3 things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend

Are you wondering what to do in Pittsburgh with your family? You’re in for a real treat! The underrated city of Pittsburgh is home to a rich history, countless parks, and unique attractions you won’t want to miss! 

A weekend is just the right amount of time to hit all the top Pittsburgh tourist attractions, with plenty of activities for family members of all ages. During the summer months in particular, you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities, such as biking, exploring the many green parks, and visiting museums. Stop by the botanical gardens to learn about local and exotic plants, or visit animals from around the world at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. The city is home to several amusement parks, such as Kennywood, Sandcastle, & Idlewild and SoakZone, which are some of the best things to do in Pittsburgh with kids. To make the most of your weekend in Pittsburgh, read more about our top tips and favorite attractions down below!

Hundreds of acres to play, relax, and explore

The city of Pittsburgh boasts a whopping 165 parks, green spaces, and natural areas, including 450 acres of hiking trails, woods, and scenic areas! Each park offers something slightly unique, and no two are the same, so be sure to visit as many as you can squeeze in during your visit! 

Head over to the sprawling Schenley Park to explore the rolling green hills. There are hundreds of acres of hiking trails to explore, including several historic bridges and interesting walkways. Be sure to stop by the park’s botanical gardens, which is one of the top Pittsburgh attractions where you can learn about a variety of plant and flower species! Kids can swing and run around on the well-maintained playground areas. Bring a picnic lunch and bask under the sun on the grassy areas.

Emerald View Park is another top pick. Set in a former coal mining area, this park boasts some of the best views of the city. Bring some snacks and drinks and head over to one of the shaded grassy areas for a relaxing picnic. There are leafy woodland areas and plenty of walking trails to explore here as well! If you love hiking, be sure not to miss out on a sunrise hike on the Green Leaf Trailhead, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mt. Washington.

Considered one of the best and most beautiful inner-city parks in Pittsburgh, Frick Park is well-maintained with an array of grassy picnic areas. You’ll forget you’re in the city as you immerse yourself in nature, surrounded by trees, greenery, and lush grassy fields. It’s a dog-friendly park, with an off-leash area, so bring your furry friend along. 

Don’t miss out on a visit to the Highland Park, which is one of the best things to do in Pittsburgh with kids. The park was built around two scenic reservoirs and offers a quaint, charming atmosphere. Spend your time exploring the ornate Victorian Gardens. Meet the friendly animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium, which is one of the top Pittsburgh tourist attractions and is conveniently located within the park grounds. Kids can play sports on the various sports fields, or run, jump, and play on the playground areas. 

Idlewild & SoakZone is located in Pennsylvania's beautiful Laurel Highlands.  A magnificent mountainous region, the Laurel Highlands spans 3,000 square miles in southwestern Pennsylvania. Located just east of Pittsburgh, the beautiful four-season destination offers spectacular natural scenery, outstanding outdoor recreation venues, historic sites & attractions, family activities and world class resorts.  

For nostalgic rides and good ol’ fashioned fun, go to Kennywood

If you’re looking for things to do in Pittsburgh PA, look no further. Kennywood is a top-rated amusement park conveniently located near the city. From calm kiddie rides, to nostalgic classics, to hair-raising thrillers– family members of all ages will find something to love during a visit to Kennywood!

Do you love roller coasters? Kennywood is home to seven incredible coasters! Spend the day trying them all to find out which one is your favorite. Test your bravery on the Steel Curtain, which is the tallest coaster in Pennsylvania! Ride the iconic 1920s Jack Rabbit coaster, or satisfy your need for speed on the Phantom’s Revenge coaster. Try the only single-continuous track roller coaster in the United States on the Racer Track Rollercoaster. Young children can partake in the roller coaster fun too on the Lil’ Phantom!

