Travel Guide for the BEST THINGS TO SEE IN PITTSBURGH IN FIVE DAYS - Pittsburgh Purple Travel Guide

Our 5 day itinerary for Pittsburgh shows you the best things to see and do on a 5-day trip to Pittsburgh.

If you have 5 days in Pittsburgh, congratulations, you will be able to see all of the highlights. Nevertheless, I hope that you will get a chance to come back soon to see more.

I am not specifically mentioning it, but make sure that you drive, coming from the west, e.g. the airport) on I-376 towards downtown through the Fort Pitt Tunnel to experience your wow moment.

HERE IS YOUR FIVE DAY ITINERARY for Pittsburgh:

Day 1

Start the day with a view of the Golden Triangle from the vista points on Mount Washington.

Take the Self-Guided Golden Triangle Walking Tour
- If you come in winter, you may want to spend additional time in the Plaza at PPG Place at the Ice Rink (#13) and visit the Christmas Market in Market Square (#14).
- If you come in summer, then you may want to plan more time at the Fountain in Point State Park (#1).

Watch sunset at one of the fabulous restaurants on Mount Washington.

Day 2

Start your day in the Oakland area and see the Cathedral of Learning and one of the Carnegie museums and/or the Phipps Conservatory and/or The Frick.

Drive downtown for souvenir shopping in the Strip District, have your Primanti Brothers sandwich, and imagine how the Strip looked 100 years ago.

Join a sunset tour of the Three Rivers on board of a Gateway Clipper tour of the Three Rivers.

Enjoy dinner at Church Brewery.

Day 3

Start your day at the West End Overlook and see how different the city looks from here.

Go to one or two of the museums in the downtown area: e.g. Heinz History Center, Andy Warhol Museum, Mattress Factory, National Aviary if you have not been there yet.

Do some exercise: Go kayaking on the three rivers, or explore North Park, or hike at McConnell’s Mill Park, or take a tour of the Mansion in Hartwood Acres.

Finish your Pittsburgh visit with dinner at a restaurant of your choice in Shadyside, Mount Washington, the Strip District, E Carson Street, Station Square, or an ethnic restaurant in Squirrel Hill.

Alternatively, you can spend the whole day at Kennywood Park.

Day 4

Today is the time to travel outside the city.

Start your day at Fallingwater (website) on a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece.

Take the 12 mile drive over to Fort Necessity National Battlefield (website) for a visit.

Make your way back to Pittsburgh and make one of these your next stop: a) Tanger Outlets Pittsburgh (website), b) The Meadows Racetrack and Casino (website), c) Raccoon Creek Park

Finish Day 4 of your Pittsburgh visit with dinner at a restaurant of your choice in Shadyside, Mount Washington, the Strip District, E Carson Street, Station Square, or an ethnic restaurant in Squirrel Hill.

Alternatively, there are other day trips that you can do:

Drive to the Outlet Center in Grove City (website)for more shopping and then continue on to Niagara Falls (map). Enjoy the falls, stay there over night and come back to Pittsburgh on Day 5.

Drive to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio (website) and come back to Pittsburgh in the evening.

Drive to the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA (website) and Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney (website) where Punxsutawney Phil prognosticates the future weather every February 2nd.

You can spend the whole day at Kennywood Park.

Day 5

Start your last day in Pittsburgh by driving to the steepest street in the US.

Afterwards, visit the Rivers of Steel: Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark for a guided tour.

Experience Old Economy Village (website).

Finish your Pittsburgh visit with dinner at a restaurant of your choice in Shadyside, Mount Washington, the Strip District, E Carson Street, Station Square, or an ethnic restaurant in Squirrel Hill.

Alternatively, you can spend the whole day at Kennywood Park or Sandcastle Waterpark.

Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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