Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a great destination for travelers looking for a fun and affordable vacation. Nicknamed the “Steel City” for its history as a major steel producer, Pittsburgh has transformed into a hub for technology, healthcare, education and the arts while still retaining its blue-collar charm.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Andy Warhol Museum | Museum dedicated to the life and work of Andy Warhol, featuring his iconic pop art. |
| Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens | Victorian greenhouse with themed gardens and seasonal flower shows. |
| River Cruise | Sightseeing cruise along Pittsburgh’s three rivers, offering views of the skyline and bridges. |
| National Aviary | America’s only independent indoor bird zoo with over 500 birds. |
| Heinz Field Tour | Behind-the-scenes tour of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ stadium. |
| Cathedral of Learning | Gothic Revival tower at the University of Pittsburgh, featuring nationality classrooms. |
| Carnegie Museum of Natural History | Museum with dinosaur fossils, gems, minerals, and a planetarium. |
| Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area | Heritage area celebrating Pittsburgh’s steel industry history. |
| Indoor Water Parks | Sandcastle Water Park and Cocoapulco, offering slides, pools, and water features. |
| PNC Park | Watch a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game with skyline views. |
| Benedum Center | Historic theater hosting Broadway shows, concerts, and performances. |
| Fallingwater | Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous house, incorporating natural elements in its design. |
From world-class museums and theater to beautiful parks and iconic bridges, there are plenty of things to see and do in Pittsburgh. Here are the top 12 things to do on your next visit to the Steel City:
Visit the Andy Warhol Museum
Name and Location: The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Opened in 1994, this museum holds the largest collection of Andy Warhol’s artworks and archives. Warhol was a Pittsburgh native.
What to Expect: Viewing Warhol’s paintings, films, photographs, and installations. Interactive exhibits explain his working processes and influence as a pop artist.
Visitor Information: Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm. Admission charged. Guided tours available.
For art lovers, no trip to Pittsburgh is complete without a stop at the Andy Warhol Museum in the city’s North Shore neighborhood. Dedicated to the life and work of Andy Warhol, the museum holds the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks and archives in the world. Permanent exhibits trace Warhol’s path from commercial illustrator in New York to pioneering Pop artist and celebrity fixture. Be sure to see his famous screen prints of Marilyn Monroe, Campbell’s soup cans and other iconic pop culture motifs. The museum also hosts visiting exhibits by contemporary artists who were influenced by Warhol.
Explore Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Name and Location: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Built in 1893, Phipps is one of the greenest conservatories in the world. It houses exotic plants and flowers, sustainability exhibits, and glass art.
What to Expect: Walking among tropical plants in the Palm Court and other themed rooms. Outdoor gardens and seasonal exhibits. Photography allowed.
Visitor Information: Open daily 9:30am-5pm. Admission fee charged. Free on certain days.
Escape the city and immerse yourself in tropical palm trees, fragrant flowers and exotic butterflies at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This beautiful Victorian greenhouse encompasses 15 acres including themed indoor gardens and outdoor landscaped grounds. Walk through the Palm Court with towering palm trees, the Serpentine Room filled with orchids and bromeliads, the desert-themed Desert Room and more. The seasonal flower shows are not to be missed, featuring creative exhibits made entirely from plants and flowers. Outside, stroll through the Zen-inspired Japanese Garden, glass-enclosed Tropical Forest Conservatory and the tranquil Rose Garden.
Take a River Cruise on Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers
Name and Location: River cruises along Pittsburgh’s three rivers – the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.
History and Significance: These rivers formed a strategic point for settlement and industry in Pittsburgh. River cruises offer scenic views of the city.
What to Expect: Narrated tours of Pittsburgh’s skyline, bridges, and riverfront landmarks from the boat. Daytime and evening options. Onboard concessions.
Visitor Information: Cruises last 1-2 hours. Offered April-October. Tickets start around $20 for adults.
One of the best ways to appreciate Pittsburgh’s dramatic skyline and picturesque bridges is from the water. Take a sightseeing cruise along the three iconic rivers that meet here – the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio. You’ll glide past skyscrapers, stadiums and urban neighborhoods lining the riverbanks. Don’t miss going under the Fort Pitt Bridge with its famous double-decker design spanning the Monongahela River. Many cruises include narration on Pittsburgh’s history and famous landmarks. For a special treat, enjoy dinner and/or live music on an evening river cruise.
Visit the National Aviary
Name and Location: The National Aviary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Founded in 1952, the National Aviary is America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated to birds. It is home to over 500 birds from around the world.
What to Expect: Viewing exotic bird species in open-air enclosures that mimic natural habitats. Interactive shows and feeding opportunities. Conservation education.
Visitor Information: Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission fee charged. Guided tours available.
