Pittsburgh offers a number of entertaining activities for families with children during the winter months. From museums to outdoor fun, this western Pennsylvania city has more than enough options for kids of all ages.
Pittsburgh Museums
There are a number of Pittsburgh area museums that offer exhibits, classes, and more for kids. These include specialized museums that focus on natural history, art, science, children’s play, and local history.
- The Carnegie Museum of Natural History: Located in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh, this museum offers a variety of permanent and special exhibits covering the natural world and human existence. Kids will enjoy the igloo in Polar World, the Hall of Native American Indians, and of course the dueling T-rexes in the dinosaur display. Young children will also love "digging" for fossils in the Bonehunters Quarry.
- The Frick Art and Historical Center: Visit the former home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick for a trip back in time as well as to view a fantastic collection of artwork. This museum offers a variety of programs for kids and families of all ages.
- The Carnegie Science Center: Experiment with water, sound and more during a visit to this North Side attraction. Young kids will have a blast in this science center’s unique water table area, while older kids can delve into the science behind robotics, weather, and even food.
- The Mattress Factory: As contemporary art space, this museum offers a number of permanent and special exhibitions. Look for special youth and children’s programs that may fit with specific family interests.
Winter Outdoor Recreation in Pittsburgh
A mid-winter vacation to Pittsburgh can be filled with fun outdoor recreational activities. Local and nearby parks and resorts provide a variety of offerings such as skiing, ice skating, and sledding or tubing.
For low cost outdoor recreation visit one of the many public parks in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas:
- Pittsburgh Parks: Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park (located near the campuses of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University) offers an outdoor ice skating rink that is open to the public seven days a week.
- Allegheny County Parks: Allegheny county offers multiple parks with a variety of outdoor winter recreation opportunities. South Park (located in Pittsburgh’s South Hills area of Bethel Park) offers outdoor ice skating, a nature center with children’s and youth outside activities, and hiking. North Park (in Pittsburgh’s North Hills area) has outdoor ice skating and hiking. Boyce Park (in the Monroeville area just outside of Pittsburgh) offers snowboarding, skiing, and snow tubing.
For families looking for more of a resort option, these attractions are located within a fairly close proximity to the Pittsburgh area. Call first for specific rates, activities, and accommodations.
- Seven Springs Mountain Resort: Located about an hour outside of Pittsburgh in Somerset, PA this resort features many skiing slopes and trails as well as snowboarding, a spa, and dining. Accommodations include a hotel, cabins, or chalets. For more information call the resort at 800-452-2223.
- Hidden Valley: Also approximately an hour outside of Pittsburgh, this resort in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Mountains offers skiing, snow tubing, sleigh rides, dining, and lodging accommodations. For more information call the resort at 814-443-8000.
Pittsburgh Animal and Zoo Attractions
The winter months can be a great time to visit furry and feathered friends. There are both outdoor and indoor animal attractions located within the city of Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is open year round (except for major holidays and from January 4 – 15, 2010). Outdoor exhibits include Kids Kingdom, multiple natural habitats, and the new Water’s Edge attraction that features polar bears, tiger sharks, and sea otters. For a fun indoor time, the PPG Aquarium presents a variety of fish, aquatic life, and a chilly penguin exhibit.
For those families looking for an experience of the avian kind, Pittsburgh’s National Aviary offers education and entertainment of the feathered kind. Visit birds from all over the world for an exciting indoor adventure.
Pittsburgh has much to offer families with children during the winter months. Museums, outdoor parks and recreation, and animal attractions are just a few of the fun activities that can be found in the steel city.
Erica Loop - I am a mother and a professional Arts Educator, teaching visual arts programs to children ages three and up in both museum and school ...
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