Free Activities in Pittsburgh? There’s More Than You Might Think.
Whether you want to explore Pittsburgh’s far-flung neighborhoods, break a sweat at local public parks, or browse through artwork in a museum, there are always more free activities to do in the city than most students can experience during their time at Chatham University.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to try a few of the ideas listed below before your studies at Chatham are over. Many Pittsburghers live here for years without getting the chance to explore all of them. Whether it’s your first or last term on campus, these suggestions will give you an idea for how to spend a fun day at no cost.
Park it!
The historic Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park in Pittsburgh’s North Side. (Photo: Tom Murphy VII)
Pittsburgh’s parks and trails are some of its biggest points of pride. Mellon Park is quickly accessible from the Shadyside and East Side campuses, but Pittsburgh is home to several other unique and beautiful public parks.
The city says it maintains approximately 1,920 acres of land distributed across five regional parks. Each of these regional parks has its own character and amenities. Frick Park offers a wide sprawl to explore, Schenley Park has countless opportunities for recreation, and Highland Park entices visitors to relax by its fountain and gardens.
Those who are willing to travel further from campus may want to visit Emerald View Park, which is comprised of four smaller community parks in the Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights neighborhoods. These gorgeous parks offer views, trails, and activities; it’s worth taking extra time during a trip to the overlook on Grandview Avenue to explore them. Completists will want to make plans to visit Riverview Park in the North Side, home to the historic Allegheny Observatory, built in 1912.
Point State Park, located where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet at the western edge of Downtown, is popular with locals and visitors throughout the year, as is the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, the city’s premier trail system.
Dive Into a Book… or a Movie… or a Synthesizer
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch in Oakland is one of the best places in Pittsburgh. (Youthelectronics / Creative Commons)
A good library is the cornerstone of any community, and Pittsburgh has one of the most robust library systems in the country with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. The Squirrel Hill branch on Forbes Avenue is closest to the Shadyside campus, and library cardholders can request items from nearly anywhere in the library system to be delivered there for pickup. A library card can be obtained for free at any CLP branch with a photo ID.
The CLP Main branch, which is a short bus trip from Shadyside to Oakland, is the crown jewel of the CLP system. It contains more than 2.5 million items in its collection. Inside, visitors will find an art gallery, a coffee shop, several reading areas, tables, computers, and more. The library also has a large selection of films, music albums, photographs, and television shows, as well as music resources and electronic instruments.
Of course, CLP Main also houses a mountain of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels. Don’t know where to start? Ask a librarian.
Be sure to visit the stacks on floor two, where you can catch a glimpse of the fossil display in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History next door.
Explore the City of Neighborhoods
The Mexican War Streets area contains some of Pittsburgh’s most beautiful architecture. (Steven Adams / Creative Commons)
Pittsburgh is made up of 90 individual neighborhoods, each of which have their own cultures, histories, and vibes. Chatham students will no doubt spend a good deal of time in Shadyside, as well as nearby Squirrel Hill and East Liberty. But these areas only scratch the surface of the Steel City.
On weekend mornings and afternoons, there are fewer places better for people watching than the Strip District. Spread across approximately 20 blocks between Downtown and Lawrenceville, the Strip features wholesale food suppliers, specialty stores, gift shops, and more. But you don’t need to buy anything there to have fun; the main attraction is witnessing the intersection of locals, shoppers, tourists, workers, and other folks. It’s like Pittsburgh’s version of a permanent open-air market.
Central Northside is home to the Mexican War Streets, a historic district full of well-preserved and restored architecture, as well as murals and other artwork. It’s one of the best places to take a walk if you’re interested in beautiful homes, buildings, and gardens. Stop by Randyland, the eye-popping folk art installation by Randy Gilson, if you’re in the area.
If you feel like you’ve already seen the whole east end (you haven’t, but it can feel that way), don’t be afraid to dive deeper. Climb to the top floors of the Cathedral of Learning in Oakland for spectacular views you can’t get anywhere else, or take a walk through Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville to experience some of the most beautiful and calm green space in the city.
Use Your Student ID
Don’t underestimate the power of the Chatham ID. Not only does it grant you access to the Jennie King Mellon Library, the Eden Hall shuttle, and the Athletics and Fitness Center, but it gets you free fare on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s buses, light rail, and funicular. That means you can take the historic and iconic inclines free of charge. Plan your trip ahead of time with the Transit app to make sure you don’t miss your ride (or your stop).
Your student ID also gives you free admission to the Carnegie Museums, which include the flagship Carnegie Museum of Art, the kid-friendly Carnegie Science Center, and the pop-art centric Andy Warhol Museum. These are some of Pittsburgh’s most beloved cultural institutions, so take advantage of them while you have the chance. There are often free events at the museums too; check their website for listings.
Keep Your Eyes Open
There’s always more to do and see in Pittsburgh. Stay aware of goings on around town if you’re looking for more free options. Seasonal community events like the Squirrel Hill Night Market and Shadyside’s Jam on Walnut concert series happen every summer, and attending the Light Up Night celebration in Downtown is a holiday tradition for many.
If you’re looking for even more to do, keep tabs on message boards like the Pittsburgh subreddit, or take a look at the events listings and coverage in outlets like the Pittsburgh City Paper. Don’t be afraid to try something odd, like Bicycle Heaven, the bike-collection-turned-bike-museum. Or go somewhere not so popular, like the West End Overlook, the less-crowded alternative to Mount Washington for great city views. It may turn out to be your new favorite thing in the ’Burgh.
Mick Stinelli is a Writer and Digital Content Specialist at Chatham University. His writing has previously appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and 90.5 WESA, and he has a BA in Broadcast Production and Media Management from Point Park University. Mick, a native of western Pennsylvania, spends his free time watching movies, playing music, and exploring Pittsburgh.