allegheny County.
After Philadelphia, it is Pennsylvania’s second most populated metropolis.
General John Forbes chose to commemorate the British leader William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, with the city’s naming in 1758.
Pittsburgh has earned the nickname “the Steel City” for its more than 300 steel-related enterprises and “the City of Bridges” for its 446 bridges.
Interested to know more about this stunning city?
Here are the 56 best things to do in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Pay a Visit to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
ismailbayram / Shutterstock.com
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was donated to Pittsburgh by the real estate baron Henry Phipps in 1893.
The main attraction here is the Victorian glass house, surrounded by numerous lush green gardens.
The glass house has rotating seasonal exhibits, such as bonsai or orchids.
Photohubsanctuary / Shutterstock.com
Additionally, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is perfect for children as it has interactive activities where they can have fun.
Indeed, this place is perfect for cooling off during the hot summer months and enjoying quality time admiring nature.
photosounds / Shutterstock.com
Spiroview Inc / Shutterstock.com
Randyland, one of Pittsburgh’s most popular destinations, is the brainchild of artist Randy Gilson who transformed this ruinous neighborhood into a psychedelic building that contains colorful recycled art, such as paintings of pink flamingos, giant bananas, mismatched furniture, plastic dinosaurs, and mannequins.
Popscreenshot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Randyland is also known for providing an intellectually stimulating and safe place for local artists where they can gather together and create mind-bending art and mesmerizing projects, which are known as streetscapes and can be seen at every corner of the neighborhood.
The owner, Randy, is a real character in his own right; he’s the type of free spirit that gives without asking anything in return.
Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pamela Brick / Shutterstock.com
Many years before Instagram and other social media apps hit our world, there was a pop art icon named Andy Warhol who proved to be way cooler than any of his contemporaries.
Warhol Museum was made to honor his legacy and life’s work, which contains more than 17 galleries, 900 paintings, more than 2,000 works on paper, 1,000 unique prints, 4,000 photographs, 77 sculptures, and more than 4,000 videotaped works and films of Andy Warhol.
Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Examples are “Campbell’s Soup Box” and “The Chelsea Girls.”
Visitors will leave with a deeper appreciation for Warhol’s motivations and an appreciation of his impact on the art world.
He was a native of Pittsburgh city, and even though he died at the age of 58, he is remembered and revered by many around the world.
Chubykin Arkady / Shutterstock.com
For those seeking a vertical rush, the Monongahela Incline is one of Pittsburgh’s top landmarks.
Back in the 1800s, the funiculars were extensively used throughout the country to take locals from the lower end of a steep hill to the very top; miners also used them.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
In 1974, with the advent of more efficient and faster ways of transportation, funiculars became a tourist attraction.
Today, it is a 635-foot track that takes 1,500 visitors daily up the hill at a speed of six mph.
The 35-minute ride, which is also wheelchair accessible, provides stunning and breathtaking views of the city.
Suckindiesel at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sage Ross, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prantl’s Bakery is said to have the greatest cake in America!
The bakery serves the famous ‘burnt almond torte’ cake, invented by Henry Prantl many years ago.
Moreover, this bakery serves mouth-watering dishes such as Danish fruitcakes, coffee-filled cheesecakes, and thumbprint cookies which come in various flavors, like pumpkin, chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla.
You can also purchase cookie trays that contain mini cheesecakes, mini bonbon, peanut butter blossom, and chocolate!
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Those interested in birds who are wondering what to do in Pittsburgh could visit the National Aviary.
It is a bird sanctuary that contains 500 birds of more than 150 species from across the globe and is situated on the city’s historic north side.
Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch from State College, PA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This place allows visitors to engage with the environment through interactive exhibits where you can meet and feed a wide variety of birds.
This is also the location of the Department of Conservation and Field Research, which hosts educational programs for adults and children.
Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch from State College, PA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
About 15,000 students, teachers, designers, business executives, and innovators visit Invention Land each year to experience the guided tours of the 60,000-square-foot space.
In terms of technological advancement, it is unrivaled.
Inventionland opened in 2006 when two individuals, George Davison and Nathan Field, wanted to construct a building where artists, graphic designers, and industrial engineers could come together and brainstorm about new ideas and products.
