Pittsburgh vacation- any suggestions?

[Gretchen3ajoshmom]

We are planning on taking a vacation to Pittsburgh in August with our kids: DS 13, DD 9, DS 7 and DS 2. Just wondering if any one has suggestions or "must sees" . We are thinking of Kennywood Park and a Pirates game - beyond that we have nothing...We live outside of Philadelphia and have never been west....Thanks in advance!!!

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

I just happen to live in Pittsburgh!

Kennywood, SandCastle (waterpark), and Idlewild are all fun and good for all ages. We love going to the Priates Games too, if you go to one check the sch. for giveaways. We also have the Gateway Clipper and the Ducky Tours. I highly suggest taking the incline up to Mt. Washington at night and having dinner at one of the places with outdoor seating. It is just breath taking up there. If you like farmers market/street fair kinda of things, I would suggest The Strip on the weekends. We also have a great zoo with a new Polar Bear and Shark exhibit. We also have a ton of museums and The Science Center around here too.

I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any questions.

 

[sherry7]

The previous poster had lots of good ideas. I also recommend the Carnegie Science Center, and depending on your kids, the Natural History Museum (that one is probably not so good for your 2 year old).

Your 2 ,7, and 9 year olds would adore Idlewild...it's really geared toward that age set. The 13 year old would probably have fun as well, although Kennywood would be better for him/her.

If you ever come back without kids, be sure to make a trip to Fallingwater (about 60-75 minutes from Pittsburgh). It's Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous piece of architecture, and quite stunning.

Depending on how long you're going to be in the area, you might want to check out Ligonier Beach as well. It doesn't have slides, etc like Sandcastle, but it's a HUGE pool, and most kids really enjoy it because it's simply so big.

 

[The Princess]

Make sure you get a Primantis sandwich

 

[lspst8]

Pittsburgh is great for a weekend getaway. I live about 30 miles east of the city. I think the zoo is top-notch. I was just there 2 weekends ago, and it is a great way to spend an afternoon. The aquarium is quite large, and they have walk-through polar bear and shark tanks. They feed the sharks at 1:30pm on Sundays and Wednesdays, and I imagine that would be something to see.

The Pirates stadium is also very nice .... a beautiful view of downtown from your seats. Since the Pirates are never any good, I would try to come on a fireworks or "skyblast" night. They put on a fabulous show, and you are so close to the fireworks. The Carnegie Science Center is also right by both the Steelers and Pirates stadiums, and they have a new robot exihibt opening this weekend for the rest of the summer. I saw it on the local news, and can't wait to check it out. They have an IMAX movie screen there too.

It is also fun to take one of the inclines up to Mt Washington for another great view of the city. If you like old-fashioned amusement parks and wooden rollaer coaster, Kennywood is the place to be, although I have to admit that I haven't been there in years. Idlewild is very young child friendly, but it is a good 60 to 75 minute drive east of downtown, depending on traffic and how fast you drive. I worked there in high school, and it has Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Storybook Forest (nursery rhymes come to life) a big water park, a nice kiddie land, and some regular rides too, but nothing for thrill-seekers.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

[PghBurgher]

Lots of great ideas here. Makes me proud to be from the 'Burgh. The campus of the University of Pittsburgh can also be entertaining. The Cathedral of Learning has Nationality Rooms that might be interesting to your kids - although they are probably a bit young. See http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/ for more info.

Nearby there is Phipps Conservatory - lots of plants (duh!) and a glass exhibit going on now. Your kids also also maybe a bit young for this.

Pittsburgh is also home to the National Aviary on the North Side and your kids are probably a good age for that.

Finally, I really like the John Heinz History Center which contains a Sports Museum which your ds might enjoy.

 

[cassandrap83]

another Pittsburger here!

Here are some things I would consider must-do's:

Kennywood (get discounted tickets at our local grocery store Giant Eagle & save like $10/ticket)

Pittsburgh Zoo (it's so awesome) If you have Phila zoo passes, I believe our zoo is reciprocal

Carnegie Science Center, a bit expensive but it's great! Check out a flick @ the Omnimax Theater

Strip District on a Saturday morning (it's like a street-market) bring cash!

Idlewild is great for kids, it's actually the #2 best kids park in the world. It's about an hour outside of Pittsburgh.

Take a walk along the North Shore and let the kids play in the water features, and look at all the stadiums, and eat @ some good restaurants.

National Aviary is nice, but it gets really hot and smelly in the summer (IMO)

A couple of our county parks (South Park, Settlers Cabin) actually have Wave Pools and it's only like $4/person to get in.

Sandcastle is fun too, but buy tickets online as they're cheaper

hmm... If I think of more I'll post!

