50 Things to do in Pittsburgh in 2023

What’s special about this place?

Schenley Park is a 456-acre municipal park.

The park features several miles of hiking trails and a number of recreational facilities. Notable attractions include the Bob O’Connor Golf Course, Panther Hollow, and other attractions that are mentioned separately on this list.

The park is also home to a variety of events, such as the annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Schenley Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, avid hikers, runners, tennis players, golfers, and disc golfers. It’s particularly great for tourists looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Pittsburgh.

What to do here?

Spend a day picnicking at Schenley Park. Go hiking through its many trails, and check out some of the wildlife that thrive here. Check out Panther Hollow Lake, and the historic Neill Log House.

Try your hand at disc golf at the park’s 18-hole disc golf course, or refine your running form at the park’s all-weather running track!

Best time to visit

Located along Schenley Dr and Panther Hollow Road, Schenley Park is open all year round. To avoid large crowds, the best times to visit the park are from 6 AM to 9 AM, and from 7 PM onwards.

That said, it’s also one of the best spots in Pittsburgh for picnic lunches–if you don’t mind crowds, that is.

Learn more about Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park here!

What’s special about this place?

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is an iconic natural history museum founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1896. The museum spans 115,000 square feet, and contains over 22 million specimens.

The museum features one of the finest paleontological collections in the world. This collection includes the world’s first specimen of a Tyrannosaurus rex!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is ideal for families, paleontology enthusiasts, amateur and professional geologists, natural history enthusiasts and scientists of all ages, and tourists looking to explore one of the most extensive paleontological collections in the world!

What to do here?

Tour the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Stop by the museum’s core exhibit: Dinosaurs in Their Time, and go on a paleontological expedition through the Mesozoic Era. 

Check out real dinosaur fossils displayed in scientifically accurate reconstructions of their habitats! Explore the museum’s Hall of Botany and investigate the diverse plant life of North America and Western Pennsylvania.

Explore the museum’s Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems, and stop by the museum’s Paleolab!

Best time to visit

Located at 4400 Forbes Avenue, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is open Wednesday through Monday. 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursdays, and 10 AM to 5 PM the rest of the week.

To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit the museum on weekdays!

Learn more about the Carnegie Museum of Natural History here!

What’s special about this place?

Point State Park is a 36-acre state park. A designated National Historic Landmark, the site upon which Point State Park was built was a focal point of the struggles between Native Americans, French colonists, and British colonists.

Aside from its historical and cultural significance, Point State Park features a variety of hiking and biking trails, boat launching points, and the Fort Pitt Museum!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Point State Park is ideal for families, hikers, avid cyclists, and American history buffs!

It’s also great for tourists looking to spend a day watching the locals, picnicking, or boating along the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and/or the Ohio river!

What to do here?

Explore Point State Park. Visit the Fort Pitt Museum, and learn about the role Fort Pitt played during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the founding of Pittsburgh.

Go boating along the Allegheny river and take in the view of Pittsburgh from the river. If you’re up for it, start your journey through the Great Allegheny Passage from the park’s iconic fountain!

Best time to visit

Located at 601 Commonwealth Pl, at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, Point State Park is open daily, from 7 AM to 11 PM. It’s best to visit the park during one of the many events being held here.

That said, if you want to avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit the park on a weekday!

Learn more about the Explore Point State Park here!

What’s special about this place?

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a 77-acre zoo and aquarium. It’s one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the U.S., and is home to more than 8,000 animals representing 600 species!

It’s divided into nine sections, each of which focuses on a particular theme, and showcases different animals!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is ideal for families, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, and tourists looking to spend a day amongst all sorts of wild animals!

What to do here?

Explore the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Visit the zoo’s Tropical Forest exhibit and check out Orangutans, Black Howlers, Lemurs, and other exotic primates in a 0.5-acre indoor rainforest.

Next, check out polar bears, sea otters, and elephant seals at the zoo’s Water’s Edge exhibit. Lastly, visit the PPG Aquarium next to the Water’s Edge exhibit, and check out North American native fishes and poison dart frogs in a two-story aquarium!

Best time to visit

Located at 7370 Baker St, within Pittsburgh’s Highland Park, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is open daily, from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. As the zoo sits on a modest 77 acres, it’s best to visit the zoo on weekdays to avoid large crowds!

Learn more about the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium here!

What’s special about this place?

The Strip District (or ‘The Strip’) is an iconic one-half square mile neighborhood with a collection of unique shops.

Once an industrial neighborhood with foundries, mills, and other production shops, The Strip is now home to a variety of specialty stores, old-style grocers, trendy bars, international retailers, critically acclaimed restaurants, and sidewalk vendors!

It’s regarded by most locals as the best dining and shopping joint in all of Pittsburgh!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Strip is an ideal destination for families, foodies of all ages and palates (really, there’s something here for everyone!), art enthusiasts and creatives of all kinds, and tourists just looking to soak in the Pittsburgh culture!

What to do here?

Tour Pittsburgh’s Strip District. It’s particularly known for its incredibly diverse food scene, so make sure to stop some of its best food spots.

For pierogies and basically anything Polish, stop by S&D Polish Deli. If you’re craving Middle Eastern, stop by Salem’s Halal Market and Grill. Try the Caribbean fare at Kaya, and get an Italian brunch at DiAnoia’s Eatery.

For artsy types, catch a Pittsburgh Opera show at the Benedum Center!

Best time to visit

The Strip is located just outside of downtown Pittsburgh, on the banks of the Allegheny river. The best time to visit the Strip District largely depends on your itinerary (hint: whenever you’re hungry).

You can spend your whole Pittsburgh getaway here and it’d be worth it!

What’s special about this place?

The Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist! The museum has seven floors and spans 88,000 square feet.

It contains 17 galleries featuring paintings, photographs, sculptures, prints, films, and other videotaped works by Warhol.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Andy Warhol Museum is ideal for families, Andy Warhol fans, visual artists and pop art enthusiasts, and tourists looking to learn about pop art and the life and career of arguably the most iconic pop artist of all time!

What to do here?

Explore the Andy Warhol Museum.

Check out The Warhol’s Collection, which features Warhol’s most iconic works, such as Campbell’s Soup Box, The Chelsea Girls, Reigning Queens: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and Sleep.

Attend the museum’s daily Gallery Talks, as well as the daily film screening on Warhol’s life and art at The Warhol theater!

Best time to visit

Located at 117 Sandusky Street, the Andy Warhol Museum is open on Sundays and Mondays, as well as Wednesday through Friday. 10 AM to 3 PM on Fridays, and 10 AM to 5 PM the rest of the week. To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit the museum on Wednesdays!

Learn more about the Andy Warhol Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Founded in 1895, the Carnegie Museum of Art is generally regarded as the first museum of contemporary art in the United States.

The museum has a collection of more than 34,000 objects, covering a wide range of visual art–from paintings and sculptures, to film and digital art!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Carnegie Museum of Art is ideal for families, all types of visual artists and art enthusiasts, and tourists looking to educate themselves on contemporary art and the progression of the visual arts in America.

What to do here?

Tour the Carnegie Museum of Art.

