Things To Do In Pittsburgh

Cultural District

Heinz Hall

Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, dedicated in 1971 and renovated in 1995, is the cornerstone of the Cultural District of Pittsburgh It was built as the Lowe’s Penn Theater in 1927. It is the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Benedum Center for the Performing Arts

Benedum Center was built in 1927 as the Stanley Theater by James Bly Clark, one of the founders of MGM. It was built for $3 million and the renovations in the 1980′s cost $48 million. It is predominately used for plays and concerts.

The Greer Cabaret Theater

The Greer Cabaret Theater is the home of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, offering many lunch and dinner shows.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theater

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater is home to the world renowned Pittsburgh Ballet.

O’Reilly Theater

Pittsburgh Public Theater created The O’Reilly Theater as a state-of-the-art facility to host music, theater and other performances.

Museums & Attractions

Carnegie Museums

The Carnegie is actually five museums. In Oakland, you will find: the Carnegie Natural History Museum, a huge facility dedicated to the evolution of Earth species and the Carnegie Art Museum, with an extensive permanent collection as well as traveling exhibits.

(412) 622-3131 4400 Forbes Avenue Website

Carnegie Library

The Carnegie Library is located in many neighborhoods around the city. However, its main facility in Oakland is a gorgeous spot to visit. Browse the collections and enjoy grand architecture or take in live music or an after hours gathering amongst the texts!

(412) 622-3114 4400 Forbes Avenue Website

Andy Warhol Museum

The Andy Warhol Museum is dedicated to the art of this Pittsburgh advante garde artist.  Located nearby and also part of the Carnegie Museums family.

(412) 237-8300 117 Sandusky Street Website

Mattress Factory

The Mattress Factory is located here on the Northside and is a research and development lab for artists. It hosts a permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits by artists currently in residence.

(412) 231-3169 500 Sampsonia Way Website

National Aviary

The National Aviary is the only not for profit bird zoo in the United States is located here on the Northside and has over 600 birds in residence.

(412) 323-7235 Allegheny Commons West Website

City Books

Opened in 2016, City Books is a neighborhood treasure, offering avid readers a place to find new, used, collectible and rare printed treats in a great space on Galveston Avenue.

(412) 321-7323 908 Galveston Avenue Website

Carnegie Science Center

The Carnegie created the Science Center, right here on the Northside. This is a hands on experience that is great for children and children at heart. This replaced Buhl Planetarium as the science museum in Pittsburgh.

(412) 237-3400 1 Allegheny Avenue Website

Rivers Casino

Where it’s all fun and games! Slots, table games and poker are all available at Rivers Casino as well as dining, live music and entertainment.

(412) 231-7777 777 Casino Drive Website

Children’s Museum

After moving the Buhl Planetarium to the Carnegie Science Center, the building, also here on the Northside, was turned into the Children’s Museum – a great interactive museum to entertain the young ones.

(412) 322-5058 10 Children’s Way Website

City of Asylum

CoA is a non-profit dedicated to housing dissent poets and artists that have been exiled from their home countries. They offer poetry readings, performances and other cultural activities – and will soon be opening a location a few blocks away.

(412) 323-0278 330 Sampsonia Way Website

Senator John Heinz History Center

Pittsburgh History Center is a research facility and museum dedicated to the history and heritage of Western Pennsylvania. Located in the Strip District.

(412) 454-6000 1212 Smallman Street Website

Frick Art and Historical Center

The Frick Art and Historical Center the former residence of Industrialist Henry Clay Frick has an extensive art and automobile display as well as the restored mansion and grounds. Located in Shadyside.

(412) 371-0600 7227 Reynold Street Website

Fort Pitt Museum

The Fort Pitt Museum located right in the famous Point State Park is dedicated to recounting the struggle between the French and Indians against the British for control of this crucial waterway.

(412) 281-9284 101 Commonwealth Place Website

Allegheny Portage Railroad

Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad connection over the Allegheny Mountains from the east and was considered and engineering marvel at the time. A cog train would take the train cars over the highest mountains. This National Historic Site is about an hour and a half northeast of Pittsburgh near Altoona.

Route 22, Gallitzin Exit Website

George Westinghouse Museum

The George Westinghouse Museum located in the Wilmerding section of Pittsburgh; it is about twenty minutes from the Parador.  The “Castle”, as the main house is refered to is a stunning piece of architecture.  The museum and grounds are dedicated to Mr. Westinghouse’s life and that of other innovators of the time.

