Great representation of our city. If you need directions, help getting around or want to know the…read morebest places to visit as a tourist this Visit Pittsburgh is a wonderful resource. In addition, they have a great little gift shop with reasonably priced Pittsburgh themed items. As a native, I've made a couple of purchases as gifts for friends and family living elsewhere.

We left our walking books at home so decided to poke our noses in here. Helpful advice,…read moreinteresting conversation with a Pittsburgh artist who was selling beautiful prints. Very reasonably priced. If only I had a place to put them. He just happened to be there and to hear tales of Mr Rooney and the South Side Slopes....Pittsburgh done in an interesting exciting way. Just beautiful. Wonderful souvenirs. I bought a Pittsburgh hobo bag for $11. I nearly bought a Mr Rogers t shirt for $16. Jigsaw puzzles galore and do you remember when the big duck came to town? They have a mouse pad. So it is a visitor center with lots of advice but they have lots of Pittsburgh stuff for sale. I am still trying to figure out a place for those beautiful prints. But what a treat to come in here. Very reasonable if something catches your eye. Otherwise good tourist advice.

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.

Absolutely incredible…read more I don't go to botanical gardens much so I don't really have qualifications to compare or rate any particular place but Phipps blew me away. I like plants. I have some. I thought seeing a bunch of plants might be fun but I wasn't expecting it to be such a wonderful experience! The place is quite large considering most of it is inside. It is organized for a few different environments and a little something for everyone depending on what your floral preferences might be. It took us about an hour and a half to go through the whole thing. Got a lot of pictures. Saw a lot of interesting and cool plants as well as beautiful flowers. Highly recommend this as a stop on any and every Pittsburgh trip.

I wish I had more time to explore the park as a whole, but I had an aggressive agenda where I had…read morepreset times to tour two Frank Lloyd Wright residential masterpieces, Kentuck Knob (review: https://yelp.to/_zBjRXaWxl) and the legendary Fallingwater (review: https://yelp.to/hQ179hIMk_). Motoring in my rented SUV through the gorgeous Laurel Highlands region, I had roughly an hour to drive the seven miles between the two homes right through this park. Right in the heart is a most worthwhile stop, Ohiopyle Falls, a twenty-foot waterfall that spans the wide Youghiogheny River over a couple of dramatic levels. The parking lot was huge and pretty empty, and it was a quick stroll to the broad observation decks that jut out over the river. There was a group of kayakers huddled together as they were preparing to navigate the whitewater torrents. The hamlet of Ohiopyle provides a welcome coffee break. RELATED - Exploring the greater Pittsburgh area? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/JIi0cQGNmO

Easy to navigate to. Free parking. Plenty of parking…read more Excellent clear trails and walking spaces. Clean atmosphere.

Even though the incline was closed, we stopped to look since we were going to the adjacent…read morerestaurant for dinner. It was constructed as a "lifesaver" after the Johnstown Flood of May 31, 1889, the Incline has more than lived up to its original lifesaving purpose. I read that flood waters again swept through the Conemaugh and Stonycreek Valleys on March 17, 1936 and July 20, 1977. During both floods, the Incline carried men, women, children and vehicles to safety and help. It is one of the longest and steepest hoists in the world and one of the few transportation systems of its kind still in existence and has its place in the Guinness Book of Records as "The steepest vehicular inclined plane in the world." The incline is closed for refurbishments set to be completed in Spring 2023. We were thrilled to see a large American flag flying above the incline. The flagpole is 125 feet tall and is on the highest point above the valley. I am sure that this flag can be seen for miles.

This was an enjoyable little trip up the mountain over Johnstown. Great views!! Gives you a great…read moreperspective of the city

Whether you like to wander nature trails or learn more about the history of our region, Bushy Run…read morewill have something for you! The site commorates a battle that isn't famous, but they have a lot of interesting information about that battle and the war and time period in general. Aside from the museum, there are sprawling grounds that offer historical markers and placards that explain the history of the area. There are also some great trails to enjoy (and are also great for pictures!). They often have reenactment events but also host farmers markets, craft shows and other events on the site. Worth a visit, but especially so if you love history or nature.

A little known battle that took place between the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War…read more Tour guide was knowledgeable and we learned more about the history of Pittsburgh. Reenactment of this battle takes place during the first weekend of August.

When I lived in Bloomfield, I'd often walk over to Oakland and the Panther Hollow Trail. The trail…read moreis part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail system. It's well-maintained and kept clean. The trail is perfect for walking and biking. Whether you're out for a casual & leisurely walk or to get your jog on, it's a perfect trail. Peaceful and serene, surrounded by nature in the heart of a bustling city.

