15 Fun Things to Do in Pittsburgh With Kids

Are you looking for fun things to do in Pittsburgh with kids? We’ve got you covered!

Pittsburgh, PA, isn’t the first place you think of when planning a family-friendly vacation to a large city. But it should be!

We love Pittsburgh, and think it should be on everyone’s radar as a family-friendly destination, especially if you’re doing a road trip through Pennsylvania, or visiting one of the nearby state parks, like Ohiopyle.

After spending a long weekend in Pittsburgh with kids, we learned that the Steel City has a lot to offer. Between the world-class museums, unique experiences, and tons of outdoor activities, there are tons of family-friendly activities in Pittsburgh.

Some of our favorite kid-friendly activities include the Monongahela Incline (great views of the city), the John Heinz History Center (Mr. Rogers fans will love this place), and Randyland (a colorful outdoor museum).

The guide below shares everything you need to know about visiting Pittsburgh with kids, including things to do, where to stay, and kid-friendly places to eat. Let’s dive in!

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15 Awesome Things to Do in Pittsburgh With Kids

1. Senator John Heinz History Center

You wouldn’t think a history center would seem appealing to kids, but the Senator John Heinz History Center is excellent for the whole family!

Many hands-on exhibits depict the history of Pittsburgh and its famous residents. The museum is enormous, encompassing five floors with a large children’s area.

Attached to the History Center is the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, giving visitors even more, to look at!

Hold on to your ticket receipt. Your admission to the History Center gets your FREE admission to the Fort Pitt Museum the same or the next day.

2. Carnegie Museum of Natural History

What kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? The Carnegie Museum of Natural History has dinosaur bones and more!

Dioramas depicting animals from America, Africa, and other places in the world give kids an understanding of who and what has lived on Earth.

Add a little digging in the Bone Hunters’ Quarry to make kids dream about becoming a paleontologist.

After your visit, you can explore some of the attractions nearby, like the Schenley Plaza Carousel or the Forbes Field Outfield Wall.

3. Carnegie Science Center

Science museums are always a hit with kids, and the Carnegie Science Center is no different. With several exhibits inside the museum, kids can spend hours learning and having fun.

Your ticket includes admission to the museum itself, the Highmark SportsWorks next door, and the USS Requin, a submarine anchored on the Ohio River.

Timed tickets can be purchased ahead of time. The museum is open 9 am – 5 pm daily, with limited hours during events at Heinz Field. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.

4. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

One of the best children’s museums in the United States, the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a must-visit.

Kids get a hands-on experience at this fun museum. With exhibits like the garage and water play, there is no shortage of entertainment for your little one.

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is around the corner from the National Aviary, giving families multiple options to spend the day.

Hours are limited for the museum, so visit their website for the most up-to-date information.

5. The Andy Warhol Museum

Kids will love this fun art museum thanks to Andy Warhol’s use of bright colors and pop culture in his artwork. There are also interactive installations that will keep kids entertained as you wander through the museum.

Don’t forget to check out the kids play area with toys, books, and recreations of some of Warhol’s famous paintings.

The Andy Warhol Museum is open Thursday – Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission varies depending on age.

6. Monongahela or Duquesne Inclines

You can’t visit Pittsburgh without riding one of the inclines to the top of Mount Washington.

The views make the ride even more special! Both offer great views, but It’s easier for pedestrians from downtown to access the lower station to ride the Monongahela Incline as it’s across from the Smithfield Bridge.

These are some of the other differences between the two inclines:

• The Duquesne Incline is a bit longer and offers better views of Point State Park and downtown Pittsburgh.
• Round trip fare is $5 for the Duquesne Incline versus $3.50 for the Monongahela Incline.

Whichever incline you choose to ride, you won’t go wrong! Both upper stations have plenty of restaurants and other eating options nearby, so you can enjoy a tasty treat before you descend back down the mountain.

7. National Aviary

If your family loves birds, then the National Aviary should be on your list of things to do in Pittsburgh with kids.

Home to over 150 species of birds, the National Aviary demonstrates different habitats of birds from all over the world. Kids will love looking at all of the colorful birds of the rainforest and watching the penguins play in the water.

Keep an eye out for the few non-aviary friends in the building, including a sloth! Timed tickets are available on their website.

Paid parking is available on-site, or metered parking on the street.

The aviary is around the corner from the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, giving you two fun locations to easily visit in one day.

8. Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium

Located in Highland Park, the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is a nicely sized zoo with tons of kid-friendly things to do.

In addition to the animals, activities like a zip-line and rides like a carousel are available to entertain your little ones.

On-site parking is available for FREE. As with most zoos, plan to visit during a weekday, or when it first opens, for low crowds.

9. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

There is something magical about walking through a large conservatory filled with flowers of all sizes and colors.

Kids will love exploring the Phipps Conservatory and gardens. Don’t miss the Stove Room to watch butterflies in flight!

The Phipps Conservatory is a perfect year-round activity, as the greenhouse is always warm inside.

Admission must be reserved in advance. For more information, visit the Phipps Conservatory website.

10. Water Steps at North Shore Riverfront Park

On a hot day, kids will love splashing around on the Water Steps at North Shore Riverfront Park. This FREE activity will keep kids happy while parents take a break to enjoy the beautiful views of the city.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes, or have your kids wear their swimsuits before you head over to the steps.