Check out the museum’s collection of Teenie Harris photographs, and browse over 80,000 photographic negatives spanning from the 1930s to the 1970s. Check out Arne Jacobsen’s Right-handed soup spoon, Tanya Aguiñiga’s Folding chair, and Robert Adam’s bookcase.

Explore the museum’s current exhibitions, such as Sharif Bey’s Excavations, which chronicles the people, places and encounters that informed Bey’s practice and creative identity.

Best time to visit

Located at 4400 Forbes Avenue, the Carnegie Museum of Art is open Wednesday through Monday. 10 AM to 8 PM on Thursdays, and 10 AM to 5 PM the rest of the week.

It’s best to visit the museum on weekends to avoid large crowds!

Learn more about the Carnegie Museum of Art here!

What’s special about this place?

The Duquesne Incline is  arguably Pittsburgh’s most popular attraction! Originally built and designed to carry cargo up and down Mt. Washington, the century-old Duquesne Incline funicular later carried passengers.

The incline offers tourists one of the best panoramic views of Pittsburgh and its three rivers, and features a museum on Pittsburgh history on its upper station.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A ride on the Duquesne Incline is ideal for families, history buffs, engineering enthusiasts, and tourists looking to take in all of Pittsburgh and its three rivers before, during, and after exploring the city!

What to do here?

Purchase a round trip ride. Take a step back in time and ride a century-old cable car up the Duquesne Incline. Ride to the incline’s Observation Deck, and take in the breathtaking view of Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the history museum on the incline’s upper station.

Best time to visit

Located near Pittsburgh’s South Side neighborhood, the Duquesne Incline is operational year-round. 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM Monday through Saturday; and 7 AM to 12:30 AM on Sundays and holidays.

There’s no bad time to take a ride on the incline, but it’s best to get there at least a few hours earlier than intended, as reservations and advance payments aren’t allowed!

Learn more about the Duquesne Incline’s observation deck here!

What’s special about this place?

If you want to brush up on the area’s local history, there’s nothing better than The Senator John Heinz History Center.

The largest history museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it spans a total of 275,000 square feet, and contains six floors that feature permanent and changing exhibitions that tell the story of Western Pennsylvania!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Senator John Heinz History Center is ideal for families, history buffs, sports fans, and tourists who want to acquaint themselves with virtually all facets of Western Pennsylvania history!

What to do here?

Explore six floors of history at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Explore the artifacts at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, showcasing over a century of the Pittsburgh region’s evolution and influence as a sports leader across a wide spectrum of sports.

Check out the museum’s Special Collections Gallery. Don’t forget to stop by the museum’s Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, as well as its Heinz exhibit!

Best time to visit

Located at 1212 Smallman St, within Pittsburgh’s Strip District, the Senator John Heinz History Center is open daily, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The museum tends to be extremely busy on Saturdays, so it’s best to visit the museum on any other day to avoid large crowds!

Learn more about the Senator John Heinz History Center here!

What’s special about this place?

Pittsburgh’s Frick Park is a 644-acre municipal park. It is the largest municipal park in Pittsburgh. The park contains a playground, a dog park, and several trails for hiking and mountain biking!

Frick Park also features a wide range of wildlife—more than 100 species of birds have been recorded within the park’s Clayton Hill!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Frick Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, tourists traveling with their dogs, wildlife enthusiasts, birders and bird watchers, and tourists who want to get away from the city without actually having to leave it!

What to do here?

Spend a day at Pittsburgh’s Frick Park. Have a match or two at the park’s clay tennis courts. Catch a Shakespeare in the Park performance in the upper portion of the park.

Go hiking, running, and/or mountain biking at the park’s many trails (there are a variety of trails for every level!), and try to spot some of the birds that frequent the area!

Best time to visit

Located at 1981 Beechwood Blvd, Frick Park is open daily, from 6 AM to 11 PM. To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit the park on weekdays. That said, the park is usually quite peaceful from 6 AM to 9 AM, and from 6 PM onwards.

Learn more about Frick Park here!

What’s special about this place?

The Carnegie Science Center is a leading science and technology museum.

Known as the most visited museum in Pittsburgh, it features four floors packed with interactive exhibits!

The museum also contains attractions such as a planetarium, a giant cinema, a robotics exhibit, and a large and detailed model train layouts diorama of western Pennsylvania from the 19th century!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Carnegie Science Center is ideal for families, science and technology enthusiasts of all ages, robotics enthusiasts, train buffs, and tourists looking to learn a thing or two about robotics!

What to do here?

Tour all four floors of the Carnegie Science Center. Check out the museum’s The Rangos Giant Cinema, which boasts a 70-by 38-foot Certified Giant Screen, and a premium surround sound system with 45 speakers!

Attend a Laser Show at the museum’s Buhl Planetarium. Check out the museum’s famous roboworld® exhibit, the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition.

Check out train replicas and explore a miniature version of Pittsburgh at the museum’s Miniature Railroad & Village®!

Best time to visit

Located at 1 Allegheny Avenue, the Carnegie Science Center is open Wednesday through Monday, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

There’s no bad time to visit the museum, but as it is the most visited museum in Pittsburgh, expect large crowds. Moreover, if you intend to catch a show at the museum’s Giant Cinema, it’s best to get there at least 10 minutes prior to the show!

Learn more about the Carnegie Science Center here!

What’s special about this place?

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is a 15-acre, industry-leading, botanical garden that features a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens.

While Phipps is known for its seasonal flower shows, it also regularly holds exclusive commissioned exhibits!

Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is considered one of the greenest facilities in the world, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is ideal for families, horticulturists of all ages, nature lovers, florists and floral art enthusiasts, and basically anyone keen on spending a few hours amidst a wide variety of blooms!

What to do here?

Explore Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Check out its Victorian greenhouse architecture. Explore Phipps’ formal gardens, and walk among the various species of exotic plants within the 14-room conservatory.

Check out the garden’s Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. If you’re up for it, sign up for a floral design class!

Best time to visit

Located within Schenley Park, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is open Thursday through Sunday, from 9:30 AM to 11 PM. To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit Phipps on Thursdays and Fridays!

Learn more about the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens here!

What’s special about this place?

Pittsburgh’s Union Trust Building is a historically significant high-rise building that spans 550,000 square feet.

Designed by Frederick J. Osterling, the building is known for its Flemish-Gothic architecture. While originally intended to be a shopping arcade, the building is home to a variety of tenants today.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Stopping by the Union Trust Building is ideal for architects, architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and tourists keen on seeing not only one of the architectural gems of Pittsburgh, but also a remnant of Pittsburgh’s colorful past.

What to do here?

Stop by the Union Trust Building. Check out its well-preserved Gothic facade, as well as the building’s beautiful interior. If you’re up for it, explore all 15 floors of the building, and don’t forget to take pictures!

Best time to visit

The Union Trust Building is located at 501 Grant Street.  The best time to visit the building depends on your itinerary. If you’re just going to check out the building’s architecture, a stop here shouldn’t take more than half an hour!

Learn more about Pittsburgh’s Union Trust Building here!

What’s special about this place?