The National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh’s North Side, is America’s only independent indoor bird zoo. It is home to over 500 birds representing around 150 species from around the world. Visitors can observe bright macaws, majestic eagles, tiny finches and exotic birds from the tropical rainforest in carefully crafted habitats. Walk through free-flight areas and get up close to flamingos, owls and other stunning birds. Hands-on experiences allow you to feed lories and interact with penguins. Educational shows feature trained falcons and hawks demonstrating their incredible abilities. With so much to see and do, the National Aviary is a must for bird lovers and families.
Tour Heinz Field
Name and Location: Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Opened in 2001, Heinz Field is home stadium for the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team and the Pitt Panthers college football team. It hosts concerts and other major events.
What to Expect: Guided tours showcase luxury suites, press boxes, locker rooms, and the playing field. The Steelers Hall of Fame museum is onsite.
Visitor Information: Tours offered daily. Admission charged. Game day tours restricted.
Diehard football fans can take a behind-the-scenes tour of Heinz Field, home of the beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-hour guided walking tour takes you into areas normally restricted to players and personnel. Highlights include visits to the press box, locker rooms, playing field, tunnel, and more. Along the way, learn about the stadium’s history, construction, statistics, and game day facts. When available, you can also visit the memorabilia-filled Coca-Cola Great Hall. Tours are offered daily in the football offseason. No visit to Pittsburgh is complete without paying homage to the six-time Super Bowl champions at their famed stadium.
Visit the Cathedral of Learning
Name and Location: The Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.
History and Significance: At 42 stories high, this gothic tower houses the university’s classrooms, offices, and Nationality Rooms representing global cultures.
What to Expect: Visiting the Commons Room and Nationality Rooms representing decorative styles of different countries. Panoramic views from the top.
Visitor Information: Free admission to enter the lobby. Paid tours available by reservation.
Looming over the University of Pittsburgh campus is the magnificent 42-story Cathedral of Learning. The impressive Gothic Revival tower is the second tallest education building in the world. Take a self-guided tour through the Commons Room on the ground floor to see the ornate Nationality Classrooms representing cultures from around the world. For a small fee, ride the elevator up to the top floor Observation Deck for panoramic views of Pittsburgh, Oakland and beyond. Architecture buffs will marvel at the Cathedral’s grand arches, vaulted ceilings and intricate details. Don’t miss the delightful garden courtyard with its charming stone arches and brick walkways.
See the Dinosaurs at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Name and Location: Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Founded in 1896, this natural history and anthropology museum houses important fossil collections, including dinosaur skeletons.
What to Expect: Viewing dinosaur exhibits, mineral and gem displays, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and wildlife dioramas. The museum has an IMAX theater.
Visitor Information: Open Tues-Sun 10am-5pm. Admission fee charged. Free to members.
One of the four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History holds exhibits to dazzle visitors of all ages. Dinosaur lovers flock here to view the museum’s collection of dinosaur fossils including dolichorhynchops, apatosaurus and diplocaulus aquaticus in their recreated natural habitats. Other exhibits showcase gems and minerals, Ancient Egyptian artifacts, life-size animatronic dinosaurs and the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems. The museum’s high-tech Buhl Planetarium features an elaborate model of the night sky over Pittsburgh and demonstrates basic astronomy concepts using their Zeiss II Planetarium system.
Tour the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area
Name and Location: Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area located in western Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Honors Pennsylvania’s steelmaking history and the natural landscape that fueled it. Includes former mill sites, museums, and employee housing.
What to Expect: Guided and self-guided tours of industrial history sites, like Carrie Furnace. Learn about Pittsburgh’s steel industry heritage.
Visitor Information: Free site access. Some tour fees apply. Visitor Center open Mon-Fri with information.
Pittsburgh’s steel industry heritage is celebrated at the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area in the suburb of Homestead. One of the top attractions is the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, which preserves the furnaces that produced high-quality steel for nearly a century. Take a guided tour to learn how raw materials were transformed into steel. Other sites around the heritage area include the Bost Building model mill, Pump House and Water Tower. The centerpiece is the Homestead Works Visitor Center with interactive exhibits and an 1865 steam locomotive. Visitors can also explore the historic Pump House to see the large steam engines used to move water to the furnaces.
Splash at Pittsburgh’s Best Indoor Water Parks
Name and Location: Indoor water parks in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area.
History and Significance: These family-friendly water parks provide year-round water fun with slides, pools, and splash areas. Popular options include Sandcastle and Homestead’s Waterfront.
What to Expect: Riding exciting water slides, relaxing in wave pools, playing in aquatic play zones. Water park amenities and food concessions.
Visitor Information: Hours and admission fees vary by location. Advance tickets recommended, especially on weekends.
For year-round water park fun, head to Sandcastle Water Park or Cocoapulco, Pittsburgh’s top indoor water parks. At Sandcastle, thrill down massive slides like the Tornado, Monsoon and Typhoon or relax in the lazy river. Cocoapulco boasts the 70-foot tall Blue Hole Wave Pool, Twin Twist torpedo slides, Flowrider surf simulator and an outdoor water park section. Both parks offer fun zones for younger kids with mini slides and interactive water features. When the winter chill hits Pittsburgh, families flock to these indoor parks for slides, tubes, rides, fountains, pools and more.
