THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND PITTSBURGH

MUSEUMS

• Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh www.carnegiemuseums.org 412-622-3131
Museum of Art Museum of Natural History
The Andy Warhol Museum Carnegie Science Center
(Summer Camps for Children – 412-622-3288)

• The National Aviary in Pittsburgh www.aviary.org 412-323-7235
Great variety of birds in cages and open spaces

• Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium www.pgh.pa.us.org 412-665-3640

• Pittsburgh’s Children’s Museum http://pittsburghkids.org 412-322-5058
• Johnstown Flood Museum - (Johnstown about 1.5 hours from Pittsburgh) http://www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/history.html
814-539-1889
• Frick Art and Historical Center www.frickart.org 412-371-0600
Art museum and historic house / car museum / cafe

• Pittsburgh Glass Center www.PittsburghGlassCenter.org
412-365-2145 Watch glass being made, take classes and make glass yourself!

• Heinz Regional History Center www.pghhistory.org 412-454-6000
Pittsburgh and Western PA history / sports museum –near the Strip District

• Cathedral of Learning 412-624-6000
University of Pittsburgh / visit the nationality rooms www.pitt.edu/~natrooms (412-624-6000) or view the Oakland area from 36th floor / also see Heinz Chapel with magnificent stained glass windows

• Bayernhof Museum in O’Hara township www.bayernhofmuseum.com Very unusual “mansion” overloaded with a variety of objects (example - small to 3 foot high Hummel’s, and German related items such as carvings and steins), but most famous for the mechanical musical instruments collection (example – the pianos used during silent movies, or mechanical violins).

• Tour Ed coal mine – http://www.tour-edmine.com 724-224-4720 Ride in a coal cart and experience what it was like to be a coal miner in the 1850’s and today.

VISIT CHURCHES AROUND PITTSBURGH (few examples below) Borrow a video called HOLY PITTSBURGH (made by WQED) from the library
• St Nicholas in Millvale with paintings by Croatian painter Maxo Vanca
• St Anthony’s Chapel on Troy Hill (relics)
• Rodef Shalom in Oakland – biblical garden (open during the summer only)

RESTORED VILLAGES
• Old Economy / near Sewickley in Ambridge / 724-266-4500
• Old Bedford Village (completely restored village) / 2 hours on the turnpike east /
814-625-1156
• Meadowcroft Museum of Rural Life and Ancient Rock Shelter (may be oldest human environment in the western hemisphere!) / south of Pittsburgh / 724-587-3412


CONCERTS/FILMS/ACTIVITIES
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/citiparks_events.html

• Highland Park / Free outdoor concerts starting Sunday, August 3-31 from 5-7 pm. Concerts at end of Highland Ave in the park. Bring a chair and a picnic.
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/reservoir_of_jazz.html

• Mellon Park, Fifth and Shady Ave. Sundays June 15 th- August 10 th 10:30-noon
Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch concerts Bring a chair and a picnic 412-255-8975

• Frick Art and Historical Center www.frickart.org 412-371-0600
Museum and historic house / ** Check website for evening, outdoor concerts in the summer. Called First Friday at the Frick. Bring wine and a picnic dinner (or buy it there)

• Hartwood Acres – free outdoor concerts Sunday evenings during the summer - bring a picnic and chairs/blanket. Check the summer program on the Allegheny County website

• South Park - – free outdoor concerts during the summer - bring a picnic and chairs/blanket / Check the summer program on the Allegheny County website

• Downtown free concerts / check the local papers for information

• Free outdoor films http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/cinema_in_the_park_and_cinema_.html

• Schenley Park, (park area by the University of Pittsburgh and the main Carnegie Library) – merry-go-round, concerts, activities

• Carnegie Libraries story telling and other various activities in many libraries


SHOPPING

• Farmer’s Markets http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/farmers_market.html

• Strip District – near downtown Pittsburgh with nationality and specialty food stores

• Grove City off route 79

AMUSEMENT PARKS

• Kennywood – amusement park - http://www.kennywood.com

• Sandcastle Waterpark - http://www.sandcastlewaterpark.com/
Amusement park featuring water slides, etc

