Pittsburgh offers different ways to plan your trip: spending time by the rivers and on trails, visiting a park, or exploring museums with cultural and historical themes. First, consider which of these experiences you want to shape your stay.
River Trails, Green Spaces and Water
The 33-mile Three Rivers Heritage Trail System runs through Downtown Pittsburgh and along both banks of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. It also connects Downtown with Oakland, the North Shore, the South Side and the Strip District. This makes it possible to explore Pittsburgh along its riverbanks and through several parts of the city. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
The Eliza Furnace Trail connects the trails in Schenley Park with Downtown Pittsburgh. The park covers 456 acres and has trails, wooded areas and attractions. You can also play a round at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course. Before your visit, check for current information about the facilities and golf operations.
For cyclists, the Great Allegheny Passage offers a different scale: the route stretches 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, through the Laurel Highlands to Pittsburgh. Compared with the urban Three Rivers Heritage Trail, it follows a longer connection into the city. Check current trail conditions before your trip.
You can also take in Pittsburgh from the water: Kayak Pittsburgh offers paddling on the Allegheny River with views of Downtown and the North Shore. Check current operating conditions in advance. For fishing, Pittsburgh has 38.3 miles of riverfront within its city limits. Check the applicable rules before fishing.
Museums, Gardens and City History
The Heinz History Center presents the history of Western Pennsylvania across six floors of interactive exhibits. The Andy Warhol Museum offers a different focus: gallery talks introduce visitors to the museum and cover Warhol’s life, art and legacy. As dates may change, check the current schedule of talks before making plans.
At Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a historic landmark and seasonal offerings come together: the glasshouse dates to 1893, and the site also hosts flower shows and exhibitions. Individual shows and exhibitions may change; check the latest visitor information before your visit.
The National Aviary offers close encounters with birds, including species that are extinct in the wild or critically endangered. Animal collections and programs may change, so take current visitor information into account when planning your visit.
For a glimpse into early settlement history, the Neill Log House is a distinctive place to visit: Pittsburgh’s oldest surviving log house was built in 1795 and preserved as a testament to the city’s early history. Check current access arrangements before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Etna, Clairton, Coraopolis, Imperial, West Homestead, Pine, Monroeville, Robinson Township
For the overview of the wider area: Allegheny.
