Things to Do in Pittsburgh
50 curated spots from Pittsburgh itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Explore tropical jungle rooms, desert landscapes, orchids, and seasonal flower shows under soaring glasshouses.
2h · $20-25
Schenley Park Trails & Panther Hollow
Take an easy walk through wooded trails and over stone bridges, dipping down toward Panther Hollow for shaded, leafy paths and small overlooks.
2h · Free
Carnegie Museum of Natural History & Art
Two museums in one building: dinosaur skeletons, gemstones, wildlife dioramas, plus classic and modern art galleries.
3h · $25-30 per adult, child discounts
Carnegie Science Center
Hands-on science museum on the river with interactive exhibits, a dedicated kids’ area, a Cold War submarine to tour, and the Robot Hall of Fame featuring famous robots. If your kids are sensitive to loud sounds, you can skip the planetarium shows and focus on exhibits where they can touch, build, and experiment at their own pace.
3h · $25-30 adults / ~$20 children
Point State Park
Walk the riverside paths, photograph the fountain where the three rivers meet, and enjoy skyline views framed by bridges and green space.
1h 30m · Free
Allegheny Commons Park & Lake Elizabeth
Stroll through the tree-lined paths of Allegheny Commons, looping around the small lake with its reflective water and overhanging trees, then continue toward the National Aviary area for more greenery.
1h · Free
Andy Warhol Museum
Explore the colorful Pop Art galleries and the giant, playful installations; it is an easy family museum with lots to look at.
2h · $15-25 per person
Duquesne Incline
Ride the historic funicular and enjoy the overlook for one of the city’s best photo stops and skyline panoramas.
1h 15m · $5-10 per person
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Walk through themed habitats with tigers, elephants, polar bears, and a full aquarium, plus a jungle-themed Kids Kingdom play area. Check the daily schedule for feedings or talks and consider printing or creating a simple animal scavenger hunt to keep your 8- and 12-year-old engaged. Buy tickets online ahead of time to avoid lines, and use the park’s map to roughly plan your path once inside.
3h · $26-30 adults / ~$16-20 children (online discounts often available)
Point State Park & Three Rivers Confluence
Relax on the grass or benches where the Allegheny and Monongahela form the Ohio River, with wide views of bridges, water, and skyline; look for the large fountain when operating in warm months.
2h · Free
Strip District Free Explore
Wander through open‑air produce stands, ethnic grocery stores, coffee roasters, and river views on small side streets, all within a few walkable blocks.
2h · Free (shopping extra)
Strip District Free-Explore Walk
Walk this former warehouse and wholesale area now full of markets, food shops, and street vendors. Treat this as 2–3 hours of unstructured wandering: pop into produce markets, candy shops, and souvenir stores, let the kids pick small treats (check ingredients for halal), and enjoy murals and industrial architecture. Go in the morning when it’s liveliest but still family-friendly.
2h 30m · Free to wander (plus whatever you spend on snacks/souvenirs)
Three Rivers Heritage Trail (North Shore Segment)
Walk or rent bikes to follow the riverfront path from near PNC Park, passing under bridges with continuous water and skyline views.
2h · Free (bike rental extra)
Allegheny Cemetery & Green Spaces
Walk through the historic, tree-covered Allegheny Cemetery’s paths, which feel more like a quiet park than a typical cemetery.
1h 30m · Free
Allegheny Cemetery Green Walk
Huge historic cemetery with rolling hills, large trees, and quiet paths that feel like a forested park.
1h 30m · Free
Allegheny Riverfront Walk (Strip District to Downtown)
Walk the riverside trail or sidewalk, pausing on one of the bridges for photos of the water, greenery along the banks, and the stadiums across the river.
1h · Free
Bike the Burgh Guided City Bike Tour
Join a guided bike ride starting downtown, crossing key bridges and riverfront trails to see several neighborhoods without navigating on your own.
