If you’re looking for a fun family vacation spot with great food, tons of kids’ activities, friendly locals, and affordable prices, head to Pittsburgh! This is a great family destination and there are tons of things to do in Pittsburgh for the kids.
We only spent three days in Pittsburgh (we could have spent more) and had an amazing trip. From 9am to 9pm, our days were filled with adventure. We experienced most of what Pittsburgh has to offer, but were hoping to slow down for another day.
We’ve put together our Pittsburgh itinerary below, highlighting all the Best things to do in Pittsburgh with kids.
Best Kids Activities in Pittsburgh
1. Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Museum Lab
this children’s museum of pittsburgh Offers interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for children of all ages in a creative, fun and educational way. From water parks to art studios, museums provide a fun and exciting environment for kids to explore. We could have spent the whole day here!
Our favorite exhibits were the Garage, Makeshop, Art Studio, and Kindness Gallery. We could have spent the whole day at the children’s museum. If you visit during the summer, be sure to check out the gardens and backyard exhibits.
We only have a few minutes on site museum laboratorylocated in the building next door. Younger kids will love the Chroma Maze, a giant inflatable sculpture for children. Aimed at children aged 10+, Museum Lab provides innovative and experimental learning experiences for older children.
2. National Aviary
One of the first things our son wanted to do during the summer was see toucans. We saw toucans and more. The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is home to more than 500 birds of more than 150 species from around the world.
They also offer a variety of animal encounters: penguins, sloths, falcons, and owls. Animal viewing events at the National Aviary are sold out and may not be offered every day. Click here Book online and check the calendar.
We were able to go to a sloth encounter where we learned about sloths and were able to touch and feed them. Our kids loved the rainbow lorikeet feedings, there were several feedings each day and tickets were available for purchase in person.
3. Carnegie Science Center
The Pittsburgh Science Center has four floors and features more than 200 interactive exhibits and tons of hands-on activities that are not only fun for kids, but also educational. There’s something for kids of all ages; as adults we had a blast.
Click here View a list of all current exhibits and experiences at the Pittsburgh Science Center.
Children can explore the human body at Bodyworks. Our kids love the air seats where you bounce up and down to increase the air pressure and see what happens (farts are loud). For children under 6 years old, please visit the Little Learners Clubhouse.
Our kids loved the button wall of 200 buttons (which triggers sights and sounds), the water table and fishing pond (with water covers to keep the kids dry), and the tomato rack where you collect green and red balls and send them to a conveyor belt or vacuum tube.
4. Duquesne Slope
For one of the best views in Pittsburgh, ride the century-old cable car up the Duquesne Incline. First opened in 1877, this funicular leads to Mount Washington, 400 feet above sea level. The upper station features an observation deck offering panoramic views of Pittsburgh and its three rivers, as well as the Pittsburgh Historical Museum.
this duquesne slopes Fares are paid in person; you cannot buy tickets or reserve them in advance. No credit or debit cardyou need to have the exact cash fare. There is a change machine available. You can purchase one-way or round-trip tickets; our kids thought this was so cool.
Don’t let your children go hungry. Children get hungry easily. We ate out every meal during our trip! Be sure to read our Best Pittsburgh Kid-Friendly Restaurants Articles about where to eat among Pittsburgh attractions.
5. Carnegie Museum of Natural History
If you have a kid who loves dinosaurs, a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History should be one of the top things on your Pittsburgh itinerary. The Dinosaur Time Exhibition displays more than 230 exhibits, all of which are original fossils (most museums have replicas), and most of the dinosaur skeletons are real.
The museum also houses an amazing collection of gems and minerals, and displays numerous wildlife scenes. The Bug Hall is also a must-see. With a rich variety of exhibits and interactive activities, Carnegie Museum of Natural History It’s a great place for kids to explore and learn while having fun.
6. Kennywood
Our kids have loved the theme park and riding the roller coasters since our visit Buena Park earlier this year. Kennywood offers rides for all ages and sizes. Our kids are 42 inches and 36 inches tall. We were pleased to find 22 rides suitable for heights 36 inches and under.
