Review 200! Yeah! I was reserving this milestone review for somewhere special. I recently had a…read morepretty rocking birthday weekend full of wonderful places to fill this slot but I had to go with one that truly embodies my physical lifestyle, so naturally I had to choose Kayak Pittsburgh. Being a newbie I wasn't sure what to expect, other than I was pretty sure it was going to be awesome. The prices to rent are very affordable and definitely worth the experience. We didn't spend as much time on the river as we would have liked to, do to some upcoming reservations later in the day, but now that I have gotten a taste of it I am dead set on going back as much as I can. We started by heading up the river, but there are much more scenic views down river. Cruising down past the stadiums than over to the point to get a victorious picture of me hoisting my oar in front of the fountain. Such a wonderful way to see the city. Since we were on a tight schedule there wasn't much time for relaxing so it was basically nonstop paddling. This is a serious upper body workout. Heading back up the river was challenging at times, but still so much fun and a great workout! Can't wait to go back.

Just go, for goodness sake. This is a unique way to experience Pittsburgh that will be…read moreunforgettable. Make sure you take sunglasses, a hat and a dry bag. The rental rates are very reasonable, especially if you become a Venture Outdoors member. They give you a little paddle talk before you go and help you get in and out of the water. It's a lot less scary than you may think, as you wear a safety vest and tipping over is pretty rare. I recommend you get the solo boats over the tandems, they are just easier to maneuver and a lot more fun.

This was a fun experience overall. We went on a perfect weather day, the lake was busy, people and…read morecars all over. There was some wildlife including; great blue herons, ospreys, and fish. Some of the staff was less than kind -- not rude, but they were a bit flat. The kayak was expensive, we did a tandem kayak for two hours and we needed maybe 45 minutes to see the entire lake. I would say price ratio to what you get is not entirely worth it. The cars were constantly going by, and noisy. There was a fun bridge, a fun building with a mini bridge with nests and an island that creates a sort of loop on the lake. I would recommend checking out the other locations as they likely match the price for experience, and planning these out.

This was a really great place to rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP! Super easy process to book online…read more(which I recommend in the summer months when it can get busy). It's easy to access in North Park and the lake is beautiful and a great quick escape from the city. Highly recommend!

This was such a fun hike! Its very steep but worth it because it feels like a little secret trail…read morein Millvale. There was a little bit of litter but not too bad. Oh and the yellow trail is a loop.

Recently acquired by the Allegheny Land Trust, Girty's Woods is a 155 acre land tract which…read morefeatures trails for hiking and birding. With over 90 species of birds, Girty's Woods is an enjoyable way to experience Nature. There's a small parking lot at the trailhead. Some of the trails can be quite challenging, but if you enter from Irwin Lane, the trails are more manageable. One particular species of bird, the Kestrel, is thrilling and beautiful. Other birds to see include woodpeckers, hawks, thrushes, and songbirds.

One of the many cool places you can check out while in North Park. There is a pond and pretty…read morerigorous hiking trails for going on a trek. I was looking for snapping turtles, but did not find any today. I did see a lot of dragonflies/damsel flies, butterflies and cute little birds on this sunny summer day. I might post some pics of the dragon flies and butterflies, but I did not get excellent shots because they were very skittish today. There is never anyone here unless there is some event going on.

I would rename it the Latodami Joy Center. The Center provides the habitat and native plant foods…read moreto support wildlife diversity. For example, there are hundreds of Bluebird Boxes and an accompanying educational program. There are meadow and aquatic habitats along with berries, seeds an pinecones for the birds to eat. There are plants to support butterfly diversity. The mission here is to restore the earth, to educate and dazzle humans, and to provide a healthy place to exercise, learn and find delight.

Ian is incredible @ SurfSUP Adventures. My husband and I drove from Wisconsin to meet Ian and…read moresurf and SUP on a river in Johnstown, PA. Yes, you read that correctly, we surfed on a river in Pennsylvania. Ian's skills in surfing, SUP and teaching produce an experience you will never forget. We were on surf boards "catching a wave" and SUPs navigating the river and when we tired from that we let the river current and eddy take us on a relaxing ride. Ian had everything we needed from booties to helmets. He made all of us comfortable from the moment we met him and assured us we would be safe, we'd catch a wave and have fun doing so; he was right on. A few days later we signed up for the SUPing on the Allegheny River with Ian. Paddling around the Allegheny islands all the way to a large dam. Pretty darn thrilling. Ian's knowledge of the area made the trip educational as well, who knew there was so much to learn about the Allegheny Islands. Thank you Ian for an adventure we will never forget, and all the photos you captured of us as well.

Ian has best business ever with Surfsup! It is so much fun. He offers paddle boarding tours by…read moreOakmont and at moraine state park. He is so helpful to those who are newbies at the sport. At first it might seem intimidating but Ian makes you want to come back for more. He's very knowledgeable about the area and will give you a bunch of fun facts along the way. By the end of the tour, you'll be a pro too!

I love hiking in autumn. The crisp air, the crackle of leaves under my boots and the quiet moments…read morein nature. Kane Woods Nature Area in Scott Township is a great place for a hike. Several trail heads with parking. Well maintained easy trails. And super cool that dogs are allowed off leash in this wooded wonderland.

This is going to be my go to walking area if I want a quick car ride, clean trails and moderately…read morechallenging hiking. It takes me about 15 minutes by car to get here and it is a synch to find. Parking is super ample. In fact there are three different parking lots. The trails are so well marked and plotted that there is almost no way to get lost. I admit at first try I got a bit side tracked, but then found my way in a few minutes. Be ready for friendly four legged furries coming over to say hello to you. I was actually pretty stoked about this, but some people are not so big on dogs. They do have signs posted about leashing your dog, which most people adhere to, so no problems there. Will post pics soon, with possible videos as well.

It's pretty. It's not a super exciting trail but there are nice picnic areas and it's very green.read more

A wonderful treasure of the Pittsburgh region. I have learned untold knowledge of wildflowers…read morenative to Western Pennsylvania by walking these trails each Spring. It's a living museum of wildflowers! With an abundance of Trillium in the 1980's, the park was a stunning sight with blankets of Trillium. But a growing deer population in the 90's decimated the Trillium population. An experimental deer enclosure revitalized the park, and the wildflowers are making an impressive comeback. While there is only a few miles of trail here, the wildflowers are the main attraction, and you should come in successive weeks in April and into May if you want to admire these fleeting beauties. Dedicated volunteers regularly remove invasive species, and each year the trails and bridges are regularly repaired and upgraded. For your first trip, go with a wildflower expert, such as a guided tour provided by Venture Outdoors, which is excellent. See you on the trail!

Last minute weekend plans went great! The people here are super nice and helpful. Very thorough in…read moreexplaining markers along the route. Decent price for a lovely day on a pretty stretch of river!!

Such a great day! We did the 2 miles tubing trip, and I can't wait to come back. We will probably…read moretake a longer trip next time.