Explore Pittsburgh’s Top 17 Must-Do Activities

By The Backseat View

Pittsburgh has been remade from steel mills into miles of riverfront trails and parks, and it feels authentic. Driving from the airport, you enter another world that’s more beautiful and green than you expected. With three rivers running through it, there’s no other city quite like Pittsburgh. There’s enough fun for a weekend or a week discovering Pittsburgh’s Top Activities.

You will fall in love with this character-filled, charming city of bridges—I did. The city has a refreshing energy, a new vibe led by world-class museums, a happening culinary scene, and plenty of outdoor activities.

Pittsburgh is the Home of the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, which means there’s always a fun tail-gating party going on. Hosting some of the best football games in the country is just another reason to visit.

Pittsburgh Travel Guide

Be prepared to be impressed as we explore Pittsburgh and enjoy pierogies!

No trip is complete without a ride up the Duquesne Incline, which offers gorgeous views over the city and river. So, let’s open the Pittsburgh Travel Guide, which is focused on Pittsburgh’s Top Activities.

Pittsburgh’s Top Activities

1. Duquesne Incline

Take the charming ride on an old-style car up Mount Washington’s 400 feet for stunning panoramic views. The vantage point provides a clear view of the Steelers Stadium, the three rivers, and the entire city. The nighttime panorama of the city is equally impressive.

This is a $5 cash-only operation.

Parking is a little difficult across the busy street at the bottom of a steep hill.
Kid Tip: I have anxiety on crowded sidewalks with 55-mile-per-hour traffic next to my kids. We drove to the top of the incline and parked without the hassle. You can ride from the top or the bottom.

Monongahela Incline is only a mile apart, and the experience is similar.

Mount Washington

The views from the top are in the Mount Washington neighborhood, which has a historical background, restaurants, and shopping. Have a meal along Restaurant Row then take a stroll along the trails of Emerald View Park.

2. Strip District

The Strip District is electric and vibing along the river. It’s converted warehouses with historic landmarks, cheaper shopping, and affordable dining options. Sports fans come here to buy new merchandise. The Heinz Museum is just down the street.

The restaurant options are endless, but Primanti Bros has been famous in Pittsburgh since 1933. It serves basic sandwiches with meat options, topped with fries and coleslaw.

Other favorites for quick food options are the S & D Polish Deli, Salem’s Market, and the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.

Cheer for the Home Team!

With proper planning, you can attend two events during overlapping seasons: a Steelers, Penguins, or Pirates game. The city has the three biggest venues next to each other, so the downtown environment is heaven for Pittsburgh fans. If you’re not supporting Pittsburgh, it’s not worth it. The dedicated fans buy 90% of all game tickets.

3. Acrisure Stadium

Acrisure is the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Terrible Towels! The stadium has spectacular views of the city and riverfront. The electric game-day atmosphere is priceless! Don’t miss the 90 minute stadium tour, which takes you inside the locker room.

If you want to WIN, do the ordinary things BETTER than anyone else does them day in and day out. Chuck Noll, Steelers

4. Senator John Heinz History Center

The Heinz Center has the Steeler’s history and memorabilia. We came to see the Steeler’s Super Bowl trophies and rings. The center has many exhibits on its five floors. Visitors can explore the history of Fred Rogers, complete with Neighborhood sets and puppets.

There are also displays about Heinz 57 throughout the years providing insight into Pittsburgh’s history. The Heinz History Center was voted the top history museum in America by USA Today readers for 2023 and 2024.

5. PNC Park

The state-of-the-art ballpark is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The stadium overlooks the skyline from across the river. This is a great park with a beautiful setting, so catch a game.

6. PPG Paints Arena

Let’s GO PENS! The PPG Paints Arena is home to the Penguins for a hockey game. If you aren’t a hockey fan, you should give it a try. When so many sports are dialing in the games, hockey is fiery action the entire time making it extremely entertaining. The arena is also the perfect cashless venue for concerts and circuses.

7. Phipps Botanical Gardens

The Botanical Gardens are enchanting, with endless themed greenhouses. The orchids and Chihuly glass are the stars of the garden. During Christmas, they have a magical display of lights. This is the place to enrich your mind and soul with the calm beauty of the gardens.

8. Carnegie Museum of Natural History

This is your traditional Natural History Museum, with dinosaurs and fossils. It’s the perfect place for kids to learn about the natural world. There’s an impressive gem and mineral collection, an Egyptian room, and plenty of activities for a few hours. The Carnegie Library, Natural History and Museum of Art are all connected.

9. Animals

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Wind through 77 acres of forest, African Savannah, and jungle before heading to the aquarium. The giraffes, elephants, and gorillas, are the favorites. The pygmy hippo, polar bear, and fossa add a little mystery to the zoo. The rare animals, red pandas, black rhinos, Siberian tigers, and Amur leopards, give the zoo extra credit. During winter, the penguins parade through the zoo to visit with the public, so don’t miss it. It’s a great zoo for around $25 per person.

