Pittsburgh, PA is a city with a lot of history and culture. If you’re looking for something to do in the Steel City, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the best things to do in Pittsburgh:
National Aviary
The National Aviary is a non-profit organization, which means that all proceeds from the facility stay in Pittsburgh. It’s also the only independent indoor facility in the world dedicated solely to birds, and it holds more than 1,000 different bird species. The aviary houses about 500 birds of 200 different species at any given time—including parrots, penguins, owls and eagles.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater
You can also see Wright’s first house built in the United States (the Hollyhock House in Los Angeles), his first house built on a mountain (Plymouth Welding Institute in Pennsylvania), and his first house built at the edge of a waterfall (Fallingwater). The last one is particularly interesting as it was also Wright’s first building constructed completely from reinforced concrete.
Duquesne Incline
You can take a ride up the Duquesne Incline to get some amazing views of the city. It’s fun, it’s free and it’s not too strenuous if you’re just looking for something quick and easy to do. From top of the incline you’ll have great views of downtown Pittsburg, along with Mt. Washington and Station Square. The view from atop is spectacular so make sure to bring your camera! If you want to make more time for this activity, I recommend stopping at Station Square after your ride down from Mt. Washington (or after taking a tour nearby). Stations Square is an area where there are lots of shops/restaurants and activities like mini golf! There are also some other things that may interest others such as ice skating in winter or boat tours during warmer months (I’m not sure how long they run but they seem popular).
Visit Monroeville
Monroeville is home to the Hollywood Theater, which is the oldest operating theater in the United States. It’s also been featured in Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo and has been used for other films like The Shining. Monroeville is where Edgar Allan Poe lived from 1832 until his death in 1849. His house there still stands and has been converted into a museum that’s open to visitors who want to see where he wrote some of his best-known works like “The Fall of the House of Usher” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” (the inspiration for Disney’s The Aristocats).
Molly’s Trolleys Pittsburgh
Molly’s Trolleys is a fun way to get a sense of Pittsburgh. The trolley tour will take you through the city’s historic districts and neighborhoods, as well as past some of its most important landmarks. It’s also a great option for families, since the trolleys are open air. This means that it’s easy for kids to look around at everything that’s going on, or even hop off at certain points if they’d like to explore something in particular (like their favorite baseball team).
Indiana County Tourist Bureau
Indiana County is a great place to visit. Home to many historical sites, beautiful parks, unique restaurants and shops and hotels, Indiana County is the ultimate destination for anyone interested in exploring the past. We are well-known for our history; however there are many other things that make this area special. Take a walk through the historic downtown area of Indiana Borough or stop by one of our local museums Enjoy a relaxing day at one of our beautiful parks or explore our waterways on an intimate boat ride with us! If you’re looking for something more adventurous we can help you plan your next camping trip in one of our state forests or even arrange an entire weeklong adventure tour through PA Wine Country!
Walk The Burgh Tours
Walk The Burgh’s walking tours are a great way to get to know the city. While there are several different types of tours, all focus on Pittsburg’s rich history and culture. The guided tour is an excellent option for travelers who want a historical perspective on their trip; this 90-minute walk takes you through downtown Pittsburgh, where you’ll hear about some of the city’s most iconic buildings and sites. You’ll also learn about its history while stopping at some of its oldest bars and shops along the way! If you’re looking for something more hands-on, try their free culinary walking tour, which introduces visitors to local restaurants and bars while providing them with insights into Pittsburg’s food scene. If you’re staying near Heinz Field stadium or Duquesne University (or any other area), then joining one of these groups might just be your best bet when it comes time for lunch or dinner!
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
One of Pittsburg’s tourist attractions is the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, which offers an array of exhibits that explore nature, history and culture. The museum’s collection includes more than 1 million artifacts and specimens, including dinosaur fossils, rare fossils from China and ancient Egyptian mummies .To learn more about the museum and its offerings, visit their website.
Rivers of Steel Tours
Rivers of Steel Tours is a tour of the history of Pittsburgh’s steel industry. You’ll get to see all the sites that made Pittsburgh a city of steel, including its rivers, mills, towns and people. You can take this tour by bus or by walking it on your own. A walker-led tour is great because you can ask questions as you go along. They have guides who understand what they are talking about and know how to tell stories in interesting ways (which makes for a more enjoyable time). It also gives you more flexibility in terms of where you want to stop and what order you want them in. This can be especially useful if there are specific places that interest you more than others or if there are parts of the story which interest only certain members in your group.
