Top Things To Do In Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is one of America’s most livable cities, thanks to its affordability, space, and lack of crowds. That also makes it one of the best places on the East Coast to invite out-of-town friends and family members for a fun vacation. That's why we've put together a list of things to do in Pittsburgh for locals and visitors alike. Classic bucket-list items, outdoor activities, and budget-friendly options serve to color your stay in the Steel City.

Cinderlands Warehouse Run for Beer on September 16 at 11 a.m.
5K Registration to Cinderlands Warehouse Run for Beer
2601 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh1.4 mi
4.5
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27 ratings
$35 $19
46% discount_off
Admission for One for ✦Cinderlands Beer Company✦ 5K Run on September 16
2, 3, 4, 6, or 12 Paintball Passes with Safety Gear and Gun Rental from Paintball USA Tickets (Up to 91% Off)
Paintball USA Tickets — Up to 91% Off
4 Locations4.2 mi
4.3
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11,167 ratings
$70 $9
87% discount_off
Two Open-Play Passes with Safety Gear and Gun Rental for Two People
Up to 15% Off on Tag at Laser Storm Pittsburgh
Up to 15% Off on Laser Quest / Tag at Laser Storm Pittsburgh
7715 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh7.4 mi
4.8
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817 ratings
$84.50 $72
15% discount_off
Two Laser Tag Games for Up to Four with 50 Arcade Tokens
60-Minute Guitar Lesson at Lewinter Lessons (Up to 85% Off). Two Options Available.
Up to 85% Off Guitar Lesson at Lewinter Lessons
102 Radcliff Drive, Pittsburgh5.3 mi
$100 $15
85% discount_off
60-Minute Guitar Lesson
1 bought
Up to 50% Off on SCUBA at Splash Water Sports Inc.
Up to 50% Off on SCUBA at Splash Water Sports Inc.
2905 Banksville Road, Pittsburgh3.6 mi
4.9
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173 ratings
$90 $45
50% discount_off
Three-Hour Group Discover Scuba Diving Class for Two
One-Month of Dance Classes at Level Up Studios (Up to 18% Off)
Up to 18% Off Dance Classes at Level Up Studios
4836 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh3.1 mi
4.6
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12 ratings
$60 $49
18% discount_off
One Class a Week of Beginner, Intermediate, or Basic Adult Hip Hop Class; Valid for One-Month, for Ages 13-80
Up to 34% Off on Recording Studio Rental at MCM Studios
Up to 34% Off on Recording Studio Rental at MCM Studios
1109 Arlington Avenue, Pittsburgh1.3 mi
4.9
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36 ratings
$309 $203.94
34% discount_off
3 Hours of Music or Audio Recording Sessions
One Month of Introductory Fencing Lessons for One or Two at Pittsburgh Fencers' Club (Up to 56% Off)
Up to 56% Off Fencing Classes at Pittsburgh Fencers' Club
7501 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh5.3 mi
5.0
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13 ratings
$90 $49
46% discount_off
One Month of Introductory Fencing Lessons for One Person (1 Class Per Week)
Hookah, Baklava, and Ahmed Tea for One or Two at Dijlah Restaurant & Cafe (Up to 44% Off)
Up to 44% Off Hookah and Baklava at Dijlah Restaurant & Cafe
4130 Butler Street, Pittsburgh2.7 mi
4.6
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348 ratings
$16.99 $12
29% discount_off
Single Hose Hookah, Baklava, and Ahmed Tea for One

Between the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, Riverhounds (soccer), Panthers (college basketball), it’s likely that you’ll find a sporting event to attend any time of year in the City of Champions. Plus, when you attend an event, you also get to experience landmarks like Heinz Field, PNC Park, and PPG Paints Arena.

The best things to do in Pittsburgh include:

  • Celebrate greenery all year long at Phipps Conservatory
  • Go on a self-guided tour of the Andy Warhol Museum
  • Hike up Mount Washington
  • Visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, voted one of the most important buildings in the city
  • Exploring the sprawling, leafy Schenley Park