This process may involve conceptualizing and creating works of art for display, as well as products for the purpose of patenting and commercialism.
Some of the most notable items here include a pirate ship, crafty cottage, animation attic, creativity cabin, nursery nook, brainpower ballpark, tree house, and pet shack.
Christian Hinkle / Shutterstock.com
Located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, Point State Park spans 36 acres.
Point State Park is not only known for its refreshing lush green gardens but also as a historic site—it was a landmark during the French and Indian war of the 18th century.
The park also contains beautiful riverfront promenades and a 150-tall fountain, which is a great photo opportunity.
The Fort Pitt Museum is situated within this park, which preserves the early history of the city of Pittsburgh.
Angelina Pilarinos / Shutterstock.com
You’ll also find Fort Pitt Black House, which is the oldest and most authentic building in Western Pennsylvania.
The park is accessible year-round, from dawn to dusk.
At sunset, day-use zones are closed.
Jose Luis Stephens / Shutterstock.com
Elk’s Lodge is a restaurant and bar where a group of musicians can play with a band and visitors can listen to them for free!
Such an experience is elevated even higher when you get the alcohol of your choice at a cheap cost and sumptuous dishes, including the famous mac and cheese.
The four-stringed instrument never fails to leave its listeners amused and entertained.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
A trip to Mineo’s Pizza House is like visiting family for those from Pittsburgh.
Mineo’s Pizza House started in 1958, and since then it has become one of the most famous eateries in Pittsburgh.
The third generation of the Mineo family has now taken charge of the restaurant and has continued John Mineo’s tradition of using hand-grated cheese, a slow-cooked sauce made from fresh Italian tomatoes, and homemade dough.
Some of their notable dishes include the buffalo chicken pizza, the brother’s breakfast special, Sicilian, calzone, and the customer’s favorite, John’s special.
Pizza-making kits are also available at Mineo’s Pizza House and come with a free regular topping!
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
As soon as you step into Highland Park, you will be welcomed by a breathtaking fountain in the middle of a Victorian-style garden known as the entry gardens.
These lush green areas will take you up to a vantage point where you can witness striking views of the entire area.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Highland Park also has a well-known water reservoir created in 1879 and has been a permanent fixture of this place.
You can jog, stroll, or bike around the reservoir.
Or you may take yoga classes and have a lovely picnic out in the sun with your loved ones.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Robert Pernell / Shutterstock.com
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium provides an odyssey of fun due to its wide variety of animals inside the 77-acre vicinity.
The zoo contains multiple zones, such as islands where you get to see Philippine crocodiles, leopards, and siamangs.
There is also a jungle where you can witness a giant anteater, a hippo, and the world’s largest rat known as the fossa.
Emma Backer / Shutterstock.com
The main attraction here is the aquarium, which houses a polar bear and sea otters.
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium will keep you enthralled throughout, and it will be quite difficult to convince yourself to leave this place.
Bambi2020 / Shutterstock.com
kshort97 / Shutterstock.com
A visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is a must if you’re seeking something to do in Pittsburgh related to natural history and science.
This museum will fulfill your childhood dreams of going to Jurassic Park, as this massive place contains 22 million specimens, among which is the world’s largest collection of Jurassic dinosaur fossils, such as the Diplodocus carnegii, the Apatosaurus, and an oviraptorosaur.
Mike Steele, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Additionally, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History also hosts many educational programs related to anthropology, birds, botany, mammals, and minerals, among many others.
This is an exceptional place to bring your kids and teach them about the beauty of science.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Sue Stokes / Shutterstock.com
If you’re a history fan, you should know that the Senator John Heinz History Center is the largest museum of its kind in Pennsylvania.
Each of one us is familiar with the ‘Heinz ketchup,’ and even though this center only features it in one of its exhibits, it is dedicated to telling the larger story of the city—from the early settlers, the revolutionary war, and the slave trade to the underground railroad.
One of its exhibits is dedicated to the H.J. Heinz Company!
There are also exhibits dedicated to native inventions, such as the Ferris wheel, the polio vaccine, the big mac, and the growth of public service broadcasting.
Brittany Graham LA / Shutterstock.com
Carrie Furnace is a renovated and restored steel furnace from the glorious past of Pittsburgh’s rich history as America’s prime steel-producing city.