Visit Lawrence County
Lawrence County is a great place to visit for outdoor activities. The county has over 200 miles of hiking trails, as well as lakes, rivers and streams for fishing and boating. Lawrence County also has over 60 miles of horseback riding trails and 25 golf courses! If you’re looking for history, Lawrence County has some beautiful historic sites such as: Fort Boonesborough (the first permanent settlement in Kentucky), the Wilderness Road Trail (which connects Maysville to Cumberland Gap), or Bashford Manor House at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Lawrence County offers plenty of shopping opportunities with dozens upon dozens of retail stores including: Walmart Supercenter, Dollar General Store, Lowe’s Home Improvement Store & Ace Hardware Store just to name a few!
Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour
The food tour is a fun way to learn about Pittsburgh’s history, see some of the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods, and taste delicious food from local restaurants. You’ll be taken on a 3-hour walking tour through the historic Market District where you’ll visit four different restaurants, each one serving up their own variation on Pittsburgh’s famous sandwich: The Primanti Brothers Sandwich. The tour is $45 and limited to 12 people so if you have any interest in taking it, book your spot well in advance (they do sell out). It runs Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year with two tours per day starting at 11:30am and 2pm (you can choose which time works best for you).
Beaver County Tourism
Beaver County is a beautiful place to visit, with many things to do. You can enjoy beautiful parks, like the CCC Bridge State Park and recreational facilities such as the Springdale Golf Course or Brookside Country Club. If you’re looking for an area that’s great for families, Beaver County has plenty of attractions, including amusement parks and waterparks. If you prefer something more romantic or relaxing, there are other options like wine tastings and wineries.
Bradford House Museum
Bradford House Museum is a historic house museum in Washington, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1848 by a wealthy banker and businessman named William Bradford, who lived there with his wife Elizabeth and son Charles. The museum is located at 6 North Main Street in downtown Washington. The museum is open from May through October. It is operated by the Washington County Historical Society, which also runs two other museums – Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Braddock’s Field.
Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau
There are a variety of things to do in Butler County, including visiting the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau. Located at 1 Nicholas Way, Suite 100 in Butler, PA 16001, the bureau is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on federal holidays. The center offers visitors maps of the area as well as brochures that cover all that Butler County has to offer—including outdoor recreation, historical attractions and family fun!
Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center is one of the best science centers in the country. The museum features a planetarium, an IMAX theater, and a few hands-on exhibits such as a NASA exhibit and one on high-tech gadgetry that teaches visitors how to use computers. But what makes this attraction so great is its focus on kids. It has a children’s museum that features an interactive learning center where children can participate in workshops led by local artists and scientists; it also includes displays about Pittsburgh’s history including its connection to ironworks (Carnegie was named after Andrew Carnegie). There’s also an aquarium with more than 700 fish species from around the world; the Butterfly Conservatory; and even a butterfly habitat. The gift shop sells all sorts of educational toys for kids who want to learn more about science after leaving the museum!
City Hall Tours
Perhaps the most beautiful and iconic building in Pittsburgh is our city hall, located at 414 Grant Street. Built between 1902 and 1904, it was the third building built for city government; prior to this, meetings were held in private residences or other makeshift spaces. The Classical Revival-style structure features a dome designed after Philadelphia City Hall’s own cupola that rises above the east wing. The commanding height makes it visible from miles away (in fact, when you’re downtown and looking north-northeast towards PNC Park and Heinz Field you can’t miss its silhouette). It’s also one of only two buildings taller than 600 feet tall—the other being UPMC Presbyterian hospital on Fifth Avenue opposite Carnegie Science Center. A tour inside will show off ornate details such as marble staircases leading up to each floor as well as intricate woodwork within meeting rooms on each level of both wings. Tours are available Monday through Friday during business hours for just $5!
Contemporary Craft
Contemporary Craft is a craft fair held in September at the Pittsburgh Expo Center. It’s been around for over 30 years and features more than 300 artists from across the country. You can find everything from jewelry to quilts, ceramics to stained glass. The fair also has a special kid’s section where kids can make crafts and have fun while learning about art.
DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh
DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh is an annual event that takes place on the first weekend in May. The self-guided tour gives you access to more than 60 buildings, including many of the city’s most architecturally significant sites. Buildings typically include exclusive behind-the-scene experiences and special programming. The tour showcases the best of Pittsburgh’s historic architecture, so if you want to explore this side of town during your visit, DOORS OPEN is a must!
These are just a few of the many things to do in Pittsburgh. Whether you’re looking for something fun and exciting or relaxing and peaceful, you can find it here. For more information on what else Pittsburgh has to offer, visit our website.
For ground transportation needs in Pittsburgh, choose Pittsburgh party buses.