We spend most of our day in kennywood Kiddieland is great for young children. We rode every ride in Kiddieland, no joke. Our kids love Steel City Choppers, Dizzy Dynamo, Crazy Troller, Whip and the Merry-Go-Round are always their favorites.
We recommend going right away in the morning and spending most of the day here. We only have a few hours in the afternoon. We couldn’t get the kids off the rides to try most of Kennywood’s food, but we did go to the Golden Nugget and get one of their signature chocolate cones. The cones are large and fairly cheap, and you can easily share one.
7. Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
Pittsburgh’s most adorable residents are the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, home to more than 8,000 animals from more than 600 species. We enjoyed seeing several animals not found at the local zoo, such as Komodo dragons, black tip reef sharks, polar bears, red kangaroos, and Grant’s zebras.
During our visit we did a giraffe feeding where the kids were able to get up close and personal with the Masai giraffes and feed them. There are several opportunities for wildlife encounters at the zoo. Click here to view options and book online.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a stroller as the zoo is spread out, has a lot of walking, and is hilly. i brought This travel double stroller. If you just need a stroller, This is the best travel stroller.
8. Senator John Heinz Historical Center
when i first heard about heinz history centerI thought to myself, “What could be in there, a bunch of ketchup stuff?” I was wrong. The museum spans six floors and features interactive exhibits, including some family-friendly.
We started our tour at the two-story amusement park, the Kidsburgh exhibit, and then slid down the two-story “Liberty Tubes.” Parents can stay below and enjoy a drink from the café while watching live TV programs in the play space on the TV.
If you grew up watching Mister Rogers, as Adam and I did in the 1980s, the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood exhibit will bring back many memories. We had to drag Atlas out of Discovery Place, a massive engineering playground where kids can build bridges across three of Pittsburgh’s rivers or anything with a ton of foam blocks.
9. Moon Landing Museum
Did you know Pittsburgh is involved in the space scene? this Moon Landing Museum is a new museum in Pittsburgh where you can watch the live assembly of the lunar spacecraft that will be sent into space and controlled directly from Pittsburgh.
One of the coolest things to do in Pittsburgh is sending a message to the moon. Write a message, draw a picture, etc., and they’ll send it to the lunar surface via Astrobotic’s lunar lander. Where else in the world can you do this? ! ?
10. Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers or Penguins game
Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Pirates were not at home during our visit. We really wanted to watch a baseball game at PNC Park, which has an amazing skyline view. The Family Fun Area at PNC Park is the perfect place for kids to play and relax during the game.
Other things to do in Pittsburgh with kids
We don’t have enough time to get everything done. Here are some things we wanted to do in Pittsburgh but couldn’t.
11. Sandcastle Water Park
If you visit Pittsburgh during the summer, Sandcastle Water Park It is the best place to cool off in hot weather. There are more than 20 attractions with large water slides for adults and older children, as well as two playgrounds with water slides for younger children and toddlers: Tad Pool and Wet Willie’s.
12. Pennsylvania Trolley Museum
All aboard! Hop aboard the tram for a four-mile trip on a scenic trail Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Explore the trolley bus display building with 52 trolley buses.
13. Pittsburgh River Cruise
To see some of Pittsburgh’s best views, take a river cruise on the Gateway Clipper. Traveling with kids? Check Gateway Clipper Kids Cruise Such as Paw Patrol Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Superhero Cruises. The most popular cruise is the Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruise.
What to do in Pittsburgh with older kids
14. Andy Warhol Museum
Learn about the life of Andy Warhol, from his upbringing in Pittsburgh to his career as one of the most famous artists. this Andy Warhol Museum Has the largest collection of Andy Warhol art.
15. Steelers Hall of Honor Museum
Learn about Pittsburgh Steelers history at Acrisure Stadium. this Steelers Hall of Honor Museum Not just for Steelers fans. It also features rotating exhibits highlighting other NFL Hall of Fame members.
Things to do in Pittsburgh with Kids Conclusion
There was so much more to do and see with kids in Pittsburgh than we thought! You should plan at least two days here, three days or even a week is ideal to stop and enjoy all the great attractions Pittsburgh has to offer kids. We know we will be back, but for a longer visit, our kids loved Pittsburgh.