 

[wheelcap]

If you've got the time, and have any interest in 'education' things, there's a tour of a coal mine about 20miles north of the city in Tarentum. Tour-Ed mine has a short 'classroom' lesson in a real classroom that teaches the history of coal mining in PA. Then, you get on the train that used to take the miners into the ground for work, and ride about a mile or so into the mountain. Down inside, they show you the different machines that have been used - actually turn the lights out to see how dark it could be and turn the machines on to hear how noisy it could be. Just cut up route 28, get off the New Kensington / Tarentum exit; turn left at the end of the ramp and follow the signs. This place is really cool, and worth the trip!!

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Our family really likes the Heinz History Center in the Strip District. The Strip District is a fun place to visit on a Sat. morning...cool shops to look in, a popcorn store, etc. (and there is a Primanti's there as well). Depending on what area of the city you are staying in, there are some fun evening spots for your familiy. In the North Hills/Cranberry Twp area, there is Wildwood Highlands (www.wildwoodpa.com) and Fun Fore All (www.funforeall.net). These places offer great kids attractions, like mini-golf, arcade games, laser tag (at Wildwood), ball play areas, kiddie rides, go-karts and bumper boats.

 

[freepixie]

Don't know too much about what is in Pittsburgh to do - but a little north of Pittsburgh is the Grove City outlet mall which our family loves!! We are from way up north in Erie, PA, don't get down to Pitts. very often, but lots of people from Pitts. love to come up here to Presque Isle - us locals rarely go to the beach here but people come from all over for our beaches!! I guess its cause we have the local news telling us what is found floating out there

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

I was born in Pittsburgh and lived in the area (Oakdale and Beaver Falls) until we moved to Indiana when I was 15. Reading all the posts are giving me flashbacks of my childhood - - Kennywood! Storybook Forest! The incline!

Speaking of the incline, I took DH to Pittsburgh in 1994 so he could see where I grew up. I couldn't wait to take him up the incline on our way to dinner. I remember it being so cool & fun as a child. Well, let me tell you, I was terrified! My mouth got dry and my palms started sweating. I couldn't believe it. Guess I lost the bravery of my youth! HA!

 

[jen22984]

Make sure you get a Primantis sandwich

I agree!! Best sandwiches EVER!

 

[Starbrite]

If you've got the time, and have any interest in 'education' things, there's a tour of a coal mine about 20miles north of the city in Tarentum. Tour-Ed mine has a short 'classroom' lesson in a real classroom that teaches the history of coal mining in PA. Then, you get on the train that used to take the miners into the ground for work, and ride about a mile or so into the mountain. Down inside, they show you the different machines that have been used - actually turn the lights out to see how dark it could be and turn the machines on to hear how noisy it could be. Just cut up route 28, get off the New Kensington / Tarentum exit; turn left at the end of the ramp and follow the signs. This place is really cool, and worth the trip!!

You know, I live about 10 minutes from there & I've never been - not sure why I think you just convinced me, I bet DS12 would really like it.

 

[MsLeFever]

We Pittsburghers LOVE our city! There are great theatres in town too - worth checking into depending on when you are coming.

 

[Kies99]

I agree!! Best sandwiches EVER!

Only when you've been drinking!

 

[RumpleMom]

I agree the National Aviary is fun. Close to the Aviary is the Children's Museum with a lot of hands-on activities.

carnegiesciencecenter.org will give you information about both the science center and Carnegie Art and Carnegie Natural History Museums. The Natural History Museum has a hand-ons discovery room that my kids loved.

If you become a member of your local museum, you will probably have free admission at our Carnegie museums. We have used our Pittsburgh membership at the Orlando science center and had a wonderful day away from the theme parks.

If you are AAA members, remember to check there for discounted tickets.

 

[AndreaDM]

We live in Ohio, about 2 hours from Pittsburgh and love going there for the weekend! In fact, we're going in 2 weeks for a Kennywood/Ikea/dinner trip. I see you're from Philly so you have Ikeas there, but we have to travel to PGH for one, and sometimes drive out for the day just to go there! When my daughter was 2 or 3 we took her on the duck tour and she loved it! So did we, the guide was very funny and informative. If you have AAA you can get Kennywood tickets for $21 and Sandcastle for $20 which is the cheapest I've found. The little ones would love Idlewild too. Have fun!!

 

[2bearsmom]

Depending where you will be staying there are the new Tanger Outlets in the South Hills/Meadowlands area.

 

[battricia]

i'm a big fan of the pittsburgh zoo. It's not huge but it it's really nicely maintained, and i love the aquarium and the polar bear section.

ETA: you can't leave pittsburgh w/o having a Primanti bros sandwich.

 

[Gretchen3ajoshmom]

Thanks everyone- lots to plan! Thanks for the suggestion of the Primanti sandwich and the link- we would have missed that - it will probably will be my dh's favorite part! In disney we looked forward to the food almost as much as the attractions Dh works for his ex-inlaws (long story) and they are being a pain about giving the week I have off for vacation- sooo we may only get a long weekend. It will be in August either way- I hope we do get the week it sounds like we would have a lot to do! Glad to here proud Pittsburgh people- when I tell people here(Philly) we are going to Pittsburgh for vacation they look at me like I'm crazy....