Events in PittsburghView All

The Winery Comedy Tour at Wine O'Clock Somewhere - Friday, Jun 30, 2023 / 7:00pm
The Winery Comedy Tour at Wine O'Clock Somewhere - Friday, Jun 30, ...
1115 Cochran Mill Road, Pittsburgh8.4 mi
$17 $12.50
26% discount_off
Friday, Jun 30, 2023 / 7:00pm - General Admission
Foreigner – The Historic Farewell Tour with Loverboy on July 29 at 7 p.m.
Foreigner – The Historic Farewell Tour - Up to 42% Off
665 Route 18, Burgettstown
$43.30 $25
42% discount_off
Events at The Pavilion at Star Lake on July 29, 2023
1,000+ bought
One-, Two-, or Three-Day Ticket to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA (Up to 52% Off)
Up to 52% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
2 Locations
4.8
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4,389 ratings
$144.99 $68.99
52% discount_off
Single-Day Admission to Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Ages 3+): Valid Through 11/05/2023
SeaWorld Orlando Admission with Dining Option, or 2, 3 or Unlimited SeaWorld Park Visits (Up to 50% Off)
Up to 50% Off Admission to SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
4.7
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1,506 ratings
$132.99 $67.99
49% discount_off
SeaWorld Orlando Single Weekday Admission Ticket: Valid 365 days from purchase
Experience the World from a New Perspective at One World Observatory - Your Iconic Landmark Destination!
The City from Above: One World Observatory's Spectacular Skyline Views
285 Fulton Street, New York
4.7
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7,437 ratings
$48 $33
31% discount_off
Standard Admission Experience for One Adult (Ages 13–64)
Busch Gardens Tampa Admission with All-Day Dining Option, 2- or 3-Park, or Unlimited Visits (Up to 52% Off)
Up to 52% Off Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa
4.5
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405 ratings
$134.99 $67.99
50% discount_off
Busch Gardens Tampa Single Week Day Admission: Valid 365 days from purchase
Up to 44% Off on Museum at The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
Up to 44% Off on Museum at The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
144 Kruger Street, Wheeling44.6 mi
4.7
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293 ratings
$15 $11
27% discount_off
Admission for One Adult
Dreamsonic 2023: Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Animals As Leaders on June 27 at 7 p.m.
Dreamsonic 2023 feat. Dream Theater - Up to 53% Off
1 Washington Federal Way, Washington25.1 mi
$52.93 $25
53% discount_off
06/27/2023 at 7 p.m.: One Reserved-Seating Ticket
6 bought
Limited Time Offer: Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE! Valid for Select Promo Tickets. Save Up to $166 on Select Dates.
Limited Time Deal- Buy 2 Days, Get 3 Days FREE with Select Tickets*
6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando
$164
PROMO: Buy 2-Day Ticket, Get 3 Days Free
10,000+ bought

Pittsburgh offers monuments, old buildings, and museums dedicated to the historic city. See all there is to see as you explore Pittsburgh tourist attractions.

Popular attractions near Pittsburgh include:

  • Go on a Pittsburgh Art and Architecture tour to see the city’s top attractions
  • The Cathedral of Learning is an iconic 42-story building at the University of Pittsburgh
  • Explore South Shore, a riverfront neighborhood in Pittsburgh
  • See the art installations at Mattress Factory
  • Visit U.S. Steel Tower, also known as Steel Building

Looking for lunch ideas or ways to kill a few hours before an event? There are plenty of fun things to do in Pittsburgh and can be done in a couple hours.

Exciting activities near Pittsburgh include:

  • Kickstart your shopping adventure ay Station Square, which features souvenir shops, casual restaurants, and bustling bars
  • Learn more about Carnegie Science Center
  • The Heinz History center is a Smithsonian affiliate with 6 floors of archives and exhibits
  • Head to the Carnegie Museum of Art, which features permanent collections of paintings, sculptures, and more
  • See the Roberto Clemente Bridge in downtown Pittsburgh

For things to do in Pittsburgh at night, look no further. Many bars, restaurants, clubs, and more are disguised as old-fashioned buildings or warehouses.

Nighttime activities near Pittsburgh include:

  • Hit the roller disco at Belvedere’s
  • Watch a little improv at Arcade Comedy Theater
  • Visit West End Overlook, a park by the Ohio River with city views and nighttime fireworks
  • Order a specialty cocktail at Biergarten, a charming rooftop bar
  • Make dinner plans at Eleven, a chic place for modern American fare

There’s no shortage of things to do in Pittsburgh with kids. Start with museums and earn your way to the water parks and amusement parks.

Family-friendly things to do near Pittsburgh include:

  • Learn more about wildlife at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
  • Spend an evening at Kennywood amusement park for cheaper fare
  • Visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, a center for hands-on learning and play areas
  • Ride the Phantom’s Revenge, a steel roller coaster
  • Go on water slides or a lazy river at Sandcastle Waterpark

The best things to do in Pittsburgh include restaurants, museums, art galleries, and other indoor activities. There’s plenty to keep you busy indoors throughout your stay.

Pittsburgh things to do indoors include:

  • Stock up on cheat-day treats at Prantl’s Bakery
  • Explore Nationality Rooms, an educational center that honors Pittsburgh’s ethnicities
  • Support exiled writers and artists at City of Asylum
  • Visit Frick Art & Historical Center, a garden estate with exhibits and a cafe
  • Hit up Smallman Galley, a food market with many unique food vendors

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy all the waterside vacation ideas in Pittsburgh. This is due to its proximity to so many rivers.

Things to do outside in Pittsburgh include:

  • Explore the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers
  • Take a trip up and down the Duquesne Incline
  • Take a stand-up paddle boarding class at Gateway Clipper Fleet
  • Stroll through Highland Park Entry Garden
  • Head to the National Aviary, a bird zoo with more than 500 birds