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Pittsburgh

Home to the Steelers and formerly the heart of American steel industry, this city has a ton of things to offer to visitors. It is also known as “The city of Bridges” with more than 400 bridges of various colours and design connecting its residents. 

  • Point State park
  • City of Bridges
  • The Duquesne Incline
  • Mount Washington
  • Acrisure Stadium
  • Kamin Science Center
  • Strip District
  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History
  • Andy Warhol Museum
  • Cathedral of Learning
  • Gateway Clipper Riverboat Cruise
  • Schenley Park
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater
  • Ohiopyle
  • Moraine State Park
  • National Aviary
  • Hindu Temples
  • Blueberry Farm
  • Allegheny Cemetery

Point State park – This area is the heart of downtown Pittsburgh with the Golden Triangle where the 3 rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela) meet. Actually Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio river. 

Location where Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio river. 

The North Shore riverwalk trail will get you acquainted with most of the attractions in the downtown area. It is a gorgeous walk along the Allegheny river and you will pass by many of the landmark bridges and buildings in the downtown area.

North Shore riverwalk trail
Highmark building in the background

City of Bridges – Known as the City of Bridges, Pittsburgh has 446 bridges built to overcome its rugged landscape of rivers and valleys that once made travel difficult for early settlers. The city’s first river crossing bridge, the Monongahela Bridge, was built in 1818 on the site of what is today the Smithfield Street Bridge. The wooden bridge was replaced with a new wire rope suspension bridge, after it was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1845. Increasing weight from additional traffic resulted in its closure and replacement with the modern Smithfield Street Bridge, the oldest steel bridge in the United States.

Smithfield Street Bridge

Pittsburgh’s Three Sister Bridges, the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Street Bridges, were part of a massive series of bridge-building campaigns begun in 1924 by the Allegheny County Department of Public Works, and finished in the late 1930s.

Sixth street bridge (aka Roberto Clemente Bridge)

The Duquesne Incline – Opened in 1877, the incline was restored by local residents in 1963 and is a delight to ride on its original wooden cable cars. You pay by cash on arrival and there is a change machine available for your convenience. 

View of the incline from Point State Park
View of the incline from Point State Park

To ride the incline, you can park near the lower station at 1197 West Carson street. The cable car will transport you to the top of Mount Washington where an observation deck offers a fantastic view of the city and its Golden Triangle. 


Mount Washington – is one of Pittsburgh’s most popular neighborhoods, known for its beautiful—and often upscale—homes and excellent restaurants. You can reach the area by car or by taking the historic incline from Station Square. From the top, several scenic overlooks offer stunning views of the city skyline and Pittsburgh’s many iconic bridges.

Mount Washington – Grandview Overlook
Mount Washington – Upper Incline Scenic Overlook

Acrisure Stadium – Home to Pittsburgh football team, Steelers, it is considered to be one of the best stadium in the United States. A variety of tours are offered where you will get to see the Steelers locker room, the playing field etc. 


Kamin Science Center – formerly the Carnegie Science Center is a major science museum in located on the North Shore near Acrisure Stadium. It is the city’s most visited museum, featuring five floors and over 400 interactive exhibits. Key attractions include the Buhl Planetarium, the Rangos Giant Cinema, a miniature railroad display, and the historic USS Requin (SS-481).

In 2025, it was renamed after a major donation and is undergoing significant upgrades, including new exhibits, interactive spaces, and expanded learning areas for visitors of all ages.

Kamin Science Center, formerly the Carnegie Science Center

Strip District – Bordering downtown, this one-half square mile shopping district is lined with a vibrant mix of old-style grocers and gourmet food shops, street stands selling produce and t-shirts, upbeat bars, classic Italian eateries and some great breakfast and sandwich places.

Strip District
Strip District
Lunch at Kaya
Brunch at Cafe Mona

Strip District, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church – This beautiful Polish church in strip district is located at the intersection of 22nd and Smallman street and was dedicated on July 31, 1892.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church – Facade
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church – Altar

Carnegie Museum of Natural History – If you are interested in the world of dinosaurs, you should visit this museum. The museum’s core exhibit’ Dinosaurs in their Time’ features real dinosaur fossils. This exhibition is home to dozens of original fossils from throughout the Mesozoic Era displayed in scientifically accurate reconstructions of their ancient habitats. Several of these skeletons—including those of the iconic dinosaurs Apatosaurus louisae, Diplodocus carnegii, and Tyrannosaurus rex—are holotypes, the original specimens upon which their respective species are based.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Andy Warhol Museum – This museum is the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. It holds an extensive permanent collection of art and archives from the Pittsburgh born art icon, Andy Warhol. 

Andy Warhol on the Factory couch [from the 1964 film “Couch”] with Jackie on back wall
Andy Warhol Museum

Cathedral of Learning – Built between 1926-1934, This 535 feet tall skyscraper with 42-stories serves as the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh’s main campus in the Oakland neighborhood. The Cathedral is the second-tallest educational building in the world after the University of Moscow’s main building.

Cathedral of Learning – view from Bigelow Blvd.
Cathedral of Learning – View from fifth Avenue

In addition to housing administrative offices, computer labs, and libraries, it houses classrooms that include the internationally renowned Nationality Classrooms. Guided tours are available of the Nationality rooms. The Indian Room is one of the Nationality classroom where classes are held. The construction and architecture of the room is based upon the ancient Buddhist university of Nalanda. The ruins of Nalanda university is located in the state of Patna in India.

Cathedral of Learning – Commons Room
Cathedral of Learning – Indian classroom

Gateway Clipper Riverboat Cruise – Another popular way to begin your sightseeing in Pittsburgh is to cruise the rivers with Gateway Clipper Fleet. For over 50 years, they have been sailing the Three Rivers hosting Pittsburgh sightseeing and dining cruises.

