Free things to do · Pittsburgh · United States
5 free things to do in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Pittsburgh without paying an entry fee: Strip District, Grandview Avenue overlooks, Cathedral of Learning and Point State Park and Fort Pitt are all free. Grandview Avenue, Point State Park, the Strip District, Randyland and the Cathedral of Learning's Commons Room cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 5
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Market · Strip District
1.Strip District
Come on Saturday morning for the full street-market atmosphere and eat your way along Penn Avenue rather than sitting down for one meal.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Iconic
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Viewpoint · Mount Washington
2.Grandview Avenue overlooks
Walk the 1.5 km between the tops of the two inclines, then ride down the Monongahela Incline to Station Square for a different view.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
Architecture · Oakland
3.Cathedral of Learning
Check the Nationality Rooms tour schedule; some rooms can only be seen with a guide, and December brings holiday decorations.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Park · Downtown
4.Point State Park and Fort Pitt
Walk out to the fountain at the point for the view up to Mount Washington, then follow the riverfront trail along either bank.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Views
Experience · Central Northside
5.Randyland
Pair it with a stroll through the Mexican War Streets and a visit to the Mattress Factory a few blocks away.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
- Kids
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Strip District | Strip District | 2–3 hours |
| Mount Washington | Grandview Avenue overlooks | 1 hour |
| Oakland | Cathedral of Learning | 1 hour |
| Downtown | Point State Park and Fort Pitt | 1–2 hours |
| Central Northside | Randyland | 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Experience · Mount Washington
Duquesne Incline
Ride up just before sunset and stay until the city lights come on; look through the window into the old winding machinery at the top.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Kids
- After dark
Museum · Point Breeze
The Frick Pittsburgh
Book a guided tour of Clayton, the only way to see the house interior, and leave time for the car collection.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Grandview Avenue, Point State Park, the Strip District, Randyland and the Cathedral of Learning's Commons Room cost nothing.
- The Monongahela Incline is part of the transit system, so a ride up to the best view in town costs about the same as a bus fare.
- Hotel rates rise on Steelers home weekends and big concerts; check the sports calendar before booking.
- Lenten fish fries and diner breakfasts are filling and inexpensive.
- Pirates tickets are often good value compared with other big-league ballparks, especially midweek.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Pittsburgh expensive to visit?
Pittsburgh is moderately priced for most visitors, but 5 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Pittsburgh?
Strip District: Come on Saturday morning for the full street-market atmosphere and eat your way along Penn Avenue rather than sitting down for one meal.