Pittsburgh, PA

Travel Guide
West End-Elliott Overlook Park which includes landscape views, a city and night scenes
The Steel City shimmers with natural beauty, architectural flair and cultural panache.

Pittsburgh, often on America’s list of “most livable cities,” was built on innovations in the steel industry. That legacy can still be seen today in the downtown skyline, with its towering modern buildings. The city is also defined by its geography. Two separate rivers — the Monongahela and the Allegheny — meet to form the Ohio River. The waterways divide the city into nearly 100 distinct neighborhoods built on and around steep, picturesque hills. For the best views of the city, trace the routes of Pittsburgh’s early immigrant miners and take the Monongahela Incline or the Duquesne Incline to the top of Mount Washington. You’ll see that there’s a good reason Pittsburgh is known as a cultural hub of the East Coast. Steel baron Andrew Carnegie, once the richest man in the world, gave his hometown four major cultural institutions. The Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Science Center are all located in the neighborhood of Oakland. Learn about another famous Pittsburgh son at the fourth Carnegie institution: The Andy Warhol Museum, located at the city’s North Shore. Pittsburgh also offers plenty of outdoor attractions. Check out Point State Park, where the three rivers meet, or take a stroll along the tranquil wooded paths at Riverview Park. Head to the Phipps Conservatory at Schenley Park for displays of botanical splendor, or the National Aviary to encounter more than 200 species of rare and exotic birds. If you’re traveling with children, you’ll find plenty to keep them busy and happy. The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh offers a variety of opportunities to stretch young minds while Kennywood has acres of amusement park fun. Summer is the best time to visit Pittsburgh. The city comes alive with festivals such as the Three Rivers Arts Festival and the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Basing yourself in the downtown areas will give you quickest access to all the major sights and attractions. The city’s winding, narrow streets can take some getting used to, but the public buses are frequent and reliable.

Where to stay in Pittsburgh

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
3.5 out of 5
600 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA
The price is $120 per night from Oct 12 to Oct 13
$120
per night
Oct 12 - Oct 13
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Pittsburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the property condition ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,505 reviews)
"Great place!!!"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2023

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Omni William Penn Hotel
Omni William Penn Hotel
4 out of 5
530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA
The price is $208 per night from Oct 18 to Oct 19
$208
per night
Oct 18 - Oct 19
Stay at this 4-star historic hotel in Pittsburgh. Enjoy 3 restaurants, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,121 reviews)
Excellent
"Staff was amazing! Extremely helpful and knowledgeable. The hotel is beautiful with exquisite detail."

Reviewed on Sep 29, 2023

Omni William Penn Hotel
Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
3.5 out of 5
100 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
The price is $122 per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$122
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Pittsburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the convenient parking in our reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,088 reviews)
"Wonderful. Hated that you have to pay for parking!"

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2023

Wyndham Pittsburgh University Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Abode Pittsburgh - Downtown Convention Center
Abode Pittsburgh - Downtown Convention Center
3.5 out of 5
Liberty Avenue 1100, Pittsburgh, PA
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Pittsburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Acrisure Stadium and PPG Paints Arena ...
6.8/10 (44 reviews)
"It was a historical bldg but dirty and lots of homeless people about"

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023

Abode Pittsburgh - Downtown Convention Center
Apartments in Pittsburgh's Cultural District by Frontdesk
Apartments in Pittsburgh's Cultural District by Frontdesk
3.5 out of 5
Penn Avenue 800, Pittsburgh, PA
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Pittsburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a TV, and digital TV. Popular attractions Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park are located nearby. Discover ...
8/10 Very Good! (49 reviews)
"Very clean, response time by owners when I had questions was great. Owners gave great step by step instructions with pictures for check in. Would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on Sep 16, 2023

Apartments in Pittsburgh's Cultural District by Frontdesk
Kasa South Side Pittsburgh
Kasa South Side Pittsburgh
4 out of 5
2626 Tunnel Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly apartment in Pittsburgh. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a business center. Popular attractions Acrisure Stadium ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (38 reviews)
"Great property at a great price. Very attentive."

Reviewed on Aug 27, 2023

Kasa South Side Pittsburgh
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around Pittsburgh

You can easily walk around the downtown core of Pittsburgh, but for exploring the city more widely, it is a good idea to rent a car if you can. However, the public bus system and the T – the light rail network – do cover most of the city. Pay for your travel using a ConnectCard, which can be topped up with funds as needed. The black-and-white local taxis are another popular way of getting around. Visit the Port Authority of Allegheny County website.Browse Pittsburgh rental cars.

Best time to visit

The best time of year for a Pittsburgh vacation depends on what you want from your trip. The hottest weather is in June through August, with average daytime temperatures in the low 80s F (20s C). Peak season, however, is in November and December, when Christmas markets and other festivals liven up the city. Visit in spring for moderate temperatures, smaller crowds and a better choice of rooms.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Pittsburgh

4.4
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2615
" "5 - Excellent 53.01033853638759%
4 - Good
1876
" "4 - Good 38.029596594364484%
3 - Okay
389
" "3 - Okay 7.885667950537198%
2 - Disappointing
35
" "2 - Disappointing 0.7095073991485911%
1 - Terrible
18
" "1 - Terrible 0.36488951956213256%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 4, 2020

We love Pittsburgh!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 4, 2020

I LOVE Pittsburgh!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

Under the circumstances with COVID-19 I actually had a safe and wonderful time.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Jun 2, 2020

It’s a good place. I’ve noticed the people are friendly and say hello on the streets. The city is old but beautiful. I’ve never seen mountains so mount Washington was a sight to see and the incline up was amazing. Good for hiking, outdoor activities.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Jun 1, 2020

Stay away from the Motel 6 Crackhouse!!! Crafton, Pa.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 28, 2020

Pittsburgh is a beautiful city with the most bridges in the world! We walked the Riverwalk and watched the sunset. Everywhere we wanted to go we could walk to. The parks were well maintained.

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