Other Options

• The National Aviary has divided the birds into distinct habitats, including wetlands, tropical, and grasslands. The penguins are the stars of the show, with feeding the lorikeets coming in second. It’s a good hour-long stop, costing $20 per person. It’s one of only eight aviaries in the US.
  
• Keystone Safari is an hour away. It offers a walk-through and drive-thru safari on 144 acres where you can feed the animals. There are even feeding sticks for the butterflies.
  
• The Good Zoo at Oglebay is also an hour away. There are 68 different species, 20 of which are considered endangered. It’s a small zoo with positive reviews.
  

10. Carnegie Science Center

The Science Center is Pittsburgh’s most visited museum, with four floors of educational fun. There’s a planetarium. You can explore robotics in the world area. There is also a human body experiences area. Additionally, the center includes miniature trains and a movie theater. Kids love the experiences.

11. The Children’s Museum

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh offers many engaging activities. You can create in the art studio. Try out new tools in the workshop. Enjoy water play with interactive exhibits. It was voted the #2 children’s museum in the nation in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice 2024 Contest. Reserve your $20 tickets in advance.

12. Bicycle Heaven

Bicycle Heaven is the world’s largest bicycle museum. It’s a cool, quirky place packed with over 5,000 bikes, part bike shop and part museum. It’s free, so why not visit?

13. Parks

Point State Park

• Point State Park is where the three rivers converge, featuring notable architecture and a fountain. It is located near the stadiums and offers views of the city. The Fort Pitt Museum is also nearby, providing information about Pittsburgh’s early history during the French and English conflict. It is a nice place for a walk.
• The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is 24-miles long lining the waterways. People walk, run, and bike the trail that hits the perimeter of Point State Park.
  

Schenley Park

• Situated in the heart of Oakland, the park covers 456 acres including trails and woods. This offers a peaceful retreat from urban life. The park features an overlook that provides a picturesque view of the city, ideal for photography. Biking is a favored method for exploring the park. Additionally, the park includes a playground, a soccer field, and a running track.
  

14. Art

• The Carnegie Museum of Art has works from around the world. It shares the building with the Carnegie National History Museum. The cost of admission provides entry into both museums. The big stars are Monet, Van Gogh, and Pissarro.

• The Andy Warhol Museum is seven floors of pop art. If you are an Andy Warhol Fan, this is his largest collection telling the story of his life.
• The Mattress Factory is an artist’s museum with rotating installations. It exhibits contemporary art in different styles and aesthetics.

• Randyland is a colorful landmark that’s home to artist Randy Gilson. This whimsical outdoor junkyard is free to explore and take a few photos.

15. History of Steel

Rivers of Steel offers an encounter with Pittsburgh’s industrial history. You can experience this through steel-making tours, learning to make metal arts, and riverboat tours. The Carrie Blast Furnaces are the former US Steel Homestead Steel Works. The two-hour tour gives you the history of the technology required to build America.

16. Kennywood Amusement Park

Kennywood Amusement Park is 11 miles east of downtown. It is perfect for a family day. The park offers thrilling wooden roller coasters and water park fun. Kennywood made USA Today’s 10 Best Theme Parks list. The crowd favorite is Thunderbolt, a wooden coaster built in 1924. With rich history and old-time nostalgia mixed with contemporary fun. Now, It’s one of only two amusement parks to be a National Historic Landmark.

17. Shopping

• Station Square is a waterfront shopping mall with shops and restaurants along the river. The famous Grand Concourse Restaurant is here, along with views of Pittsburgh’s skyline. Hop on the ferry and complete your trip to Pittsburgh with a stop at Station Square.

• Fifth Avenue Place is located downtown, close to hotels, and has a food court.

• Walnut Street in Shadyside is a quaint neighborhood filled with boutique and chain shops and art galleries. Shadyside is THE place to live, where industrial rustic meets modern charms and nightlife abounds. Shadyside’s 5th Avenue is home to “Millionaire Row” Gilded Era Mansions.

• SouthSide Works is a riverfront neighborhood area with a cinema, restaurants, and top-level shopping. Take a break from shopping and enjoy a stroll along the South Shore Riverside Park. South Side Flats has one of the largest Victorian main streets in the US.

• South Hills Village is a traditional mall environment.

Restaurants

• Pierogies Plus has the best pierogies, a popular Polish dish, in Pittsburgh.

• The Church Brew Works is housed in a church with pierogies served in multiple ways and pizza.

• Burgatory for the best burgers.

• Primanti Bros for the coleslaw and fry-topped sandwiches.

• Pamela’s Diner is a Pittsburgh institution with an impressive all-American breakfast with famous pancakes and crepes.

Lodging

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown is our favorite budget-friendly option. The location is hard to beat, and the hotel has views of Mellon Park.

Last Thoughts on Pittsburgh’s Top Activities

Come experience Pittsburgh’s refreshing city and unique geography. The city is best explored by car, and with the neighborhoods changing drastically, there’s always a new avenue to explore. Experiencing the vibrant sports environment is a compelling reason to book your ticket. Wisdom is allocating a few extra days to explore this charming city. Thanks for reading my Top 17 Activities in Pittsburgh Travel Guide!