Interesting Things to Do in Pittsburgh PA with Kids (or without)

Looking for a new travel destination? Often overlooked by its flashier East Coast neighbors, Pittsburgh should be at the top of your list. Things to do in Pittsburgh include sports, great food, world class museums, and outdoor activities for the kids.

Pittsburgh was once a booming steel industry town which earned it the nickname “Steel City”. Today the city has transformed beyond steel into something more with plenty of family activities and attractions.

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Pittsburgh has a few different nicknames. “City of Champions” refers to the sports teams’ numerous championships. “City of Bridges” highlights the area’s 446 bridges. I think my favorite nickname has to be “Kidsburgh” because there are so many family activities in Pittsburgh.

On a recent press trip, I came to town to discover a few of these family-friendly places on my own. I found fun things to do in Pittsburgh for kids of all ages (yes, that includes adults). There were museums with interactive exhibits, outdoor parks and recreation, as well as cool architecture and cityscapes.

Traveling to Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh sits at the intersection of three rivers in western Pennsylvania.

With all that water, residents and visitors need a way to navigate the area. You’ll find the city has 446 bridges that make commuting easier. Each of these bridges is really unique and you could spend days viewing them all.

Whether you fly into Pittsburgh International Airport or drive, this is an easily accessible destination for families. It’s just an easy flight from many major US and Canadian airports. We flew into the city and took a taxi to our hotel.

The airport is a good distance away from the downtown area. I recommend staying closer to the city, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

By car, Pittsburgh is only 2 hours from Cleveland, OH, 3.5 hours from Buffalo NY, and 4 hours from DC.

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Things to Do in Pittsburgh PA

Pittsburgh is loaded with family activities from sports, to outdoor recreation, and museums. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. Here are a few of my family’s favorite things to do in Pittsburgh. Some of these are on my travel bucket list because we ran out of time.

Strike Out at a Pittsburgh Pirates Ball Game

Sports are at the top of our list of things to do in Pittsburgh. The city loves sports which coincidentally have been played here since the American Civil War. The north side of the city is home to Steelers football at Heinz Field, Penguins hockey at PPG Paints Arena, and Pirates baseball at PNC Park.

Summer months mean it’s baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During our recent June visit, we headed to PNC Park. Friends said there isn’t a bad seat in the house. I’m not sure if they were talking about the view of the baseball field or the city.

Past the outfield, you can look out over the city, the river, and a few of those many bridges. Once the sun goes down, you are treated with THIS view……

When hunger strikes, the ballpark has food options ranging from grilled burgers, famous Primanti’s Brothers sandwiches, gyros, brats, and popcorn. For a GREAT value, get a ticket in the Pirates Cove, sections 201-205. Your $30 ticket includes unlimited popcorn, peanuts, and soda.

If you bring the kids, there is a playground just for them to burn some energy. The Kid’s Zone, as it’s called, is located at the Right Field of the park.

Stroll through Historic Point State Park & Fort Pitt Museum

When you need fresh air and room to roam, head over to Point State Park. It’s located in downtown Pittsburgh at the convergence of Pittsburgh’s three powerful rivers: the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. There are plenty of walking trails and green spaces to have a picnic.

Fort Pitt Museum, located in the park, commemorates Pittsburgh’s role during the French & Indian War and the American Revolution. In the summer months, reenactors tell the stories of the past in the park.

Point State Park isn’t just a place to connect with nature. It’s also a place to immerse yourself in Pittsburgh’s storied past. Its central location is the perfect starting point for exploring the city or simply spending an afternoon relaxing outside.

Play in the Market at the City’s Strip District

This area is famous for its wholesale markets, ethnic eateries, shops, and lively bars. You can get great deals on spices at Penzey’s Spices, fresh seafood at Wholey Fish Market, fresh produce at the farm stand, plus Pirates and Steelers gear from street vendors. When you get hungry, head to Primanti’s Brothers’ original location for one of their infamous sandwiches topped with fries and slaw.

The last weekend of May, June, and July, the area comes alive for Open Streets hosted by BikePGH. The streets are closed off for the event. Families partake in bike rides, kids’ activities, free fitness classes, and other special events.

Be a Kid Again at the Children’s Museum

Do you remember Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood? I do! I remember the sweater, the puppets, and the train that would deliver the mail. Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers, called Pittsburgh home and was an advisor and mentor for the Children’s museum.

Fun fact: Mr. Rogers’ sweater was knit by his mother.