Spanning 1.49 million square feet, Heinz Field is home to the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL, as well as the Pittsburgh Panthers college football team.

While it regularly hosts football games, Heinz Field has also hosted outdoor hockey games, concerts, and soccer games.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Heinz Field is ideal for families, football fans of all ages, Steelers fans, and tourists looking to soak up the famed sports culture of Pittsburgh.

What to do here?

Take a guided tour through Heinz Field. Hang out with some of the best football fans in the country and watch a Steelers or a Panthers game. Check out Heinz Field’s Great Hall, and learn all about the Steelers’ legacy.

If you’re looking for a typical Pittsburgh souvenir, shop some Steelers merch at The Steelers Pro Shop!

Best time to visit

Heinz Field is located at 100 Art Rooney Avenue. The best time to visit Heinz Field largely depends on your itinerary.

If you intend to watch a football game, it’s best to get to Heinz Field at least an hour early so you can settle down before the game starts!

Learn more about the Steelers game at Heinz Field here!

What’s special about this place?

The Frick Pittsburgh is a 5.5-acre complex of museums and buildings built around the Frick family’s Pittsburgh residence. The complex features The Frick Art Museum, the restored Frick mansion, and The Car and Carriage Museum!

The Frick Art Museum holds a diverse collection of Baroque and Renaissance works, while The Car and Carriage Museum showcases cars from the 19th and 20th century!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Frick Pittsburgh is ideal for families, artists, art enthusiasts, architects and architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, car geeks, and tourists looking to explore the legacy of Pittsburgh’s very own Frick family.

What to do here?

Tour The Frick Pittsburgh and its grounds. Check out the restored Italianate-style Frick mansion.

Explore The Car and Carriage Museum, and check out vintage cars like an 1881 Brougham, a 1914 Ford Model T, and a 1924 Auto Red Bug Flyer!

Explore The Frick Art Museum and check out the works of Jean-Louis de Marne, Peter Paul Rubens, and Arthur Devis!

Best time to visit

The Frick Pittsburgh is located at 7227 Reynolds Street, and is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The best time to visit the museums largely depends on your itinerary. That said, it’s best to allocate at least a few hours for this trip for the full experience!

Learn more about The Frick Pittsburgh here!

What’s special about this place?

Canton Avenue is an iconic street known to be the steepest public street in the United States.

A point of pride among residents of Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood, the street is about 630 feet long, and includes a 37% grade that’s 21 feet long!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Canton Avenue is ideal for avid hikers, cyclists looking for a challenging ride, drivers looking to hone their uphill driving skills, and tourists who want to go on a strenuous uphill hike!

What to do here?

Go on a challenging hike up Canton Avenue. Check out the view of the surrounding neighborhood from the street’s highest point. If you want something more challenging, try to ride a bike up Canton Avenue!

Best time to visit

Canton Avenue is located within Pittsburgh’s Beechview neighborhood. As the street is so unforgivingly steep, it’s best to go up Canton Avenue on a clear sunny day, when the road is nice and dry!

What’s special about this place?

Generally regarded as one of the country’s most colorful public art landmarks, Randyland serves both as an ever-evolving canvas and home for Pittsburgh native, Randy Gilson.

Randyland features a colorful garden courtyard filled with recycled art. The courtyard contains a celebration mural, a welcome wall, and a mirror wall!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Randyland is ideal for families, artists and art enthusiasts, and tourists looking to explore a trippy outdoor art museum! It’s also great for tourists looking for colorful upcycled art!

What to do here?

Explore every corner of Randyland.

Have a nice little picnic at Randyland’s covered picnic area. Check out the eclectic array of upcycled art in the Randyland Courtyard.

Take selfies by Randyland’s Outside Celebration Mural, and try to strike up a conversation with Randy Gilson himself!

Best time to visit

Randyland is located at 1501 Arch Street, and is open daily, from 1 PM to 7 PM. That said, these hours are not necessarily set in stone. To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit Randyland between Monday and Thursday!

What’s special about this place?

Crazy, world-class, gothic architecture with artifacts and art that speak for themselves. The National Aviary holds the distinction of being the only independent indoor nonprofit aviary in the country.

Known for having one of the most diverse collections of birds in North America, the National Aviary houses more than 500 birds representing more than 150 species worldwide!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The National Aviary is ideal for families, ornithologists (aspiring or otherwise), wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, birders, and tourists looking to explore some of the world’s more elusive bird species in their natural habitat!

What to do here?

Tour the National Aviary. Immerse yourself in a world of birds at the aviary’s diverse habitats.

Check out the cute African Penguins at the aviary’s Penguin Point. Check out sloths, Snowy Egrets, and Victoria Crowned Pigeons at the aviary’s Tropical Rainforest habitat. Check out American Flamingos at the aviary’s Wetlands habitat.

Catch the aviary’s live stream of the Peregrine Falcons residing on the Cathedral of Learning on the main campus of the University of Pittsburgh!

Best time to visit

The National Aviary is located at 700 Arch Street. It’s open Wednesday through Monday, from 10 AM to 5 PM. To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit the aviary on weekdays.

That said, if you want to catch a live stream of the Peregrine Falcons residing on the University of Pittsburgh, it’s best to visit the aviary during spring and/or summer months!

Learn more about the National Aviary here!

What’s special about this place?

The U.S. Steel Tower, also known as the Steel Building, is a 64-story skyscraper. At 841 feet tall, it is the tallest building in Pittsburgh.

While the building was completed in 1971, it’s still generally considered a Class A building, and one of Pittsburgh’s architectural gems!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The U.S. Steel Tower is ideal for architects, architecture enthusiasts, and local history buffs.

It’s also great for tourists who want to see a glimpse of Pittsburgh from half a century ago!

What to do here?

There are many ways to view the U.S. Steel Tower. You can stop by the U.S. Steel Tower, and check out the building up close, take selfies, and appreciate the 44,000 tons of structural steel used in its construction.

That said, it is equally magnificent from afar, jutting out of downtown Pittsburgh. On a clear day, you can spot it all the way from Laurel Highlands–roughly 50 miles from Pittsburgh!

Best time to visit

The U.S. Steel Tower is located at 600 Grant Street. Like other Pittsburgh architectural gems on this list, there’s really no bad time to check out the U.S. Steel Tower.

This depends entirely on your itinerary. That said, if you want to view the building from afar, make sure to do so on a clear, sunny day!

Learn more about the U.S. Steel Tower here!

What’s special about this place?

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a 33-mile, multi-use riverfront trail system that features the best that Pittsburgh has to offer.

The trail features three paved connected segments from Point State Park that connect major cultural venues as well as some of the city’s most popular landmarks!

To top this all off, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail also shares a corridor with the Great Allegheny Passage!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is ideal for families, cyclists, avid hikers, rollerbladers, skaters, and tourists who want to explore Pittsburgh and its great outdoors in one go.

It’s also a great starting point for those who want to explore the Great Allegheny Passage!

What to do here?

Explore the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Take in the stunning views of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.

Pick a starting point, and hike/run through the Three Rivers Heritage Trail’s paved trails. While you’re on the trail, try to spot as many of Pittsburgh’s 446 bridges as you can!