Since the industry went bust in the 1980s, the Rivers of Steel Heritage Foundation dedicated this tour of the furnace as a remembrance of the past and the people who worked within it.
Brittany Graham LA / Shutterstock.com
All the volunteers who will act as your guide are former employees of the furnace, explaining their daily activities and life as furnace workers.
This tour, indeed, has immense historical importance and will give you an insight into the history of Pittsburgh.
jessica.kirsh / Shutterstock.com
PNC Park is a beautiful and huge baseball park on Northern Shore of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Pirates, the city’s Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, finds its fifth home in this park.
It was established in 2001 during the MLB season after the Pittsburgh Pirates’ fourth home, Three Rivers Stadium, was destroyed in a controlled implosion.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Additionally, PNC Park is full of unusual and unique features, including the creative use of limestone in the building’s construction and a restaurant and bar just above the left-field bleachers.
The amazing experience of witnessing a game at PNC Park is something you shouldn’t miss out on.
photosounds / Shutterstock.com
CiEll / Shutterstock.com
Carnegie Museum of Art, popularly referred to as CMOA, is an ethereal art museum in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh.
Andrew Carnegie, a Pittsburgh-based industrialist, was the founder of the museum in 1895.
HoboJones, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It primarily collects and exhibits high-quality contemporary art with the unconventional arts of films and video works.
Moreover, the museum owns more than 32,000 artworks, 2,000 of which have been displaced at one time.
Carnegie Museum of Art , CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Let Your Kids Play at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Robert Pernell / Shutterstock.com
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive and efficient children’s museum located in Pittsburgh’s North Side area.
First founded in 1983, it is a prestigious part of the top 15 children’s museums in 2015, as named by Parents magazine.
The museum is highly interactive and is a source of undiluted delight and inspiration to the visitors, especially the children.
The museum’s art installations and exhibits are versatile and beautiful!
More than 306,000 visitors visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh annually!
Christian Hinkle / Shutterstock.com
Schenley Park is a pretty municipal park in Pittsburgh, considered one of the ‘America’s Coolest City Parks’ by Travel + Leisure, a popular travel magazine, in 2011.
It is spread over a whopping 456 acres, all donated by Mary Schenley, a Pittsburgh-based heiress and philanthropist.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
It is surrounded by the University of Pittsburgh campus and even Carnegie Mellon University.
Here at Schenley Park, you’ll see many attractions, including a Plaza, a large pond, a conservatory, a tiny hill, tennis courts, a soccer field, an ice skating rink, a public swimming pool, and a golf course, to name a few.
Jon Bilous / Shutterstock.com
Mark Zhu / Shutterstock.com
The Cathedral of Learning is a mesmerizing structure right in the heart of the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Cathedral spans up to 535 feet and is divided into 42 stories, making it the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere and the second-tallest educational building in the world.
This neo-gothic building has around 30 rooms, all of which are themed around different countries, also simultaneously functioning as classrooms for the students.
Nagel Photography / Shutterstock.com
ESB Professional / Shutterstock.com
Mount Washington is a perfect and beautiful hill in Pittsburgh, located on the southern banks of the Ohio and Monongahela River.
There are a variety of restaurants here, which allows you to enjoy a scrumptious meal with a stunning view of the downtown area.
It is a special place for the locals, offering a picturesque view of the entire city.
JWCohen / Shutterstock.com
CiEll / Shutterstock.com
The Rivers Casino, formerly known as the Majestic Star Casino, is a unique place in Pittsburgh’s Chateau.
It was built in 2007, and owned by Don H. Barden, who then sold 75% of his interest to Holdings Acquisition Co, the current owner, in 2008.
The casino is a massive one, having over 3,000 slot machines, poker rooms, rush table zones, and other table games.
CiEll / Shutterstock.com
The casino also offers a unique selection of dining options, such as the Wheelhouse, Grand View Buffet, Mian, and Spiral Bar.
There are also several event spaces that can comfortably host various events and occasions.
CMS Photography / Shutterstock.com
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Frick is a unique addition to the Pittsburgh area, as it is a collection of museums and uniquely historic buildings created around ‘Clayton,’ where the Frick family resided during the nineteenth century.
The Frick is an indirect tribute to Henry Clay Frick, an industrialist and art collector.