Given that I live in N. Oakland, this trail is my gateway to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail…read moreSystem, a.k.a. the bike trails that run along all of Pittsburgh's rivers. It cuts through Schenley Park in pretty much the straightest and least hilly manner possible, connecting Oakland and Greenfield. The only part of this trail that I don't particularly like is the Greenfield end, where it loops around through part of the neighborhood, under the railroad bridge, and up into the trailhead parking lot for the Eliza Furnace trail. While it may be the safest way to get through this neighborhood at present, I particularly dislike the narrow blind corners, so on my way up to the trail, I often avoid them by climbing the hill and crossing the RR tracks (which you're not supposed to do, but I'm a railfan, so I know about trains and I'm careful). Speaking of which, closer to the Oakland side, this trail connects to the other Schenley Park trails via a connector that crosses the RR tracks. While not nearly as busy as many other RR tracks in PGH, these tracks (the same ones I cross) see a few trains a day, so take appropriate caution when crossing them. I've heard that wild turkeys live along this trail, but I've never actually seen them--at least, not in the park. (I did see them near Central Catholic HS one time). If you do encounter them, be careful, as they are hostile to cyclists and may attack!

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

Riverview Park has one of the largest and most extensive trail systems in the Pittsburgh area. With…read moreso many interconnected trails winding through different neighborhoods, it's easy to have a different experience every time you visit. I also like that you can step into a nearby neighborhood and grab something to eat before continuing your hike. Compared to Schenley or Frick Park, it also tends to be less crowded, making it a great option if you're looking for a quieter, more peaceful walk. That said, the trails are not as well maintained as many of Pittsburgh's other parks. Some sections are in great condition, while others have overgrown vegetation, uneven rocky terrain, steep drop-offs, and occasional hazards like broken glass. I noticed small pieces of glass along the Archery Trail, so I would recommend wearing hiking boots or sturdy athletic shoes rather than thin-soled sneakers. Because of the terrain, I think this park is much better suited for walking and hiking than for running. Most of the trails are not wheelchair accessible and may be difficult for young children, older adults, or anyone with mobility challenges. Even with the overgrowth, the scenery is beautiful, and many areas were filled with fragrant plants and wildflowers. I didn't personally see any poison ivy during my visit, but it's always a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings. One area that could definitely be improved is restroom access. There are very few restrooms throughout the park, and one restroom that had been open during a previous visit was locked in the middle of the day on a Sunday. Adding a few portable restrooms near the busiest trailheads would make a big difference for visitors. Parking is easier than I expected. While there aren't many dedicated parking lots, there is plenty of street parking throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. Depending on which trails you choose, you may also come across areas where unhoused individuals have set up encampments. During my visits, everyone kept to themselves and I didn't have any negative interactions, but it's something visitors should be aware of and another reason to stay aware of your surroundings in such a large urban park. The observatory has unfortunately been closed each time I've visited, but the park frequently hosts community events that are worth checking out. It's encouraging to see ongoing improvements, and I hope the city continues investing in this park because it has so much potential. Overall, Riverview Park is a beautiful place to explore and one of Pittsburgh's most expansive trail systems. While there are areas that could benefit from better maintenance, additional restrooms, and continued safety improvements, it's still well worth visiting. With a little more attention, I truly think it has the potential to become one of the best parks in Pittsburgh.

If you want a great city park but don't want to deal with the heavy crowds at Frick or Schenley,…read moreyou really need to check out Riverview Park up in Observatory Hill. It's a total hidden gem on the North Side. Because of how heavily wooded and steep it is, you instantly feel like you're deep in the woods even though you're only a few miles from downtown. The hiking trails are excellent, especially if you want a bit of a workout on the hills; and since it gets way less foot traffic than the other major city parks, it's incredibly quiet and peaceful. The real crown jewel, though, is the historic Allegheny Observatory sitting right at the top of the hill. It looks amazing against the trees, and they actually run awesome, free night tours where you can look through the old telescopes if you call ahead for a reservation. Plus, the park has a solid off-leash dog area, a pool, and they host free outdoor concerts in the summer. It's just a great, low-key spot to get outside without ever leaving the city limits.

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.

We started working Jeremy and Amanda to help plan our summer trip to Disney World. The trip…read morerequired coordinating flights of mulitple family members from out of town, scheduling car rentals and purchasing park tickets. Going into this we understood that planning this trip would require a lot of time and resources that we just didn't have. Jeremy and Amanda first took the time to understand what type of experience we were looking for and coordinated ALL the reservations. They also researched travel information and amenities needed for our toddler and walked us through how to protect our trip as the Coronavirus loomed. They have since provided up to date information on itinerary changes and gave guidance on how best to handle rescheduling as the reopening date for Disney was pushed back. They have helped make this whole situation stress-free and convenient. They truly love what they do and helping busy families like ours plan our dream vacations. I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who needs their services

Jeremy and Amanda were amazing at helping us plan our honeymoon in French Polynesia. They were very…read moreeasy to communicate with and very responsive. They even helped us switch travel insurance companies when they felt a price was too high, and found us a new one. They made the process very simple, we would recommend them to anyone!