Best time to visit

The Three Rivers Heritage Trail parallels the riverbanks in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. The best time to explore the Three Rivers Heritage Trail depends entirely on your itinerary.

That said, if you plan on doing some running and/or cycling, it’s best to do so on a clear day!

Learn more about the Three Rivers Heritage Trail here!

What’s special about this place?

Both a cultural and architectural gem, the Cathedral of Learning is a 42-story Gothic Revival skyscraper and educational building.

It is home to the internationally renowned Nationality Rooms–31 classrooms depicting the ethnic groups that helped build the city!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Cathedral of Learning is ideal for families, architects, architecture enthusiasts, xenophiles, history buffs, and tourists who want to learn all about the ethnic groups that helped build the city of Pittsburgh!

What to do here?

Explore the Cathedral of Learning’s grounds. Check out its impressive Late Gothic Revival architecture. Explore the Cathedral’s interior.

Stop by its Nationality Rooms, and learn about all the ethnic groups that contributed to the building of the city of Pittsburgh!

Best time to visit

The Cathedral of Learning is located at 4200 Fifth Ave, within the University of Pittsburgh. It’s open daily, from 7 AM to 11 PM. The best time to visit the building depends on your itinerary.

That said, if you want to explore the Nationality Rooms, they’re open daily, 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Saturday; and 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays!

Learn more about the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning here!

What’s special about this place?

Mount Washington is an iconic 450-foot high hill.

It contains the Mount Washington neighborhood, some of Pittsburgh’s best restaurants on its crest, as well as the famous Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines.

The hill also offers stunning views of Pittsburgh from Grandview Avenue!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to Mount Washington is ideal for families, foodies, and tourists looking to take in the view of the Pittsburgh skyline! A stunning view of the city’s skyline and a row of upscale restaurants also means that it’s great for dates!

What to do here?

Explore Mount Washington. Have a nice seafood dinner at the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto on Grandview Avenue. Or, have some upscale New American dishes and craft cocktails at Altius.

Don’t forget to take in the view of the Pittsburgh skyline at night!

Best time to visit

Mount Washington rests on the southern banks of the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. As one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, there’s no bad time to visit Mount Washington.

That said, the Pittsburgh skyline is particularly beautiful at night, when the city’s lights are reflected on the Monongahela River’s surface!

What’s special about this place?

Bicycle Heaven is a museum dedicated to (you guessed it) bicycles that also doubles as a bike shop.

The museum houses over 6,000 bicycles, and has an extensive collection of memorabilia and theme bikes, bicycle parts, bike-related merch, local art work, and other rare items!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Bicycle Heaven is ideal for families, cyclists, bike collectors and bike enthusiasts, cinephiles (the museum contains some bikes used on film and TV sets), and tourists interested in learning about the history of bicycles and how they’ve shaped the world as we know it.

What to do here?

Explore all 650 square meters of Bicycle Heaven. Explore the museum’s collection of promo bikes such as those made for Marilyn Monroe and Gene Autry!

Check out the museum’s collection of bikes used in films such as Super 8, Fences, and A Beautiful Mind! If you’re looking for something for your own bike, check out the rare and/or cool bike accessories the museum is selling.

Best time to visit

Bicycle Heaven is located at 1800 Preble Avenue, and is open daily, from 10 AM to 7 PM.

There’s really no bad time to visit the museum, so the best time largely depends on your itinerary. That said, it’s best to allot at least an hour for exploring the museum!

Learn more about Pittsburgh’s Bicycle Heaven here!

What’s special about this place?

Emerald View Park draws in more than 100 million visitors annually. Here’s why: it offers the best of both worlds—scenic views of Pittsburgh in all its industrial glory, and nature trails.

More specifically, Emerald View Park’s 257 acres surround three prominent Pittsburgh neighborhoods, and feature vistas, a variety of winding trails, wooded hillsides, and scenic views of Pittsburgh!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Emerald View Park is ideal for families, avid hikers, nature lovers, and tourists who want to enjoy panoramic views of Pittsburgh and its rivers from a nice and peaceful vantage point!

What to do here?

Spend a day exploring Emerald View Park. Go hiking through the park’s winding trails. Take in the view of Pittsburgh at night. Stop by the park’s amphitheater and catch a movie or two!

Best time to visit

Emerald View Park is located along Bailey Avenue.

The best time to visit Emerald View Park depends on your itinerary. That said, if you want to enjoy the scenic views of Pittsburgh that the park offers, it’s best to visit the park either on a clear day, or at night!

Learn more about Emerald View Park here!

What’s special about this place?

The Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum. Well, it’s not just a contemporary art museum. As pretentious as this may sound, it’s really more of an experience. 

It’s known for site-specific, contemporary art and is notorious for always pushing boundaries with its exhibits.

In addition to the Mattress Factory’s 17 continuous, permanent installations, the Mattress Factory regularly presents new works by critically-acclaimed regional, national and international artists!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Mattress Factory is ideal for artists and hardcore art enthusiasts. It’s also ideal for tourists looking to immerse themselves in the creative vision of artists from around the world; and for tourists who are fans of anything avant-garde.

What to do here?

Explore the Mattress Factory. Check out Yayoi Kusama’s pieces, such as her Infinity Dots Mirrored Room, and her Repetitive Vision.

Immerse yourself in the museum’s ever-changing current exhibits. The installations tend to range from surreal to truly bizarre, so don’t come with any expectations, and just allow yourself to absorb the experience!

Best time to visit

The Mattress Factory is located at 500 Sampsonia Way, and is open Wednesday through Sunday. 11 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Sunday; and 11 AM to 8 PM on Wednesdays.

While the best time to visit the museum depends on your itinerary, it’s best to get tickets at least a few months in advance, as tickets sell out fast!

Learn more about the Mattress Factory here!

What’s special about this place?

Spanning 513,175 acres, the Allegheny National Forest is Pennsylvania’s only National Forest. It contains some of the most extensive tracts of remaining old-growth forests in Pennsylvania.

The Forest also features Kinzua Dam, and contains multiple campgrounds, boat launches, picnic areas, hiking trails, and overlooks around the reservoir and throughout the forest!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Allegheny National Forest is ideal for families, nature lovers, all kinds of outdoor recreationists, avid hikers/backpackers, hardcore campers, and wildlife enthusiasts!

It’s particularly great for tourists looking to spend a day immersed in Pennsylvania’s great outdoors!

What to do here?

Go camping, fishing, and/or hunting at the Allegheny National Forests campgrounds. Go kayaking at the Forest’s reservoir. Spend a day hiking through the Forest’s many trails, and check out the old-growth forests within the Forest.

Check out some of the wildlife that thrive in these old-growth forests, and don’t forget to take pictures! That said, keep an eye out for black bears!

Best time to visit

The Allegheny National Forest stretches across four Pennsylvania counties, but is officially located at Marienville, about 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

It’s open 24 hours, all year round. The best time to visit depends on your itinerary. However, it’s best to consult with a local ranger regarding the weather conditions before heading out into the forest!

Learn more about the Allegheny National Forest here!