TOURS/SIGHTSEEING

• House Tours – for a small fee (about $15-20 which is used to raise money for different causes) you can enter and walk around houses on the tour (usually 6-12 houses are included). House tours usually occur in the spring and fall / check the paper

• Pittsburgh Neighborhood Tours www.PittsburghNeighborhoodTours.com

• Ducky Tour around Pittsburgh and in the river - http://www.justduckytours.com

• Community Festivals http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/html/community_festivals.html

• Walking Tours of Pittsburgh Fridays at noon 471-5808 www.phlf.org

• Gateway Clipper Cruise on river (may include a lock cruise) –412-355-7980 www.gatewayclipper.com

• Ride the Incline up Mt Washington - http://www.incline.pghfree.net
• Polymath Park and Bedford Springs
www.polymathpark.com Three Frank Lloyd Wright Houses (17 miles from Fallingwater)

www.bedfordspringsresort.com/ Bedford Springs, eight mineral springs / hotel / restaurant / Located in South Central Pennsylvania’s scenic Cumberland Valley just 90 minutes from Pittsburgh, and just three miles off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike at Exit 146

SPORTS – Steelers football, Pitt Panthers, Pirates baseball, Penguins hockey

• Kayaking along the rivers in Pittsburgh 412-969-9090 or www.kayakpittsburgh.org
• North Park outdoor swimming pool (huge size 100 x 50 m) Also pools around the city of Pittsburgh. (check Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh websites for locations)
• Free fields/courts (tennis, basketball, track, etc) at area middle and high schools and city and county parks
• Bike rentals and riding / The Great Allegheny Passage is a bike trail which goes from Pittsburgh to Washington DC! It’s a wonderful trail along the Ohio River; you can camp along the trail, and kayak too. Once in Washington DC you can come back with the train! Website for more information: http://www.atatrail.org/ You can also do just a little part of the trail in Ohiopyle!
• Biking trails in and around Pittsburgh: www.atatrail.org or 1-888-ATA-BIKE
• Rails to Trails bike riding around the city of Pittsburgh www.railtrails.org
• Disk Golf at Schenley Park (using Frisbees)
• Tennis courts around city of Pittsburgh / (may have free lessons)
• Golf (May get discount at Schenley Golf Course with a card from Dick’s sport store). Not all courses are expensive. For example, 9 holes at Rose Ridge on Route 910 cost $13.

NATURE and PARKS IN AND AROUND PITTSBURGH (also see SPORTS, above)

• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden www.phipps.conservatory.org
412-622-6914

• Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel / native plants and bird sanctuary and nature camps for children / 412-963-6100

• Oglebay Park, Wheeling West Virginia 1-800-624-6988
Large park with cabin rentals, 3 Golf courses, tennis, swimming pool, nature
trails--also dining lodge and guest rooms. Cabins can accommodate 4-14 and
there are lots of activities for children and adults-- about 1 hour from Pittsburgh

• Deer Valley YMCA Camp 1-800-YMCA-FUN or deervalleyymca.org
` Rustic cabins, lake, dining lodge and family-style atmosphere for the whole family.
lots of hiking, boating, swimming and evening fun for everyone--2 hours away

• Ohiopyle State Park 724-329-8591 about 2 hours East of Pittsburgh
Biking and hiking along the Youghegeny River;; 1-888-ATA-BIKE www.atatrail.org
Also campsites available / white water rafting 1-800-WWA-RAFT beautiful rapids for all ability levels

• Fallingwater--Frank Lloyd Wright house-724-329-8501 (near Ohiopyle)

• Kentuck Knob--Frank Lloyd Wright house--724-329-1901 (near Ohiopyle)

• Fort Ligonier--Ligonier, Pa. 1-724-238-9701 www.fortligonier.org

• Idlewild Park--1-800-4DAY FUN or www.idlewild.com this is an amusement park suitable for younger children as well as adults--there is a water park and large pool. A trip to Idlewild could be combined with Fort Ligonier if you allowed the whole day. Both are located about an hour from Pittsburgh in Ligonier

• Presqu'isle State Park Erie, Pa. 814-833-7424 2 hours north of Pittsburgh
There are bike rentals and trails as well as Lake Erie beaches and a nice boat museum

• Moraine State Park 724 368 8811 near Slippery Rock, Pa. about an hour from Pittsburgh
There are bike rentals, trails and a lake for boating and swimming

• Pymatooning Lake

• Schenley Park *: Nice if you like to play disc golf, or tennis, ice skating, soccer, ultimate, golf, the Panther Hollow lake trail is ok.