Gateway Clipper boat
Cruising on Gateway Clipper

To take the cruise, parking is available in Station Square. you can park in the Parking Garage or the West Carson/River lot for easy access to the dock and riverboats.


Schenley Park – This park was created in 1889 with the land donated by heiress Mary Schenley. Being close to the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, it is a daily destination for university students. The park also hosts many major and minor annual events.

Schenly Park
Schenly Park

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens – This place is within walking distance from Schenley park and you can combine the 2 visits. This botanical garden was donated to the city in 1893 by the real estate baron Henry Phipps. 

A green oasis in the middle of Pittsburgh’s vibrant Oakland neighborhood, Phipps Conservatory has provided a world-class garden experience to its visitors since 1893. You can explore 15 acres of beauty and nature that includes a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens.

Phipps Conservatory
Phipps Conservatory – Greenery inside
Phipps Conservatory – Garden
Phipps Conservatory – Garden

Phipps Conservatory is also available to the public to host weddings, birthdays and any other special events. Phipps will work with you to set up the place for your special day. 

Phipps Conservatory – Birthday Celebrations

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater – Located 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, this house was designed by the famous architect Frankie Lloyd wright in 1935. This building was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019. 1-hour Guided house tours are available daily. This is the only Frankie Lloyd wright house with its setting, original furnishings, and artwork intact. 

Frank Lloyd designed this house in 1935 for the Kaufmann family. This house (like all his others) exemplifies the architect’s philosophy of “harmonious integration between art and nature.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater

I have been to this house many times and during all the seasons. Fall is a great time to visit this house. One never gets tired of visiting this place.


Ohiopyle – Considered by some as one of the 7 natural wonders of Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle State Park is 70 miles south of Pittsburgh (and about 4 miles from Fallingwater – see above) and encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands.

Ohiopyle – Youghiogheny River
Cucumber falls in Ohiopyle

Passing through the heart of the park, are the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny [yawki-gay-nee] River which provides some of the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery. There are many trails that wind through this area with the Ferncliff Trail offering excellent view of the Ohiopyle falls that stretches the width of the Youghiogheny river. 

Ohiopyle falls
Ohiopyle falls

You can combine Fallingwater and Ohiopyle visits. 


Moraine State Park – 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, this park makes a great day trip. One can hike, bike, horseback ride, and picnic here. The picnic area provides a spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding.

Moraine State Park
Hiking in Moraine State Park

National Aviary – This facility is the country’s largest indoor aviary, and the only one accorded honorary “National” status by the United States Congress. The Aviary is home to more than 500 birds, other animals, and reptiles representing more than 150 species.

National Aviary

The National Aviary offers daily interactive experiences for visitors that change seasonally. At Penguin Point, guests can hand-feed the colony alongside an Aviary expert during a Penguin Feeding Encounter or opt to watch the Penguin Feeding.

National Aviary – Penguin Feeding Encounter
National Aviary – Toco Toucan
National Aviary – Bald Eagle
National Aviary – Blue Billed Curassow
National Aviary – Flamingo
National Aviary – Bird making a loud call
National Aviary – Sloth

National Aviary, Garden Room – Elegant and versatile with exceptional views of the park and Lake Elizabeth, this room is the perfect setting for your special event, from weddings and showers to corporate events.

National Aviary, Garden Room
National Aviary – View from the Garden Room

Hindu Temples – Pittsburgh has several Hindu temples serving the local community. The Venkateswara Temple, built in South Indian style, is one of the most popular. The Hindu-Jain Temple, reflecting North Indian architecture, is also widely visited.

Hindu Temples, Venkateswara Temple – Located in Penn Hills, the temple was completed and consecrated on June 8, 1977, becoming the first Hindu temple in the United States built by Indian immigrants. In 2005, the temple was remodeled to resemble the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India at a cost of $1.5 million. In addition to the main shrine which houses god Venkateshwara, there is are the 2 shrines of his consorts Padmavati and Bhudevi on either side. There is also a shrine of Ganesha. 

Hindu Temples, Venkateswara Temple

Hindu Temples, Hindu-Jain Temple – Situated on ten acres of lush, wooded land in Monroeville, a suburb of Pittsburgh, the Hindu-Jain Temple was officially inaugurated in 1984 following years of dedicated planning and construction.

Hindu Temples, Hindu-Jain Temple

Blueberry Farm – Bowser’s Blueberries is a family owned “U-pick” blueberry farm located 36 miles north of Pittsburgh. You can spend a couple of hours picking ripe blueberries during the summer and they let you enjoy their great taste while you are picking! In 2024, the pricing was $2.90/pound.  Buckets are provided for picking and bags are provided for taking your blueberries home. 


Allegheny Cemetery – is one of the largest and oldest historic rural cemeteries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood on wooded hillsides overlooking the Allegheny River, the non-sectarian cemetery spans 300 acres. Founded in 1844, it is the sixth-oldest rural cemetery in the United States and serves as the final resting place for more than 124,000 people, including many notable Pittsburgh residents and soldiers from the French and Indian War whose remains were moved there from downtown Pittsburgh.

Allegheny Cemetery

The cemetery’s Butler Street Gatehouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, followed by the entire cemetery in 1980.

Allegheny Cemetery – The Butler Street entrance (1870 portion)

We found it a peaceful place for walking and reflection. Its wooded hillsides, quiet paths, and scenic views overlooking the Allegheny River make it feel more like a park than a traditional cemetery. Many visitors come to walk, enjoy nature, photograph the architecture and monuments, or simply spend time in a calm setting away from the city.


Pennsylvania

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