25 Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh

© Carnegie Museum of Art

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.

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

© Carnegie Museum of Natural History

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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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

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© Frick Art & Historical Center

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.

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

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The 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.

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The 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.

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

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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 Strip District Market 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.

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Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts is home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and presents a calendar of musical experiences and other events at the highest level of expression throughout the year.

Led by Music Director, Manfred Honeck, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra presents over 200 performances a year, along with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra.

If you are looking for romantic date night ideas in Pittsburgh, watch a performance at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts. Located in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, the Heinz Hall boasts over 2,700 seats for audiences from around the world, a beautiful Garden Plaza, which features a waterfall and water sculpture. It also boasts the elegant Mozart Room for special events and the Garden Café, where patrons can enjoy lunch throughout the week. Next read: water parks in PA

600 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-392-4900

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The 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.

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

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Historic Market Square rests in the center of Downtown Pittsburgh and is the beating heart of the district. Renovated, refreshed, reinvigorated, the Market is a hive of activity and is home to a wealth of restaurants, cafés and bars, eclectic boutiques and quirky stores. Once home to the city’s first courthouse, jail and newspaper, the Pittsburgh Gazette, today the square attracts locals and visitors to enjoy the vibrant energy, dine at one of the many eateries around the plaza and relax with friends.

The Square also hosts some events throughout the year, such as the region's best Farmers Markets and the annual Light-Up Night, which kicks off the holiday season.

23 Market Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-566-4190

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The Duquesne Incline offers visitors a chance to step back in time and travel an historic cable car up one of the few remaining inclines in the country. The Incline originally opened to the public in 1877 and is operated as part of the Pittsburgh Transportation System. In 1963 the historic incline was rescued from demolition by local townspeople – it was fully restored and is still delighting visitors today. At the upper station you will be able to enjoy remarkable views of the city below and you can also visit a museum of Pittsburgh history. Please note that although the upper station Observation Platform and the historic Incline cars are accessible to wheelchairs, there are many steps to navigate between the parking area and the lower station.

Duquesne Incline, 1197 W. Carson Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

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Schenley Park is an urban oasis in the heart of Oakland. Established in 1889 by heiress Mary Schenley for the public to enjoy the great outdoors, the civic park comprises over 450 acres of beautiful natural landscapes, trails, and woodlands.

In addition to hiking and biking trails, the park is home to the Schenley Oval Sportsplex, which offers ice-skating in the winter and swimming in the summer months. Visitors to the park can enjoy outdoor concerts at the Phipps Conservatory, lunch at the Schenley Park Café and a round of golf at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course.

The park also hosts a range of significant annual events throughout the year, such as the Vintage Grand Prix and the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure.

45 South 23rd Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-682-7275

© The Andy Warhol Museum

The Andy Warhol Museum is a must-visit Pittsburgh attraction for all art enthusiasts. As you make your way through the museum you will gain an insight into the fascinating life and times of one of Pittsburgh’s most famous sons. The museum is home to an outstanding collection of Warhol art numbering 900 paintings, thousands of photographs, and many screen tests, films and videos. A few of the best-know pieces include his famous 1960’s Pop Art paintings of everyday things like coke bottles and Campbell’s soup cans. He also famously created paintings of many celebrities including Elvis Presley, Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. The museum holds regular exhibitions – check their website to see what’s on during your visit.

Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, 412 237 8300

© Morcilla Pittsburgh

Morcilla is a small Spanish restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Lanceville neighborhood, snuggled in a narrow room with exposed brick walls, mood lights, warm woods, and traditional hams hanging over the counter. Chef Justin Severino offers large menu with plenty of pintos, croquetas, montaditos, plates, and platters. All dishes are easily paired with Spanish wines, on tap, by the bottle or glass, Spanish cider on tap, and great cocktails. If you are coming with the family, go for a large platter of suckling pork roast. The best deal, and the opportunity to try a bit of everything, is to go for the four-course family-style dinner.

3519 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201, Phone: 412-652-9924

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Spanning 644 acres from its northern borders in Point Breeze down to the Monongahela River, Frick Park is Pittsburgh’s largest regional park.

Bequeathed to the city in 1919 by Henry Clay Frick, Frick Park features a beautiful landscape of woodland parklands meshed with extensive trails that run throughout the park’s steep valleys and wooded slopes. An ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, the park is home to hundreds of species of birds, making it a birding enthusiasts’ delight.