• Deer Lakes Park **: Especially if you are a disc golf fan! Nice trails in the woods.

• Harrison Hills park *: Good place to see deer in the woods, and nice little walk along the Allegheny River.

• Raccoon State Park***: Wonderful trails in the woods, with deer and a lot of wildlife. Two lakes where you can fish and swim in summer (careful of snakes). 724-899-2200 near the airport / There is camping and there are hiking trails

• Settler's Cabin Park ** : Nice trail in the woods, great with dogs!

• Mc Connell's Mill***: covered bridge, old mill, and can do a longer hike and sleep in a cabin, or kayak. On the same day you can go see the Amish in Volant, and do some shopping in Grove City Outlets. 724-368-8091 / near Slippery Rock and Moraine. there are hiking trails here and it is great for climbing and rappelling

• Twin Lakes Park **: nice little place with a trail around a lake perfect for stroller, good for fishing, you can also rent Pedalo.

• Highland Park : Zoo and a place to walk around the reservoir.

• Frick Park **: Nice easy trail, take bus 71C to Clayton House and Frick Museum. The park is big and silent! No cars

• North Park: nice for a barbecue, and has a big outdoor swimming pool.

• Mingo Creek Park **: Nice trail in the woods, and a covered bridge.

• Hartwood Acres : Nice place to go see the Christmas decoration / has summer outdoor concerts almost every Sunday evening


If you go on Google you can have maps and details of each park. other links:
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/findamap.aspx

http://www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/maps.aspx

Parks Conservancy - http://www.pittsburghparks.org – parks around Pittsburgh




ACTIVITIES ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN http://www.pghkids.org/

• Kennywood - http://www.kennywood.com and Sandcastle Waterpark

• Schenley Park, (section by U of Pgh and Carnegie Library) – merry-go-round

• Carnegie Libraries – storytelling

• The National Aviary in Pittsburgh www.aviary.org 412-323-7235

• Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium www.pittsburghzoo.org 412-665-3640

• Beechwood Farms summer camps for children (see above)


• Pittsburgh’s Children’s Museum www.pittsburghkids.org 412-322-5058

Other activities are organized by different churches and community centers



****** REMEMBER TO LOOK ON THE IWAP FORUM TO FIND ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY IWAP MEMBERS AND OTHER INTERESTING AND UPDATED INFORMATION!!!!
In case you are unsure of how to register and look up (and add to) information on the FORUM, it’s really easy to do. First, go to the IWAP website http://www.iwap.tk/
1. Next, click on the word FORUM in the left hand column (may have a red rotating bar saying NEW in front of it).
2. On the new page, click on the word REGISTER under the blue band at the top of the page.
3. On the next page, click on the words I AGREE TO THESE TERMS.
4. On the next page, just fill in the information (you can just put your first name or a made up name for the “User Name” section.
5. Next click on the word SAVE (in the middle of the page after you fill in the information). That’s it!

SPECIAL EVENTS MAY – AUGUST 2008

May Events ...

Pittsburgh International Children's Festival
May 14-18, 2008 - West Park and Allegheny Center on the North Shore - Pittsburgh
Hours: Weekdays 9:30 am - 2 pm; Saturday 10 am - 5 pm; Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.
The 22nd Annual Pittsburgh International Children's Festival 2008 ... is one of the largest Children's Festivals in the country. Both the young ...and young-at-heart can explore the world through Theater, Live Music, Dance and Puppetry.

52nd Annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival
May 16-18, 2008 - David L. Lawrence Convention Center - Downtown Pittsburgh
The famous Pittsburgh Folk Festival offers fun, contemporary Entertainment, along with ethnic Foods ... International Beer Tavern ... lots of Children's Activities ... 'huge' International Marketplace... and lots more!