Furthermore, The Frick spreads over 5.5 acres and includes Clayton, the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, the Frick Children’s playhouse, the Greenhouse, and the Café.
Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jay Yuan / Shutterstock.com
Grandview Overlook is a small place on the top of Mount Washington, where you can catch a complete view of the city in a mesmerizing way.
Around two inclines on the sides will get you to the station square located below, at the foot of the hill, quite easily.
Jay Yuan / Shutterstock.com
Ascend these inclines, and you will be greeted with great and picturesque glimpses of the city.
Grandview Overlook is a place where you can get Instagram-worthy photos of the Pittsburgh area!
Jay Yuan / Shutterstock.com
ggTravelDiary / Shutterstock.com
Fort Pitt Museum is a two-way museum – an indoor and an outdoor one – located in downtown Pittsburgh, on the formation of the Ohio River in downtown Pittsburgh.
It is situated in Point State Park and is a popular part of the Senator John Heinz History Center family of Museums and Programs.
Through the fascinating exhibits and installations, you’ll learn more about the city’s history, including the Revolutionary War and the French-Indian War.
Guided tours are taken regularly, and there is a perfect little gift shop on the premises, with a lot of selection for books.
Go Biking at Three Rivers Heritage Trail
digidreamgrafix / Shutterstock.com
Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a rail-trail, running parallel across the riverbanks in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.
The trail extends up to 53 kilometers and is maintained as a part of Friends of the Riverfront.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
It is available on both sides of all three rivers that run in this area and is known to be the preferred way of commuting and even recreation.
Since it provides easy access to urban areas and shopping areas and entertainment districts, locals and tourists prefer this peaceful trail.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
f11photo / Shutterstock.com
The Market Square of Pittsburgh, located in the downtown area at the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Market Street, was built in the 1890s.
It combines Pittsburgh’s best qualities into one spectacular and varied region.
f11photo / Shutterstock.com
You may also catch a skating rink here during the winter months.
The square provides visitors with many shopping options, offices, residential and housing units, and restaurants of different types!
John Marino, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mark Dozier / Shutterstock.com
The Roberto Clemente Bridge, alternatively known as the Sixth Street Bridge, is a large bridge built over the Allegheny River.
It started off as a wooden bridge, which was then rebuilt around three to four times, before reaching its current, perfect state.
AevanStock / Shutterstock.com
It is named after Roberto Clemente, one of the greatest Pittsburgh Pirates, ‘Hall of Fame’ baseball players.
One of the popular three sister bridges, Roberto Clemente Bridge boasts of unusual, self-anchored suspension design and provides a wonderful view of the Allegheny River while crossing it.
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Malachi Jacobs / Shutterstock.com
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, often referred to as Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, is a beautiful landmark in Pittsburgh and known to be the largest memorial in the US.
It was built in 1907 and is styled in a Beaux-Arts way.
Malachi Jacobs / Shutterstock.com
There are a variety of themed displays, one-of-a-kind artworks, unique artifacts, uniforms, medals, and equipment displayed around.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, divided into six halls, never fail to provide visitors with a quintessential experience of the American Military and Service Personnel.
Alekjds, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bambi2020 / Shutterstock.com
The West-End Overlook Park is a small but equally interesting municipal park, offering a picturesque view of the Elliott Neighbourhood in Pittsburgh.
You can also gaze over the valleys of the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela rivers from this park.
It was in 2003 that the park underwent a major renovation.
Now, it has a walkway, neat gardens, a picnic table, trees, and terraced stone banks for comfortable viewing.
West-End Overlook Park is a beautiful place to visit, as it provides a pleasantly amazing view of this particular Pittsburgh neighborhood.
See the Art Galleries in Cultural District
Jose L. Stephens / Shutterstock.com
The Cultural District of Pittsburgh is a beautiful place, amassing fourteen-square blocks in the downtown area.
Established during the early 1980s, this district was the brainchild of Jack Heinz, a Pittsburgh-based business executive, and is now maintained by the Cultural Trust.
It is well known for providing a wide selection of art and live entertainment.
It has around six theatres, which host more than 1,500 shows every year, along with a variety of art galleries, retail shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Tupungato / Shutterstock.com
Leonid Andronov / Shutterstock.com
Emerald View Park is a great place to go for a long walk, ride a bike, or sit back and relax if you want to take in the breathtaking panorama of the city.
