Things to Do

Sports

The Pitt Panthers’ blue and gold is clearly one of the sharpest combos in all of college athletics. But the city’s pro sports scene is in many ways a gold mine of its own: Franchises boasting six Super Bowl wins, five World Series titles and five Stanley Cup triumphs make the Steel City one of North America’s most historically dominant sports locales.

If you want to stick closer to campus, check out the Pitt Panthers team calendars.

You can catch Pitt’s 17 NCAA sports teams playing at various facilities around the city. (We recommend seeing the dominant women’s volleyball team pack the Fitzgerald Field House.) And cheer on the city’s professional teams — Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Riverhounds and Riveters — in world-class stadiums.

But you don’t have to be a pro athlete to get in the game in the ’Burgh. From the Pittsburgh Marathon and Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix to a growing local bicycling scene and the Pittsburgh Sports League, recreational opportunities abound.

Family-friendly fun

Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to the No. 2 children’s museum in the nation? The Steel City offers plenty of activities for kids — and parents — to enjoy.

Take your wild child to see free-flying birds at the National Aviary and then head to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium for more animal experiences. After looking at fossils at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, pay a visit to Dippy, a two-story Diplodocus statue who changes clothes with the seasons.

Kennywood and Sandcastle Water Park offer thrills for the whole family. And, one pass gets you access to 16 public pools in the city.

Youth sports leagues from Allegheny County and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh mean year-round teambuilding, fitness and fun.

Shop small businesses like Dragonfly Castle Toys, Playthings Etc. and Stories Like Me for toys, games and books. The Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library operates an indoor play space as well as its collection of toys kids can borrow for home use.

Find more guides, events and articles from Kidsburgh, a publication focused on connecting parents with expert information and local resources.

Arts & Culture

Randyland museum in the Mexican War Streets

Experience centuries of culture and the natural world without leaving campus at the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural Sciences — Pitt students can visit for free. Explore Pittsburgh’s past at the Heinz History Center, named the best history museum in the nation by USA Today, then hop on a light rail to celebrate a pop art icon at the Andy Warhol Museum. And don’t miss rotating exhibits at the Frick Pittsburgh, the Mattress Factory and the Carnegie Science Center.

Whether you want to catch a touring Broadway production in the Cultural District or discover local artists in intimate venues, there’s a show for you here. Head to the Hill District to catch a Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company performance and see where a renowned playwright grew up at the August Wilson House (and visit the archive of his work in Pitt’s Hillman Library). Join music-lovers who flood the city streets for annual free festivals, including the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Millvale Music Festival and Northside Music Festival. Laugh it out each weekend at Arcade Comedy Theater and the Glitterbox.

You’ll quickly learn that Pittsburghers are passionate about their food. Pierogi is practically a pastime, fries belong on sandwiches and salads, and only Heinz ketchup graces our tables. But there’s more to Pittsburgh cuisine than carbs and condiments. Start your morning with a kremka from a Bulgarian bakery, nosh on bi bim bop from a Korean food truck for lunch and top off your evening with authentic wood-fired pizza — all without leaving your neighborhood. From Michelin-starred restaurants to mom-and-pop eateries, you can find one among the more than 500 restaurants in the Pittsburgh area.

A flourishing food truck scene: Aruba Island Bowls, Boonseek Korean Street Food and Revival Chilli are just a few of the food trucks that make the city home.
Cuisine-based celebrations: The city always shows out for favorite annual food events, including Pittsburgh Taco Fest, Picklesburgh, Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival, Lebanese Food Festival, Ukrainian Food Festival, International Village and A Soulful Taste of the ‘Burgh. Plus, you can try food from around the world throughout the year at cultural events hosted by Pitt’s Nationality Rooms.
Keeping it fresh: The Pitt Public Market, hosted on campus in front of the William Pitt Union on select Wednesdays and Thursdays, is one of many farmers markets that take place throughout the spring, summer and fall.