30 minutes from Pittsburgh Airport

There is no hotel shuttle

Taxi, Uber, Lyft available

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Things to see in Pittsburgh

Duquesne Incline

      (A stop on the Monday Tour)

Take a ride on the Duquesne Incline, a century-old cable car, and get a bird’s eye view of Pittsburgh.  You can actually visit the interior and see how it operates.  The upper station has a museum that includes Pittsburgh history.  Of course, it also has a gift shop. Note – there is only a port-a-potty at the lower station.  No other rest rooms.

$2.50 one way, $5.00 round trip

1220 Grandview Ave, the upper station is wheelchair accessible as is the observation deck.  The incline cars can only accommodate wheelchairs up to 25 in in width.

1197 West Carson Street, Pittsburgh. This is the lower station and has many steps.

Heinz History Center

(A stop on the Monday Tour)

As Pittsburgh’s “people museum,” the History Center preserves and interprets the history of Western Pennsylvanians through six floors of interactive exhibitions that feature iconic artifacts like the TV set from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and the world’s oldest jeep.  Special exhibits are noted below.

1212 Smallman Street in the heart of Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District.  Adults $20, Senior $18, Child to 18 Free, Retired or Active Military $2 off admission

       Mister Rogers Neighborhood

The death of Mister Rogers left a huge gap in the hearts of all Americans, young and old. Although everybody’s favorite neighbor might be gone, his legacy remains stronger than ever at the Heinz History Museum in Pittsburgh. Visit the fourth floor of the expansive building to see Mister Rogers’ neighborhood with original props and items from the television set. Among the props, such as the Great Oak Tree where Henrietta Pussycat and X The Owl live and the original living room set, there’s also a life-like figure of Mister Rogers himself. Sweater, khakis, and all.           

   Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation

Explore the stories of how Western Pennsylvania innovators and their groundbreaking achievements have impacted our society.

• Explore lifelike historical figures, including Queen Aliquippa, Andrew Carnegie, Martin Delany, and Rosie the Riveter
• Interact with inventor George Westinghouse and ask him questions about his many achievements, from the invention of the air brake and alternating current, to his rivalry with Thomas Edison
• Check out a model of the casting process at Fort Pitt Foundry, the Strip District-based iron foundry that built the world’s largest cannon
• Step inside Pittsburgh’s premier jazz club, the Crawford Grill, and listen to music from some of history’s most prominent jazz musicians.
• See a full-scale model of Elektro, the first voice animated robot, originally built by Westinghouse, along with his trusty dog Sparko!

    History of Heinz

Discover how eight-year old Henry John Heinz started his iconic business by growing produce from his mother’s garden in Sharpsburg and selling it to local grocers. Learn the story behind the slogan “57 varieties” and Heinz’s innovations in marketing, packaging, and food safety. Through hundreds of artifacts and interactive displays, the exhibit showcases the Heinz Company’s evolution from a small food purveyor into one of the most recognizable international brands in the world.

     Freedom from Slavery

The exhibit highlights the enslavement of Africans and its impact on the American economy, the history of the anti-slavery movement, the Underground Railroad, and the impact of 19th-century activism on the modern quest for civil and human rights in Pittsburgh.

Embark on a journey that begins in 18th-century Africa, crosses the Atlantic Ocean on a recreated slave ship, toils in bondage on plantations of America, joins the Underground network of freedom seekers, fights for freedom in the Civil War, organizes for civil rights, and ends in 21st-century Western Pa.

Glass: Shattering Notions

                                                                            The Pittsburgh region was a center for glass production starting in 1797 when the first glass houses opened.  There were many innovations in its manufacture, design, and marketing. Don’t miss the Zoo Case where Glass birds, fish, animals, and more all are corralled or the video of the making of cylinder window glass. The exhibition showcases the beauty, science, utility and technology of Western Pennsylvania glass

Phipps Conversatory and Botanical Garden

1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh.  Free parking available in the center island on Schenley Drive. Metered street parking on either side of Schenley Drive (free after 6 p.m. Mon-Sat, all day on Sun. Accessible parking is available near the Conservatory’s front entrance.  1 Schenley Drive, Pittsburgh

Open every day at 9:30am, closes at 5pm except open Fri until 10pm.  Adults $21.95, Seniors and students over 18 $19.95, children $13.95

A green oasis, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has provided a world-class garden experience to its visitors since 1893. Explore the beauty and wonders of nature at Phipps, encompassing 15 acres including a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens. See  industry-leading sustainable architecture and green practices, seasonal flower shows, commissioned exhibits, renowned orchid and bonsai collections and more.