This place is an urban park, entertaining visitors since 2005.
Here, you’ll see wooded hillsides, trails, and surprising vistas dispersed all around the park.
Additionally, you’ll also see historical spaces like picnic areas, ball fields, playgrounds, and Depression-era sandstone steps and walls!
Explore the Gourmet Food Shops at The Strip District
Steve Heap / Shutterstock.com
The Strip District is one of the more popular neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.
Spreading over one and a half square miles, this district includes four main streets – Waterfront Place, Liberty Avenue, Smallman Street, and Penn Avenue—along with a handful of other side streets.
Rey Rodriguez / Shutterstock.com
It is known for its great selection of international retailers and grocery stores, boutique shops, merchants, and some of the best restaurants you will come across in Pittsburgh.
A must-visit place in this district is the Heinz History Center, which provides rich insight into the history of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Check out more of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh here.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Spiroview Inc / Shutterstock.com
The mother church among the many churches under the Roman Catholic Diocese in Pittsburgh is the St. Paul’s Cathedral.
First established as a parish in 1834, the church underwent many changes before finally being made into a cathedral in 1843.
Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Many of the local church’s important events, from ordinations to the golden wedding anniversary celebrations, are conducted here.
It is a 247-feet gothic structure known to provide a way of fulfilling the spiritual needs of more than 3,000 worshipers.
Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
Heinz Field is a football stadium on the Northern Shore, known as the proud home of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL and the Pittsburgh Panthers College Football Team.
It was created in 2001 after the team’s previous home was destroyed in a controlled implosion.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
It is a beautiful establishment, offering a spectacular view of the field.
You can tour the stadium, where you can catch a glimpse of the players’ locker rooms.
Daniel M. Silva / Shutterstock.com
Situated in downtown Pittsburgh, Liberty magic hosts a variety of different magicians, among whom is the inaugural performer Eric Jones, a magician who participated in America’s got talent.
The seating capacity is only for 66 people, which will give you a closer look at all the performances.
Arcade Comedy Theatre, situated on Liberty Avenue, was once the seediest place in the city and was known as the ‘red-light’ district.
The area has since been transformed into a cultural hub for the visual and performing arts.
Despite its seating capacity of 75 people, Arcade Comedy Theatre has flourished as one of Pittsburgh’s all-time favorites in terms of fun.
Additionally, this theater also provides weekly classes for improv, sketch writing, and stand-up.
Federal Galley is a restaurant incubator in a food hall style, featuring four different chefs!
This unique experience provides Hawaiian fusion dishes such as truffle tuna poke and deep-fried egg rolls at Shaka.
You can try their new Mexican dishes at Guapo, including nachos and burritos!
At Federal Galley, you will never run out of options.
Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum with mind-bending and interesting artworks that are worth your time.
You’ll find it tucked hidden in Pittsburgh’s North Shore’s alleys.
Exhibits by local and international artists alike are on display in the three buildings that make up this non-profit art museum.
The exhibits here, such as ‘Damn Everything but the Circus,’ is interactive as it lets visitors play on actual circus equipment.
Jiuguang Wang from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Robot Hall of Fame is situated inside the Carnegie ScienceCenter and is the world’s largest permanent exhibition of robotics.
This is a paradise for nerds and geeks as it houses iconic robots such as WALL-E, C-3PO, Gort, Big Dog, and Roomba.
The robots are just as fascinating as their names, and you will be left amazed by these electronic creatures’ sheer variety and functioning.
Some of the robots at the Robot Hall of Fame are even interactive, and with the help of guides, you can understand the mathematics that made them.
Jiuguang Wang from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Big Mac Museum opened in 2007 as a tribute to Pennsylvanian native Jim Delligatti, who invented the famous sandwich in 1967.
Although some locals may argue otherwise, the original burger most likely originated at a Ross Township shop near McKnight Road.
The museum houses a 14-foot-tall sculpture of the big Mac and displays of packaging and the sandwich’s history.
In addition, a giant fake Big Mac is on display in the PlayPlace.
Additionally, its collection of antique McDonald’s packaging, wrappers, toys, and kids’ meals will bring back fond memories and create a light museum vibe.