(412) 823-0500 325 Commerce Street Website

Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild

The Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild is located here on the Northside and its mission is to educate and inspire urban youth through the arts. It offers courses for children as well as adults and special exhibitions and events for the community.

(412) 322-1773 1815 Metropolitan Street Website

Soldiers and Sailors Museum

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum is located in Oakland with a myriad of artifacts, equipment, uniforms and art.

(412) 621-4253 4144 Fifth Avenue Website

Pittsburgh Zoo

The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium hosts a large assortment of animals and fish in natural settings on seventy-seven acres.

(412) 665-3640 1 Wild Place Website

Bayernhof Museum

The Bayernhof Museum was the home of a turn of the century millionaire that was obsessed with mechanical creations and automatons – a very bizarre place, but not to be missed.

(412) 782-4231 225 St. Charles Place Website

Cathedral of Learning

The Cathedral was erected in the 1920s as the tallest educational structure in the world so anywhere in the city, kids could look up and perhaps be inspired to stay in school. Later, in the 1930s, Pitt got the original immigrants to create classrooms inspired by their their home countries the year Pitt was founded (1787).

(412) 624-4141 4200 Fifth Avenue Website

Photo Antiquities Museum

Photo Antiquities Museum offers a history lesson on photography. The Museum, designed in the Victorian style with period music playing in the background, lends to the feeling of being in another era.

(412) 231-7881 531 E Ohio Street Website

Toonseum

The ToonSeum is a small boutique style museum dedicated to the comic and cartoon arts. While the museum itself is quite small there are on average over 100 pieces of art exhibited at any given time. Exhibits rotate every few months.

(412) 232-0199 945 Liberty Avenue Website

Trundle Manor

Trundle Manor is a private collection of weird things that has been made availible to the public, of unusual items such as taxidermy, jarred specimens, medical implements, and bizarre weaponry that has been made available to tour by the general public. (Open by appointment or for events.)

(412) 916-5544 7724 Juniata Street Website

Pittsburgh Glass Center

Pittsburgh Glass Center is a nonprofit, public access school, gallery and state-of-the-art glass studio dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting glass art. World-renowned glass artists come here to make studio glass art. People interested in learning more about glass come here to take a class, explore the contemporary glass gallery and watch live hot glass demonstrations.

(412) 365-2145 5472 Penn Avenue Website

Artifacts

Artifacts is supplying the public and designers from more than 300,000 square feet of Pittsburgh facilities containing the country’s most unique and diverse collections.

(412) 921-6544 110 S Main Street Website

Bicycle Heaven

The world’s largest bicycle museum and shop, featuring bikes vintage and new, accessories, Bowden Spacelander bikes and all manner of bike related material.

(412) 716-4956 1800 Columbus Avenue Website

Randyland

Randyland is the home of artist, Randy Gilson. Located in the Mexican War Streets, the Randyland courtyard is open most everyday and visitors are welcome to come and explore the public art.

(412) 342-8152 1501 Arch Street Website

Outdoor Activities

Boyce Park Skiing

Boyce Park Skiing is a small facility located right out in Monroeville.

(724) 773-4665 675 Old Frankstown Road Website

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley has a nice mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain slopes available in the Laurel Mountains and is about an hour away.

(814) 443-8000 1 Craighead Drive Website

Seven Springs

Seven Springs is Pennsylvania’s largest ski resort located in the Laurel Mountains about an hour away.

(800) 452-2223 777 Waterwheel Drive Website

Sandcastle

Sandcastle is a water park with 15 slides and wading pools right along the Monongahela River.

(412) 462-6666 1000 Sandcastle Drive Website

Kennywood Park

Kennywood Park is Pittsburgh’s oldest amusement park founded in1898.  It has a history of having cutting edge roller coasters; the Racer was originally built in 1910.  There are several buildings still in use from the turn of the century.  .  .

(412) 461-0500 4899 Kennywood Boulevard Website

Allegheny Park System

Allegheny Park System boasts ice-skating in both North and South Parks in the winter.  North and South Parks have golf courses for summer time activities.  Wave pools are in Boyce Park, Settler’s Cabin Park and South Park.  A traditional pool is in North Park.  There is tennis available at Boyce, Settler’s Cabin, North and South Parks.