National Aviary

700 Arch St, Pittsburgh   412-323-7235 Closed Tuesday, open 10 – 5 other days.              Adult $17.95, Child $14.95, under 2 free, Senior $16.95
Parking Charge: $5 in National Aviary lot; street parking also available.

A trip to the National Aviary allows you to step into lush, free-flying bird habitats. The nation’s bird zoo is home to more than 500 birds and mammals representing species from around the world. Explore walk-through habitats where birds fly freely around you, and a sloth can be spotted in the trees. Get up close to a colony of adorable penguins, see mysterious owls, and be amazed by the impressive 10-foot wingspan of the Andean Condors.

You can book a nose-to-beak (or snout) experience with animals when you book an Animal Encounter! (extra cost)

Cathedral of Learning

4200 Fifth Avenue. There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance on the Heinz Chapel facing side of the building (to the left of the 5^th avenue entrance). There is metered parking available on all four sides of the Cathedral . Open 9am to 4pm, closed on Tuesday, Sun 11am – 4pm

A part of the University of Pittsburgh, this Gothic Revival building has a magnificent four-story Commons Room at ground level. The 42-story Cathedral houses classrooms. Located on the first and third floors of the Cathedral, visitors are invited to explore the Nationality Rooms (when not used by students) The 31 rooms are designed to represent the culture of various ethnic groups that settled in Pittsburgh.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 535-foot-tall Cathedral is the second-tallest educational building in the world after the University of Moscow’s main building. In recent years, families of peregrine falcons have nested atop the Cathedral.

The Nationality and Heritage Rooms Visitor Center is located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning and is accessible without stairs.

Mattress Factory Art Museum

509 Jacksonia St Pittsburgh, PA 15212; 412.-231-3169  Free parking $20 adult, $15 senior and student, $10 veterans and mobility challenged.  Open Wed-Sun 10am-6pm

NOTE: The main museum building is fully wheelchair accessible with some wheelchairs available at the front desk, but the other two buildings are only partially accessible because of their historic structure.

  TheMattress Factory consists of 3 buildings that are an unconventional art museum that specializes in contemporary installation art by resident artists from around the world, It is notorious for pushing the boundaries of both artist and viewer. The displays will challenge everything you think you know about contemporary art with vibrant colors, visual illusions and thought-provoking themes using all senses. While some exhibits are permanent, others rotate. Permanent favorites are the Repetitive Vision exhibit and the Infinity Dots Mirror Room.

NOTE: some content is not always child-friendly, with some exhibits leaning toward risqué and macabre.

Randyland

1501 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212  (0.2 mile from Mattress Factory) Open “most everyday”, with somewhat variable opening hours. Free but donations welcome.

One of the country’s most colorful landmarks, Randyland is artist Randy Gilson’s own home and backyard—created by himself using paints, plants, plastic animals, yard sale finds and discarded construction materials. Visitors are invited to explore the public art displays in and around this whimsical outdoor museum.

Andy Warhol Museum

117 Sandusky St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212  Open 10am–5pm  Wed to Sun.                                $25 adults, $13 seniors $13 Child

The Warhol Museum has the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks.  The 7 floors cover his entire career starting from his student work.  You will see paintings, drawings, commercial illustrations, sculptures, photographs and much more.

Bicycle Heaven Museum

1800 Preble Ave Open 10-7 everyday.  The museum is free.

The museum has over 6,000 bikes from vintage antique to new.  They also fix bikes and sell bike parts.  They also rent bikes for you to ride around Pittsburgh.