CMS Photography / Shutterstock.com
The Abbey on Butler Street, a former funeral home repurposed as a restaurant, is a stunning place with high ceilings and chandeliers!
There is also a bar that is long enough to seat half the city and serves some classic craft beers such as the Sierra Nevada, Full Pint, and, Rivertown.
The recommended dishes at The Abbey on Butler Street include shepherd’s pie, fried chicken, meatballs, fish and chips, and nitro coffee.
Lildobe at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Canton Avenue is situated in the Beechview neighborhood of Pittsburgh and is considered the steepest street in the country, with a maximum gradient of 37 percent, making it extremely difficult to climb.
The dirty dozen bike race has taken place every year since 1983, where you can witness numerous professional and amateur cyclists fall off the street or fail to get to the top.
Though it may just be a street, it is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city, and climbing it is worth the challenge!
Canton Avenue will treat you well if you’re a responsible person who knows their boundaries.
Even though it looks like it’s been there forever, The Weeping Glass didn’t open until the latter part of 2017.
Weeping Glass will scare you once you come across the various macabre oddities housed inside it, such as animal bones, absurd things stuffed inside glasses, penis bones, a raccoon, and taxidermy critters.
Situated in the Allentown neighborhood of the city, Weeping Glass hosts taxidermy classes and tarot card readings!
This store also hosts a midnight death parlor, where performers tell spooky tales of murder and tragedy on a candle-lit night.
The Weeping Glass is the best choice when you’re looking for locations to go that won’t bore you with the same old stuff.
Get ready to feel the chill run down your spine!
Staticshakedown, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In 1902, St. John the Baptist Church was built as a house of god!
For decades, it served its purpose by giving shelter and guidance to people during difficult times, such as the depression era.
By 1993, the church had been abandoned, but just three years later it was made into a large beer hall, which is now regarded as one of the finest breweries in the country.
Their menu also includes dishes such as beer steamed mussels, beer battered dill pickles, and pizzas, among many others.
The Church Brew Works is open for lunch and dinner!
Anyone interested in the history of photography should make a trip to Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History
This place might seem tiny from the outside, but once you step inside, you will be surprised by the vast history of photography it covers!
Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History’s walls adorn numerous vintage cameras and other equipment, such as magic lantern slides meticulously painted in the 19th century.
The place has an impressive blend of science, history, and photography lessons that will help you understand the beauty of photography.
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is a charming, instructive, and relaxing oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city’s riverfront suburbs.
It is one of the ten most expansive botanical gardens in the United States.
The park features wooded walks, two glasshouses filled with rare and endangered species, a sculpture trail, a children’s playground, a cafe, and more.
A visit to this garden is guaranteed to inspire and delight, making it an essential Pittsburgh activity.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Take a cruise along the river with the Gateway Clipper Fleet to see Pittsburgh from a new angle.
You may go for a history tour, dinner cruise, wine tour, happy hour cruise, or holiday-themed extravaganza.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
A cruise down the city’s three rivers is an ideal way to spend an afternoon or evening.
Stop and take in the vistas of Point State Park, Duquesne Fort, and the North Shore, where PNC Park and Heinz Field lie!
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Frick Park, spanning over 600 acres, is the city’s largest park and a popular destination for Pittsburgh residents and visitors.
There’s something for all to enjoy in this haven.
It has well-tended gardens, ponds, and miles of paths that run through the forests.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Take the kids to the world-famous Blue Slide Playground and go birdwatching at Clayton Hill, where you may observe over a hundred different species.
You may also close up your exploration of the area’s natural wonders!
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
Are you tired of visiting museums and standing in line to see famous sites?
If so, then have a picnic, get some sun, and relax in Riverview Park.
This breathtaking 270-acre park in Perry North in the Old City of Allegheny is a hiking attraction rather than a usual urban picnic site.
It serves up an 8-mile system of paths with lush trees and undulating hills.
woodsnorthphoto / Shutterstock.com
After warming up with a stroll, stop by the Chapel Shelter and Allegheny Observatory before cooling off with a swim in the pool.
Don’t know where to turn?
Check out the two-mile-long Riverview Loop!
Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ilze_Lucero / Shutterstock.com
PPG Paints Arena, where the national league’s Pittsburgh Penguins play, is worth seeing, even if you’re not a hockey enthusiast.
Not only is it one of the most stunning arenas in the region, but the atmosphere created by the city and its supporters during games is unlike any other.
There is rarely a more fervent audience than when the Penguins play since they are one of the city’s most popular sports teams due to their recent success.
CMS Photography / Shutterstock.com
Visitors may also enjoy a wide variety of fantastic concerts and events at PPG Paints Arena all year long.
See college basketball games, performances by touring pop stars, and even the occasional circus act.
Do you think you have what it takes to solve a complex puzzle in only one hour?
Several Pittsburgh escape rooms have jumped on the urban entertainment bandwagon, so sleuthing experts will not be short of options.
Try your hand at solving puzzles in Escape Room Pittsburgh.
Work on your collaboration and creative problem-solving skills in Escape The Room’s zany and entertaining activities, where you may play the role of a newsreader, digger, and more.
Its themed rooms include diamond burglary and graveyard.
Popscreenshot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bicycle Heaven, the self-proclaimed Worlds Largest Bicycle Museum and Bike Shop, is the place to go if you want an authentic American experience.
Located at 684-1/2 Forrest Avenue, Bicycle Heaven opened its doors to the public in 1996 in the Bellevue neighborhood of Pennsylvania.
The collection started when Craig Morrow discovered one abandoned bicycle in the trash.
Craig and his wife Mindy opened the Bicycle Heaven Museum in 2011.
This small museum is devoted to displaying thousands of antique and collectible bicycles north of downtown Pittsburgh.
You may discover motorcycles from movies like “Pee-Big wee’s Adventure” and “A Beautiful Mind,” as bikes featured in advertisements and ridden by famous people like Elvis Presley and The Monkees.
The museum features the Bowden Spacelander, the first bike made from fiberglass, which is also one of the most sought-after bicycles in the world today.
Of the remaining 30 or so, 17 are in Bicycle Heaven.
Popscreenshot, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trundle Manor can appear like any other suburban home from a distance.
Once you get closer to this landmark, you’ll see the coffins stacked on the porch.
Situated in an unassuming and quiet neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Trundle Manor is an unusual museum containing oddities, such as taxidermy, which is the art of stuffing dead animals to make them look lifelike.
The manor also contains other hair-raising items such as dead things in jars, steampunk sculptures, absurd artworks, rusty cleavers, antique medical devices, animal skulls, gas masks, weaponry, coffins, and taxidermy of a pigeon shark and rat bird.
It also has an escape room where you and your friends can solve mysteries connected to the oddities.
Sandcastle Waterpark is around 15 minutes drive away from Pittsburgh!
It is situated alongside the Monongahela River and has provided locals and visitors with fun and enjoyable activities since 1989.
It is also a good place to host birthday parties, as the park has many rides, including Mon Tsunami Wave Pool, Mushroom Pool, Tad Pool, Dragon’s Den, Bomb’s Away, and many more!
There are also several dining options here!
mary981 / Shutterstock.com
Kennywood, around 20 minutes’ drive away from Pittsburgh, is a premium 150-acre amusement park.
The park has expanded from a mere trolley park to having at least 45 rides for today’s visitors.
StacieStauffSmith Photos / Shutterstock.com
The other rides you can enjoy at Kennywood include the Pittsburgh plunge water, phantom’s revenge roller coaster, carousels, water rides, a 3D experience, a 4D theatre, and paddle boats.
One day is not enough to truly enjoy this adventurous park!
Larry Pieniazek, User:Lar, (primary), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com
The world is full of unusually designed houses —and one of the more wonderful designs can be found in Mill Run, about an hour’s drive away from Pittsburgh.
Fallingwater, designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is one such house, partly built over a waterfall.
It is completely constructed in native sandstone, among other materials, quarried from the property itself.
gg5795 / Shutterstock.com
Fallingwater was a weekend home for the Kaufmann family, owners of the Kaufmann’s Department store, who then donated the entire property to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
With the house’s beauty, Fallingwater has made to the Smithsonian’s ‘Life List Of 28 Places to See Before You Die.’
Jim Packett / Shutterstock.com
You’ll encounter the emotional, the bizarre, and the mundane when you engage in Pittsburgh’s topattractions.