What’s special about this place?

Self-labeled by its owners as a tourist trap, Trundle Manor is an oddity museum that houses an eclectic collection of..well, oddities.

Its collection features cryptozoology, funeral relics, repurposed industrial and commercial items, antique medical equipment, vintage taxidermy, and jarred specimens.

The museum is open by reservation only, and visitors are required to donate an item as tour payment!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Trundle Manor is ideal for anyone interested in macabre art, science, science fiction, and/or steampunk!

It’s also great for architecture enthusiasts and thrill-seeking tourists looking for a museum that’s unlike any other museum in Pittsburgh!

What to do here?

Take a guided tour through Trundle Manor.

Check out the museum’s Victorian-era structure. Strike up a conversation with the owners of the house/museum, Anton and Rachel, and learn about the histories of each item, and how they curated their collection of oddities.

Don’t forget to check out the centerpiece of the museum’s collection, Olivia’s Singing Tumor.

Best time to visit

Trundle Manor is located at 7724 Juniata Street.

As Trundle Manor is open by reservation only, the best time to visit the museum depends on your itinerary. Make sure to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance, and prepare an item as payment for the tour!

Learn more about the Trundle Manor here!

What’s special about this place?

While the state of Pennsylvania has a lot of beautiful state parks and preserves, Fall Run Park is a great option for Pittsburghians and tourists who don’t want to go that far out of town for a scenic nature getaway.

Absolutely breathtaking in any season, Fall Run Park’s 94 acres feature a playground, picnic tables, well-groomed pathways and bridges, a basketball court, and a roughly 2-kilometer nature trail that features a waterfall!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Fall Run Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, hikers of all levels, and tourists looking for a nice little nature getaway that’s accessible for people of all fitness levels!

What to do here?

Spend a day picnicking at Fall Run Park. Explore the park’s nature trail, and don’t forget to stop by the 25-foot Fall Run Falls and take pictures!

Take a stroll through the park’s bridges and pathways, and check out some of the “hidden” fairy gardens within the park!

Best time to visit

Fall Run Park is located at 187 Fall Run Road in Glenshaw, over 8 miles north of Pittsburgh. It’s open all year round, so the best time to visit this underrated gem largely depends on your itinerary.

That said, make sure to dress according to the season!

What’s special about this place?

The Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media (or PCA) is a modern visual and media arts campus.

The PCA campus is composed of four buildings, including the Marshall building (which houses the galleries), and the Scaife building (which houses the school and art studios).

The campus offers resources for Western Pennsylvania artists, as well as classes and exhibitions year-round in a variety of mediums!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media is ideal for families, artists and art enthusiasts, architecture enthusiasts, and tourists looking to check out different types of contemporary visual art!

What to do here?

Tour the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media campus. Check out the Tudor revival structure that is the Scaife building. Check out the campus’s art studios, and explore the campus’ current exhibits.

If you see yourself visiting Pittsburgh regularly and if you’re up for it, sign up for a weaving class, or a darkroom photography class!

Best time to visit

The Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media is located at 1047 Shady Avenue. The campus is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s best to visit the campus on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to avoid large crowds!

Learn more about the Pittsburgh Center for Arts & Media here!

What’s special about this place?

Montour Woods Conservation Area is considered one of the best places in and around Pittsburgh for a nature hike.

Spanning 300 acres, it features a small waterfall, an unusual looking cave, and over 10 miles of wooded trails for hiking and biking!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Montour Woods Conservation Area is ideal for families, nature lovers, avid hikers and mountain bikers, and tourists looking to explore a lightly traveled, wooded area with trails for all levels!

What to do here?

Explore Montour Woods Conservation Area. Go hiking through its many trails, and check out the area’s many streams. Take selfies by the nature preserve’s small waterfall.

Check out the weird cave within the preserve that seems to be carved out of sheer rock face, and explore the former Nike Missile Defense site within the preserve!

Best time to visit

Montour Woods Conservation Area is located at 1875 Hassam Road in Coraopolis, roughly 17 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.

The preserve is open daily, from 9 AM to 8 PM. While there’s really no bad time to get lost in the woods here, if you want to avoid large crowds, it’s best to go exploring on a weekday!

What’s special about this place?

The Living Dead Museum & Gift Shop is a museum dedicated to zombies in pop culture.

While the museum mainly focuses on George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead franchise, the museum also explores the visual history of zombies in cinema and pop culture with a well-curated collection of replicas and authentic items!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to The Living Dead Museum is ideal for families, cinephiles (especially horror fans and fans of George A. Romero’s works), zombie fans, and tourists keen on learning about the history of zombie films as well as the central themes and tropes present in these films!

What to do here?

First (for fans of the Night of the Living Dead franchise), explore the Monroeville Mall, where Romero’s Dawn of the Dead was filmed!

Next, tour The Living Dead Museum and check out the museum’s plethora of zombie film replicas and memorabilia! If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, shop some zombie-themed merchandise at the museum’s gift shop!

Best time to visit

The Living Dead Museum & Gift Shop is located at 248 Mall Cir Drive, within Monroeville Mall, around 13 miles east of Pittsburgh.

It’s open Thursday through Monday. 12 PM to 6 PM on Sundays; and 12 PM to 9 PM the rest of the week. Like most attractions on this list, it’s best to visit the museum on weekdays to avoid large crowds (smaller crowd=fewer zombies)!

Learn more about The Living Dead Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Craving Venezuelan? Cilantro & Ajo offers authentic Venezuelan food in a casual, family friendly setting.

While the menu is traditional, the recipes are tweaked a bit to appeal to a wider audience! Cilantro & Ajo is considered one of the best Latin American spots in Pittsburgh!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Cilantro & Ajo is ideal for families, foodies, Latin American tourists looking for a taste of home, and tourists craving authentic Venezuelan food! Cilantro & Ajo is ideal for anyone looking for a hearty brunch/lunch after a night of drinking!

What to do here?

Try Cilantro & Ajo’s bestsellers. Try their Traditional Arepas. For meat lovers, try their Arepa Pabellon that’s stuffed with shredded beef, sweet plantain, black beans, and queso fresco.

For vegetarians, try their Vegana arepa, made with black beans, sweet plantain, and avocado. For the full experience, don’t forget to try their empanadas with a side of yuca fries!

Best time to visit

Cilantro & Ajo is located at 901 E Carson Street. It’s open Thursday through Sunday. 11:30 AM to 8 PM on Thursdays; 11:30 AM to 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays; and 11:30 AM to 6 PM on Sundays.

The best time to stop by and grab a bite here largely depends on your itinerary.

Learn more about Cilantro & Ajo here!

What’s special about this place?

Beechwood Farms is one of the largest private nature reserves in the Pittsburgh region.

Spanning 134 acres, it serves as the headquarters of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. It features over five miles of well-marked trails, a variety of ecosystems, and diverse wildlife!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is ideal for families, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, recreational hunters, birders, and tourists looking to explore a nature reserve with a wide range of ecosystems!

What to do here?

Go hiking on Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve’s many trails. Go on a bird walk with other birders, and check out some of the bird species that frequent the reserve, such as Cedar Waxwings, Eastern Towhee, and Canada Geese.