The park also has a variety of recreational facilities, such as clay tennis courts, baseball fields, and a lawn bowling green, as well as an environmental center where visitors can learn about the local nature and a children’s playground.

45 South 23rd Street, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-682-7275

© Senator John Heinz History Center

An affiliate of the prestigious Smithsonian Institute and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, the Senator John Heinz History Center preserves and showcases a wealth of Western Pennsylvanian history. The museum is located in the historic Strip District in what was once the Chautauqua Lake Ice Company Building, and a 5-story Smithsonian Wing. The Center is also home to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, so visitors can visit both outstanding museums under one roof. Historic exhibits include iconic Pittsburgh inventions including the Heinz exhibit, the Slavery to Freedom exhibit and other Pittsburgh innovations including the Ferris wheel and the ever-popular Big Mac.

Senator John Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, 412 454 6000

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City Brew Tours offers an exclusive look at Pittsburgh's favorite breweries. In a 5-hour tour you will be crossing bridges and passing through tunnels going from one brewery to another while their expert guides tell you stories of the history of craft beer in the Steel City. You will visit three to four of Pittsburgh’s best breweries and taste about 15 different craft brews. You will also enjoy a gourmet beer-paired meal and learn how to match the right food with the right beer. In each brewery, you will have an opportunity to see the process of making beer and learn about the history of each brewery and their challenges. But, most of all, you will be tasting some really good beers. You can choose between the Original Brew Tour, the After Hours Brew Tour, and the Sip of Pittsburgh Tour.

112 Washington Pl, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Phone: 412-419-2337

© Tako

What was once modest street food in Mexico became a palette for experimenting with flavors and ingredients in Tako, a trendy and very popular restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh. The whimsical decor, soft lighting, and massive mural of an octopus on the wall create an urban atmosphere that attracts local fashionistas and taco enthusiasts. The food is a wide-open interpretation of tacos, which come with bistec, duck confit, and just about anything else. There is also Hawaiian poke, Tex-Mex queso fundido, Korean tacos, make-your-own guacamole, and plenty of margaritas to wash it all down with. They have 250 tequilas and 100 mezcals to choose from, indie rock music is blasting, and fun is had by all.

214 6th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, Phone: 412-471-8256

© Bicycle Heaven

Where do previously loved old Bicycles go? – to Bicycle Heaven of course. This quirky and fun bicycle museum and shop was established in 2011 by bicycle enthusiast and restorer, Craig Morrow. Most of the cycles in the museum are vintage pieces which Craig has found discarded on junk heaps or rotting away slowly in garages. Bike Heaven now has close to 6000 brilliant examples of vintage and collectable bikes on display and is also your go-to shop for spares and used bicycle parts. If you would like to go for a ride on a vintage bike you can hire one for a few hours. Bicycle Heaven is open daily from 10am to 7pm

Bicycle Heaven, 1800 Preble Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15233, Ph. +1 412 734 4034

© Mattress Factory

Founded in 1977, the Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum and experimental lab featuring site-specific installations that present art you can get into in room-sized environments created by artists in residence from around the world. The Mattress Factory hosts several continuous, permanent installations, including ‘Trespass’, ‘Ash’, ‘Music for a Garden’, and ‘Repetitive Vision’, and is a pioneer among museums in the world of social media.

In conjunction with its unique gallery exhibitions, the Mattress Factory provides educational programming throughout the year for both adults and children, including community workshops, artist talks, summer camps, and art-based educational partnerships with local schools.

500 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-231-3169

© Pittsburgh Glass Center

The Pittsburgh Glass Center is a gallery, glass studio, and public-access school dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting studio glass art. Located in Pittsburgh's East End neighborhood of Friendship/Garfield, the Center is open to the public to enjoy self-guided and docent-led tours of the facility, which include glass-blowing demonstrations, meeting the artists and watching them at work, and hands-on glass-making activities.

The center offers a variety of educational classes and workshops for all ages and showcases works by famous glass artists such as Paul Joseph Stankard, Dante Marioni, and Cesare Toffolo.

5472 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-365-2145

More vacation ideas: 20 Best Weekend Getaways in Pennsylvania.

© Randyland

Randyland is the home of artist, Randy Gilson and features a variety of public art displays in and around the property. Located in the Mexican War Streets district of Pittsburgh’s Northside, Randyland is open for the public to enjoy and features the bright and colorful painting, sculptures and designs of the renowned artist.

1501 Arch Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Phone: 412-342-8152

More great attractions in Pittsburgh, PA: the Phipps Conservatory, The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and the Andy Warhol Museum.