The Christmas season is a time for treasured traditions. We all, undoubtedly, have our own cherished traditions with family and friends. The city, too, has traditions that we’ve all come to treasure. One beloved tradition, the decorating of the Nationality Rooms, dates back to the early 20th century. Plan a visit to the Nationality Rooms in Pittsburgh this holiday season.
Pittsburghers have been visiting the Nationality Rooms, in the Cathedral of Learning at The University of Pittsburgh, since they first opened in 1926. Every holiday season, the 30 Nationality Rooms are…
Decorated in beautiful winter decorations. Each Nationality Room features decorations representing the culture of the country represented. Tour the entire world – from Armenia and Greece to Turkey and Ukraine – when you visit the Cathedral of Learning.
While Pitt will be closed over the Christmas holidays, the Nationality Rooms will remain open for most of the holiday season. Holiday decorations will remain until January 18, 2020.
Embark on one of the guided tours, on select days, of the Nationality Rooms, or you can opt for the narrated tape tour. (You can also just stroll from room to room without either.)
Whether you’re still looking for holiday gifts or feel like picking up unique souvenirs, stop by the Information and Gift Center. There, you’ll discover an assortment of international gifts.
Have you ever been to The Nationality Rooms in Pittsburgh during the Christmas season? Share your experience in the comments! How about starting a brand new Christmas tradition this year? Plan a visit to Keystone Safari, all decked out in holiday lights. You can even take a horse-drawn wagon ride around the park.
Remember that famous line in Forrest Gump: "Mama always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get?" Well, Pittsburgh is kind of like that box of chocolates, full of surprises and hidden gems that make living here so much fun. Do you know all the secrets that Pittsburgh holds? If not, maybe it's time to open up that box of chocolates and discover the hidden gems in Pittsburgh that are worth a spot on your bucket list.
Get ready to laugh at the Arcade Comedy Theater, located on Liberty Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh. The Arcade Comedy Theater features regular improv comedy shows and also offers classes and workshops for aspiring comedians. Kids can also get into the action – literally – by checking out The Penny Arcade, an improv show just for kids. If you're looking for fun things to do in Pittsburgh for the whole family, you can't go wrong with Arcade Comedy Theater. Check out the schedule for the Penny Arcade and more on the official website of Arcade Comedy Theater.
It all started with a dilapidated building Randy Gilson purchased more than two decades ago. Today, that rundown building in the North Side has become part of a vibrant neighborhood of other buildings Gilson has purchased and has transformed into an artistic masterpiece of artfully decorated houses featuring murals, statues, and other handcrafted artwork. Randyland is located in the Mexican War Streets District. Don't forget your camera, and don't be surprised if you run into Randy during your visit.
Go on a virtual tour of Randyland with Qwirky Wirks on YouTube.
Pittsburgh has earned a reputation as a culturally diverse city and nothing embodies that cultural diversity more than the City of Asylum, a safe haven for select literary writers who are exiled from their own countries. The City of Asylum works with communities to transform run-down homes into creative safe havens, which are used to house exiled writers and to host readings and performances to which the community is invited. Keep an eye out for the organization's premier festivals, including LitFest and Jazz Poetry Month.
Enjoy an unparalleled view of the universe at the Allegheny Observatory, operated by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Pittsburgh. A center for astrological research, the Allegheny Observatory hosts public tours on Friday evenings in the spring, on Thursday and Friday nights during the summer, and on Friday evenings in the fall. Tours include an introductory video, a tour of the observatory, and the opportunity to observe the night sky through the telescope. Advanced reservations are required for the free tour.
Immerse yourself in a good old-fashioned mystery by stopping by the Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Oakmont, which has earned the distinction of being one of the largest mystery bookshops in the United States. Along with having an extensive collection of mystery novels for sale, Mystery Lovers Bookshop regularly hosts mystery author visits and other events. It is one of the best hidden gems in Pittsburgh, especially for book lovers.
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Conflict Kitchen has closed its doors.
Experience authentic food and discuss cultural issues at Conflict Kitchen, which only serves food from those countries with which the United States is currently in conflict. Countries are rotated periodically, and Conflict Kitchen is currently serving food from Iran. Each meal is served in a container that features an interview with an individual from Iran to give patrons a glimpse into their lives and their culture. Conflict Kitchen also hosts scheduled events and performances.
On the lookout for things to do in Pittsburgh but want to do something a bit different? You've just found it. If the warden locked you in a cell and walked away, could you cooperate with your cellmates and escape before he returns in a mere hour? That's just what Escape Room Pittsburgh challenges visitors to do. Escape rooms vary but may include such intriguing themes as Houdini's Last Escape, Carnegie's Millions, and Subway Escape. Escape Room Pittsburgh is on Greenfield Avenue in Pittsburgh. Reserve your desired time slot well in advance.