Not into hiking? Have a nice picnic at the reserve’s Pond Pavilion!

Best time to visit

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is located at 614 Dorseyville Road. It’s open all year round, from 7 AM to 8 PM.

There’s really no bad time to explore the reserve. That said, if you’re an avid birder, it’s best to visit the reserve on Wednesdays, as there’s a scheduled bird walk every Wednesday at 9 AM!

Learn more about Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve here!

What’s special about this place?

You know what’s better than a modern amusement park? A classic, old-school amusement park! And Kennywood is as old-school as it gets.

Having first opened in 1899, the amusement park features various structures and rides that date back to the early 1900s! It is one of only two amusement parks in the country designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Kennywood is ideal for families, history buffs, thrill-seekers, and tourists looking to spend a day reliving their childhood in an old-school amusement park!

What to do here?

Explore Kennywood and all of its attractions. If you’re traveling with children, check out Kennywood’s Kiddieland, and ride a variety of fun miniature rides!

For a taste of history, ride the park’s classic wooden coasters, like the Jack Rabbit, the Racer, and the Thunderbolt! If you want something more thrilling, ride the park’s Sky Rocket and Steel Curtain!

Don’t forget to try the park staple: Potato Patch Fries!

Best time to visit

Kennywood is located at 4800 Kennywood Blvd in West Mifflin, just over 10 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It’s open daily, from 9 AM to 9 PM.

The best time to visit Kennywood largely depends on your itinerary. That said, if you want to avoid large crowds (although a packed amusement park is always more fun), it’s best to visit the park on weekdays!

Learn more about Kennywood here!

What’s special about this place?

This is one of the weirder places on this list, but if you’re even the slightest bit interested in the ethics of genetic engineering and selective breeding, then the Center for PostNatural History is definitely a must-visit.

The Center for PostNatural History is a natural history museum dedicated to showcasing the interplay between culture, nature, and biotechnology.

It features a collection of interesting “postnatural” specimens–organisms that have been intentionally modified by humans.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The Center for PostNatural History is ideal for families, scientists of all ages, natural history enthusiasts, and curious tourists who want to learn about the impact of human interference on nature and the evolutionary process.

What to do here?

Take a self-guided tour through the Center for PostNatural History. Check out the American Eugenics Archive, a collection of books, periodicals, documents and photographs relating to eugenics research and policy in America.

Check out the museum’s PostNatural Nature exhibit, and the museum’s Out of the Lab, Into the Wild exhibit, which shows organisms that have been heritably altered by humans to fulfill a certain human desire!

Best time to visit

The Center for PostNatural History is located at 4913 Penn Avenue. As of this writing, the Center for PostNatural History is open only on Sundays, from 12 PM to 4 PM.

The best time to visit the museum depends entirely on your itinerary, but since it’s a fairly small space, a tour here shouldn’t take more than an hour!

Learn more about the Center for PostNatural History here!

What’s special about this place?

At 16,725 acres, Moraine State Park is one of the larger Pennsylvania state parks on this list. The park features a disc golf course and a variety of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife. The park’s centerpiece, however, is the 3,225-acre Lake Arthur with 42 miles of shoreline!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Moraine State Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, avid hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders of all levels, and tourists looking to do some sunbathing, boating, swimming, and/or fishing!

What to do here?

Spend a day immersed in nature at Moraine State Park. Go boating and explore Lake Arthur. Explore the lake’s 42-mile shoreline. Go hiking/mountain biking through the park’s many trails.

If you’re up for it, stop by the abandoned (and according to some locals, haunted) Snyder Cemetery within the park!

Best time to visit

Moraine State park is located at 225 Pleasant Valley Road in Portersville, around 40 miles north of Pittsburgh. It’s open all year round, from 8 AM to 8:30 PM.

The best time to visit the park largely depends on your itinerary. If you’re visiting during the winter, some of the park’s trails are open for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. If you want to avoid large crowds, it’s best to explore the park on a weekday!

Learn more about the Moraine State Park here!

What’s special about this place?

Every bit a museum as it is a place of worship, Pittsburgh’s Saint Anthony Chapel has the largest collection of religious relics outside the Vatican, housing around 4,000 to 5,000 religious relics!

These relics include a thorn from the Crown of Thorns, a scrap from the Virgin Mary’s veil, as well as the skeletal remains of saints!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to Saint Anthony Chapel is ideal for families, practicing Christians (especially Catholics) on a religious pilgrimage, history buffs, and even non-religious tourists who want to check out and learn all about religious relics!

What to do here?

Take a guided tour through Saint Anthony Chapel. Check out the chapel’s century-old structure, and check out its ornate woodwork, stonework, and stained glass.

Taking pictures isn’t allowed at the chapel, so take your time and stop by each religious relic that catches your attention. Learn about how these relics were collected, and why they’re considered religious relics. If you’re a practicing Catholic, attend Mass at Saint Anthony Chapel.

Best time to visit

Saint Anthony Chapel is located at 1704 Harpster Street. It’s open Saturday through Thursday, from 12 PM to 3 PM.

The best time to visit the chapel depends on your itinerary. That said, it’s best to book a tour at least a few weeks in advance, as it is one of the more popular attractions in Pittsburgh!

Learn more about Pittsburgh’s Saint Anthony Chapel here!

What’s special about this place?

This list wouldn’t be complete without one of Pennsylvania’s most popular haunted attractions. Hill View Manor is an 80,000 square feet former nursing home that now serves as a full-time haunted attraction.

Formerly known as the Lawrence County Home for the Aged, Hill View Manor offers private and public paranormal investigations, as well as day tours of the well-preserved facility.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Hill View Manor is ideal for thrill-seekers of all ages, paranormal enthusiasts, and history buffs. It’s also ideal for tourists keen on doing some good old-fashioned ghost hunting to cap off/start their Pennsylvania adventure!

What to do here?

Take a guided tour through the former nursing home. Check out some of the most haunted rooms in western Pennsylvania. Learn about the stories of the former nursing home’s former patients.

If you’re up for it, sign up for a private, overnight investigation of Hill View Manor!

Best time to visit

Hill View Manor is located at 2801 Hill View Manor Drive in New Castle, around 52 miles north of Pittsburgh.

Tours through Hill View Manor are available by reservation only, so the best time to explore the haunted facility largely depends on your itinerary. That said, reservations must be made 24 hours in advance!

Learn more about Hill View Manor here!

What’s special about this place?

Without a doubt, Raccoon Creek State Park is among Pennsylvania’s most well-known and most visited state parks.

Encompassing 7,572 acres, the park features 44 miles of trails, mineral springs, the 314-acre Wildflower Reserve, and the 101-acre Raccoon Lake.

Park amenities include 500 picnic tables spread across five picnic areas, as well as five pavilions that are available to rent.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Raccoon Creek State Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, wildflower enthusiasts, avid hikers/backpackers, mountain bikers, campers, recreational hunters, and tourists looking to do some picnicking, boating, swimming, and fishing!

What to do here?

