11 Fun Things To Do In Pittsburgh

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is rich in culture, history, and fun things to do. When my daughter and I visited, I fell head over heels for the city, and I’m not the only one: it’s no wonder so many people #LovePGH. Here are things to do in the ‘Burgh to get you started.

1. Visit the Oakland Neighborhood

Pittsburgh has 90 neighborhoods, each with its own charm. I had a brief chance to explore Oakland and instantly fell in love. (I know I use the word “love” a lot when describing Pittsburgh. I can’t help it; I’m truly enamored with the city!) Oakland is Pittsburgh’s academic and healthcare center, and it’s absolutely beautiful.

The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University are both in Oakland, so it’s a vibrant part of the city filled with inquisitive minds.

Did you know that the writer of “Camptown Races,” “Oh! Susanna,” “Old Folks at Home (Way Down Upon the Swanee River),” “My Old Kentucky Home,” and “Beautiful Dreamer” was not from the South but a Pennsylvania native?  Stephen Foster was born in Pittsburgh on July 4, 1826.  A museum in his honor is located on the University of Pittsburgh campus.

The University of Pittsburgh is located at 4200 Fifth Avenue and Carnegie Mellon University is located at 5000 Forbes Avenue.

2. Explore Plant Life at Phipps Conservatory

Built in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful steel-and-glass Victorian greenhouse, and it’s considered the architectural centerpiece of Oakland. Thankfully, you don’t need a green thumb to appreciate the gorgeous plants inside!

Before you go, check Phipps’ website to read up on the art installations around the grounds. If you have kids with you, turn it into a scavenger hunt to see who can spot the most.

Phipps Conservatory is located at 1 Schenley Drive. It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours until 10:00 p.m. on Fridays. Advance tickets are recommended; see Phipps’ website for current admission prices.

3. See the City via Segway Pittsburgh

If you do just one thing on this list, make it this one. My daughter and I booked the City Lights Tour with Segway Pittsburgh, and it was a magical way to see the city.

Our timing couldn’t have been better: the Pirates were playing, the Three Rivers Regatta was underway, there were concerts all over town, and the weather was absolutely perfect. We set off from Station Square, rode across the bridge, glided through downtown, past the stadium, and around the Golden Triangle, then made our way back across the bridge. Most. Fun. Ever! Our guide, Alan Harper, did a fantastic job keeping us safe and making sure we had a great time.

We stopped for a short break downtown near the PPG Place fountain, which was the perfect spot to catch our breath and snap a few photos.

Segway Pittsburgh is located at 228 W. Station Square Drive. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Call (412) 515-3333 or visit their website for current tours and prices.

4. Ride the Monongahela Incline Up Mt. Washington

Mt. Washington is another Pittsburgh neighborhood, but what makes this one extra special is its spectacular view of the city. The most fun way to get there is to ride the Monongahela Incline, one of Pittsburgh’s two remaining funiculars, which has been carrying passengers up the steep slope since 1870. At the top, you’ll have a front-row seat to downtown Pittsburgh, its rivers, and its bridges.

The Monongahela Incline’s lower station is on W. Carson Street. It runs Monday through Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m., and on Sundays and holidays from 8:45 a.m. to midnight. A round trip costs $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 6 to 11 and riders with disabilities. Children under 5 ride free with an adult, and seniors ride free with ID..

5. Watch The Pittsburgh Pirates Win

Sitting along the Allegheny River with the city skyline as its backdrop, PNC Park is often called one of the most picturesque ballparks in the country. Yinzers love their teams, and the Pirates, whose history dates back to 1882, are no exception. A game here feels like a gathering of the city’s extended family.

PNC Park is located at 115 Federal Street on the North Shore.

6. Visit The Andy Warhol Museum

Andy Warhol, one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, was a Pittsburgh native, and the museum in his hometown holds the largest collection of his work in the world. You’ll see iconic pieces like the Campbell’s Soup Cans and his celebrity portraits across seven floors.

The Andy Warhol Museum is located at 117 Sandusky Street. It’s open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, with extended hours until 8:00 p.m. on Fridays. It’s closed on Tuesdays. Read my full guide to visiting the Andy Warhol Museum for admission, discounts, and more.

7. Chill Out at Randyland

Despite its name, Randyland isn’t an amusement park. It’s the home of artist Randy Gilson, in the Mexican War Streets district on Pittsburgh’s North Side. The whole place is bursting with quirky, colorful art made from found and repurposed objects.

I’d heard that Randy has a big heart that’s full of love, and that it’s free to visit, so we had to stop by! Randy wasn’t there when we visited, but we still had fun checking out his one-of-a-kind artwork..

