1. Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    1. Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    0

    Pittsburgh, PA

    Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    4.5 (21 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park Photos

    You might also consider

    More like Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    Recommended Reviews - Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Buggy
    Michael M.

    A sign of spring and the dawn of summer is the activity on Flagstaff Hill. Crowds gather in April to watch the annual CMU buggy races for two days. Flagstaff is crowded with bystanders watching the cars coming out of the free roll to climb Frew street with the aid of sprinting pushers up to Margaret Morrison and the finish. After the revelry of carnival activity on the hill wanes, but as the weather warms small patches of sunbathers and picnickers nucleate on the hill. These patches soon grow joined by students with books and notes studying for exams. The activity dissipates a bit as finals wind down but then proud parents with children in caps and gowns will stroll to share memories of the hill. Then quiet, peaceful quiet, but only for a few days. The hill draws its highest population density when runners in shorts or sweatpants converge to register and collect for the Race for the Cure on Mother's Day. This quickly starts and finishes followed by crews set to clean up the debris of the huge race crowd. Then it is quiet again and begins to warm. June brings summer students and Pittsburghers exploring Phipps, Schenley and other nearby venues. The hill fills with sunbathers, movie and concert goers ... It is an active place brimming with the previously dormant populace. Like all good things summer ends, but before it does it brings back new and returning students for the start of a new academic year. As the weather gets colder through the fall the hill crowds dwindle. It is then that it perhaps serves its fullest purpose as a quiet place to walk and reflect and escape the pressures of the mayhem of learning. A walk across to the Phipps allows witness of falling leaves and the death of summer and we wait again for Spring. Unless of course we have a sled.

    Time for a movie in the park!
    Laura M.

    I finally had the experience of seeing a movie in the park here last Sun. evening with a friend, and it was awesome! In the summer, the city shows outdoor movies here twice a week--once on Wed. with a concert from a local band beforehand, and once on Sun. Despite having known about this for almost as long as I've lived in PGH, it took me this long to finally experience it--I actually was planning to go the weekend before last, but was rained out. The movies start at "dusk," which ended up being around 9pm last Sun. The city publishes a schedule that states what movies they're playing on what days, so you can plan accordingly based on your tastes. The movie I saw was Big Hero 6, which was a great movie, and was family-friendly, so there were a number of children in the audience. Although others had told me that the sound quality wasn't the best, I had no trouble hearing the sound track from where I was seated--but then again, I was in the middle and fairly close to the front of the crowd. I'd recommend arriving at least a half an hour in advance to secure a decent spot, and bringing either a picnic blanket or lawn chairs to sit in, as well as bug spray to ward off the mosquitos. The great thing about outdoor movies is that there's leeway to do things not otherwise acceptable at movie theaters, such as quiet talking/whispering, running around (some kids were playing flashlight tag off to the side when I was there), and bringing snacks (I do this anyway, but it's great to not have to sneak them in!). The park and the neighborhood of Oakland make a great backdrop for an outdoor movie, and the hill is large and gently sloping, so Flagstaff Hill is probably the best place in PGH to see one. Having said that, they are shown at some other parks around the city on different days, such as Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville, so check the listings to see where the one closest to you is located. Needless to say, I had a great time seeing a movie on Flagstaff Hill, and would highly recommend the experience if you haven't tried it before. It's a great way to take advantage of the warm weather, so long as the rain holds off--which is an ever-present issue in the summer in PGH.

    See all

    Photo of Alan W.
    3365
    1499
    2171

    4 years ago

    Helpful 13
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Karla D.
    277
    3958
    23709

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 11
    Thanks 0
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Laura M.
    2114
    599
    1342

    11 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 10
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Matt R.
    230
    754
    1204

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Darren W.
    2952
    1437
    4662

    16 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Susan D.
    202
    828
    14

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    outstanding place, used to be the home of schenley high school's cross country practice and city cross country championship

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    Review Highlights - Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park

    I ask you, is there any better way to spend a hot summer night than enjoying a movie and a picnic dinner under the stars at Flagstaff Hill?

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Parks 2,084 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Highland Park - A little Eastern grey squirrel eating a peanut near a bench on the reservoir.

    Highland Park

    4.8(45 reviews)
    3.3 miHighland Park

    A gorgeous park with something to offer for everyone! Great walking trails that are accessible for…read morethose with strollers and wheelchairs. Trails that are a bit more challenging. A really nice playground. The park is also beautifully landscaped. It seems to perpetually be in bloom from early spring through the fall. There are picnic/pavilion areas, bathrooms (port a potties) and there is plenty of parking. I also really enjoy the fountain area for some relaxing but it is also great for pictures! A fun park to visit for all ages.

    We were all packed into a house with several families and little kids who needed some time to run…read moreand stretch their legs so I quickly looked up the nearest best park on Yelp. Voila, Highland Park saved the day. The thing that attracted me most was the playground that featured plenty of shade as well as playscapes that worked for various ages including babies with a soft floor. I also want to highlight that this park features hiking trails and a great view overlooking downtown Pittsburgh. It's tucked into a historic neighborhood so the drive to the park was also pleasant. If I lived in the area, I could see myself frequenting this park. Overall a wonderful experience and we will definitely visit the next time we are in Pittsburgh!