Explore Raccoon Creek State Park. Go camping at one of the park’s campsites. Go hiking through 44 miles of trails. Take a leisurely stroll through the park’s Wildflower Reserve.

Spend a day boating and/or fishing at the park’s Raccoon Lake. Check out the park’s mineral springs!

Best time to visit

Raccoon Creek State Park is located at 3000 PA-18 in Hookstown, about 30 miles from Pittsburgh.

The park is accessible all year round, from 8 AM to 9 PM. If you want the park all to yourself and avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit the park on a weekday!

Learn more about Raccoon Creek State Park here!

What’s special about this place?

The Butler Street Gatehouse is one of Pittsburgh’s iconic architectural gems. The Gothic Revival structure was built in 1848 by John Chislett, Pittsburgh’s first well-known architect.

It serves as the gatehouse to Allegheny Cemetery. Both the gatehouse and the Allegheny Cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to the Butler Street Gatehouse and the Allegheny Cemetery is ideal for families, architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and tourists who want to take a peek into Pittsburgh in the 19th century.

What to do here?

Visit the Butler Street Gatehouse. Check out its distinct, fortress-like Gothic Revival structure.

Explore the historic Allegheny Cemetery, and visit the graves of soldiers who fought in the French and Indian War, and the graves of various Pittsburgh notables!

Best time to visit

The Butler Street Gatehouse is located at 4734 Butler Street. The best time to visit the Butler Street Gatehouse largely depends on your itinerary.

That said, if you plan on just stopping and taking selfies by the gatehouse and not exploring Allegheny Cemetery, the stop shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes!

What’s special about this place?

This is a little bit out of the way, but it’s worth it. McConnels Mill State Park is consistently rated as one of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful state parks!

Spanning 2,546 acres, the park features a scenic gorge, a variety of rugged hiking trails, a number of waterfalls and streams, a covered bridge, and a historic gristmill!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

McConnells Mill State Park is ideal for families, history buffs, geology enthusiasts, nature lovers, avid hikers and rock climbers, whitewater boaters, and recreational hunters and anglers!

It’s particularly ideal for tourists who want a more rugged outdoor experience!

What to do here?

Explore McConnells Mill State Park. Hike through its rugged trails. Explore the 6-mile Slippery Rock Gorge Trail and take in some of the park’s most scenic areas.

For something more manageable, hike through Hells Hollow Trail, a relatively easy trail that leads to Hells Hollow Falls! Go fishing and/or whitewater boating at Slippery Rock Creek.

Lastly, check out the historic McConnells Mill and McConnells Mill Covered Bridge!

Best time to visit

McConnells Mill State Park is located at 1761 McConnells Mill Road in Portersville, around 41 miles north of Pittsburgh. The park is open daily, from 8 AM to 8 PM. The best time to visit the park really depends on your itinerary.

That said, since the park’s rugged trails can be dangerous under bad weather conditions, it’s best to consult a local ranger before setting out on a McConnels Mill State Park adventure.

Learn more about McConnells Mill State Park here!

What’s special about this place?

The Old Allegheny County Jail is a historic prison that now houses the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Designed by H.H. Richardson, it is known for its Romanesque Revival architecture.

The Old Allegheny County Jail features the Old Allegheny County Jail Museum–a preserved portion of one of the jail’s cell blocks. It is considered a National Historic Landmark.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

A trip to the Old Allegheny County Jail is ideal for families, history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and tourists keen on learning about the history and stories of the County Jail of old Pittsburgh!

What to do here?

Visit the Old Allegheny County Jail. Check out its imposing Romanesque Revival structure, and try to picture out what it was like when it was still housing prisoners.

Take a walk through the “Bridge of Sighs,” which connects the old jail to the courthouse. Take a guided tour through the Old Allegheny County Jail Museum, and learn about the stories of the jail’s most famous/notorious prisoners!

Best time to visit

The Old Allegheny County Jail is located at 440 Ross St. The best time to tour the Old Allegheny County Jail largely depends on your itinerary. That said, it’s best to book a tour at least a few days in advance!

What’s special about this place?

If you’re a fan of religious imagery mixed with a healthy amount of social commentary, then this is the place for you.

The St. Nicholas Croatian Church is a historic Roman Catholic church. Completed in 1900, it is the first church in the United States built from the ground up.

The church is known the world over for its murals–painted by Croatian-American artist, Maxo Vanka.

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The St. Nicholas Croatian Church is ideal for families, practicing Catholics and Christians on a religious pilgrimage, artists and art enthusiasts, and history buffs.

It’s also ideal for tourists looking for art that marries religious themes and imagery with a social commentary on fascism, industry, war, and poverty.

What to do here?

Take a guided docent tour of the St. Nicholas Croatian Church. Explore the church’s famous Maxo Vanka murals.

Check out Vanka’s works that explore the story of immigrants in America, such as Croatians in America, The Capitalist, Injustice, and Immigrant Mother Raises Her Sons for American Industry.

For practicing Catholics and Christians, or anyone on a religious pilgrimage, attend Mass here for the full experience!

Best time to visit

The St. Nicholas Croatian Church is located at 24 Maryland Avenue. If you just want to take a guided tour and explore the Vanka murals, there’s really no bad time to do so.

If, however, you want to attend Mass as well, it’s best to contact the church’s office first and ask about their Mass schedule, so you can plan your trip accordingly!

Learn more about Maxo Vanka’s works at the St. Nicholas Croatian Church here!

What’s special about this place?

If you find yourself itching for that beach experience while you’re in Pennsylvania, there’s nothing better for scratching that itch than Presque Isle State Park.

Spanning 3,200 acres, the park contains concert spaces, a whopping 7 (!) distinct ecological zones, over 13 miles of roads, 21 miles of recreational trails, 11 miles of beaches, and a marina.

It is considered Pennsylvania’s only “seashore,” as well as one of the best sites in Pennsylvania for birdwatching!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Presque Isle State Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, cyclists, in-line skaters, hikers, scuba divers, water skiers, and tourists looking to spend a day fishing, swimming, and/or boating!

What to do here?

Explore Presque Isle State Park. Go hiking through 21 miles of recreational trails, and check out some of the wildlife that thrive within the park.

Check out the wide variety of butterfly and dragonfly species that thrive in the park’s ponds. Have your binoculars ready and try to spot some of the rare birds within the park, such as the Cerulean warbler.

For the full experience, go scuba diving at Lake Erie!

Best time to visit

Presque Isle Park is located at 301 Peninsula Drive in Erie, around 130 miles north of Pittsburgh. Presque Isle State Park is open daily, from 5 AM to 8 PM.

While the park is always a little busy, it’s best to visit the park on a weekday, during non-summer months, if you want to avoid large crowds!

Learn more about Presque Isle State Park here!

What’s special about this place?

Brew Gentlemen is an iconic craft brewery in the Pennsylvania area. The brewery offers a wide selection of beers, and is known for its awarding-winning flagship IPA, General Braddock’s.

While the brewery does not offer food, there’s a rotating set of food trucks outside the brewery. It’s considered one of the finest breweries in and around Pittsburgh!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Brew Gentlemen is ideal for beer connoisseurs, and tourists looking to unwind and have a refined, classically-brewed, craft beer after a long day of touring Pittsburgh! It’s also a must-visit for anyone on a Pittsburgh beer adventure!