Get up close to those robots who have shot to fame and secured spots in The Robot Hall of Fame, located in the Carnegie Science Center. An ode to both real and fictional robots, like R2D2 from Star Wars, the Robot Hall of Fame debuted in 2003 and is designed to bring awareness to the importance that robotics play in today's society. Among those robots currently in the Hall include C3PO, Dewey, Gort, and Robby, the Robot.
Channel your inner artist by creating glass art at the Pittsburgh Glass Center on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh. Join one of the popular glass art classes, available for individuals at all levels, or opt for a private one-on-one lesson. One of the best hidden gems in PA offers visitors the opportunity to work on such unique glass projects as beads, paperweights, and suncatchers.
Bicyclists will find themselves in Bicycle Heaven when visiting the store and museum of the same name. Located near the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, Bicycle Heaven Museum and Bike Shop takes visitors through the rich history of bicycles with bikes from different eras on display and for sale. Simply browse the vast inventory or find that perfect basket, bell, or the necessary parts for your bicycle.
Gear up for your visit to Bicycle Heaven by checking out this YouTube video by Very Local.
What are your favorite fun things to do in Pittsburgh? Have you ever been to any of these hidden gems in Pittsburgh? Or, are there other gems that you think definitely deserve to make the next list? Let us know in the comments! Ready for more adventures? Here are even more hidden gems in PA that are worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
There is nothing quite as fun and exciting as a trip to the waterpark. When the best waterparks in Pittsburgh open their gates, they beckon Pittsburghers in search of fun in the sun! Who doesn't love having fun in the water with your family and friends? Without further ado, here are the six most fun waterparks in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area that you simply must check out. No matter what ages are included in your group, you will be sure to have a fantastic time at any of these fun spots.
Stroll down the boardwalk and play in the water without ever leaving Pittsburgh. Sandcastle Water Park promises to take Pittsburghers out of the Burgh and to the beach with its authentic boardwalk, mouthwatering food, and plenty of water slides and rides. Sandcastle entices kids with its two kids areas while the water slides (there are 15!), the Lazy River, the Mon-Tsunami Wave Pool, and the always-relaxing Mushroom Pool call out to parkgoers. Season passes are available.
Mix a traditional amusement park with a pretty spectacular waterpark and what do you get? Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier, which kicks off its summer season in late May. Join the family in the wave pool or get your adrenaline pumping on the Pipeline Plunge, the Serpentine Slides, or the Hydro Racers. SoakZone also features a kid's area, which includes a wading pool and Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley. Season and day passes to Idlewild & SoakZone are available at the park or online.
3. Pirates Cove Water Park at Conley Resort - Butler
Editor's Note: Pirates Cove Water Park is permanently closed, although Conley Resort is still operational. Rainy summer days in the Burgh don't necessarily mean a washout of fun in the pool. Pirates Cove Waterpark at Conley Resort in Butler promises to brighten those dreary summer days. Adults and kids can swim in the indoor pool, slip down the water slides, or relax in the whirlpool or sauna. Annual and three-month passes to the indoor water park are available, offering access to the pool, sauna, and whirlpool. Check with the resort for specific hours, which are dependent on the time of the year.
Avoid that smothering heat of a Pittsburgh summer by heading two hours north to Splash Lagoon Water Park in Erie. A water lover's dream, the indoor water playground promises non-stop fun with its many rides and slides. Scare yourself silly on such extreme water rides as the Cyclone and Hurricane Hole before relaxing in one of the whirlpools, in the wave pool, or by floating down the Lazy River. Splash Lagoon also features a kids' zone.
Body surf along the waves at Settlers Cabin Wave Pool in Pittsburgh this summer season, which generally kicks off Memorial Day weekend. The wave and swimming pool provides the ideal opportunity, especially with its minimal entrance fee, to cool off on those simmering summer days. If Settlers Cabin is out of the way, try South Park Wave Pool in South Park or The Boyce Park Wave Pool in Monroeville.
Remember running through the sprinkler when you were a kid? Recreate that experience yourself or with your own kids by visiting one of the many spray parks around Pittsburgh. Spray parks welcome visitors of all ages. Cool down this summer at Pittsburgh's spray parks, including Beechview Spray Park, Mellon Spray Park in Shadyside, East Hills Park, and Cowley Playground in Troy Hill.
Which one is your favorite Pittsburgh water park? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments section. We would love to hear about how they were. What about your other favorites? Would you add any other waterparks in the Pittsburgh area to the list?