2h 30m · $50-60
Bloomfield Evening Walk
Stroll Liberty Avenue, known as Pittsburgh’s ‘Little Italy,’ with an eclectic mix of old shops and newer cafes.
45m · Free
Carnegie Museum of Art & Natural History
Two museums under one roof: admire classic and contemporary art, then wander through dinosaur skeletons, gems, and natural exhibits; the architecture and interior staircases make for nice, quiet corners.
2h 30m · $25-30 per person
Carnegie Museum of Art & Natural History (Exterior + Select Galleries)
Explore a couple of sections at your own pace—perhaps the dinosaur halls and the Impressionist galleries—then rest in the internal courtyards.
2h · $25-30
Carnegie Museum of Natural History & Carnegie Museum of Art
Twin museums under one roof: wander dinosaur halls, gemstones, and then the art galleries upstairs. The building itself feels grand and slightly labyrinthine, with quiet corners.
2h 30m · $25
Carson Street Free Explore
Browse quirky shops, murals, and cafés along East Carson Street’s historic row of brick buildings.
1h 30m · Free
Cathedral of Learning & Nationality Rooms
Step into the towering gothic Cathedral on Pitt’s campus and wander the Nationality Rooms, each styled after a different country’s learning space.
1h · Free or small donation
Cathedral of Learning & Nationality Rooms (Exterior + Public Areas)
After lunch, stroll through the University of Pittsburgh campus to the Cathedral of Learning. Admire the towering, almost fantastical Gothic architecture and, if open, peek into public areas and the Nationality Rooms (check hours on arrival).
1h 15m · Free or small suggested donation for rooms
Cultural District Nightlife
Bar-hop friendly pubs like Rumrunners or Jack's; live music and cocktails for nightlife vibe.
2h · $20-40 per couple
Downtown Point State Park
Walk the point where the rivers meet, enjoy the open lawns, and let the family see the city’s geography up close before heading to the incline area.
1h · Free
Duquesne Incline Ride
Take the historic funicular from the river up to Mt. Washington for one of the city’s most iconic skyline views.
1h · $5-7 round trip
Emerald View Park Trails
Network of wooded trails along the Mt. Washington ridge with occasional lookout points over the city.
2h · Free
Fort Pitt Museum (within Point State Park)
Small history museum focusing on the French and Indian War and early Pittsburgh, with models and exhibits about the original fort on this site.
1h · $12
Free Explore: Oakland & University of Pittsburgh Campus
Stroll past the Cathedral of Learning and through the grassy quads; pop into any open public areas and enjoy the mix of trees, gothic towers, and student life.
1h 30m · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Ali Baba Restaurant
Casual Middle Eastern spot near the universities; order chicken shawarma, falafel platters, and hummus. They serve halal meats and many vegetarian options.
1h · $15-25 per person
Aladdin’s Eatery
Lebanese-American chain with many vegetarian-friendly items like mujadara (lentils and rice), falafel, hummus, and fattoush. Assume meat is not halal; stick strictly to the vegetarian dishes and ask about any wine-based vinegars if you’re avoiding alcohol completely.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
All India Restaurant
Indian restaurant with many vegetarian curries (chana masala, palak paneer, dal), seafood options, and tandoor breads. Stick to vegetarian and seafood dishes to stay fully within halal requirements, as their meat sourcing may not be certified halal.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Kaya
Caribbean-Latin restaurant with many vegetarian and seafood dishes; choose plantain appetizers, black bean dishes, and grilled fish tacos while avoiding alcohol-based sauces.
1h 15m · $18-30 per person
Salem’s Market & Grill
Well-known halal market and grill serving explicitly halal meats: chicken tikka, seekh kebabs, gyros with halal beef/lamb, plus a full buffet of curries and rice. You can confidently order any meat dish labeled halal.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Alihan’s Mediterranean Cuisine
Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant with a leafy, cozy patio feel in Market Square. They use halal meats (confirm when seated) and you can safely focus on dishes like chicken shish kebab, lamb shish, kofte (if confirmed halal), falafel platters, hummus, baba ghanoush, and plentiful salads; request no alcohol in any sauces and avoid pork-based items.
