Experience the magic of Pittsburgh’s winter wonderland as the city comes alive with festive lights and holiday cheer, offering a cozy yet exhilarating atmosphere for both locals and visitors alike. Discover the best cold-weather experiences across Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods in this Redfin article, curated to unveil hidden gems and provide local perspectives on the city’s captivating winter delights.
1. Walk the Homestead Labyrinth
Get out for a nice, meditative walk, offering a peaceful retreat amidst nature’s beauty, where the outdoor scene invites contemplation and reflection.
“One of our favorite things to do in the Pittsburgh winter is layering up and walking the Homestead Labyrinth near the Pump House,” recommends Marlee and Megan Malone-Franklin from Riverbend Birth, a group that provides customized birth and postpartum support. “It’s a lovely meditative path created by artist Lorraine Vullo with a beautiful waterfront view of the Monongahela River. We especially love doing this when there is a little snow on the ground so you can see where your feet have been.”
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2. The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum
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“I love taking my son to the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum in the winter,” shares Jade Granda
Owner and Principal Planner of Joyful Events by Jade, a local wedding and events plan provider. “There’s so much to do here for all ages, and he always has the time of his life. It’s a great indoor spot to still get us out of the house but not have to embrace the harsh cold.”
Explore interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, fostering creativity and learning through play. Engage in educational fun and unforgettable experiences at this vibrant cultural hub in the heart of the city.
3. Support local businesses
While enjoying the winter wonderland of Pittsburgh, don’t forget to support local businesses, from cozy cafes to boutique shops, for a truly authentic experience. Embrace the spirit of community by patronizing these establishments, ensuring they thrive during the colder months.
Kaleigh Garcia from Simply Sweet Event Planning wedding planner, suggests, “Our favorite winter activity in Pittsburgh is supporting local small businesses throughout the city, like Wise County Biscuits and Cafe. Pittsburgh is so lucky to have so many talented entrepreneurs. We very much enjoy experiencing those talents, and oftentimes have the opportunity to work with them during our events and weddings, which is extremely rewarding.”
4. Holiday events
Experience the festive cheer with some of Pittsburgh’s holiday-centric events, featuring bustling holiday markets and lit-up amusement parks.
Gregory Morrison, chief writer at The Present Perspective travel blog, shares, “Between mid-November and Christmas Eve, the People’s Gas Holiday Market in Market Square is something you won’t want to miss. From artisans to restaurants and breweries, this pop-up Christmas market is one of Pittsburgh’s best wintertime activities for people of all ages.
Another one of my favorites is the Kennywood Light Up Night. Kennywood is Pittsburgh’s iconic amusement park, and every year they reopen the park for a few weeks in the winter for a nightly tree-lighting ceremony. The tree is huge, and kids love bundling up and riding their favorite rides. Kennywood is a blast in the summer, but visiting in the winter has a special charm to it.”
5. Pittsburgh museums
With an abundance of museums, Pittsburgh offers the opportunity to discover a new cultural gem nearly every week, from art and history to science and innovation. Lisa Williams at Macaroni KID Pittsburgh, an activity guide for locals, suggests, “During winter in Pittsburgh, my go-to thing is checking out the awesome museums we’ve got. Seriously, Pittsburgh’s museums are incredible. There are so many choices: from art to history to optical illusions.
All ages are sure to love the Kamin Science Center, and the space explorer in your life will love the Moonshot Museum. Our family can explore something new every week. Visiting the amazing Pittsburgh museums is our favorite way to escape the cold and make winter in the Steel City feel like an adventure.”
6. Ice Festival
Ice Festival is a beloved winter tradition in the Pittsburgh area, offering a weekend packed with entertainment and activities for all ages. Pittsburgh wedding planner, Kristen Kane Events suggests, “My favorite winter activity in the Pittsburgh area is the Butler AM Rotary Carved in Ice Festival. It is a two-day event that kicks off on Friday night, and features live ice carvings, fire dancers, a DJ, food trucks, and more.
On Saturday, there are even more activities, including a chili cook-off, a dessert competition, a hot-dog eating contest, a children’s scavenger hunt, balloon art, airbrush tattoos, an ice slide, character meet and greets, basket raffle, 50/50 and more. The exact weekends vary, but the event is always in February.”
7. Panhandle Trail
Explore Pittsburgh’s scenic hiking trails, winding through lush forests and picturesque landscapes, offering outdoor enthusiasts a chance to connect with nature.
