How would you picture a place called Steel City? I don’t know about you, but when I heard that was one of Pittsburgh’s nicknames, images of a gray and gloomy industrial hub popped into my mind.
As soon as I arrived all the grim in my head melted like ice cream inside a fried churro. Tree-covered hills, deer roaming around within a stone throw of the downtown core, and riverside walking trails dotted with artwork replaced my preconceived ideas.
Nearby nature reserves, day trips to the Ohiopyle State Park, kayaks floating on the river, mountains, museums and art galleries, and forests cradling wildlife complete the landscape of the City of Bridges.
Was it always like that? No.
If I would’ve got here between the 1800s and the mid-1900s in a time machine, I would’ve found a polluted and grimy town with a thriving steel industry. The city has come a long way thanks to the implementation of environmental policies to clean air, land, and water.
Now that you don’t need to carry around an oxygen tank to survive it’s time to enjoy some outdoor adventures in Pittsburgh.
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Table of Contents
Take a tour of the Allegheny Observatory
Not exactly an outdoor activity per se, but sort of, as you’ll be looking at stars and planets through state-of-the-art telescopes located inside an astronomical research lab, part of the University of Pittsburgh.
The (free) guided tour starts with a visit to the building and a summary of the observatory’s history. The best part, of course, is when you access the dome housing the monumental telescope sitting on a rotating platform.
The dome then opens to reveal the starry night and, if you have better luck than me, it’ll be a clear sky and you’ll see whatever the galaxy has in store for you.
Tours run from April through late October. Inside and outdoor temperature is the same in the dome so don’t forget your sweater.
159 Riverview Avenue; Call 412.624.0430 (weekdays between 1PM and 5PM) for tickets. Reservations required; Free admission
Hit the Trails at the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
Miles of interconnected trails cut through the dense vegetation that covers more than 130 acres of land, under the management of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.
The trails take you through different environments; I loved the forests, which offered a great opportunity for birdwatching and seeing wildlife. You’ll probably spot a deer (or two, or three) as they’re abundant around Pittsburgh.
The Pine Hollow trail goes through a beautiful forest on a hill, with the shade of old pine and hardwood trees creating interesting patterns on the fern-covered floor.
We then crossed the Meadowview trail to land on the Woodland trail which, at some point, runs close to the power lines shown on the map. And right next to the lines there is some sort of a trail (probably for maintenance) which we started following, convinced that at some point it would throw us back inside the forest.
We ended up on the road. A police officer stopped to check that we were OK and gave us a ride to the parking lot. Long story short, if you find yourself walking parallel to the power lines for more than a few minutes you have gone off-trail.
From the reserve’s parking lot we walked around the pond and headed towards the Oak Forest, with young and mature trees growing along the hilly trail, ending at the north section of the Spring Hollow trail.
You’ll find one of my favourite spots: The Tree Top Lookout. The raised wood platform offers an unbeatable top view of the forest and an excellent birdwatching post.
The short trails (from 0.11 to 0.91 miles) have a degree of difficulty from easy to moderate, with adequate signage.
614 Dorseyville Road; 1.412.963.6100; Open dawn to dusk all year round
Owl Prowl: Search and Learn about Owls with the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
The beautiful small owl was right there, within arm’s length, perching quietly on the naturalist’s hand while looking back at the curious eyes that admired it.
This amazing encounter took place at the Nature Centre inside the Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve as part of the Owl Prowl program.
The naturalist talked about the owls commonly found around Western Pennsylvania, before walking around the room with a rescued Screech owl that was injured by a car and was no longer able to fly.
The tiny bird looked cute as a button, but the cuteness stops at its appearance. We learned it’s a highly effective, voracious bird of prey.
We were only two to three feet from the owl, so close you could almost touch it (we didn’t, it wasn’t allowed). Even its handler keeps the interactions short, respecting the wild nature of the bird and not engaging in any petting. It must be harder to resist than a warm pumpkin-infused apple cider with a stick of cinnamon in a cold fall afternoon.
It was time to start looking for owls on the trail after dark. The guide mimicked the bird call to locate nearby owls and we were able to see a couple of them on the trees. They limit the number of calls to disturb as little as possible their natural behaviour.
The Owl Prowl program runs across the different sites managed by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. If you would like to enjoy this great experience check their website for upcoming dates and locations. You must register in advance.
Cost: $10
Enjoy the Parks in Mount Washington and the Panoramic Views
Pittsburgh is also known as the City of Bridges, and the panoramic view from Mount Washington makes for a picture-perfect postcard.
Mount Washington is also a notable case study of site remediation, transforming a dumpsite into a popular overlook surrounded by green areas that make a suitable habitat for native ecosystems.
These green pockets include parks and walking trails in addition to the wonderful views of Pittsburgh’s downtown skyline and beyond, and the best seat in the house to follow the sinuous course of the Monongahela River as it approaches The Point (where the three rivers meet).
Grandview Park was a heavenly spot I loved, especially the walk among the tall trees on the hill slopes of the Grandview Trail.
Mount Washington and its parks are located along Grandview Avenue.
One way to get there is by riding the Duquesne Incline and the Monongahela Incline, the only two funiculars remaining in the city from a time when they were the only way to navigate the city’s steep hills. The roundtrip costs $5 (only the Monongahela accepts credit cards).
Visit the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Step into the Victorian greenhouses to see artistic arrangements with colourful plants and flowers surrounding man-made artwork. The glass buildings sit among beautiful outdoor gardens featuring ponds and fountains.
