Pittsburgh is a city in western Pennsylvania located at the junction of three rivers.
It is the 26th largest city in the United States and the second largest city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia.
The city is known as both “the Steel City” for its more than 300 steel-related businesses and as “the City of Bridges” for its 446 bridges.
There are so many Pittsburgh attractions, such as getting to know the animals at Pittsburgh Zoo, exploring the interactive museum at the Carnegie Science Center or relaxing and enjoying the landscaped gardens in Schenley Park.
Great for a few days break or a week long vacation, there’s plenty- of the best things to do in Pittsburgh dotted all across the city.
Things to Do in Pittsburgh
1. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens were founded in 1893 by steel magnate and philanthropist Henry Phipps.
The conservatory is located in Schenley Park and features 15 acres of landscaped gardens, 12 indoor gardens, and 23 demonstration gardens.
The conservatory is home to more than 10,000 plants, including rare and endangered species.
The gardens are open to the public year-round and offer a variety of educational programs for all ages.
The conservatory has plenty to offer visitors and is home to everything from tropical forests and butterfly gardens to bonsai, Joshua trees, orchid plants and flower collections.
Phipps Conservatory offers different hands-on activities as well as play areas for children.
Address: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1 Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
2. Mount Washington
Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington is about a three mile drive from downtown and offers more than great views.
Located on the south side of the city, on a plateau above downtown Pittsburgh, it’s home to a number of businesses and attractions, including restaurants, shops, museums, and parks.
The area is easily walkable, and filled with interesting sites and green space.
Running the length of the mount, Grandview Avenue provides unique vantage points of Pittsburgh’s beautiful skyline.
Mount Washington is also home to the Duquesne Incline, a historic cable car system that connects the neighborhood to the downtown area.
The Duquesne Incline is one of only two remaining inclines in Pittsburgh (the other being the Monongahela Incline).
In addition to the Duquesne Incline, Mount Washington is served by a number of bus and light rail lines.
This unique area offers great fun for families, couples and friends, just ride the incline, enjoy the view, and include time to explore this easily walkable part of Pittsburgh.
Address: Mount Washington, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
3. PNC Park
Located on the southern shore of North Side district, PNC Park is the home base for Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates.
The PNC Park opened in 2001 and has a capacity of 38,362.
The park is considered to be one of the best examples of modern ballpark design.
In addition to being the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Park hosts a variety of other events throughout the year, including concerts and college baseball games.
Game day tickets vary in price depending on your seat but you can tour the park on weekdays from mid-April to September.
Address: PNC Park, 115 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
4. Carnegie Museum of Art
The Carnegie Museum of Art is located in Oakland, one of Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhoods.
The museum was founded in 1895 by the Pittsburgh-based industrialist and art collector Andrew Carnegie.
Carnegie Museum of Art is arguably the first contemporary art museum in the United States, as it initially made contemporary art it’s primary focus.
Its vast collection has over 30,000 objects and contains an extensive range of visual arts, decorative art, Architecture and Photography.
At the weekends the Carnegie Museum of Art has popular gallery activities that give families fun ways to appreciate great art.
Tickets to this Pittsburgh attraction can be purchased online and at the moment entrance tickets are timed entry.
The Carnegie Museum of Art also has a gift shop that is open from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. It stocks unique gifts and exclusive art museums products.
Address: Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
5. Andy Warhol Museum
The Andy Warhol Museum is located in the North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
The art Museum tells Andy Warhol’s story and explores his legacy through the largest collection of Warhol art and archives in the world.
Housed in a refurbished warehouse, it holds seven floors’ worth of instillations, reproductions and educational exhibits dedicated to one of the most famous Pittsburghers.
In addition to the artwork, the museum features a research center, an education center, and a theater.
The museum is open to the public year-round and is a must see for art lovers.
Address: Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
6. Strip District
The Strip District sits on the northern edge of downtown Pittsburgh and is a narrow one-half mile strip of land located along the Allegheny River.
The Strip District runs between 11th and 33rd Streets and includes three main thoroughfares — Smallman Street, Penn Avenue, and Liberty Avenue — as well as various side streets.
In the early 1900s, the Strip District was home to many immigrant workers who helped fuel the city’s industrial boom.
Today, it is known for its eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and art galleries.
The shopping district is full of ethnic grocers, produce stands, meat and fish markets and sidewalk vendors.
The majority of the businesses in the Strip District are open during the day, but many of the nightclubs and restaurants do not open until later in the evening.
Address: Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA
7. Bicycle Heaven
Bicycle Heaven is one of the largest transportation museums in the world dedicated to bicycles.
Located on the North Side of Pittsburgh, the museum is home to over 5,000 bicycles, making it a humongous collection.
In addition to the bicycles, the museum also houses a variety of cycling-related memorabilia, including jerseys, trophies, and photographs.
The museum is open to the public year-round and offers a variety of educational programs for all ages.
For those who love biking, bikes themselves, or just enjoy an unusual museum, Bicycle Heaven should be on your must-see things to do in Pittsburgh.
Address: Bicycle Heaven, 1800 Preble Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
8. Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is one of the most highly respected natural history museums in the world.
Founded in 1895 by Andrew Carnegie, the museum has been at the forefront of scientific discovery and public education for over a century.
Today, the museum houses over 20 million specimens, including some of the most important fossil collections in the world.
The museum’s research programs are internationally recognized, and its exhibits are enjoyed by visitors from all over the globe.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is much more than just a place to view amazing specimens.
It is also a center for scientific research and discovery, as well as a powerful tool for public education.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is the place for kids to discover science and for families who are interested in the natural world.