1h 30m · $22-35 per person
Salim's Middle Eastern Food
Simple, homey Middle Eastern grill; go for the halal chicken kebab, kofta kebab, shawarma sandwiches, and vegetarian grape leaves and salads.
1h · $15-25 per person
Salim’s Middle Eastern Food
Low-key Middle Eastern eatery/grocery in a slightly tucked-away spot. They focus on halal Middle Eastern ingredients—choose falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, grape leaves, and any explicitly labeled halal chicken or beef; avoid anything not clearly marked halal.
45m · $12-20 per person
Bae Bae's Kitchen
Korean home-style bowls in a plant-filled, minimalist space; choose tofu or veggie bowls, plus fish options, and avoid non-halal meats (staff can guide you to halal-friendly choices).
1h · $15-22 per person
Mediterranean Grill
Casual Mediterranean spot with greenery and a cozy feel; choose chicken shawarma, beef kebabs, falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, and salads. They use halal meat—ask for the current halal items and avoid anything with alcohol or pork.
1h · $15-25 per person
Salem's Market & Grill
Order halal-friendly kebabs, chicken biryani, grilled items, and rice plates; the menu has clear options that suit halal diners.
1h · $15-25 per person
Salem’s Market and Grill
Beloved halal Pakistani/Middle Eastern market and grill with clearly halal meats; order chicken tikka, beef seekh kebabs, gyro-style wraps made with halal meat, biryani, and fresh naan, plus sides like chickpea salad and rice—everything from the grill is halal, and there’s no alcohol in the cooking.
1h · $15-25 per person
Aladdin's Eatery (Mt. Lebanon location)
Lebanese chain with many vegetarian, vegan, and clearly labeled dishes, and locations known to serve halal chicken and beef—opt for the halal chicken shish tawook, beef shawarma, falafel, and salads.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
Aladdin’s Eatery (North Shore location)
Casual Lebanese-American chain with many vegetarian and seafood options; focus on vegetarian grape leaves, falafel pita, hummus, fattoush, mujadara, seafood dishes (confirm no wine or alcohol in sauces), and fresh juices—avoid any meat dishes that are not explicitly halal and verify ingredients with staff.
1h 15m · $18-28 per person
Ali’s Kabab House
Casual halal kabab place near the T line; go for mixed grill platters, chicken or beef kababs, rice, and salads—meats are halal and explicitly advertised.
1h · $15-25 per person
Alihan's Mediterranean Cuisine
Halal-friendly Turkish/Mediterranean spot with a leafy, cozy patio feel; order the chicken shish kebab, falafel platter, lentil soup, and vegetable casseroles (ask to confirm halal meat on arrival).
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Alladins Eatery
Casual Lebanese/American chain with a bright, plant-accented interior. For halal: stick to clearly vegetarian options like the Hummus Shawarma (ask to substitute extra chickpeas instead of meat), Mujadara, Falafel Pita, Lentil Soup, and tabouli; confirm with staff which items are meat-free and alcohol-free.
1h · $15-25 per person
Bae Bae’s Kitchen
Contemporary Korean-inspired spot with plants and warm wood decor. They often use halal chicken (confirm on arrival) and also have tofu, veggie, and several fish dishes. Build a bowl with halal chicken or tofu, rice, and vegetable sides; double-check sauces for any non-halal ingredients.
1h · $20-30 per person
Café Phipps
Choose vegetarian salads, soups, sandwiches, and other clearly meat-free items; pair lunch with the conservatory visit since it is on-site and easy.
1h · $15-25 per person
Cafe Raymond
Bustling breakfast cafe with good coffee and a rustic feel; stick to vegetarian-friendly options like pancakes, French toast, omelets without meat, and pastries, and avoid any pork or meat items.
45m · $10-18 per person