For the longest time, the coolest thing about Pittsburgh was that you could include French fries in your salads. However, today, the town has become a major destination for its quirky food culture, a group of excellent breweries, annual events such as the Anthrocon, and other notable experiences.
There are things you should do at least once when you visit Steel City. However, some of these classic bucket-list items may be things you never thought you would do. Read on to see a guide of fun things to do in Pittsburgh.
1. Take the Carrie Furnace Tour to Connect With the Town’s History
Taking this tour will help you better understand what gave Steel City its nickname. The Carrie Furnace Tour highlights the iron-making technology used in the past, what the employees were like, and the long-gone steel industry that was once set in Pittsburgh.
With these tours, there is something for everyone. Whether you are an artist, a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or curious about the machines, there will be something for you.
You can do an arts and grounds tour, a landscape tour to understand how nature reclaimed the city’s landscape and a guided tour of the machine shops. These tours help visitors understand how Pittsburgh merges history with present-day digitization.
2. Dine at the Oldest Restaurant in the City
The Steel City is known for Primanti’s sandwiches and putting French fries on everything. However, you can also visit the oldest restaurant and bar in the city known as The Original Oyster House in the Market Square.
The Original Oyster House was first opened in 1870, and today it’s a historic landmark. The restaurant represents what modern-day Pittsburgh is about, merging the historic respect with delicious Pittsburgh cuisine.
The restaurant has memorabilia lines and old photos lining its walls, evoking a charm that makes you feel like you are traveling back in time. These photos help you see how people enjoyed the Oyster house when it first opened.
3. Visit the Curiosity Shops to Embrace Your Morose Side
If you have a twisted mind, ensure you don’t leave the city without visiting these curious shops and galleries. First, there is Trundle Manor in Swissvale. While it may seem like a common house from the outside, it has scary things such as medical devices and coffins — it’s even featured in MTV Extreme Cribs.
Admission into the manor is based on donations. Some of these donations include taxidermy, money, dead things, alcohol, and killing implements.
After visiting the manor, head over to the Weeping Glass curiosity shop in Allentown. Here, you can have a tarot card reading and you can purchase oddities. You can also attend the Weeping Glass monthly Death Parlor and other events to enjoy an artist’s performance. These artists entertain the audience with scary stories about murders.
There are many events in Pittsburgh you can visit with your partner and your family. Follow this link for more info on different events you can attend.
4. Get a Toy With Your Cocktail at Bar 11
Have you ever gone to McDonald’s as an adult to get a happy meal just for the toys? Wouldn’t you want to connect with your inner child? You can do this at Bar 11, which is a little like the McDonald’s of bars.
Whenever you buy a drink at Bar 11, the bartender will give you a toy to match your drink. The toys range from rubber ducks to finger traps and candy necklaces. These toys can add a layer of fun and mindless entertainment in addition to the already-fun bar atmosphere.
5. Visit the Big Mac Museum
This is a free and fun activity you must do while visiting Pittsburgh. Located in North Huntingdon, ensure you visit the Big Mac Museum. While getting a meal at MacDonald’s is common, this restaurant is one of a kind.
The Big Mac Museum was developed by a Yinzer known as Jim “JM” Delligatti. This restaurant museum has 122 people, McDonald’s memorabilia, a PlayPlace, and a statue of Delligatti made from bronze. Here, you can eat your french fries next to the best McDonald’s restaurant in all of Pittsburgh.
6. Visit Randyland to See the Other Side of Pittsburgh
Located on the North Side, Randyland is one of the most colorful areas in Pittsburgh. Here, you can find artists that willingly invite you to their house as part of an art exhibition. However, one artist known as Randy Gilson does this with his colorful North Side home.
Gilson bought Randyland in 1995 using a credit card. Today, this house is the face of curb art and color in the city. The house is open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. However, the house isn’t open to the public from December 24th to 26th.
7. Take a Tour of Inventionland
Inventionland is the second coolest thing close to Willy Wonka’s Factory. Pittsburgh is the origin of numerous inventions such as the polio vaccine, Heinz ketchup, and the Big Mac. Inventionland is a 60,000 square foot field where inventors of all kinds work to find the next best invention.
The work environment fosters a unique set of investors with different themes like tree-houses, pirate ships, and more. Taking a tour of Inventionland is among the family fun things to do in Pittsburgh. However, remember that photography is prohibited. So, don’t try posting any pictures on Facebook or Instagram.
Now You Know the Fun Things to Do in Pittsburgh
Are you looking for fun things to do in Pittsburgh? There are many family-oriented activities you can do in Pittsburgh. There is always something for everyone, from taking walking tours downtown, visiting the Big Mac Museum, and attending events and festivals.
Ensure you try out the above things for maximum enjoyment in Steel City. Did you like this article? Check out other posts on our website for more informative tips.
