Looking for a fun weekend getaway that has tons of entertainment options for the whole family? Pittsburgh is your town! A short four-hour drive away, Pittsburgh’s landscape of rolling hills, trees and rivers offers a nice change of scenery. Its bustling downtown is filled with museums, sporting venues, parks and dining options.
Pittsburgh is a diverse city that has very distinct districts or ‘burroughs’. The locals will often refer to their area as the ‘North Hills’ or the ‘South Hills’, depending on what side of the Allegheny River you happen to land on. And speaking of the river, this town is known for its many bright yellow bridges that connect both sides of the city.
It’s easy to fill a long weekend with activities. Here are some fun options.
Day One: Explore North Hills
This agritourism site in Wexford is popular all year long, but it is especially exciting as apple season approaches. Families can choose to pick their own apples, or they can purchase from the large market store. The farm features a petting barn with goats and pigs, a gift barn, a home and garden store, as well as an extensive nursery and garden center. Grab lunch at the deli, or choose a treat from the bakery. Kids may want to pick their favorite flavor of ice cream at Scoops, while adults sample drinks at Arsenal Cider.Â
Looking for outdoor adventure? North Park has you covered. This 3,000 acre park includes a 75 acre lake for kayakers, paddle boarders and fishing. Bike rentals are available for the many trails. Take a hike, visit the pool, play tennis or pickle ball or hit the links at the Par 3 golf course. In the winter, the ice rink is a popular destination. This is a great place to bring a picnic and enjoy some downtime at one of the many shelters, while watching the wildlife or tossing a frisbee.
North Hills offers plenty of shopping opportunities. Ross Park Mall has many high end fashion brands, along with department stores and an L.L. Bean with a giant Bean Boot, ready for photo ops. McCandless Crossing and The Block Northway each have a mix of stores and multiple restaurant choices.
Mad Mex is a Pittsburgh restaurant with several locations. The interior has a funky Cal Mex vibe, with indoor and patio seating. This is relaxed, family friendly fare with a good kids menu and unique entrees. We enjoyed the crab corn quesadillas and the Mad Southwest protein bowl with shrimp and guacamole. Yum!
After dinner excursion: Duquesne Incline to Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh’s skyline is a sparkly jewel at night, and there’s no better viewing than from the top of Mt. Washington. Kids will love taking a ride on the 147 year old incline. Have your camera ready for the perfect group selfie.
RELATED: Explore Hamilton County, Indiana Â
Day Two: Downtown
There are so many great museums to choose from here. If you’d like to learn more about the city’s history, start at the Fountain in Point State Park. Visit the Fort Pitt museum, then walk along the river for some great views of Acrisure (formerly Heinz) Stadium, home of the Steelers. Nearby, you can visit the Mr. Rogers Memorial statue, honoring one of Pittsburgh’s most famous residents, Fred Rogers.
Visit the many exhibits offered, like The Science Behind Pixar, Sky Watch at the planetarium, or Mars. Future engineers will love the LEGO inspired Bricksburgh and the miniature railroad collection. Future doctors will enjoy Body Works and the Highmark Sportsworks. Tour the USS Requin, the US Navy’s first Radar Picket submarine.
Carnegie Natural History Museum
Do you dig dinosaurs? If so, then this museum is a must-see. Kids can dig for buried fossils, see an impressive exhibit of North American animals, and admire the sparkly treasures in the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems.Â
 Budding artists will want to visit this museum, with its sweeping Grand Staircase, Hall of Architecture, Hall of Sculpture, and more.Â
Sports fans? Catch a Pirates game at the beautiful PNC Park. Nestled along the Allegheny River, this park has lovely views of the city skyline, and often caps the evening with a fireworks display. Make sure you stick around for the seventh inning stretch, when giant stuffed pierogi (yes, stuffed pierogi!) run the bases and toss prizes to the fans.
Dining
It’s not a ball game without a hot dog, right? And how about a hot dog that features mini pierogi? Get a side of Chickie and Pete’s crinkle-cut CrabFries with special seasoning and sauce.
Day Three: Oakmont and the Strip District
This bakery is an institution for the locals, who speak of it with reverence and awe. So many amazing cookies, cakes and pastries to choose from! From fancy French Macarons to cheeseburger donuts, there is something to satisfy every sweet tooth. Enjoy the pastry with a drink while you are there, and remember to make a purchase to take home with you.
Hockey lovers will need to visit the aquarium to see the real Pittsburgh penguins! Animal lovers will want to explore exhibits featuring animals from the ocean, forest, savannah and more.
The Strip District
Foodies will love this funky neighborhood that features Italian markets, Polish grocers, fishmongers and so much more. Nearby, explore the many shops and restaurants at The Terminal.
Alternate destinations:
This amusement park offers eight roller coasters, along with many rides and water attractions. The littles will love Kiddieland and Thomas Town, where they can take a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine or try the Cranky the Crane Drop.
Want to visit Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood? This is the place! Walk through the original sets from the television show, see the puppets, and take a look at King Friday’s castle. Learn about Pittsburgh’s history, from sports to the famous Heinz ketchup.
Pittsburgh’s newest museum gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the space industry. Hands-on exhibits will teach future astronauts about exciting careers in space exploration and engineering.
