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Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh travel guide

Second-most populous city in Pennsylvania, U.S.

Things to do5 experiences
Best time to visitAugust to September
Nearest airportAGC · 7 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−4
Population302,971

About Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. Located in southwestern Pennsylvania where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River, it had a population of 302,971 at the 2020 census, making it the second-most populous city in Pennsylvania after Philadelphia. The Pittsburgh metropolitan area has over 2.43 million people, making it the largest in the Ohio Valley and Appalachia, the second-largest in Pennsylvania, and the 28th-largest in the U.S. The greater Pittsburgh–Weirton–Steubenville combined statistical area includes parts of Ohio and West Virginia.

Places to visit in Pittsburgh

  1. Duquesne Incline

    Duquesne Incline

    Viewpoint

    A historic cable car climbing Mount Washington to an observation deck with the classic view of downtown Pittsburgh and its three rivers, especially striking at night.

  2. The Andy Warhol Museum

    The Andy Warhol Museum

    Museum

    Seven floors dedicated to the Pittsburgh-born pop artist, covering his paintings, films and archives, with a hands-on studio where visitors can try silkscreen printing. It is on the North Side.

  3. Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

    Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

    Museum · 3 mi from centre

    Connected museums in Oakland with a renowned dinosaur hall, gem and mineral galleries and a wide-ranging art collection including impressive architecture casts. One ticket covers both museums, so plan for a full afternoon.

  4. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

    Park · 3 mi from centre

    A Victorian glasshouse in Schenley Park with tropical rooms, orchids and lavish seasonal flower shows, along with outdoor gardens and sustainable building features. It is next to the Carnegie Museums.

  5. Cathedral of Learning

    Cathedral of Learning

    Landmark · 2 mi from centre

    A Gothic Revival skyscraper on the University of Pittsburgh campus, known for its Nationality Rooms, each decorated in the style of a different culture. Guided tours of the rooms are offered.

  6. Point State Park

    Point State Park

    Park

    At the tip of downtown where the Allegheny and Monongahela form the Ohio River, with a large fountain, river views and the Fort Pitt Museum.

  7. Strip District

    Strip District

    Market

    A lively warehouse district of ethnic grocers, bakeries, food stalls and sports merchandise vendors, busiest and most fun on Saturday mornings. Graze your way through samples, coffee roasters and Italian delis as you browse.

  8. Mattress Factory

    Mattress Factory

    Museum

    A contemporary art museum on the North Side focused on room-sized installations, including permanent works by James Turrell and Yayoi Kusama. Its immersive rooms are best explored slowly, one installation at a time.

Things to do in Pittsburgh by type

5 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 2
  • 3-6 hours 1
Browse all things to do in Pittsburgh

Top experiences in Pittsburgh

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 5 available.

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Where to stay in Pittsburgh

Popular hotels in Pittsburgh, out of 179 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Pittsburgh

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Pittsburgh is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 77–82°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 20° – 33° 12
Feb 26° – 43° 13
Mar 35° – 56° 13
Apr 44° – 64° 15
May 54° – 72° 19
Jun 63° – 82° 15
Jul 67° – 86° 14
Aug 64° – 82° 10
Sep 59° – 77° 11
Oct 46° – 65° 7
Nov 37° – 52° 12
Dec 26° – 40° 13

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Pittsburgh weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 63° 38° 0%
  • Thu 22 Oct 65° 46° 0%
  • Fri 23 Oct 64° 47° 0%
  • Sat 24 Oct 65° 45° 0%
  • Sun 25 Oct 68° 49° 1%
  • Mon 26 Oct 68° 52° 1%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/New_YorkUTC−4
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Pittsburgh

These are the airports closest to central Pittsburgh. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • AGC Allegheny County Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
  • PIT Pittsburgh International Airport14 mi (23 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is difficult for strangers to get around in because the roads go every which way, constrained by the rivers and hills. Many are one-way and nearly all are narrow, as they were laid out in the days of horse-and-buggy transportation. Those with a GPS navigation device should get around all right. For those without, a taxi is an option until you get used to the roads, but the public transit, operated by the Port Authority (see below), works quite well for travel within the city.

By public transit

The Pittsburgh Regional Transit, ☏ +1 412 442-2000 (previously known as Port Authority or PAT as some residents refer to it), operates bus, light rail and incline service in Pittsburgh. Bus service covers much of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and, for the most part, is reliable and clean. Light rail (commonly referred to as "The T") connects the south side of the city to downtown and the stadiums, but doesn't connect to many other points of interest.

By taxi

Taxis are a good (if expensive) way of dealing with Pittsburgh's spaghetti roads until you get used to them, at least within downtown and the inner areas of the city itself. However they can be nearly impossible to hail on the street, and plan to wait a while if you call one on a night or weekend. If you are downtown, the best bet is to head for the nearest hotel taxi stand.

By car

With a multitude of hills and valleys, Pittsburgh is an eclectic town to travel by car for even the natives. Very little is straightforward about Pittsburgh travel via car, but some constants help road warriors get by.

Pittsburgh travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Pittsburgh?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Pittsburgh is August to September, when average daytime highs are around 77–82°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.

What is the weather like in Pittsburgh?

July is usually the warmest month in Pittsburgh, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 20°F (-7°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 193 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Pittsburgh?

Allegheny County Airport (AGC) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Pittsburgh. Other nearby airports include Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT, 14 mi).

What time zone is Pittsburgh in?

Pittsburgh uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh is difficult for strangers to get around in because the roads go every which way, constrained by the rivers and hills. Many are one-way and nearly all are narrow, as they were laid out in the days of horse-and-buggy transportation. Those with a GPS navigation device should get around all right.

What are the best places to visit in Pittsburgh?

Top sights in Pittsburgh include Duquesne Incline, The Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. A historic cable car climbing Mount Washington to an observation deck with the classic view of downtown Pittsburgh and its three rivers, especially striking at night.

What are the top things to do in Pittsburgh?

Popular experiences you can book in Pittsburgh include NHL Game: Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Hockey Game at PPG Paints Arena - Ticket and Secret Food Tours Pittsburgh. Destina Holidays offers 5 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Pittsburgh?

The most popular types of experiences in Pittsburgh are shows, sports and special events (3) and gastronomy & nightlife (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Pittsburgh?

Popular areas for hotels in Pittsburgh include Downtown, Coraopolis and Suburbs. Well-reviewed options include Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh University-Oakland and Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place.

How many hotels can I book in Pittsburgh?

Destina Holidays currently lists 179 properties in and around Pittsburgh, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.