(724) 327-0338 Website

Pittsburgh Tour Company

The Pittsburgh Tour Company’s double decker tour offers Pittsburgh’s only hop on/hop off tour in historic red double decker buses from London. Our guided and humorous, historic tour of Pittsburgh showcases some favorite areas for shopping, live entertainment, stadiums, museums, restaurants, bars and architecture.

(412) 381-8687 Langley Clock (Stop #7) Website

Just Ducky Tours

Just Ducky Tours takes riders on Pittsburgh’s only adventure through the city – on land and water. Each excursion begins at historic Station Square before waddling downtown for the ride of your life.

(412) 402-3825 125 W Station Square Drive Website

Segway in Paradise

Segway in Paradise offers tours of downtown Pittsburgh. We provide each customer with individual instruction to ensure a safe and enjoyable glide, with a two hour tour. Tours open to anyone ages 14 & up.

(412) 337-3941 125 W Station Square Drive Website

Golden Triangle Bike Rental

Experience our beautiful city from 20+ miles of traffic-free riverfront trail! Ride by Point State Park, PNC Park, Downtown, the South Side and so many more iconic Pittsburgh landmarks.

(412) 600-0675 600 1st Avenue Website

Kayak Pittsburgh

The Kayak Pittsburgh project of Venture Outdoors makes available kayaking gear for rent. Brave the trolls under the 6th Street Bridge to get started on your own river adventure!

(412) 969-9090 6th Street Bridge Website

PA Brew Tours

PA Brew Tours has a passion for exploring local and off the beaten path breweries in the great state of Pennsylvania. After years of organizing their own trips to local breweries, the team decided to share their passion with other local beer enthusiasts, providing tours to local breweries and brew pubs.

(412) 323-4709 800 Vinial Street (Penn Brewery) Website

Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society

not on map, various locations

The purpose of the Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society is the promotion of flying disc sports and games. This group achieves its purpose through events, programs and publications dedicated to public education, community involvement and other related activities.

Event Calendar Website

Pittsburgh Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers

The fifth-oldest franchise in the NFL, the Steelers were founded on July 8, 1933 by Arthur Joseph Rooney. Art passed the team on to his son, Dan in 2000 and along the way, the pair has seen many winning seasons, including the most Super Bowl wins in the start of the modern game in 1970. “The Black and Gold”, as known by the fans, play at Heinz Field, just steps from The Parador.

(412) 697-7700 101 Art Rooney Avenue Website

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates were originally founded as Allegheny in 1882 and has won five World Series championships. The team plays in PNC Park where its fans cheer on their beloved “Bucs” on many warm Pittsburgh evenings. Walk down from the Inn or take the convenient T, the city’s light rail system.

(412) 323-5000 115 Federal Street Website

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins first five years were played as the NHL’s “Pirates” (from 1925 to 1930) and are the first Pittsburgh sports team to wear black and gold. Since their expansion-era beginnings in 1966, fans have cheered the team on to multiple Stanley Cup victories. Catch a game at the Consol Energy Center during your stay with us: it’s a short drive or 20 minute T ride/walk.

(412) 642-1300 1001 Fifth Avenue Website

Art Galleries

3G Gallery

3G Gallery has original art, prints, and handmade items like jewelry and scarves by local artists and craftsmen.

(412) 288-4320 1001 Liberty Avenue Website

James Gallery

James Gallery and Frame Foundry have distinguished themselves in the art and framing field by moving away from the typical and expected and venturing into areas that challenge preconceived images of art and the predictable gallery experience.

(412) 922-4800 413 S Main Street Website

707/709 Penn Gallery

A project of The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and managed by the Trust’s Education and Community Engagement department, 709 Penn Gallery features exhibits by local and regional artists working in multiple disciplines. 709 Penn Gallery is located at 709 Penn Avenue near the intersection of Penn and 7th Street.

(412) 456-2962 707 Penn Avenue Website

943 Gallery

Built in the late 1920s, over the years 943 Liberty Avenue housed a variety of retail businesses, from home furnishings to hardware and for a brief time, during the 1960s, this space was an arcade and then used as an accordion school. Now owned and operated by the Trust, the 943 Liberty Avenue showcases exhibitions curated by the Trust’s visual arts department.