On permanent display, you’ll find all the original puppets from the Mr. Rogers Neighborhood TV show. There’s King Friday XIII and Queen Sarah Saturday, X The Owl, Henrietta Pussycat, and the others. Somewhere in the museum, you can also find his iconic sweater. I won’t tell you where it is, so seek it out for yourself.

Younger children will enjoy a new Thomas & Friends Ride the Rails exhibit. The area features Thomas the Train and his friends. It’s an interactive space providing hours of play.

Art at the Andy Warhol Museum

Another thing for you to seek out here are the Andy Warhol paintings. Can you find them in this picture above? Andy Warhol was from Pittsburgh. He contributed often to the city’s cultural scene.

The Andy Warhol Museum is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh I mentioned earlier. A few of his works of art are inside the Children’s Museum and other attractions.

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Learn at the Carnegie Science Center

Andrew Carnegie, an entrepreneur and steel magnate, commissioned his first U.S. Carnegie Public Library here in 1886. Many buildings bear his name.

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the science museum. It’s fun for all ages! Visit during regular hours or visit on a special 21+ Night. These special nights are scheduled throughout the year to give adults a different nighttime experience without the kids running around.

Regardless of when you visit, definitely check out the Art of the Brick exhibit at the science museum. This temporary exhibit features unique creations, pictures, and statues using nothing but LEGO bricks. The exhibit shows how a simple building block can be transformed into so much more than the LEGO sets we get in the store.

Another exhibit my family loved at this museum is the USS Requin submarine. It was a US Navy vessel that served during the Cold War and now sits docked in the Ohio River just outside the museum.

Climb aboard and see what it was like to live and work in such close quarters. For those 15+, there is a special behind the scenes tour that can be scheduled to learn more about the submarine.

Rides at Kennywood Amusement Park

This theme park is a National Historic Landmark and has been entertaining guests for 120 years. In 2018, they opened new rides and attractions to celebrate their anniversary.

I love theme parks and am partial to the wooden roller coasters and log flume rides. They have both here at Kennywood plus a variety of shows, daily entertainment, and theme park food.

Thrill seekers will want to ride the Black Widow. I love adventure but this is more than I can handle. I humbly tap out on this. For those of you brave souls that ride this, you’ll be strapped into your seat for a pendulum swing ride that takes you up to 146 feet, back down, and up again, all while spinning on the wheel axis.

New for younger visitors, Kennywood welcomes Thomas & Friends™ in their very own Thomas Town™. The area includes 5 family fun rides, an indoor play zone, and an entertainment show featuring Sir Topham Hatt, James, Emily, and Gordon.

Get Creative with Carnegie Museums of Art

A ticket to the Carnegie Museum of Art also includes admission to the Museum of Natural History. They are located in the same building. I love that admission is together so I don’t feel like I have to “get my money’s worth” at one location. We love skipping around between exhibits and focusing on our interests.

The art museum features a broad collection of artworks from various periods. There are several special events, such as story hour and art workshops, throughout the year. It’s a fun place to get creative.

Rediscover the Past at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History

The Carnegie Natural History Museum has art, architecture, living reptiles, gems, and dinosaurs. Just like the Carnegie Science Center, this museum offers something for all ages, including 21+ Nights.

One of the big draws for visitors is the Dinosaurs in their Time exhibit. For me, it doesn’t matter if I have the kids with me or not, I’ll stop for dinosaurs. I think it’s fascinating how these massive animals once roamed the Earth.

A detail that makes this exhibit different from others is that animals that lived together in life are grouped together. So you aren’t just seeing reconstructed skeletons, but animals in their own environments with other animals they lived with in their era (based on scientific study). 75% of the fossils on display area real too! They aren’t casts or recreations.

I was really impressed with the We Are Nature: Living in the Anthropocene exhibit. Not sure what the Anthropocene is? I wasn’t either. Luckily, the exhibit starts you out with the definition.

The Anthropocene is a newly proposed epoch, or geological time period, defined by humans’ effect on the environment. This is the first time in recorded history that humans are impacting the earth as strongly as natural forces like steroids, volcanic eruptions or ice age global cooling.”

The exhibit starts with a question: Do you think humans have had an impact on the environment?

From there, the exhibit walks you through how humans impact their environment and the effects that have resulted from it.

From plastic pollution in the oceans and the disappearance of the oceans’ reefs to extinction of species, there is a lot to take in here.

This exhibit is interactive and brings up thought provoking ideas and may inspire you to make a few changes.

