When the sun peeps through the clouds and the snow begins to melt, Pittsburgh can actually be a warm, colorful city (yes, it’s not always grey, I promise). It may be hard to picture a day where it’s not raining, snowing, or cloudy in Pittsburgh; but, during the spring and summer, there are plenty of nice days to soak up the sun and just relax. A city with a multitude of different neighborhoods, attractions, and scenery, Pittsburgh has plenty of cool and fun things to do with your friends, alone, or with your significant other during those sunny days where you just can’t be inside. Check out these fun and interesting places that you can visit for a reasonable price!
1) Go to Mount Washington and ride the Monongahela or Duquesne Incline. Whether you’re from Pittsburgh or not, the view of the city from Mount Washington never ceases to amaze you. Feel like taking a trip up with your friends to soak up the sun, overlook Downtown Pittsburgh, and explore the town? Hop on the Monongahela Incline, built in the 1800s to transport immigrant workers from work to their homes in Mount Washington, and ride up the mountain in a small train cart for $2.50 round trip! If you and your friends want to learn some history, take a ride on the Duquesne Incline; the upper station of the incline contains a museum of Pittsburgh history, and loads of information on inclines worldwide.
2) Visit the Zoo and Aquarium! Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend? Feel like having a day where you can just act like a worry-free kid again? A trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium will definitely provide you with some excitement and laughs. Take a trip with your friends, family, significant other, whoever! No matter what, you’re bound to have a good time checking out over 4,000 animals that represent around 475 different species- twenty of which are considered endangered. The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is considered one of the six zoo-aquarium combinations that exist in the United States. Starting April 1st, general admission for the zoo and aquarium costs $14.
3) Have a picnic, play some ball, or take a walk through Schenley Park. Situated right on campus in the heart of Oakland is Schenley Park. 456 acres long, Schenley Park contains beautiful scenic trails and woods, attractions, golf courses, and a swimming pool- perfect for some outdoor fun. If you stick around Oakland during the summer, Flagstaff Hill, adjacent to Carnegie Mellon University hosts concerts and movie nights. Not the type of person to enjoy the beauty of nature? Schenley has about 13 tennis courts, a soccer field, bike trails, and a summertime mini golf course, to name a few. With it’s scenery and amenities, it’s the perfect place to go hang out with your friends on a spring or summer day!
4) Visit Kennywood and enjoy some rides. Located in West Mifflin, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Kennywood Amusement Park has 47 rides, including seven roller coasters, and three water rides. Established in 1898, Kennywood is one of the oldest amusement parks. Some of the rides today can be dated back to the opening of the park, showing the amount of tradition Kennywood holds. With different types of rides and dining facilities, Kennywood is the perfect place to go with your friends on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
5) Go to a Pirates game. They may not be the best team in the league, but taking a trip to PNC Park for a Pirates game with your friends is the perfect opportunity to enjoy Pittsburgh sports at a reasonable price: you could sit in the highest section for around 10-15 dollars, or sit in the lower sections for about 25-40 dollars. Take it from someone who’s from New York: if you can get baseball tickets for that cheap, take advantage of it! Even if you’re not a fan, the experience will be worth it. What better way to watch a baseball game than overlooking the Allegheny River and downtown skyline?
6) Check out a Spring Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory. Located right in Schenley Park, Phipps Conservatory contains numerous gardens and exotic plants within the thirteen-room conservatory and on the surrounding area. With your Pitt student ID, you can visit Phipps for free and explore the beautiful plants and architecture of the building. Between March 9th and April 7th, Phipps will be having Spring Flower Shows daily that cost $14 dollars for students. Based on the classic children’s book, The Secret Garden, these shows contain bold, colorful blooming flowers that release natural, exquisite scents that will put you in the mood for spring.
7) Rent Bikes and Ride around Pittsburgh. Through Golden Triangle Bike Rental, you can fit some exercise into your schedule while biking through the various areas of Pittsburgh. With miles of bike paths bordering the rivers and giving you a nice tour of neighborhoods like Southside, downtown, and North side, you can explore the city and check out areas you’ve never seen before for $8 per hour or $30 for the full day. If you’re interested in renting bikes, check out the company’s website with more info here.
As a student in Pittsburgh, one of the rainiest cities, taking advantage of the opportunities to explore the city while the weather is warm is important. By partaking in these activities, you’ll learn history and culture, have fun, and see some amazing things along the way!