“As winter rolls around in Western PA, I love to get out on the Montour and Panhandle Trails,” suggests Owner and Operator, Dave Hall at Pittsburgh Area Handyman. “Usually I like to bike, but late in fall and early winter, it is a great time to walk. As the leaves are mostly gone aside from those stubborn oaks, you can get great views out across valleys from these old rail lines. It allows your mind to drift back to an era gone by – one that once brought coal and lumber to build great American cities from Chicago to NYC.
You can walk out to mile markers featured in the Montour Trail Council Newsletter and imagine what it was like 100 years ago – coal tipples busy loading cars and hills naked from logging – hard to imagine today walking past well-manicured cul-de-sacs.”
8. Indoor soccer
Dave Hall also shares, “Sundays in winter mean two things: Steelers chasing the playoffs and indoor soccer at the Sewickley Sports Arena. My knees are a little too old to be running around myself, but I love to go out next to the tracks and under the bridge to watch my kids run end-to-end in the old converted ice rink.”
Sewickley Sports Arena, offers a dynamic range of activities from ice skating to roller hockey, ensuring fun for everyone year-round.
7. Scenic Pittsburgh views
“Head up to Mt. Washington, one of Pittsburgh’s best scenic viewpoints for when the temperatures drop, the frozen cityscape against the river and bridges is a sight to behold,” says Derek Schemonitz, Founder, Owner and CEO of Mr. Travel Agent LLC. “Looking for some outdoor fun? Tubing down the hill at Boyce Park is always a family favorite. For the more outgoing and active-minded, a drive to Laurel Highlands or Ridge, where you can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the trails at Laurel Ridge State Park, is a must.
If you’re looking to head indoors, one of The Carnegie Museums or the Andy Warhol Museum should do the trick for a day out of the house. Keeping it simple, grab a local coffee or hot chocolate from any of the local cafes and head down to the Homestead Waterfront to catch a flick at AMC Loews Cineplex, followed by a nice lunch or dinner and shopping. The same could be said for Ross Park Mall.”
8. Live sporting events
Chaton Turner, Founder and Blogger of Chaton’s World, dedicated to supporting working mothers and equal rights, shares, “My new favorite winter activity in Pittsburgh is attending indoor sporting events, in particular basketball games at The University of Pittsburgh and Penguins hockey games at PPG arena. I enjoy these events because they are high energy, tap into multiple emotions, and are fun. They are also great activities for multigenerational fun because they are enjoyable for kids and adults alike.” Whether you’re cheering on your favorite teams or soaking up the electric atmosphere, these sporting events promise unforgettable experiences during the winter months.
9. Enjoy the waterfalls
Christy Collins, from Living Treasures Animal Park, suggests, “We love all of the outdoor activities near Pittsburgh. There are so many gorgeous waterfalls nearby. We highly recommend photographing Adams falls in Linn Run State Park, Cucumber Falls in Ohiopyle State Park, or Jones Mill Run Dam Waterfall in Laurel Hill State Park.
The hikes are all easy and on the shorter side. We love visiting the Rainforest Room at Living Treasures Animal Park in Jones Mills, too. The park is open every year – spring through New Years, but the Rainforest Room is open year-round at the back of the gift shop. The marmosets are so adorable and playful. Sometimes Dallas, the scarlet macaw, even talks to us. We love staying at Log Cabin Lodge and Suites, next to Living Treasures. They have everything from small, cozy cabins for couples to six-bedroom suites with kitchens, game rooms, hot tubs, grills, and a sauna for large groups. And they’re close to all of the big ski resorts.”
10. Brewery crawl
“One of our favorite activities in Pittsburgh is picking up a Pittsburgh Brewery Guide and exploring the 40+ breweries that are located in Allegheny County,” mentions Mel Larrick, Executive Director at Pittsburgh Brewers Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a united voice for independent craft breweries in Allegheny County.
“There are multiple brewery trails that make it easy for folks to plan out their trip. It’s a fun and interactive way to get their guides stamped at every brewery they visit and have the opportunity to earn some cool prizes along the way.
Another great thing to do in Pittsburgh is certainly Three Rivers Beer Week — a week-long celebration of Pittsburgh-made craft beer hosted by our 40+ member breweries with various collaborative efforts including special beer releases and events throughout our great city. This year’s celebration takes place April 10-14th.”
11. Skiing and snowboarding
Kayla Marsh, Events and Marketing Manager at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania says, “Our favorite winter activity is participating in the Epic for Everyone Teen Skiing/Snowboarding Program. Sponsored by Vail Resorts and the Katz Amsterdam Foundation at Seven Springs Resort. This program provides teens in our clubhouses the opportunity to learn to ski or snowboard and spend the day on the slopes with some friends. We are so grateful to be able to provide this amazing winter opportunity to our amazing youth! If you see them out on the slopes, please give them a wave.”
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