Things to Do in Pittsburgh and the Laurel Highlands
Three rivers, hundreds of bridges, and Frank Lloyd Wright in the hills.
See top-rated activities »About Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh sits where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the Ohio, and its downtown, called the Golden Triangle, ends in Point State Park and its large fountain. The best first view is from Mount Washington across the Monongahela: the Duquesne Incline and the Monongahela Incline, cable cars built in the 1870s to carry workers up the bluff, still climb it, and the overlooks at the top take in the whole city. The city counts more than 440 bridges, and the yellow Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges across the Allegheny are the best known.
The North Shore has the Andy Warhol Museum, the largest museum in the country devoted to a single artist, plus the Carnegie Science Center and the stadiums of the Steelers and Pirates. In the Oakland neighborhood, the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History share one huge building with a dinosaur hall, and the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning has classrooms decorated in the styles of different nations. Phipps Conservatory, a Victorian glasshouse in Schenley Park, is a calm stop in any season.
The Strip District, along the Allegheny, is a long row of produce stalls, fish markets, bakeries and Steelers gear shops, and is the best place to try local food. Gateway Clipper boats leave from Station Square for sightseeing cruises on the rivers, and Kennywood, an amusement park in West Mifflin that opened in 1898, has classic wooden roller coasters. River cruise lines now sail the Ohio from Pittsburgh as well; our sister site USA River Cruising covers those trips.
About 90 minutes southeast, the Laurel Highlands are a region of ridges, state forests and small towns. Fallingwater, the house Frank Lloyd Wright cantilevered over a waterfall in 1935, is open for guided tours, and Kentuck Knob, another Wright house, is a few miles away. Ohiopyle State Park has waterfalls, whitewater rafting on the Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail, and the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville honors the passengers and crew of September 11, 2001.
Don’t Miss
An 1877 cable car up the bluff, with an overlook of the Golden Triangle at the top.
Seven floors on the Pittsburgh-born artist, from his early drawings to his films.
One of the best dinosaur collections in the world, sharing a building with the art museum.
An 1893 glasshouse with seasonal flower shows and outdoor gardens.
Sightseeing and dinner cruises on Pittsburgh's three rivers.
A traditional park from 1898, with wooden coasters and newer thrill rides.
Frank Lloyd Wright's house over a waterfall, seen on guided tours that sell out ahead.
A memorial and visitor center at the crash site of United Flight 93.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Pittsburgh
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Tiqets
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
Viator
ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. Pennsylvania Travel Guide may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your time in Pittsburgh
Tell us when you are coming and what you enjoy. A travel specialist will put together hotel, activity and travel options for you — free, with no obligation.
Get free trip quotes »Pittsburgh — FAQ
Is Fallingwater worth the drive from Pittsburgh?
For anyone interested in architecture, yes. Book a guided tour well ahead, especially for fall weekends, and combine it with Ohiopyle State Park or Kentuck Knob for a full day.
Which incline is better, Duquesne or Monongahela?
Both climb Mount Washington. The Duquesne Incline has a small museum and the classic view of the Point; the Monongahela Incline starts near Station Square and is the steeper of the two.
More of Pennsylvania