Randyland is located at 1501 Arch Street and is open every day from noon until dark. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated. Check Randyland’s Facebook page for any special closures before you go.

8. Eat Your Way Through the Strip District

Once an industrial hub, the Strip District is now Pittsburgh’s go-to neighborhood for food lovers, packed with bakeries, specialty markets, street vendors, and restaurants along Penn Avenue. It’s also a great place to pick up black-and-gold gear to show your Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers pride.

As you stroll along Penn Avenue, you’ll be captivated by the aroma of freshly baked bread from local bakeries, the sizzle of hot-off-the-grill street food, and the colorful sights of street vendors and boutiques offering everything from gourmet foods to vintage treasures. The Strip District is a culinary adventure waiting to be savored, with its famous Pittsburgh sandwiches and international cuisine.

For my favorite spots, from breakfast at Cafe Raymond to a classic Primanti Bros. sandwich, see the Strip District section of my guide to Where to Eat in Pittsburgh.

9. Learn at the Heinz History Center

Named after Pittsburgh native Senator John Heinz, the Heinz History Center is Pennsylvania’s largest history museum and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Its exhibits tell the story of American history through the lens of western Pennsylvania. Like me, you might be surprised by how much Pittsburgh has shaped the country.

The expansive 370,000-square-foot establishment brims with artifacts and narratives intertwined with American history, all of which bear a direct link to western Pennsylvania.

Did you know the Jeep was born in the Pittsburgh area? The first prototype was built in nearby Butler, Pennsylvania.

The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street in the Strip District. It’s open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance online; see the History Center’s website for current prices.

10. Tour the Carrie Blast Furnaces

To understand Pittsburgh, you have to understand steel, and there’s no better place to feel that history than the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Furnaces 6 and 7 are the only blast furnaces still standing in Pittsburgh, and from 1907 until 1978, they produced iron for the Homestead Steel Works, more than a thousand tons a day. Today, they’re a National Historic Landmark, preserved by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation.

Touring the site was pretty cool. Walking among the towering, rusted furnaces, you get a real sense of the size and grit of the steel industry that built this city. And then there’s the graffiti! After the mill closed, graffiti artists were some of the first to see the site’s creative potential, and their colorful murals now cover walls throughout the property. The mix of industrial history and street art makes it one of the most unique stops in Pittsburgh.

Visits are by guided tour, workshop, or special event only, and tickets are required. Graffiti fans can book the Hands-On Graffiti Tour, offered on select dates, and each October, the site hosts the Festival of Combustion, with a live iron pour, metal arts demonstrations, and fireworks.

The Carrie Blast Furnaces are located at 801 Carrie Furnace Boulevard. Visit Rivers of Steel for current tour dates, times, and prices.

11. Explore the Frick Environmental Center

Frick Park is the largest municipal park in Pittsburgh, named after industrialist Henry Clay Frick, who left 151 acres to the city. At its heart is the Frick Environmental Center, and it’s one of the most impressive green buildings you’ll ever step inside.

The center was designed to meet some of the world’s toughest green building standards, using solar panels, rainwater collection, and geothermal wells to produce as much energy as it uses. Inside, there are classrooms for hands-on environmental learning, and just outside, woodlands, streams, meadows, and trails give visitors of all ages an up-close look at nature.

Best of all, it’s free and open to the public, making it a great stop for families or anyone who wants a break from the city in the middle of the city.

The Frick Environmental Center is located at 2005 Beechwood Boulevard. Admission is free; check the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy website for current hours.

Getting Around Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has a light rail system known as the T, and riding it between downtown and the North Shore is free, an easy way to get to PNC Park, the Andy Warhol Museum, and Randyland’s neighborhood without moving your car. Visit Pittsburgh Regional Transit for maps and fares.

Where to Stay in Pittsburgh

For a convenient home base, I recommend the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel. It’s right downtown, making it easy to walk to many of the spots on this list.

Final Call

Got an extra day (or two)? Point the car east for the Flight 93 National Memorial, solemn, beautiful, and thoughtfully designed.. Prefer snacks over tears? Cruise to Hershey & Amish Country for chocolate, pretzels, markets, and scenic roads. And if you like small-town sports lore with easy eats, pencil in Latrobe for a laid-back mini-escape.

Headed to the ‘Burgh soon? Tell me what’s on your list, or what I missed, in the comments. And if this guide helped you plan, share it with your travel buddy so they can stop “just looking at bridges” and start picking the pierogi spot!

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