Sight guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Visiting Point State Park and Fort Pitt
At the tip of downtown, a large fountain marks the confluence of the three rivers.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Matt Joseph, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Point State Park and Fort Pitt is a park in Downtown, Pittsburgh. Allow 1–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Park
- Area
- Downtown
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history, outdoors and views
- Best months
- August–October
About Point State Park and Fort Pitt
At the tip of downtown, a large fountain marks the confluence of the three rivers. The park traces the outlines of Fort Pitt, and the Fort Pitt Museum and the 1764 Fort Pitt Block House, the oldest building in Pittsburgh, tell the story of the French and Indian War.
Tip: Walk out to the fountain at the point for the view up to Mount Washington, then follow the riverfront trail along either bank.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Downtown, the Golden Triangle of office towers, theatres and Point State Park between two rivers.
Best time to visit Point State Park and Fort Pitt
Point State Park and Fort Pitt is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- September: 24°C (75°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
- August: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
- October: 18°C (64°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-September the sun sets at about 19:29 local time (calculated for Pittsburgh).
When to visit Pittsburgh has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Pittsburgh itinerary visits Point State Park and Fort Pitt on day 3, together with Strip District, Senator John Heinz History Center and Gateway Clipper riverboats.
- No. 9 of the 18 sights in our Pittsburgh things-to-do list.
- Listed in free things to do in Pittsburgh.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Pittsburgh.
If you like Point State Park and Fort Pitt
- Duquesne Incline — Mount Washington, 1 hour
- Grandview Avenue overlooks — Mount Washington, 1 hour
- Cathedral of Learning — Oakland, 1 hour
Staying near Point State Park and Fort Pitt
Stay in Downtown ($$$) to walk here: the Golden Triangle of office towers, theatres and Point State Park between two rivers. All areas to stay in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Point State Park and Fort Pitt?
Plan 1–2 hours.
+Is Point State Park and Fort Pitt free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Point State Park and Fort Pitt?
August–October for the most comfortable weather. Walk out to the fountain at the point for the view up to Mount Washington, then follow the riverfront trail along either bank.
+Do I need to book Point State Park and Fort Pitt in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.