(412) 471-6070 943 Liberty Avenue Website

Art Institute of Pittsburgh Gallery

The Gallery at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh serves the campus by featuring work by students, faculty, alumni, and extended artistic community. Exhibitions support the school’s mission by enhancing the students’ educational experience.

(412) 263-6600 420 Boulevard of the Allies Website

August Wilson Center for African American Culture

One of only two major arts institutions in the world named for Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright and Pittsburgh native August Wilson, the August Wilson Center for African American Culture engages regional and national audiences in its mission of preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating and shaping the art, culture and history of African Americans utilizing the rich history, legacy and culture of African Americans from Western Pennsylvania as a foundation.

(412) 258-2700 980 Liberty Avenue Website

SPACE

The mission of SPACE is to realize a working example of an integrated and open art ecosystem in Pittsburgh. SPACE values the creation of new works in multi-disciplines, presentation of artwork to the broadest possible audience, inclusion of established and contemporary technologies and the promotion of local artists outside of the region.

(412) 471-6070 812 Liberty Avenue Website

Wood Street Galleries

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust operates Wood Street Galleries, which features new media artists from around the globe. Located above the T-Station at Wood Street and 6th Avenue.

(412) 471-5605 601 Wood Street Website

Box Heart Expressions

Box Heart: The term used when the pith (soft core occurring in the structural center of wood) falls entirely within the four faces of a piece of wood anywhere in its length.

(412) 687-8858 4523 Liberty Avenue Website

BE Galleries

Borelli-Edwards was established in 1978, in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA, where it evolved into an exhibition space for regional artists and Japanese prints and paintings. In addition, owner Joy Borelli-Edwards offers the services of fine art appraisals, estate sales, general and archival framing, installations and print and painting restoration.

(412) 687-2606 4523 Liberty Avenue Website

Mendelson Gallery

The Gallery has always been attached to the personality of founder, Steven Mendelson. Intimate relationships with his artists and clients have marked his 30 plus years as an artist, gallery owner, writer, world traveler and art collector.

(412) 361-8664 5874 Ellsworth Avenue Website

The Gallery on Baum

From the cartoon art that was his first love and makes up the bulk of his collection, Mr. Greco lists original pieces by Charles M. Schulz, Bill Watterson, Theodor Seuss Geisel, Charles Addams, Matt Groening, Gary Larson and others.

(412) 621-2286 4643 Baum Boulevard Website

Pittsburgh Center for the Arts

Founded in 1945, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts is a non-profit community arts campus that offers arts education programs and contemporary art exhibitions, providing services and resources for individual artists throughout Western Pennsylvania. The Center is where the community can create, see, support, and learn about visual arts.

(412) 361-0873 6300 5th Avenue Website

Pittsburgh Filmmakers Gallery

PF/PCA is committed to the artist and the advancement of artistic excellence in visual arts – specifically film, digital video, photography, media, and fine and creative arts and crafts.

(412) 681-5449 477 Melwood Avenue Website

Shaw Galleries

Shaw Galleries was founded in 2007 by art critic and appraiser Kurt Shaw. Having a passion for prints from a young age, Mr. Shaw spent seven years laboriously tracking down and obtaining the extensive collection that now comprises the gallery’s holdings – over 4,000 antique maps, rare prints and vintage photographs.

(412) 281-4884 805 Liberty Avenue Website

Future Tenant

Future Tenant provides a laboratory setting for artists, arts managers and audiences to explore the limits of the creative expression, presentation and interpretation of various art forms.

(412) 325-7037 819 Penn Avenue Website

Union Project and Corner Gallery

Positioned at the literal intersection of some of Pittsburgh’s most racially and economically diverse urban neighborhoods, Union Project is a community hub and literal and figurative common ground for surrounding neighbors.

(412) 363-4550 801 N Negley Avenue Website

Gallery on 43rd Street

Located just off Butler Street in the Pittsburgh neighborhood of Lawrenceville, Gallery on 43rd Street features fine art and craft by Western Pennsylvania artists. Owner Mary Coleman opened the gallery in November, 1994.

(412) 683-6488 187 43rd Street Website

ModernFormations Gallery

ModernFormations Gallery and Performance Space was founded in June of 2001, and since then, has been committed to contributing to the growing artistic culture of Pittsburgh, the Penn Avenue arts community, and to the surrounding neighborhoods.

(412) 362-0274 187 43rd Street Website