11. Frick Park and Environmental Center

If you want to get a break from the concrete and steel of the city, take a walk through Frick Park.

This beautiful city park is a fun activity in Pittsburgh for kids thanks to the many different trails.

Stop in the environmental center during your visit to learn more about Pittsburgh’s ecology or enjoy the playground during your visit.

12. Carousel at Schenley Plaza

Most kids love carousels! What better way to take a break from visiting a museum than the ride a carousel.

The Carousel at Schenley Plaza is a block away from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Next to the carousel, several different dining kiosks and sizeable green spaces kids can run around and play in. It’s the perfect spot for a mid-day break.

13. Forbes Field Outfield Wall

If you have a baseball lover in your family, don’t miss this fun photo op! Although Forbes Field was demolished in 1970, a portion of its left-field wall remains.

It was over this wall that Bill Mazeroski hit the World Series-winning run in 1960!

The wall is around the corner from the Schenley Plaza carousel and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History on Roberto Clemente Drive.

14. Point State Park

Point State Park is located at the tip of downtown Pittsburgh, where the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers converge.

Serving as the Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt location, the area plays a big part in American history. The ample, open space is the perfect place to let kids run around and let out some energy while everyone enjoys the views.

Point State Park is also the beginning of the Greater Allegheny Passage, the 150-mile bike/hike trail that runs through Ohiopyle State Park.

15. Randyland

Pittsburgh’s Northside neighborhood is home to one of the most colorful homes you’ll ever see! Randyland is one of those places you have to see in person to understand it fully.

The colors, the trash turned into art, and the positive vibes make Randyland a must-visit. If you get lucky and meet Randy himself, you’ll meet a kindhearted person who just wanted to bring some joy to the world. We think he succeeded.

Tips for Visiting Pittsburgh With Kids

• Ride the Light Rail System for FREE! The section of Pittsburgh’s Light Rail between First Avenue and Allegheny is FREE to ride. This makes getting to and from the Carnegie Science Center from downtown very easy and cheap for families.
• Enjoy the various parks and playgrounds. For a major city, Pittsburgh has plenty of green space and playgrounds for kids to enjoy. Whether they be small spaces, like the playground next to the National Aviary, or very large, like the Highland Park Super Playground, you’ll find a space for the kids to let off some steam.
• Look out for street art. Pittsburgh has no shortage of murals and other works of art throughout the city. We loved looking for, and sometimes posing with, the various art we saw throughout the city.

Places to Eat in Pittsburgh With Kids

Primanti Bros.

Of course, you can’t visit Pittsburgh without sampling some of the delicious sandwiches from Primanti Bros!

Their sandwiches are HUGE and come with French fries and coleslaw piled on top. They have tons of options, including salads, hamburgers, and chicken fingers.

The atmosphere is laid back, making it the perfect place for families. There are several locations throughout Pittsburgh, though we patronized the Market Square location.

Emporio

If you love meatballs, then Emporio is the joint for you! Located on Penn Avenue, Emporio has a simple menu of four different styles of meatballs, served on a bun or with pasta (in various types), with your choice of sauce.

The kids loved it! I enjoyed the spicy pork ball served with the crack sauce. The tomato basil cream was delicious as well! The atmosphere was casual, and the service was top-notch.

The Milk Shake Factory

For a tasty treat, the whole family will enjoy, you have to visit the Milk Shake Factory. With several locations throughout Pittsburgh, you’re never too far away from a delicious milkshake!

We visited the site on Fifth Avenue. The bright white interior mixed with the pleasant atmosphere created a great experience to enjoy our shakes.

Make sure to come hungry! The shakes are large and filled with goodies like chocolate chip cookie dough or brownies.

RedBeard’s Bar & Grill

After you ride the Monongahela Incline, walk down Shiloh Street to RedBeard’s Bar & Grill. What looks like a hole in the wall bar is actually a delicious restaurant featuring traditional pub fare but better.

We loved their Rueben sandwich and quesadillas. And, of course, chicken fingers for the kids were a hit.

If the weather is nice, sit outside on the street to people watch. Or you can sit on their patio and enjoy live music.

Where to Stay in Pittsburgh With Kids

It’s always best to stay in a centralized location when visiting a city. Pittsburgh is no different.

We recommend staying at a hotel in the Downtown area of Pittsburgh. Downtown is walking distance, or a short T ride, to many of the attractions below.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Pittsburgh on our visit. The rooms were huge and spacious. The one-bedroom has a king-sized bed in the bedroom and a full-sized pullout in the living room. There was plenty of space for an air mattress as well! Each room contains a microwave and refrigerator for easy hotel room meals.

Their indoor pool on the top floor gives you gorgeous views of the city, including PNC Park, where the Pirates play! We enjoyed our stay and wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again.

Things to Do in Pittsburgh With Kids Wrap Up

As you can see, Pittsburgh offers plenty of family-friendly activities! We love visiting Pittsburgh, especially since it’s easy to get around and isn’t an overwhelming city.

If you have limited time, we think these are the can’t miss things to do in Pittsburgh:

• Ride an incline: Either one is great!
• Visit the John Heinz History Center: It’s an awesome museum with great information about Steel City.
• Visit Point State Park: The views of the bridges and rivers can’t be beat!
• Eat at Primanti Bros.: At this point, it’s a must-do when you visit Pittsburgh.

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