Pittsburgh is an excellent destination if you’re looking to see a city where the locals are justifiably proud of their homes.
Our list of the best things to do in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is enough to make your heart of steel melt with delight!
Absolutely! Pittsburgh has an array of fun things to do. From browsing through historical and art galleries like Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History and Warhol Museum to spotting unique outdoor landmarks like Duquesne Incline and The Strip District, every corner of this city has something fun to offer. Other attractions to watch out for include Phipps Conservatory, Point State Park, and Heinz History Center.
Pittsburgh’s nightlife culture is thriving. With the most bars per average group among all American cities, Pittsburgh comes to life with a variety of bars, lounges, and clubs. From subtle hangouts to bar-hopping adventures, this city can make your nightlife dreams come true.
Yes. And the most walkable portion of the city is Downtown Pittsburgh, where most go for a bit of deep city sightseeing.
Pennsylvania is one of the U.S.’ leading industrial production centers, more specifically for coal and steel. Secondly, its railroad system changed the trajectory of Pennsylvania’s success. And lastly, in the agricultural sector, Pennsylvania is most known for mushroom production.
Yes. Pittsburgh’s vibrant and diverse culture allows everyone to feel comfortable enough to be themselves. There’s also a wide collection of inclusive things to do and see around the city.
One interesting and unusual fact about Pittsburgh is its abundance of bridges. With an impressive total of 446 bridges, it’s unrivaled by any other city within the country. This is why Pittsburgh holds its title of being the “City of Bridges” so proudly.
Of course! Getting to and from the downtown area of the city is easy even without a personal vehicle. You don’t have to worry about public transportation because Pittsburgh’s light rail routes, over 80 and counting, come aplenty.
Yes. Pittsburgh brings in a fantastic blend of fine cuisine, naturesque spots, and sports culture. Its world-class museums are also part of the reason why you should give the city a chance. Its affordability and mild climate are only a bonus.
The best way to experience Pittsburgh is by staying in the city for at least a week. This will give you enough time to go on planned and unexpected trips everywhere. But with a well-thought-out itinerary, you can easily see the city’s best assets in only two days.
Yes. Staying in Pittsburgh, according to many estimates, is significantly less compared to other cities, within or outside of the state. BestPlaces declares that this city is 12.5% less expensive than the average of all the cities in the country. If this hasn’t convinced you, then this list of the free things to do in Pittsburgh just might.
According to research, living in Pittsburgh costs significantly less than living in Philadelphia. Housing costs, employment opportunities, and transportation, among other things, are higher in Philly than in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh’s nicest and most visited neighborhoods include Downtown, Strip District, South Side: Mount Washington & South Side Flats, and more! For shopping and nightlife, Downtown and South Side are the best places to visit. Oakland is the university district, and East End is a healthy mix of everything else Pittsburgh is proud of.
Called the City of Bridges and Steel City, Pittsburgh is famous for its industrial architecture. With 446 bridges and over 300 businesses related to steel, this city also takes pride in its 30 skyscrapers and railway system.
Pittsburgh has its fair share of first labels and celebrations, and here are some of them.
The first newspaper west of the Alleghenies was The Pittsburgh Gazette, circa 1879.
Its first Ferris Wheel was first built in 1893.
KDKA is the world’s First Commercial Radio Station (1920), and it’s in Philadelphia.
The first All-Aluminum Building (1953) is the Regional Enterprise Tower (formerly the Alcoa Building).
Dr. Jonas Salk was the creator of the First Polio Vaccine (1954).
Pittsburgh’s classic vibe of an innovative American city with modern architecture and good food is what draws a lot of people into this city. Its affordability also adds to its charm.
The thriving food culture of Pittsburgh is admirable. And when it comes to famous food choices, Pittsburgh’s Primanti sandwiches come first on this list. Pierogies are also a unique delicacy, along with Potato Patch fries. The Pittsburgh Salad is also part of the list because of its unusual but delicious take on salads with french fry toppings.
As the name suggests, the Strip District is one narrow land that goes up to one-half miles. Though this landmark has gone through many names in the past, its final name the Strip District came to be because of its topography.
As an Booking.com affiliate, I earn a small commission when you book through this link
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
Booking.com