Whether you've lived in Pittsburgh your whole life, just moved here, or are just planning a visit, it can be hard thinking of things to do with your kids. I'm a Pittsburgh Family Photographer and have two young girls - I'm always trying to get them out of the house and explore different places in Pittsburgh. I've done the research for you so you don't have to spend your time looking for things to do. Read below to find out some of my favorite places to take kids in Pittsburgh!
Top Things to Do in Pittsburgh with Kids
1. Go to the Museum
My kids LOVE going to the museums in Pittsburgh! Not only does Pittsburgh have an awesome Children's museum, but they also have multiple other museums that parents and kids will enjoy together. See below for our favorite museums in Pittsburgh. One thing to keep in mind when visiting the below museums is that they may require the purchase of advance timed tickets, so make sure to call or check the website before making your visit.
The Carnegie Science Center has something for everyone. There's always a revolving special exhibit (right now it's an exhibit about Guitars - how cool??), an IMAX theater, you can take a tour of a real Cold-War Era submarine, a miniature railroad village, robots, and so much more. Also, don't miss going to the Highmark SportsWorks Center, which is in the adjacent building and offers 30 different interactive sports experiences. Seriously, you can never go wrong when you go to the Carnegie Science Center.
The Children's Museum is another great museum for your kids - as you can guess from the name, the whole museum is geared toward children! It provides a hands-on, interactive experience for your kids. One piece of advice for going - bring a change of clothes or a towel - or both. The top floor is dedicated to water play, and there have been multiple times when we've gone without those things and regretted it!
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History may not initially be on your list of kid-friendly things to do in Pittsburgh - but it should be and it's absolutely a must if your kids (like mine) are obsessed with dinosaurs!! It's honestly one of my girls' favorite museums to go to in the city. From looking at all of the dinosaur fossils, looking at the gemstones, to the wildlife exhibit - you will be surprised how many hours you end up spending in this museum. I highly recommend you check it out.
2. Take a Ride on the Duquesne Incline
The Duquesne Incline is a Pittsburgh tradition, and should be on everyone's list of things to do. Your kids will love riding in the tiny car while taking in the beautiful views of Pittsburgh. When you arrive at the top of the incline, there's a small museum of Pittsburgh History, and arguably the best views of Pittsburgh! Some things to note when you take a trip on the incline - they do not accept credit or debit cards, so make sure you take cash with you.
3. Walk the Strip District
If you want to experience the true, authentic Pittsburgh, you have to walk The Strip District. The Strip is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh that spans about a half mile, where there's an abundance of unique shops, sidewalk vendors, and restaurants at every corner. When you go to the Strip, plan to eat at least one meal there. One of my favorite stops is Wholey's, which is a huge seafood market. My kids love seeing all of the seafood too! Click here for a full list of stores and restaurants.
4. The Pittsburgh Zoo
Going to the zoo is always a hit with kids! And Pittsburgh has a great one - not only do you get to see land animals, but also sea animals too. That's because the Pittsburgh Zoo is also home to an aquarium. And a bonus - The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium has many different events throughout the year, so it doesn't just have to be a destination for the summer months. Some events include ZOOBOO around Halloween, and a breakfast or lunch with Santa.
5. North Shore Riverfront Park
The North Shore Riverfront Park is an awesome way to experience Pittsburgh! My favorite way to get to North Shore Riverfront Park is by riding a bike with the kids in a trailer on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, which passes right through the park. We always access the trail at the Millvale trail entrance and ride in - it's a super easy bike ride! There's nothing quite like riding your bike along the riverfront, with some of the best views of the city. But if biking isn't your thing, there's also parking you can easily access.
Some great features of the North Shore Riverfront Park are the Water Steps where your kids can jump in water on a hot day, a huge lawn, restaurants, and great views of the city. See everything the park offers here.
Enjoy exploring Pittsburgh with your family! I know your kids will love these places as much as mine do.
It's so important to preserve life's fleeting moments through beautiful photographs! I am a Pittsburgh family photographer who tells your story through images that are joyful, raw, and connected. If you would like more information about a session or would like to inquire, contact me here!
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