Address: Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
9. Heinz Field
Heinz Field is the home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh’s Panthers football team. It opened in 2001, replacing Three Rivers Stadium.
The stadium is a multi-purpose facility that can host a variety of events, including concerts and other sporting events.
Heinz Field has a seating capacity of 68,400, making it the sixth largest stadium in the NFL with the playing field itself all natural grass.
One of the unique features of Heinz Field is its “golden triangle” shape, which is formed by the three rivers that flow through Pittsburgh: the Allegheny, Monongahela, and the Ohio river.
The view from inside the stadium is truly breathtaking, and it has been rated as one of the best stadiums in the NFL in terms of fan experience.
Tours of the stadium last about 90 minutes, run from April through October.
Address: Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
10. Senator John Heinz History Center
Senator John Heinz History Center is a museum and research center dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Western Pennsylvania.
The Heinz History Center houses permanent and temporary exhibits on topics ranging from local history to the Civil War, to immigration.
The museum also has an extensive library and archives, which are open to the public for research.
The Senator John Heinz History Center was founded in 1964 as the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society.
The museum complex includes the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, the Sports Museum, and the Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village.
The history center is located in downtown Pittsburgh’s Strip District, near other cultural attractions such as the Andy Warhol Museum and the National Aviary.
Address: Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
11. Point State Park
Point State Park is a park that was created in 1936 as part of the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration project.
The park includes the site of Fort Pitt, a fort that was used during the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, and the Pittsburgh Rebellion.
The park also includes a fountain, which is one of the largest fountains in the world.
The park is located on the confluence of the Allegheny River and Monongahela River, and is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and boating.
Point State Park is free to visit and open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily.
Address: Point State Park, 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
12. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a world-class facility that houses a wide variety of animals from all over the globe.
Founded in 1898, the zoo has been a staple of the Pittsburgh community for over 120 years.
The zoo’s mission is to “provide exemplary care for animals, engage visitors in meaningful wildlife experiences, and advance conservation action to save species.”
This is evident in the top-notch care that the animals receive, as well as the many educational programs and initiatives that the zoo offers.
One of the most popular attractions at the zoo is the African Savanna, which is home to lions, giraffes, zebras, and more.
Visitors can get up close and personal with the animals on a safari-style tour, or watch from the comfort of an air-conditioned viewing area.
Address: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, 1 Wild Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
13. Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center is a world-renowned museum that offers a variety of exhibits and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
The Center is one of the most-visited museums, with four floors of interactive exhibits.
It was founded in 1895 by Andrew Carnegie and is home to a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits.
The museum’s most popular exhibit is the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which features artifacts recovered from the wreckage of the Titanic.
The Carnegie Science Center also houses a planetarium with shows every hour, as well as the Omnimax theater, and several live science shows.
The Center also offers a variety of educational programs for both children and adults.
With so much to see and do, the Carnegie Science Center is a great location to visit for families.
Address: Carnegie Science Center, 1 Allegheny Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
14. Fort Pitt Museum
The Fort Pitt Museum is a history museum located in historic Point State Park.
The museum is housed in a replica of the fort that was built by the British during the French and Indian War.
The museum tells the story of the fort and its role in the history of Pittsburgh.
An indoor-outdoor museum, the facility offers guided and self-guided tours designed to educate visitors about the integral role the region played in the early days of the U.S.
Visitors to the museum can learn about the people who lived at the fort, as well as the battles that were fought there.
The museum also has a variety of interactive exhibits, including a replica of a 18th-century log cabin and a working blacksmith shop.
Address: Fort Pitt Museum, 601 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
15. Highland Park
Highland Park is home to a variety of attractions, including the Zoo, the Warhol Museum, and the National Aviary.
Highland Park also has a number of hiking trails and a golf course.
The park is a popular spot for picnics, concerts, and other events.
In the winter, the park’s sledding hill is a popular destination for both children and adults.
Address: 1212 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
16. Frick Art and Historical Center
The Frick is located approximately 20 minutes east of downtown Pittsburgh at the corner of Penn and South Homewood avenues in Point Breeze.
The Frick Art and Historical Center is home to a number of museums, including the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, and the Clay Studio.
It focuses on the interpretation of the life and times of Henry Clay Frick, industrialist and art collector.
The Frick contains an impressive collection of paintings by old masters as well as European sculpture, fine furniture, and decorative arts. All of the art is housed in 15 galleries within Frick’s former residence.
The Frick Art and Historical Center also has a research library, which houses a collection of over 30,000 books.
Admission to the museums and gardens is free, although fees apply for Clayton tours and certain traveling exhibitions.
Address: Frick Art and Historical Center, 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
FAQ
How many days do you need to visit Pittsburgh?
Although a thorough exploration of Pittsburgh would require at least a week, the city is compact enough that its best sights and activities can be experienced easily in two or three days.
What is Pittsburgh Pennsylvania best known for?
Pittsburgh is known to Americans as the home of champion sports franchises, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
A common nickname for Pittsburgh is the Steel City.
How many Carnegie Museums are in Pittsburgh?
There are four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh: Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum.
Does Pittsburgh have a Children’s Museum?
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has hands-on exhibits (permanent and temporary), artefacts, performances, storytelling and art activities.
Where is the Three Rivers Heritage Trail in Pittsburgh?
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a 33-mile nonlinear trail that has segments on both banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers within Allegheny County with access to city of Pittsburgh.
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is one of the best ways to enjoy all the region has to offer. There is free downloadable maps of both the full trail and sections of the trail.