See the City from atop Mount Washington

The view from this scenic overlook is worth the trip up. You can travel to the top by car or via one of the two inclines (Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines). Once you are there you can stop at one of the many restaurants or hike the new Emerald View city park.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The Phipps Conservatory shows off its historical flowers in annual shows. It’s a great place to go when you want to walk peacefully outdoors but also don’t want to leave the city. They always have special events and exhibits. Check the Gardens website for all the details.

National Aviary

The National Aviary isn’t just a bird lover’s paradise. It also has several interactive learning opportunities. Families can watch daily feedings and training demonstrations. The National Aviary promises a delightful and enriching adventure for the entire family.

Senator John Heinz History Center

With interactive exhibits and immersive displays, this cultural museum is about more than ketchup. Explore people’s lives through Western Pennsylvania’s past. The museum features hands-on activities, multimedia presentations, and a range of artifacts, which keep history alive. It’s a fun and enriching journey through time.

Tip: Groupon can save you money at home and while on vacation. Find great deals on attraction tickets, spas, family-fun activities, and restaurants.

Pittsburgh Food & Drink

Pittsburgh has a great culinary scene. The food options in Pittsburgh are a family activity on their own. Restaurant options include classic diner food to hearty comfort food, healthy farm-to-table fare and everything in between.

Breakfast Places in Pittsburgh

Kelly O’s in the Strip District is a classic diner featured on Food Network. It’s a one-of-a-kind greasy spoon joint serving up classics. The Grilled Cinnamon Roll with vanilla ice cream is a MUST!

Waffles, INCaffeinated on the South Side is the place for waffles. They have signature creations, or you can create your own.

Don’t forget to walk down the street for the murals and other street art, too.

Simple Brunch & Lunch

The Porch at Schenley Plaza is a local Farm-to-Table restaurant sourced from their rooftop garden and the Penn’s Corner Farm Alliance. Menu includes sandwiches, burgers, wood fired pizzas, and salads. Start with the Cast Iron Cinnamon Rolls, then try the Seared Tuna Nicoise salad. The Craft cocktails are refreshing!

Primanti’s Brothers is famous and a hometown favorite since 1933. Their hardy sandwiches are topped with fries, a vinegar based coleslaw, and tomatoes! With several locations around the city, you can’t visit Pittsburgh without a stop here.

I tried the Joe, Dick, and Stanley sandwich. It’s the founders’ favorite with capicola, oven roasted turkey, roast beef, and provolone cheese. Try the original location in the historic Strip District neighborhood and then head around the corner for a little shopping.

The Strip District is a great stop for ethnic dishes and Wholey Fish Market’s almost famous Fish Sandwich.

Dinner for the Family

Mezzo at Sienna Mercato – Sienna Mercato is a restaurant in the city’s Cultural District with three different concepts. There’s Emporio meatball joint on the first floor, Mezzo Wine & Charcuterie Bar on the second, and Il Tetto rooftop beer garden on the third floor.

Mezzo is rustic with a menu filled with wood fired pizzas and tapas. They cure all their meats in house and make many things from scratch. I loved the Grilled Octopus with shishito peppers and the Broccoli and Tomato salad on the tapas menu. The charcuterie board is a MUST.

For German food and beer, visit Hofbrauhaus in the South Side neighborhood. The patio area and outdoor biergarten have a gorgeous view of the river. Bring a few friends, order steins of house made brew and the Bavarian Specialities Plate that gives you a little of everything.

When You Need a Treat

Finish off any meal at the Milkshake Factory. From their handmade milkshakes to chocolate confections, everything is an indulgent treat.

Where to Stay in Pittsburgh

While in Pittsburgh, I stayed at the Cambria Inn & Suites Pittsburgh – Downtown. It’s right next door to the PPG Paint Arena and is convenient to all the attractions we visited.

Rooms are spacious and offer all the modern conveniences. The hotel has Free WiFi, and indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and complimentary courtesy shuttle within 2 miles of hotel. The onsite restaurant, Social Circle Bistro, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This is a short list of all the family activities in Pittsburgh. There is truly something to do for everyone.

Our family loved the variety of museums, outdoor areas, and, of course, all the food. What is first on your list of things to do in Pittsburgh? Share your favorite stops with us on social media. I always love to see where your adventures take you.

Don’t forget to invite your friends to our Facebook groups! We would also love to see your vacation pictures!

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Stroll through Historic Point State Park & Fort Pitt Museum