What to do here?

Try some of Brew Gentlemen’s best beers.

Get a glass of their flagship General Braddock’s, a well-balanced American IPA. For something with more citrus notes, try their Legendary Weapons. If you’re looking for a lighter beer, try their White Sky chai wheat beer, known for its lightly sweet finish.

For the full experience, head outside and pair your beer with any of the food trucks’ offerings!

Best time to visit

Brew Gentlemen is located at 412 Braddock Avenue in Braddock, around 9 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Obviously, there’s no bad time for beer.

The brewery’s open Wednesday through Saturday. 3 PM to 7 PM Wednesday through Friday; and 12 PM to 7 PM on Saturdays. It’s also open for drive through orders Thursday through Saturday. 3 AM to 7 AM on Thursdays and Fridays; and 12 AM to 5 AM on Saturdays.

Learn more about Brew Gentlemen here!

What’s special about this place?

Bayernhof Museum is a German-style mansion-turned-museum that features an extensive collection of antique automated musical instruments.

The collection includes instruments like the Hupfeld Phonoliszt Violina, the Welte Orchestrion Style 2, and the Wurlitzer Automatic Harp!

The museum isn’t all about its collection, though; it sits on an 18-acre overlook, and offers breathtaking views of the Allegheny River and Pittsburgh!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Bayernhof Museum is ideal for families, music lovers, history buffs, music machine aficionados, and tourists keen on learning about the history of automated musical instruments, as well as the craftsmanship involved in crafting and fine-tuning such delicate machines!

What to do here?

Take a guided tour through Bayernhof Museum. Learn about the history of Bayernhof Museum and its former owner.

Check out the museum’s secret doors, and check out the museum’s collection of 19th and 20th century automated musical instruments. Take in the view of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny River from the museum.

Best time to visit

Bayernhof Museum is located at 225 St Charles Place. All museum tours are pre-arranged, so the best time to visit the museum depends on your itinerary. That said, it’s best to book a tour at least a few weeks in advance!

Learn more about the Bayernhof Museum here!

What’s special about this place?

Yet another magnificent Pennsylvania state park on this list. Kinzua Bridge State Park spans 339 acres, and is the site of the Kinzua Bridge–a former railroad structure-turned pedestrian walkway that’s listed as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark!

Apart from its main attraction, the park has a variety of hiking and biking trails, a shaded picnic area, a 100-acre hunting area, and an observation deck that offers scenic views of the Kinzua Gorge!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Kinzua Bridge State Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, engineering enthusiasts, history buffs, thrill-seekers, hikers, recreational hunters and anglers, and tourists keen on learning about the Kinzua Bridge and its historical and cultural significance.

What to do here?

Explore Kinzua Bridge State Park. Check out the exhibits at the Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and learn about the history of the park, as well as the historic Kinzua Bridge.

Go fishing at Kinzua Creek. Take a walk through the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk, and peer miles out into the Kinzua Gorge. Don’t forget to take pictures!

Best time to visit

Kinzua Bridge State Park is located at 296 Viaduct Rd in Mt Jewett, roughly 146 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

While it’s breathtaking all year round, the absolute best time to visit Kinzua Bridge State Park is during fall months. The Kinzua Bridge, as well as the park’s observation deck, are great for viewing the park’s autumn colors.

Moreover, the Kinzua Bridge Foundation, Inc. regularly holds a two-day fall festival every third weekend of September!

Learn more about the Kinzua Bridge State Park here!

What’s special about this place?

If you’ve read this far down the list, you’ll know that while Pittsburgh is replete with modern buildings and bridges, some of its best architectural gems are its old churches.

The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh is a Presbyterian church built in the Gothic-revival style. It features a pair of 30-foot, two-ton oak doors, a grand pipe organ, and magnificent stained-glass windows (some of which were hand-painted by Tiffany Studios)!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh is ideal for families, active Presbyterians, architecture enthusiasts (especially fans of neo-Gothic structures), stained glass lovers, history buffs, and tourists keen on checking out some of the only remaining Tiffany windows in the world!

What to do here?

Explore the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. Take in its stunning neo-Gothic architecture, and explore its famous stained-glass windows.

Check out the church’s 13 hand-painted Tiffany windows. Learn about the history of the church from one of its members.

Best time to visit

The First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh is located at 320 Sixth Ave. The church is open Sunday through Friday. 9:15 AM to 12 PM on Sundays; and 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM the rest of the week.

The best time to visit the church depends on your itinerary.

Learn more about the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh here!

What’s special about this place?

PNC Park is considered one of the finest ballparks in America. This isn’t just because it’s the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Spanning 14.7 acres, PNC Park is oriented toward the city’s skyline and bridges.

That said, more than just offering scenic views of the city and the Allegheny River, PNC Park is also designed in the classical style, sporting two decks instead of three, and providing clear views of the field from every seat!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

PNC Park is ideal for families, sports fans, baseball fans, hardcore Pirates fans, and tourists looking to watch a Major League Baseball game in retro-designed ballpark!

As the venue combines the adrenaline of a sports game, with the best views of the city, it’s also a great place for dates!

What to do here?

Watch a Pirates game at PNC Park. Go on a guided, interactive tour of PNC Park, and learn about the history of the Pirates, as well as their most beloved players.

Check out the ballpark’s overall design, as well as the park’s facade’s unique features. If you’re on a baseball date, go all out and display a special message on the stadium’s scoreboard!

Best time to visit

PNC Park is located at 115 Federal St. The best time to visit PNC Park largely depends on your itinerary. That said, if you’re attending a Pirates game, make sure to get to the venue at least an hour before the game starts!

Learn more about the Pirates game at PNC Park here!

What’s special about this place?

Don’t let the name fool you. Why is it called Worlds End, you ask? Quite simply, the early settlers near the area called it Worlds End one day, and the name just stuck.

The park spans 780 acres, and features diverse plant and animal wildlife, a variety of rugged hiking trails, scenic vistas, well-maintained campsites, a chapel, and a creek for fishing and whitewater rafting–pretty much everything you’d want in a state park!

Who’ll enjoy it here?

Worlds End State Park is ideal for families, nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, birders, recreational hunters and anglers, whitewater boaters, avid hikers, campers, and tourists who want to get away from the city (to this end, what place is better than Worlds End?).

What to do here?

Spend a day at Worlds End Park. Go camping at one of the park’s 70 campsites. Go hiking through its rugged trails. Explore the serpentine bend of Loyalsock Creek and do some fishing while you’re at it.

Have your binoculars ready and try to spot some of the rare bird species that frequent the area. Take in the view of the surrounding forests and mountains at the Canyon Vista!

Best time to visit

Worlds End State Park is located at 82 Cabin Bridge Rd in Forksville, roughly 237 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

The park is open all year round, and offers plenty of recreational activities for every season, so the best time to visit the park really depends on your itinerary. That said, it’s best to consult a local ranger before heading out into the park!

Learn more about Worlds End State Park here!