Pittsburgh might not be the first place you think of when searching for family vacation spots, but anyone who looks a little closer will be deeply rewarded. The City of Bridges—as it’s affectionately known—has plenty to offer, and there’s a wealth of experiences to explore.
We’ve put together a list of 10 great family-friendly activities in Pittsburgh. We’re confident they’ll whet your appetite, and if they do, remember that there’s plenty more that couldn’t fit into a short article like this.
Explore the Carnegie Science Center
We’ll start the list with a highly interactive and engaging museum. Some of the highlights of the Carnegie Science Center include the Buhl Planetarium and the Roboworld exhibit, the latter of which lets children discover the wonders of robotics and engineering in a hands-on way.
Visit the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
This expansive zoo is home to a diverse menagerie of animals from across the world. There are lions, sea otters, and everything in between, and the Aquarium houses a dazzling variety of marine life, including sharks, turtles, stingrays, and even poison dart frogs.
Thanks to the guided tours hosted by the knowledgeable staff, you’ll spend as much time learning as you spend enjoying yourself. The zoo is also actively engaged in a number of conservation programs.
Stop by the Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh
This museum has an exhibit centered on kindness and empathy, which makes it a must-see destination. Additionally, the Makeshop provides a hands-on experience for children to design and create using real materials. The Waterplay and Garage areas offer physical experimentation opportunities for kids.
For those kids who want to get physical themselves, there’s also a kind of vertical labyrinth to climb through called the Limb Bender.
Saunter Through the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
At this fabulous refuge from the bustle of city life, you can stroll leisurely through a truly vast variety of flowers and plants. In Pittsburgh, there are numerous gardens with various themes to explore. Despite the region’s cool climate, the greenhouses provide a tropical escape.
There are few better places in the city to celebrate the quiet beauty of nature.
Catch a Ride at Kennywood
This is a historic amusement park, and it offers a mix of roller coasters, water rides, and other attractions. If you choose to go here, make sure you don’t miss the iconic Jack Rabbit—a wooden roller-coaster that first opened in 1920.
No need to worry if you’re accompanied by young children. The Kiddieland section offers smaller versions of the big rides, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the amusement park. On top of that, treats like funnel cake and cotton candy abound—you’re on vacation, after all!
Marvel at the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
The Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is primarily dedicated to showcasing the regional flora and microfauna, and it does so in incredible style. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the garden trails at a leisurely pace. Visit the Asian Woodland and Garden of the Five Senses for a fulfilling experience.
Take Flight at the National Aviary
The National Aviary is the only independent indoor nonprofit zoo in the United States that’s dedicated to birds. The variety of species is impressive, and you can observe most of them at very close range.
Make sure to catch a live show, book an interaction with one of many different birds of prey, or take the chance to feed the penguins.
Absorb the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Like any self-respecting national history museum this one displays an extensive collection of fossils, gems, and minerals.
Visit the Dinosaurs in Their Time exhibit for a chance to see a fully intact T-Rex skeleton and other amazing prehistoric creatures. If ancient civilizations are more your thing, the Walton Hall of Ancient Egypt has you covered.
Catch a Pittsburgh Pirates Game at PNC Park
PNC Park serves as the beautiful residence of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city’s Major League Baseball team. Cheer on the Pirates at their home field while enjoying classic ballpark snacks and the lively atmosphere of America’s favorite pastime.
Enjoy the view of the city skyline at PNC Park before the game starts. Once it begins, you may be too engrossed to look away from the field.
Find Culture at the Carnegie Museum of Art
For a more classically cultured experience, you can’t go wrong with this world-class art museum that features a diverse collection of artworks from various periods and styles.
We realize children might not always get super excited by fine art, but this museum realizes this as well. To that end, they provide specially designed family programs that nurture the aesthetic sensibilities of your little ones.
The 10 Best Family-Friendly Activities in Pittsburgh in Summary
To put it bluntly, Pittsburgh has just as much to offer as any other more traditional vacation spot. Explore the city with our top 10 family-friendly activities.
For a vibrant and rewarding vacation in the American Northeast, you can’t do much better than the City of Bridges.