Kids and young children can explore Kiddieland, where a whole world of adventure and excitement await pint-sized park visitors! This section of the park features a variety of scaled down rides designed for young children. Drive cars around a wooden track, ride high in the sky on a 20th-century trolley, and chug along the tracks on Thomas the train. Paddle in a lagoon on paddle boats and fly a World War II replica plane at the Red Baron! 

Rides aren’t the only way to enjoy your day at Kennywood. Check out the unique events and live shows regularly hosted at the park. From fantasy parades to summer festivities, holiday light shows, and more, you’ll want to be sure to check the park’s event schedule before your visit so that you don’t miss out on any of the fun. 

The park is home to an impressive selection of excellent dining options. Fuel up with everything from sweet treats, to comfort food classics, to BBQ options, tacos, fresh pretzels, salads, and more! There are 11 eateries selling different types of cuisine, as well as several coffee shops, snack stands, and food kiosks, too!

Stop wondering what things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend, and start planning your family adventure at Kennywood now!

Want to create wonderful lifelong memories with your family? Head over to Idlewild & SoakZone!

Psst… Want to know the inside scoop on one of the most fun things to do in Pittsburgh PA with kids? Visit Idlewild & SoakZone where you and your family can enjoy a day jam-packed with fun! Named “Best Children’s Park” by Amusement Today and “Best Park for Families” by the National Amusement Park Historical Association, Idlewild & SoakZone will blow you away with the sheer number of events, attractions, and family-friendly activities you can experience here.

Spend the day exploring the 35+ colorful rides and attractions, with a variety of fun features for children and parents to enjoy together! For a hearty dose of nostalgia, spin around on the merry-go-round, or rise into the air on hot-air balloons at the Balloon Race. Fly high in the sky on a vintage plane at Flying Aces, or twist and turn on the Howler. The Loyalhanna Limited Railroad offers a peaceful and scenic train ride through the woods, and the spinning cups at Tea Party offer a good belly laughin’ time. These are just a few of the many kid-friendly attractions at Idlewild which are sure to leave a smile on your little ones’ faces! Spend the day trying them all to figure out which ones are your favorite. 

Idlewild & SoakZone is so much more than rides. Fuel up at the impressive selection of dining areas, where you can enjoy a wide range of your favorite foods from nachos, salads, hamburgers, ice cream, fresh pretzels, BBQ, loaded fries, and so much more! No matter what you’re craving, you’ll be able to find it at the park.

Enjoy live shows, events, and the wet and wonderful SoakZone! 

Live shows and events at Idlewild & SoakZone are one of the top things to do in Pittsburgh this weekend! Pay a visit to the fantastical Story Book Forest, where you can meet your favorite characters in real life. Meet Princess Lily and watch a real-life fairy tale adventure unfold right before your eyes at One Upon a Time Machine! Dance and sing along to a live country music show at the Heart of Country and meet the cuddly Daniel Tiger for a Grr-ific Day. 

If you’ll be visiting Idlewild & SoakZone during the summer months, you’re in luck! SoakZone water park is one of the best activities in Pittsburgh to enjoy when the weather is hot. Kids can splash and play all day in the different water areas! Explore the six different waterslides at Captain Kidd’s Adventure Galley, and float down the lazy river on a tube alongside your whole family! Test your bravery and race head-first down the Hydro Racer slides, or twist and turn down the Pipeline Plunge in a two-person raft! Younger children can splash and play around in Little Squirts, a play area designed for sprout-sized water babies. Gather the whole family and head over to Wowabunga Family Wave Pool where you can “ride the waves”! There’s not a better way to cool off from the hot summer sun than by spending the day splashing around at SoakZone!

Idlewild & SoakZone is where families create priceless memories together in Pittsburgh. Spend the weekend being a kid again alongside your kids while enjoying the endless activities, attractions, and offerings at the park. Better yet, make the fun last even longer with Season Passes, which offer unbeatable value for park visitors. Season passes grant access to Idlewild & SoakZone, as well as its sister parks, Kennywood and Sandcastle, all for the price of one!