    Photos
    Highland Park - The entire patch

    The entire patch

    Highland Park - More from the patch of daisy's

    More from the patch of daisy's

    Highland Park - Possible tiger lilies?  I dunno, spotted and beautiful in the entry garden @ Highland Park

    See all

    Possible tiger lilies? I dunno, spotted and beautiful in the entry garden @ Highland Park

    Schenley Park - Red eared sliders are too common in our parks.  They are a very pretty turtle species.

    Schenley Park

    4.8(37 reviews)
    0.4 miSquirrel Hill

    Pittsburgh is truly blessed to have Schenley Park as part of our city's heritage. It is one of the…read morelargest and cleanest parks in the heart of the city, with a trail system and variety of recreational spaces that rival some of the biggest parks in Pittsburgh. It is incredible to have such a large natural area surrounded by the energy of the city. The park offers a pool, playgrounds, skating rink, pavilions, and other activities throughout, but the highlight is the extensive network of trails. There are so many paths to explore that you could spend an entire day walking here and still discover something new. Panther Hollow Trail is one of my favorites. It runs through much of the park, is beautifully shaded, and is a great option on hot, sunny days when you want to enjoy the outdoors without being in direct sunlight the entire time. The main trail is wide, well-graveled, and easy to navigate for groups, walkers, and people with pets. It also connects to other trails throughout the park, including the Bridle Trail and Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Anderson Playground is another unique feature, with its three-tier fountains and creative playground equipment. There are also porta potties throughout the park, which makes spending several hours exploring much easier. One of my favorite things about Schenley Park is that every visit feels different. You can walk around, find new areas, see different activities happening, and create new memories each time. I have enjoyed many walks here with different friends over the years, and it remains one of my favorite places in Pittsburgh to enjoy nature, sunshine, and time outdoors.

    Tons of walking trails right outside of Oakland. Who would have thought there was this much nature…read moreright near the city. Well kept and trails are marked. Make sure you have your walking shoes

    Photos
    Schenley Park - This bullfrog jumped right out of the water and directly at my feet, then it just sat there and looked at me.  Maybe it was challenging me

    This bullfrog jumped right out of the water and directly at my feet, then it just sat there and looked at me. Maybe it was challenging me

    Schenley Park - Pretty wild flower along the trail.

    Pretty wild flower along the trail.

    Schenley Park - Pretty wild flowers along the trail.

    See all

    Pretty wild flowers along the trail.

    Frick Park - A mourning dove outside of the Frick Environmental Center.

    Frick Park

    4.6(106 reviews)
    2.2 miSquirrel Hill

    City parks in general, but Frick, Schenley, and Riverview in particular are amazing recreational…read moreassets that are unequalled in other metro areas. I was fortunate and privileged to grow up with Frick as my backyard and walked all over the place before graduating to riding mountain bikes on the trails when the sport was in its infancy. Later, I ran high school cross-country races in Schenley and trained in Frick Park. Nowadays, we enjoy the flowers, wildlife, and groomed and maintained trails. I never appreciated how unique, rare, and amazing the parks are until I moved away and it's so great to see them treated as the unique assets they truly are.

    Frick Park is a dense network of interconnected trails that helps define Pittsburgh as a city of…read moreparks. I keep coming back and exploring different paths, only to realize there's always more to discover. It's one of those places where you can return again and again and still find something new, which makes it feel really special to me. The way the trails connect is one of my favorite things. Nine Mile Run flows into Deer Creek, which then connects into Tranquil Trail, creating an easy, continuous experience through the park. And thats just one corner of the park. While bathrooms are not abundant, you will occasionally find a porta potty, and there is often trash cans and benches toward the entrances and parking lots of the trail as well. Overall it's just a wonderful place to spend a sunny afternoon, and I really hope spaces like this continue to be preserved as an important part of Pittsburgh's identity and history.

    Photos
    Frick Park - What a rare sight to see these snowdrop flowers in January.

    What a rare sight to see these snowdrop flowers in January.

    Frick Park - Entrance across from the Frick Museum

    Entrance across from the Frick Museum

    Frick Park - Flat Path behind the Frick Museum.

    See all

    Flat Path behind the Frick Museum.

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Explore nature's beauty at Phipps, encompassing 15 acres including a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens.

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

    4.7(606 reviews)
    0.1 miOakland

    Absolutely loved visiting Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens! I was doing a cross-country…read moreroad trip and stopped here while passing through Pittsburgh, and I'm so glad I did. I love visiting botanical gardens, so I was excited to check this one off my list! They were doing an Alice in Wonderland collaboration while I was there, which made the visit even more fun. The conservatory was absolutely beautiful, with so many different flowers, plants, and unique rooms to explore. The Alice in Wonderland displays they did were super cute and really well done! My only wish is that they had incorporated the Alice in Wonderland theme throughout more of the conservatory because I would have loved to see even more of it. But overall, it was such a beautiful and relaxing place to explore. Definitely recommend stopping here if you're in Pittsburgh! l And you definitely have to hit the gift shop

    Phipps is a must-visit spot if you ever come to Pittsburgh. This is our second visit and we really…read moreenjoy the current Alice-in-Wonderland theme. Definitely a perfect place for spending time with family and friends. Parking can be challenging if you go during holiday or weekend. We bought the tickets in advance online, but you can also purchase it at the entrance. Recommend bringing a water bottle since there are various water refilling station in the conservatory.

    Photos
    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Ornate bonsai fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Ornate bonsai fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    See all

    Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Flagstaff Hill, Schenley Park - parks - Updated September 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...