Pedal Pittsburgh
May 18, 2008 - Amphitheatre at Station Square - Downtown Pittsburgh PA
Pedal Pittsburgh is an exciting ... scenic ... bike tour that takes you through many of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods & landmarks that make the downtown Pittsburgh area so special. Designed to be an enjoyable ride and not a race... Pedal Pittsburgh has course options ranging from 6 to 60-miles - so from families to the cycling enthusiast ... there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Now celebrating its 14th year... Pedal Pittsburgh has attracted more than 12,000 riders since it's creation in 1994, making Pedal Pittsburgh one of the region's premier cycling events. All riders will start and finish at the Amphitheatre at Station Square, with lunch & live entertainment scheduled between 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Departure times for Pedal Pittsburgh are as follows: 50 & 60 mile course 7 AM - 8 AM; 25 & 35 mile course 8 AM - 9 AM; 15 mile course 9 AM - 10 AM; 6 mile course 10 AM - 10:30 AM.

June Events ...

Three Rivers Arts Festival
June 6-22, 2008 - Various locations throughout Downtown Pittsburgh

Three Rivers Arts Festival presents 17-Days of cultural Pittsburgh Festivities, with great Food, spectacular Entertainment and the experience of world-renowned Visual and Performing Arts. All of which is conveniently located in the downtown Pittsburgh Area.
Once you've arrived, the teasing aromas from an endless supply of Food Stands gets your senses going. After a bite... `stroll through' the Artist's Market... which changes six-times during the festival. Live Musical Performances will `top-off' your enjoyable day or evening.
Three Rivers Arts Festival hours are Sunday through Thursday Noon - 9 PM; Friday & Saturday Noon - 10 PM.


July Events ...

DATE (may not occur this year) ??????????? Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta
The largest community event in the four-state region... the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta celebrates 30 years of four-day ... high-quality ... free family entertainment.
This world-class Land... Air... Water Festival is the largest Inland Regatta in the Country. Over 1.5 Million People... Annually... attend this summer celebration of Pittsburgh's Three Rivers.


July 4th Celebrations
July 4, 2008 - Point State Park - Downtown Pittsburgh

Anywhere you are in Pittsburgh, you'll find birthday parties for the good old U.S.A. local newspapers will carry all the particulars, so you can find anything from huge Fireworks Displays - too ' small-town ' parades and picnics.
Point State Park... located at the tip of Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle ... is the site of Pittsburgh's daylong Independence Day Celebration. Musical Acts & Entertainment start in the afternoon, and end with a 21-Gun Salute followed by a really big Fireworks Display at 9:40 PM. 1000's of People turn out, but you can also view the fireworks from a variety of ' less crowded ' locations nearby.
Fourth of July at Point State Park activities begin at 1 PM.

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2008
July 11-20, 2008 - Schenley Park

Considered the premier Vintage Grand Prix event in the United States. The Grand Prix Race attracts Fans of all ages, who line the beautiful Schenley Park streets to cheer for their favorite Antique Autos.
This Grand Prix festival is one of the only all-volunteer Staffed Events of its kind and one of the few to attract such National Recognition.

August Events ...

Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival August 23-24, 30-31, September 1, 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 – 2008 Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Only! FREE Parking
Enter through the `castle gates'... and spend the entire day in merry old England. Shop the Artists' Marketplace featuring thousands of Handcrafted Wares. You'll be thrilled and amazed as jugglers, minstrels, acrobats, and jousting knights fill 7 stages with fun entertainment.
With Pittsburgh's mild Summer Days, it's the perfect time to spend an entire weekend filled with merrymaking, feasting and shopping. The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival hours are: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM Saturdays & Sundays, including Labor Day.

Location: 6 miles west of New Stanton, PA off I-70. Exit 51A (old 24A) Rt. 31 East - Mt. Pleasant. Festival is a 1/4 mile on the right.

Here's a website I just found showing things to do on Schenley Plaza (by the merry go round, library and U of Pgh.)

http://www.schenleyplaza.org/programs.php