Double Decker Bus Tours

  The Pittsburg Tour Company  2720 Sidney St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; 412-381-8687

Explore Pittsburgh in a flexible, comprehensive way with a guided, humorous and informative tour on an open-air, double-decker bus. You will see Pittsburgh’s favorite areas for shopping, live entertainment, stadiums, museums, restaurants, bars and architecture. Pass by over two dozen sights, from bustling  South Side and the trendy Strip District to the Andy Warhol Museum and the National Aviary. Listen to commentary on board the bus that addresses the architecture, history, art, and culture of Pittsburgh

Just the Tour – 2 ¼ hr  $34.95/person

Hop on-Hop off All Day Tour Pass -8 hours  Start your tour at any of their stops  $39.95/person

Biking in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh has a strong and devoted community of cyclists who are eager to welcome you to their city. The city’s unique topographic blend of steep, winding hills and flat river areas makes it one of the best cities for cycling enthusiasts.

There are many wonderful trails in Pittsburgh.  Bike Pittsburgh has lots of information and maps.

Walking in Pittsburgh

Start by lacing up your walking shoes. Known as both the ‘Steel City’ and ‘City of Bridges,’ Pittsburgh happens to be one of the most walkable cities. With a variety of easy neighborhood walks, more challenging hillside ones and many sights to see, there is a walk for everyone.

How many of the 446 bridges can you find to walk across? Make your way into the neighborhoods and climb any of the 700 sets of Pittsburgh’s public steps. Find Roslyn Place and take a walk on Pittsburgh’s last wooden brick street. Up for a challenge? Canton Avenue in the Beechview neighborhood is the steepest street in the U.S.!

Some of the Featured areas to walk:

Schenley Park The park contains 456 acres of trails, woods, a lake, a golf course, and the must-see Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon.

Shadyside Neighborhood One of the trendiest neighborhoods, it also happens to be one of the most beautiful walking areas with the combination of restored Victorian mansions and student apartments in historic buildings. Be sure to venture to Walnut Street. It offers a nice stroll around the trendiest cafés, yoga and spa centers, boutiques, bookstores, food stores, local galleries, and many events.

The Strip District is Pittsburgh’s historic market district – a quirky, fun, and vibrant place to be. The Strip is Pittsburgh’s hip hub featuring local and international products, meat and fish markets and sidewalk vendors. You’ll also find nightclubs and dining favorites plus both local and international shops.

Point State Park is located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh at the confluence of three rivers – the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio.  It is at the tip of Pittsburgh’s “Golden Triangle.” The park commemorates and preserves the strategic and historic heritage of the area during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Fort Pitt Museum is dedicated to the history of the early settlements in the area. It’s a great place to walk  as a reprieve from the bustle downtown, enjoy the beauty of the confluence and the fountain, 601 Commonwealth Place

Free (donation) Guided Walking Tours A knowledgeable guide will show you highlights of Pittsburgh and its legendary history. There is a Downtown tour and North Side tour. At the end of your tour, you can name your own price.

Play & Fun for Adults and Kids

Kennywood Amusement Park

(30 miles from the hotel if driving straight there; southeast of Pittsburgh , 5 miles from Sandcastle Waterpark)  Kennywood Park started as a trolley park in 1899 is now America’s finest traditional amusement park. It’s a great day out for the whole family.  Some of its most notoriously fun rides include the Black Widow and the Sky Rocket. There are many smaller rides and even a Kiddieland.  4800 Kennywood Blvd, West Mifflin, PA; 412-461-0500. Check website or call for hours and prices.

 Sandcastle Waterpark

(25 miles from the hotel if driving straight there; southeast of Pittsburgh, 5 miles from Kennywood Park) Sandcastle waterpark overlooks the Monongahela River and a beautiful wooded hillside.  There are 16 waterslides, a lazy river and 4 pools including a Mon Tsunami Wave Pool, a Scenic Mushroom Pool, two children play areas and more!  1000 Sandcastle Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15120 412-462-6666. See website for hours, pricing and parking (it costs) info.