The floor plan includes several rooms with plants from different climates (orchids, desert, tropical forest, bonsais) as well as classical French and Flemish gardens.
Don’t miss the chance to visit the greenhouse when it’s open after dark. The lights play with shapes and colours making everything look different. I just felt I was entering a whole new place.
If you’re interested in learning about sustainable design, a visit to the Center for Sustainable Landscapes will give you a chance to step foot in a facility that has gained four certifications granted by leading institutes in sustainability. This is quite an accomplishment if you take into consideration that the site used to be a brownfield.
Plenty of informative signs explain why this is a green building and the science behind making it possible.
Ready for a brisker walk after touring the Phipps Conservatory? The gentle hills of Schenley Park, located right across the entrance, are a wonderful option.
On the other side of the park, crossing Schenley Drive, you can visit the beautiful pond at the Westinghouse Memorial and explore the Steve Faloon Memorial Trail.
The Phipps Conservatory Gardens
1 Schenley Drive; 1.412.622.6914; Sat. to Thu.: 9:30AM-5PM; Fri: 9:30AM-10PM (Holiday hours may vary); General admission: $22.95
Explore the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
This isn’t a traditional botanic garden where you take a stroll through manicured gardens, ornate fountains, greenhouses, rose gardens, and the likes.
Instead, you step inside a woodland with miles of trails going up and down the hills, with outdoor sculptures that seem to be born out of trees, and where you learn about how reclamation efforts brought back life to the land and the pond that houses the Japanese Garden, one of the most beautiful spots of this place.
799 Pinkerton Run Road. Oakdale, PA; 1.412.444.4464; Open Tue. to Sun.: 9AM-5PM (check for extended hours during summer); General admission: $18
Catch the Sunset at the Pittsburgh Point State Park
The star of the show is the fabulous view of the sunset and the most emblematic bridges in Pittsburgh: the Roberto Clemente, the Andy Warhol, and the Rachel Carson bridges.
Other than the views and the massive fountain, this urban park, with paths for a leisure walk and views of the cityscape across the river, isn’t particularly jaw-dropping in itself. However, it’s located at “the point” where the Monongahela River meets the Allegheny River to form the Ohio River.
Sitting on the bench of the circular fountain to enjoy the concert of colours playing in the sky is worth the trip. The Pittsburgh Point State Park is located on the path of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
601 Commonwealth Place
Walk, Bike, or Paddle along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
This 24-mile urban trail spreads across the North and South shore of the three rivers confluence area. It will give you the best eye-level views of Pittsburgh, its many bridges, and access to points of interest in different districts.
It’s a paved trail so it’s easy to walk or bike.
Bike the Burgh Tour: ride with a small-group across parks, squares, downtown districts and this river trail while learning about the architecture and history of Pittsburgh.
Book your ride, with a rating of 4.9/5 based on more than 235 reviews.
If you prefer, you can rent a kayak and paddle along the river.
As you move away from the downtown core, heading north on the Allegheny River, you’ll see more trees along the trail.
I loved the section that took me through Herr’s Island, with its green paths, wonderful sunset views and, like most Pittsburgh, telling a remarkable story of site remediation that transformed this former brownfield into a desirable location.
As a bonus, the trail is also an outdoor gallery (like most of the city), displaying artwork along the path.
One cool thing to do in Pittsburgh at night is to check out the light installation, changing colours and patterns on the three most iconic bridges.
If you’re in the mood to hike or bike all the way to Washington D.C. from Pittsburgh, The Three Rivers Heritage Trail – at The Point- is the beginning/end of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which connects to the C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, MD, to create a 334-mile route.
I only walked a few miles of the GAP along the Three Rivers trail and in the Ohiopyle State Park. I’m looking forward to completing it one day.
Watch the Skyline from West End-Elliott Overlook Park
This is another premium spot to see the Pittsburgh skyline with its never-ending line-up of bridges, drawing floating arches and triangles across the three rivers.
It’s located west of Mount Washington, offering the best birds’ eye view of Pittsburgh Point, where the three rivers merge.
599 Fairview Ave
Visit the Todd Nature Reserve: a Wildlife Sanctuary
This 275-acre property, part of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, is an oasis for nature-lovers, just a one-hour drive from Pittsburgh
The heart of the sanctuary is crisscrossed by seven short, colour-coded trails bordering a pond and a ravine, and traversing a forest of hemlocks, maples, and oaks.
We stepped on the Loop Trail and exited to the Pond Trail, sitting on a bench overlooking the pond to see the reflection of the trees on the speckled water, like an image formed on an antique mirror.
On the Polypody Trail I felt tiny standing next to the green-tinted huge boulders. The curious name of this path comes from the polypody ferns covering the boulders. It’s one of the most beautiful trails on the reserve and takes you down into the ravine.
However, the Ravine Trail following Watson’s Run is a strong contender. I always have tons of fun hopping on rocks to cross creeks from side to side and this trail offers plenty of that.
A visit to the reserve makes for a beautiful half-day or a day trip from Pittsburgh to see nothing but forests, open fields, ravines and listen to the sound of birds.
367 Kepple Road, Sarver, PA; 1.724.295.3589
Ready to walk or bike the trails of this city? Or would you prefer to see it from the water while you paddle? Maybe you’ll opt for a trip to the nearby forests or a day trip to other nature reserves. As an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll find plenty of options.
The cherry on the cake? Pittsburgh is less expensive than other cities in the United States and it also has many museums and art galleries. Are you convinced to visit already?
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BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