Cheer on the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park
Name and Location: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Opened in 2001, this is home stadium for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. The park is praised for great sightlines and views of downtown.
What to Expect: Cheering at a Pirates game in an energetic ballpark atmosphere. Enjoying ballpark food and amenities. Touring offers behind-the-scenes access.
Visitor Information: Games April-October. Tickets start around $17. Non-game day tours available.
Baseball fans will love catching a Pittsburgh Pirates game at the scenic PNC Park along the Allegheny River. Opened in 2001, the top-rated ballpark provides stunning views of the Pittsburgh skyline from behind home plate. Take in the game from the Trib Total Media Hall of Fame Club facing the field or try the standing-room only area by the right field wall. Be sure to wander around the park to see Pirate-themed exhibits, the Legacy Square statue display and views of the Roberto Clemente Bridge. On game days, you’ll hear music and see top-notch fireworks shows. PNC Park offers a fun, lively experience for sports lovers.
See a Show at the Benedum Center
Name and Location: Benedum Center for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Opened in 1928, the Benedum Center hosts Broadway shows, concerts, and other performances in its historic theater.
What to Expect: Taking in a show or musical performance on the main stage. Admiring the Spanish Baroque-style architecture and ornate decor.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Ticket prices from $20-100+. Guided tours offered select days.
With over 2,800 seats and stunning architectural details, the Benedum Center hosts national touring Broadway shows, comedians, musicians and more. Named for Pittsburgh philanthropist Michael Benedum, this historic theater opened in 1927 as the Stanley Theater showing films and vaudeville acts. Following restoration and renovations over the decades, today it shines as Pittsburgh’s crown jewel for performing arts. Recent shows include hits like Waitress, My Fair Lady and Chicago. The Benedum Center’s grand lobby, red velvet seats and elegant chandeliers take you back to the glory days of vintage theaters. It’s easy to see why this is a top choice for live entertainment in the Steel City.
Experience Fallingwater
Name and Location: Fallingwater in Mill Run, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.
History and Significance: This famous house was designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 as a home for the Kaufmann family. It is built over a waterfall.
What to Expect: Guided tours of the interior showcasing Wright’s integration with nature and modern style. Outdoor exploration of the grounds. Reservations required.
Visitor Information: Open daily for tours, except major holidays. Admission charged. Book tours in advance online.
Nestled in the Laurel Highlands wilderness, Fallingwater is one of America’s most famous houses designed by acclaimed architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1939 for the Kaufmann family, the home ingeniously incorporates the forest waterfall and rocks into its cantilevered design. Guided tours allow you to see the living room, terraces, guest quarters and other areas Wright crafted to blend indoors and outdoors. The glass-walled rooms, natural stone, wooden beams and tranquil water create a serene oasis. The grounds feature forest trails, a visitor center with exhibits and a gift shop. Fallingwater makes an ideal day trip to immerse yourself in Wright’s architecture in harmony with nature.
Shop in the Strip District
Name and Location: The Strip District neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
History and Significance: Historically a commercial warehouse district, the Strip is now a popular shopping/dining area with ethnic food markets, cafes, and boutiques.
What to Expect: Exploring food markets like Wholey’s Fish and Penn Mac. Shopping small specialty stores. Restaurants, street vendors, and people watching.
Visitor Information: Free to walk around. Shops open daily, often 9am-5pm. Busiest on weekends. Metered parking available.
For an authentic taste of Pittsburgh, spend some time browsing the eclectic shops and eateries in the historic Strip District neighborhood. Centered around Penn Avenue and Smallman Street, this thriving market area has vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, coffee, spices, clothing, art, steelers gear and more. Long-running family businesses like Wholey’s fish market and Pennsylvania Macaroni Company share storefronts with hip new cafes and boutiques. Don’t miss the Pittsburgh Public Market for artisanal fare. You never know what you’ll find while exploring the Strip’s warehouses and hidden alleys. Hungry? Grab a Primanti Bros. sandwich, piping hot fries from Franktuary or stroll through stalls tasting free samples.
Conclusion
With its blend of historic sites and exciting modern additions, Pittsburgh is an ideal destination for tourists. The iconic bridges, scenic riverfront, storied sports teams and lively cultural attractions offer something special for every visitor. From world-class museums and incomparable architecture to beautiful gardens and fun water parks, there are an endless array of things to see and do in the Steel City. Whether you want to learn about steel making heritage, marvel at dinosaurs and artwork, or cheer on the local sports teams, Pittsburgh delivers an amazing experience. The mix of natural spaces, shopping areas and entertainment venues make this an affordable and appealing vacation spot in Pennsylvania.