Congratulations! You have survived the winter in Pittsburgh! Even though it snowed on the 20th of March, spring will be right around the corner (at least we hope so).
Hoping for the best I have complied a list of awesome things to do just outside your front door in the coming months.
Outdoor Activities
Cinema in the Park – Starting June 7
Find your favorite movie location at Arsenal Park in Lawrenceville, Brookline Memorial Park, Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park, Grandview Park in Mt. Washington, Highland Park, Riverview Park, or West End/Elliott Overlook.
(Unbiased opinion Mt. Washington is the best)
Speaking of parks how about you take a hike at Schenley , Frick or Highland Park
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium–
Spring: April 1 – May 23
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission gates close at 4 p.m.
Indoor exhibits and Kids Kingdom close at 4:45 p.m.
Zip lining– Go Ape– North Park
Slightly pricy, but totally worthwhile
“More than just a canopy tour, the course is made up of numerous rope ladders, 41 exciting crossings to include the Double Stirrups, Bosun’s Chair, Flying Carpet and Spider’s Web, 2 Tarzan swings and 5 zip lines. New for the USA, North Park will have two brand new “challenging” obstacles, the Pirate Crossing and Chantemerle Bridge. Don’t worry; if you’re not up for the challenge, there are bypass routes throughout the course. Overall, there are 5 individual sections within the course, each section taking you higher into the forest canopy and finishing with a zip line more exciting than the previous one! Zip Line #3 and #4 are both well over 400 feet and the entire course consists of over 1,400 feet worth of zip lines!”
Kayaking– Kayak Pittsburgh– North Shore and North Park
Opening the first week in May
Friday, April 24, 2015 – 5:30 – 11:00 p.m.
The Night Markets turn the parking lots at the corner of 8th Street and Penn Avenue into an awesome outdoor Market featuring some of the best local independent vendors. The Market this year will be filled with food, cocktails, beer, music, lights, jewelry, apparel, photography, art, accessories, home decor and more!
Pittsburgh Public Market represents the rebirth of an old style of shopping. Like most cities, Pittsburgh once housed several market houses scattered throughout the city. The markets served as a central place for shoppers to purchase food and goods from multiple retailers under one roof.
Festivals
Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival
May 14-18, 2015 –
Cultural District – Downtown Pittsburgh
The 29th Annual Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival 2015 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.
Hours for the 2015 Pittsburgh International Children’s Festival: Wednesday 9:30 am – 1 pm; Thursday – Friday 9:30 am – 7 pm; Saturday – Sunday 9:30 am – 6 pm.
St. Nick’s Greek Food Festival
May 4-10, 2014 –
419 South Dithridge Street – Pittsburgh University District
Come savor authentic Greek food at this popular annual tradition that features great Greek food, and costumed dancers performing nightly to traditional Greek music. The diverse menu includes dishes like… beef stefatho, chicken oregano, souvlakia, baklava and much more. Both Greek and domestic wines will also be available.
Festival hours: Sunday Noon to 8 PM, Monday – Thursday 11 AM – 9 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM.
Arts & Crafts Spring Fever Festival
March 20, 21, 22, 2015, Fri & Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4- Monroeville Convention Center
58th Annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival
May 5, 2015 – Monroeville Convention Center – Monroeville, PA
The 58th annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival brings with it, plenty of exciting fun, food and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy. From live performances by over 500 dancers and musicians, a bazaar with an International array of arts and crafts, a cafe that serves traditional ethnic cuisine, plus educational cultural exhibits … it’s the perfect excuse for getting out of the house and enjoying the mild spring weather.
Festival hours are 4 PM – 10 PM on Friday and tickets are only $5.
May 7, 2015 – Heinz Field – Pittsburgh North Shore
One of the Top-10 Wine Festivals in the Country – the 13th annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival hosts some of the ‘world’s finest’ wine-makers … chefs … entertainers and wine educators. The festival features over 165 vendors offering over 500 varieties of wines from all around the world. Tasting tickets are $125-$250.
For more information, call (412) 281-2681. Proceeds from the Pittsburgh Wine Festival will benefit the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Centers.
Conferences
April 16-19, 2015 – David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Drawing a crowd of over a thousand attendees each year, Tekko-2015 is a convention for like-minded fans that have an interest in anime, Japanese music, toku, video games, card and board games, plus other Japanese-related popular culture. Contests, seminars, workshops, live concerts, and competitions are just some of the fun activities that will be taking place during this three-day event that is held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Hours: Thursday, 5 PM – 9 PM; Friday, 9 AM – 1 AM; Saturday, 9 AM – 3 PM.
Races
May 3, 2015 – Downtown Pittsburgh
A huge Pittsburgh tradition, the annual Pittsburgh Marathon has become one of the premier marathons in the country. Several neighborhood festivals will be under way in 13 communities along the course. The Music by the Mile program features live musical acts to entertain runners on their speedy foot tour of the city.
22nd Annual Pittsburgh Race for the Cure
May 10, 2015 –Schenley Park at Flagstaff Hill
Now celebrating 23 years Race for the Cure has become the largest series of 5k runs and walks in the city, and is one of the top ten races in the national series. In 2014 approximately 30,000 people participated, including more than 2,000 survivors. Race Activities will include a 5k run, 5k walk, 1 mile fun walk, and more.
Pittsburgh Race for the Cure festivities begin at 8 AM and the races start at 8:35 AM.
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