Pittsburgh isn’t all steel towers and smokestacks. While its history is inevitably tied to its role as an industry town, its growing status as a destination for foodies, particularly comfort-food foodies, as well as its growing arts scene (Andy Warhol was from Pittsburgh after all), make for a fun, low-key vacation. Here’s our ideal itinerary for experiencing what Pittsburgh does best.
Stay Here
The Kimpton Hotel Monaco is a gorgeous Beaux-Arts building built in 1903. While the façade is historic, the furnishings inside are decidedly modern. One reason for the Monaco’s top ranking is its convenient location in the cultural district—families will enjoy being able to walk to the Strip District’s shops and restaurants, plus the city’s pedestrian bridges and parks. The Monaco has a partnership with 4Moms, which provides amenities like a Breeze Plus Playard, MamaRoo4 infant seat, and Cleanwater Tub. For older kids, the hotel offers free Public bikes and Micro Kickboard scooters to use during their stay. There’s free coffee every morning and a wine happy hour at night. The Monaco’s suites have sleeper sofas, and some rooms have double queen beds. The Commoner restaurant serves three meals each day, and the Biergarten on the rooftop has stunning city views and serves hearty German fare. From $286 per night, 620 William Penn Pl.
Day 1
MORNING: Get your bearings and learn some cool history by booking a ticket on Molly’s Trolleys Pittsburgh. Take the “All About the Burgh, the Culture to Ketchup Tour” in the enclosed trolleys to visit key neighborhoods and attractions. Guides describe the history of the city and the unique architecture built by the robber barons who made their fortunes during Pittsburgh’s steel heyday. The high point (literally) is a behind-the-scenes tour and ride on the Duquesne Incline, a historic cable railway. Board a turn-of-the-century funicular (passenger cable car) and ascend amazingly steep mountainsides, taking in jaw-dropping cityscape views along the way.
AFTERNOON: The Strip is foodie heaven, so nosh your way down Penn Avenue. Stop in Robert Wholey & Co. to see the fresh produce and seafood on display, or inhale the fragrant Italian delicacies at Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop is a wonderland of vintage sweets, with ice cream, milkshakes, and malts, too. (Good luck escaping without a bag of treats.) Peace Love & Little Donuts is another kid favorite, and parents love Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange with its microbrewed draft coffees. Pamela’s Diner, a retro spot, is famous for thin, crispy hotcakes and serves breakfast all day.
EVENING: Take a moonlit walk around Point State Park to burn off some steam, including a jaunt across the Fort Duquesne Bridge to see the city lit up at night. From there, make your way to Primanti Bros. Restaurant at Market Square for a sandwich piled high with coleslaw and hand-cut fries—this is a Pittsburgh institution, and you can’t leave without tasting it.
Day 2
MORNING: Fit in healthy breakfast at The Speckled Egg inside the Union Trust Building, where you can sip on cold-pressed juices and linger over a fancy goat-cheese omelet. Then head to the Carnegie Science Center—one of four Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh. Depending on your child’s interests, you can choose the Science Center, with hands-on, interactive STEM activities, or the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, with its fossils, dinosaurs, and animal-centered exhibits. (Both institutions are superb.) Younger kids may prefer the Science Center, thanks to the miniature railroad village and the USS Requin, a real submarine that you can climb aboard and explore. Parents will enjoy the Pompeii exhibit, and older kids should visit Highmark SportsWorks (included in the ticket) to test their skills in physics and sports.
AFTERNOON: Drive to Oakland—home of the University of Pittsburgh—an energetic neighborhood with inexpensive restaurants, such as Lulu’s Noodles, which students love for the hefty helpings of stir-fry, dumplings, and soups. From here, visit the breathtaking gardens at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Sniff your way through the orchid exhibit and tropical bonsai show. As you stroll through each room, you’ll encounter different plant habitats, from desert cactus to water lilies. It’s an aromatic escape during this chilly spring season. Afterward, if your kids feel energetic, take them to Schenley Park playground, and if it’s open, ride the PNC Carousel.
EVENING: Also located in Schenley Park is The Porch, a restaurant serving pizza, burgers, and elegant entrées. Make sure to try Leona’s Ice Cream Sandwiches, made with peanut butter and snickerdoodle cookies. When you walk outside, look up-up-up, to the 535-foot Gothic Revival skyscraper called The Cathedral of Learning. If your kids cooperate, parents deserve a stop at Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar. This historic building in the neighborhood of Lawrenceville has a story to tell, and the small-batch ciders are exceptional.
Day 3
MORNING: Enjoy the creative toppings at Waffles, INCaffeinated on Fifth Avenue, where you’ll find many tempting choices, from the Souther’ waffle with chorizo to the Funky Monkey smothered in chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas. After breakfast, drive to Senator John Heinz History Center, located inside a former ice factory. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and caters to all ages with a sense of nostalgia. Some notable exhibits include Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, displaying original set pieces used in the Pittsburgh hero’s beloved TV show. And yes, there’s an 11-foot Heinz Ketchup bottle made from 400 individual bottles of America’s favorite condiment.
AFTERNOON: Before heading home, step into the eclectic gift shop at The Andy Warhol Museum. This is the largest museum dedicated to one artist in the U.S., and it has an astonishing collection of the pop-art icon’s work. If you want a meal before hitting the road, walk to Federal Galley Food Hall, a restaurant accelerator that supports chef-owned fast-casual spots like Vietnamese Shaka and Driven PGH’s Detroit-style pizza. Now, buckle up. Your kids should be tired enough to take a nap!
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