Things to Do in Pittsburgh, PA

The Carnegie Museum of Art is a dynamic, contemporary art museum that features a collection of more than 30,000 objects across a spectrum of art forms, ranging from painting and sculpture to decorative arts, design, film and video.

One of the top Pittsburgh attractions, the museum explores the role of art and artists in society and confronts social issues through an extensive range of permanent and traveling exhibitions, art programming and publications. A wide variety of programs for visitors of all ages and levels is available to enjoy, ranging from classes, workshops and docent-led tours to community-based education programs.

Address: 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, Phone: 412-622-3131

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is dedicated to inspiring and educating the public about the natural world and human cultures. Located on Forbes Avenue in the neighborhood of Oakland, the museum was founded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie and is ranked as one of the top five natural history museums in the country. Carnegie Museum of Natural History is one of the best things to do in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The museum features over 10,000 specimens on display in 20 galleries and over 20 million specimens cataloged in online databases on the Museum’s extensive research library. World-renowned exhibitions include the “Dinosaurs in Their Time” exhibition, which presents the third largest collection of mounted, displayed dinosaurs in the country.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History also offers a range of educational and community-based outreach programs for learners of all ages.

Address: 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, Phone: 412-622-3131

Located on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side, the National Aviary is one of the foremost bird sanctuaries in the country, home to more than 500 birds from 150 different species from across the globe, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. The National Aviary features extensive, interactive exhibits that visitors can walk through to allow for an intimate interaction with the free-flying birds, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to hand feed and meet many rare species. If you are wondering what to do in Pittsburgh with kids, this is a great place to visit. The National Aviary is also home to the Department of Conservation & Field Research that studies the impacts of human population on birds and the environment through conservation and biodiversity programs.

It also offers a range of educational programs for learners of all ages, which include field trips, summer camps, and workshops.

Address: 700 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, PA , Phone: 412-323-7235

The award-winning Carnegie Science Center inspires and entertains visitors from around the world by connecting science and technology with everyday life. Located along the banks of the Ohio River, the Center features a variety of popular attractions, including the newly constructed Buhl Digital Dome, the Rangos Omnimax Theater, an authentic Cold War-era submarine, the USS Requin, and roboworld - the world's largest permanent robotics exhibit.

Explore hundreds of tiny historic local landmarks at the Miniature Railroad & Village, brave kinetic energy as a human yo-yo at Highmark SportsWorks, or head into space at SpacePlace, a walk-in replica of the International Space Station.

Address: One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , Phone: 412-237-3400

Surrounded by landscaped gardens in Pittsburgh's East End, the Frick Art & Historical Center showcases the refinement of the Gilded Age through a curated collection of fine and decorative arts and artifacts, vintage cars and carriages.

Donated by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of industrialist and art collector, Henry Clay Frick, the Center features an art museum, which boasts an admirable collection of fine art, and a house museum, which offers the public an intimate glimpse into the life of the Frick family a century ago. The Car and Carriage Museum houses the Frick family’s personal collection of cars and carriages and delves into the history of western Pennsylvania’s early auto enthusiasts and manufacturers.

Address: 7227 Reynolds St, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , Phone: 412-371-0600

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a popular 24-mile-long riverfront network of trails in Pittsburgh. The trail segments follow the banks of all three Pittsburgh rivers and run through different neighborhoods, passing by various businesses, attractions, and parks.

The multi-use trail is popular with hikers, bikers, and rollerbladers and is used for recreation and to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as for safe commuting. Along the trail are signs marking significant locations and buildings, historic events, and local wildlife. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is connected to other trail networks, such as the Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail, the Great Allegheny Passage, and the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway. It will also be connected to the Ohio River Greenway Trail and the Montour Trail once these have been completed.

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is home to animals representing more than 400 species, 22 of which are critically endangered. Located in Highland Park, the Zoo and Aquarium sits on 77 acres (31 ha) of parkland which feature a range of habitats and ecosystems for the facility’s animals to thrive, including the African Savannah, the PPG Aquarium, the Asian Forest and the Bears.

Striving to foster active, lifelong connections between animals and people, the Zoo and Aquarium offer several educational programs and conservation projects to educate and inspire visitors to take an interest in the natural world, including overnights at the zoo, teen programs and an exclusive wildlife academy.

Address: 7370 Baker St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 , Phone: 412-665-3640

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Experience the city of Pittsburgh on fun-filled Food Tasting and Historic Walking Tours, which explore the rich history and culinary delights of the Steel City.

Visitors can choose from a variety of tours - the The 'Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour is where you can discover a melting pot of ethnic eateries intertwined with specialty shops and sidewalk vendors selling local produce; Bloomfield is home to Pittsburgh's Little Italy, where you can savor the delicious flavors of Italian delicacies from specialty shops, delis and eateries; and the Northside / Former Allegheny City offers samplings of cuisine from some of Pittsburgh's best small local businesses. Tours can be enjoyed in a group or private capacity and need to be booked in advance.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens invites all locals and visitors to come and feast their eyes on a thriving botanical oasis in the heart of Pittsburgh. The best place to start your tour of the gardens would be the Welcome Center which becomes your stepping-stone to the beautiful and historic 1893 Glasshouse which presents regular special displays. The conservatory is home to a wonderful variety of plants from all over the world – special permanent collections include orchids, desert plants, fruits and spices and beautiful themed outdoor gardens. In addition to the exquisite plant collections you can also view some outstanding art including glass art by Dale Chihuly and several historic art works.

Address: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15213