Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on December 3, 2025.
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In the 10+ years of running Discover the Burgh, we’ve made it our mission to experience the best that Pittsburgh and southwest PA has to offer.
Thankfully, you don’t need a decade exploring the region to get the best out of Pittsburgh, and if you’re coming in to the city for a first-time visit and want to check out the best of the best, we’ve got you covered.
The following are our favorite ten attractions that make Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. Whether you visit one or two, or all of these (and many more featured on this site outside of this article!), you’re sure to have a great time exploring the Steel City!
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1. Duquesne Incline
Before cars became commonplace in Pittsburgh, workers needed a way to traverse the hillsides to get from their houses (typically on top) to the mills and factories (typically oriented along the river). During that time many funicular inclines opened to move people up and down the hills. But as cars became commonplace, many of the inclines closed and were dismantled. Today, two remain (both on Mount Washington), and one, the Duquesne Incline, is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike- not just because it is over 140 years old, but also because the ride features one of the most breathtaking skyline views of Pittsburgh you’ll ever see!
The Duquesne Incline’s lower station is located at 1197 West Carson Street and has a metered parking lot. Cash fare only. The upper viewing platform at 1220 Grandview Avenue is free to visit.
2. Phipps Conservatory
Phipps Conservatory is the premier conservatory and botanical gardens in the area and is one of our favorite spots in the city. Why is that? Apart from the fact that the conservatory offers beautiful flowers any time of year, they also put on many seasonal flower shows that are must-sees. While the shows are always excellent, we highly recommend the Spring Flower Show (March to Early April) and Winter Flower Show (late November to early January) for their vibrancy, themes, and overall ambiance. Truly a must see in Oakland!
Phipps Conservatory is located at 1 Schenley Park in Oakland. Phipps has a free lot for visitors out front and paid meters are nearby if full.
3. Point State Park
Point State Park is an interesting spot for its geographical features and history. On the geographical side, the park is located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers- the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio. And on the history side was the site of several forts due to the strategic advantage of the location (of which only outlines of the forts, historical markers, and a blockhouse remain). Now the park is a great place to walk through as a reprieve from the bustle downtown, enjoy the beauty of the confluence and the fountain (seasonal), and learn a bit more about Pittsburgh’s early history.
Point State Park is located at the Confluence of the three rivers in downtown Pittsburgh. Walk over from downtown or across the Fort Pitt Bridge (from the Duquesne Incline) or Fort Duquesne Bridge (from the North Shore).
4. The Strip District
The Strip District is one of Pittsburgh’s most vibrant neighborhoods. This section of the city was once home to heavy industry and produce terminals/markets, making for an interesting dichotomy. The mills ultimately left and the produce vendors and markets remained. Since then, many international markets, restaurants, and boutique shops have moved in which makes this neighborhood a great place to walk around and shop, eat, and drink. When visiting, keep in mind that many of the non-restaurant vendors close early (~3pm) even on weekends, so this one is definitely a spot to hit in the morning or early afternoon!
The Strip District is a neighborhood just east of downtown Pittsburgh. Metered street parking and paid garages are found throughout the neighborhood.
5. Warhol Museum
Many artists have come out of Pittsburgh, but none have works more prolific than Andy Warhol. To honor this iconic artist, the Andy Warhol Museum was opened in the North Side. This seven floor museum is the largest in North America dedicated to a single artist, and offers a glimpse into many different styles from Warhol’s career- well beyond the iconic soup can. You may not like everything you see (you probably won’t as his art is often unusual), but the museum does a great job highlighting this native artist’s vast portfolio.
The Andy Warhol Museum is located at 117 Sandusky Street in the North Side. A paid surface lot is located across the street.
6. Heinz History Center
We can’t have a Top 10 list about Pittsburgh attractions without featuring a museum all about the region, and the Heinz History Center will teach you everything you’ve ever wanted to learn about the area! This six-floor museum features nearly every aspect of Pittsburgh’s history including its early settlements, modernization, industries that called the region home (such as glass, iron, and steel), sports history, local inventions, and so much more.
The Heinz History Center is located at 1212 Smallman Street in the Strip District. Paid surface lots are located next door and across the street, and additional parking is available throughout the Strip District. The Grant Street Transportation Center tends to have reasonable parking prices as well.
7. Randyland
Randyland is often considered to be Pittsburgh’s most colorful spot, and once you arrive you’ll quickly understand why that is. This attraction has been the passion project of Randy, a local artist who decided to bring color and happiness to the North Side in the mid-90s. He bought two houses on credit card and turned them to the wonderful work of art we know and love today. This one you really need to see to believe.
Randyland is located at 1501 Arch Street in the North Side. Street parking for limited durations (check permit signs) can be found on nearby streets.
8. Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History
You may not think of Pittsburgh being home to one of the country’s top art museums, but the Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History are just that. While we treat this museum as two when talking about it, the museums are actually in the same building and able to be viewed with one single ticket! Visitors are treated to dozens of room with some of the world’s best art exhibits and natual history collections.
Don’t miss Dinosaurs in Their Time, Hillman Hall of Gems and Minerals, and Hall of Architecture– three of our favorites!
The Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History are located at 4400 Forbes Avenue. The museum has a paid parking lot available off of Forbes Avenue to the east of the museums.
9. Fallingwater
Frank Lloyd Wright is not a native Pittsburgher, but one of his most acclaimed works, Fallingwater, was built in the 1930s for a notable department store owner from the city. This house, located in the Laurel Highlands about an hour southeast of the city, is famous for its distinctive perch overtop a waterfall, with all of Wright’s famed intricacies on display for all to see. A bit of a drive, but truly a must see. Be sure to book tickets to this one several weeks in advance if visiting!
Fallingwater is located at 1491 Mill Run Road in Mill Run, PA, about 90 minutes southeast of downtown Pittsburgh in the Laurel Highlands.
10. Carrie Furnaces
We offer a number of great museums and attractions in this guide, and many focus on Pittsburgh’s great history. But sometimes going to a museum is not enough and you need to see the history for yourself. The seasonal (late spring to early fall) tour of the Carrie Furnaces in Rankin is one of those places. Here you can see some of the last remaining blast furnaces in the city and learn more about how Pittsburgh became the epicenter of all things steel in the late 1800s and early 1900s- thus giving the city its nickname of The Steel City. Advanced reservations required.
Carrie Furnace is located at 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd in Rankin, PA, about 20 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh.
Do you have a favorite attraction in Pittsburgh that first-timers should check out? Comment below to share!
Looking for more things to do in Pittsburgh? Head over to our massive attraction guide to dig deeper! (Clicking the previous link will jump past our Top 10 which we also share in that article.)
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