Summary of Top Attractions in Downtown Pittsburgh
Downtown Pittsburgh, the city’s financial and business center, spans three-quarters of a square mile filled with remarkable skyscrapers. Initially, Downtown seems like a contemporary metropolis, but Pittsburgh was established in the mid-18th century and continues to showcase numerous historic features.
The area is bordered by two rivers, the Allegheny and the Monongahela, which converge at the western tip of the Downtown peninsula to form the Ohio River. With ten bridges located in Downtown Pittsburgh alone and more than four hundred additional ones throughout the city, Pittsburgh justifiably holds its title as the City of Bridges.
Given its unique geographical layout, there is a wide variety of aquatic activities alongside numerous attractions on land. Ensure to explore these fifteen premier experiences in Downtown Pittsburgh, as they each provide unique enjoyment.
1. Just Ducky
Discover Downtown Pittsburgh via an amphibious vehicle on a Just Ducky tour. Departing from Station Square on the South Shore, which is accessible from Downtown by crossing the Smithfield Street Bridge, this tour offers a unique perspective.
Float along the Monongahela River to capture stunning views of Downtown’s skyline before transitioning back onto land to navigate the streets and see the main attractions.
The tour lasts approximately one hour and features commentary from a driver-guide, who shares amusing duck and quack-related jokes throughout the journey.
2. Benedum Center For Performing Arts
Located on 7th Street, the Benedum Center for Performing Arts is a premier destination for Broadway productions, operas, ballets, and performances by renowned artists.
This renovated cinema features tiered balconies and can accommodate nearly three thousand attendees.
Expect exceptional performances ranging from classical dances such as the Nutcracker Suite to contemporary adaptations like the Hip Hop Nutcracker, along with appearances by international artists including Celtic Woman and Mariah Carey.
3. Fort Pitt Museum
Travel back in time to Pittsburgh’s founding days at the Fort Pitt Museum, situated in Commonwealth Place within Point State Park.
The museum showcases both indoor and outdoor exhibits illustrating the city’s significant contributions to America’s independence. Visitors can engage with life in the 18th century through interactive displays and live military reenactments within the first-floor gallery.
Adjacent to the museum lies the Fort Pitt Blockhouse, the only remaining structure from the original fort.
4. PPG Place Plaza
Regardless of the season, PPG Place Plaza always hosts an array of activities.
During the summer, the plaza’s highlight is an impressive display of one hundred and forty water jets that shoot fifteen feet into the air, accompanied by an evening light show that features a choreographed display.
In winter, from November to early March, the plaza transforms into a captivating outdoor ice rink, complete with skate rentals available on-site.
5. Andy Warhol Museum
Cross the Andy Warhol Bridge from Downtown Pittsburgh to the North Shore to visit the Andy Warhol Museum.
This museum is dedicated exclusively to the works of the late 20th-century master of pop art, housing a prolific collection of Andy Warhol’s pieces spread over seventeen galleries across seven floors, encompassing an exhibition space of over eighty thousand square feet.
The museum also offers several interactive workshops, allowing visitors to experiment with some of Warhol’s famous techniques to create their unique artworks.
6. Olive Or Twist
Olive or Twist is an elegant cocktail bar located on 6th Street, renowned for its unique Martini creations and innovative twists on classic cocktails.
This two-story establishment features an upstairs lounge with a VIP area, complemented by an inviting décor of bare brick walls and dark wood furniture, offering a warm and stylish ambiance.
Live music is showcased on weekends, and the menu includes upscale pub cuisine.
7. Bike Pittsburgh
Rent a bicycle from Golden Triangle Bike Rental on First Avenue and traverse the district on two wheels.
Navigate the traffic-free Three Rivers Trail in Downtown Pittsburgh, which extends several miles, starting from Monongahela Wharf Landing and reaching the Riverfront Plaza Convention Center. If that is not sufficient distance, the trail continues to the North Shore.
For those preferring guided experiences, Golden Triangle Bike Rental offers organized group tours led by qualified guides.
8. Heinz Hall
Heinz Hall, located on Penn Avenue, is the home of the city’s Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Youth Orchestra.
Originally opened as a luxurious cinema in the late 1920s, the venue underwent significant renovations in the mid-1990s. While its exterior may appear unassuming, the interior exudes sheer elegance.
Heinz Hall hosts approximately two hundred live performances each year, including solo artists, entertainment stars, stand-up comedians, and orchestral music.
9. The Original Oyster House
The Original Oyster House, located on Market Square, has been a staple in the community for nearly one hundred and fifty years. Its longevity can be attributed to outstanding food and hospitality.
While the name might suggest a focus on oysters, the menu prominently features cod and shrimp, alongside a special Key West Oyster Dinner.
This historic establishment has also served as a filming location for twenty-five movies, including Night of the Living Dead.
10. PPG Paints Arena
The PPG Paints Arena, located on 5th Avenue, is a versatile indoor venue that hosts major league sports events and live concerts.
This arena serves as the home of Pittsburgh’s NHL team, the Penguins, which regularly fills its nineteen thousand seats.
Since its opening nearly a decade ago, a range of international artists, including Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry, have performed here.
11. Mellon Square
Mellon Square, initially opened in the mid-1950s on Oliver Avenue, was an innovative green space that had previously been unseen. This one and a half-acre garden plaza is constructed atop an underground parking facility and underwent renovations in 2014, transforming it into a vibrant social hub for both locals and visitors.
The space features geometrically designed pathways, illuminated fountains, and benches, perfect for enjoying a good book. Throughout the summer, Mellon Square hosts meditation sessions, Tai Chi and yoga classes, live music events, and line dancing sessions.
12. City Lights Segway Tour
Experience the beauty of Downtown Pittsburgh at night on a guided Segway tour.
Meet your guide on Station Street Drive at Pittsburgh’s South Shore for a brief instructional session prior to crossing the Smithfield Street Bridge to explore the most notable aspects of Downtown under the night sky.
The duration of the tour is approximately ninety minutes, with several daytime options also available.
13. Lock and Dam Dinner
Delight in a barbecue while cruising on a paddlewheel riverboat measuring one hundred and twenty feet in length.
The experience includes passing through a lock along with a menu featuring delicious spice-rubbed pork ribs and Texas Mop chicken legs accompanied by mac and cheese. Conclude the cruise with a dessert of cinnamon-spiced apple pie while taking in the Downtown views.
This barbecue cruise lasts around two and a half hours and provides on-board bar service along with a DJ playing dance music.
14. Howl At The Moon
For a lively evening filled with music and cocktails, visit Howl At The Moon on 7th Street, where you can expect an energetic atmosphere in a spacious, contemporary venue.
This dueling piano bar includes a variety of instruments, playing popular and lively music that encourages patrons to dance along.
Signature cocktails at Howl At The Moon are served in buckets, and the unique offerings such as Sex on the Moon or Adios Mofo are must-tries for an exhilarating night.
15. Duquesne Incline
A visit to the Duquesne Incline is an essential experience for everyone.
Travel to the South Shore to ride a funicular railway that has been operating since 1877. The track measures less than eight hundred feet and the cars ascend at a leisurely pace of six miles per hour, which may not seem thrilling, yet the views of Downtown Pittsburgh from the Duquesne Incline are truly breathtaking.
