Category: Things to do with kids in Pennsylvania

Fort Pitt

Pittsburgh, View from the Fort Pitt tunnel

Fort Pitt had an all-important role in the American Revolution and the French and Indian Wars that preceded it. This involving and innovative re-creation uses modern technology and pure creativity to explore that history through exhibits, images, artifacts, and videos. Be sure to visit the Bushy Run Battlefield exhibit as well, and ask about the parallel programs for children so that every generation can enjoy and be entertained.

Contact number: (412) 281-9284

Location: 101 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Cathedral of Learning

The Cathedral of Learning is not only a nationally recognized landmark, it’s also a collection of 26 “nationality rooms,” each one celebrating a different culture or era. There is also a three-story common room that will impress children and parents alike. Make this the center of a trip to the University of Pittsburgh campus, and make a day of it.

Contact number: (412) 624-6000

Location: 4200 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260

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Brew House Associates

The Brew House, a former brewery, is a center for working artists in Pittsburgh, offering galleries, work spaces, and The Performance Garage. Set aside the fourth Saturday of any month for Barely Brunch, when people of all ages come together to make a little art, share a snack, and have some great conversation.

Contact number: (412) 381-7767

Location: 2100 Mary Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

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Andy Warhol Museum

The Warhol Museum is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. It is a tribute to Warhol and a full-on exploration of his influence on 20th-century art. Besides the exhibits and archives, The Warhol also offers wonderful opportunities for your children, like RUST, the Radical Urban Silkscreen Team.

Contact number: (412) 237-8300

Location: 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

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Heinz History Center

There’s more to history than the rise and fall of empires or the death of dinosaurs. There’s also regular life aboard a Conestoga wagon or riding to work on a trolley circa 1900. The Regional History Center focuses on early 20th-century America and the regular people — workers and managers alike — who built the country.

Contact number: (412) 454-6000

Location: 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Located five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Zoo &Aquarium is a 77-acre naturalistic habitat facility that is home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of diverse species. The Zoostrives to be a leader and significant contributor to the conservation ofendangered and threatened species while providing an enjoyable familyexperience that fosters understanding, respect and appreciation forwildlife. The Zoo offers a variety of unique educational programs with astrong emphasis on conservation and conducts scientific research whichsupports and enhances the quality of animal and plant life, visitorexperiences, education and conservation. It is the Zoo’s goal to berecognized for excellence in its collection, programs and exhibitry and tobe acknowledged as a culturally significant facility.

Contact number: (412) 665-3640

Location: One Wild Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15206-1178

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Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve

You and your children can get back to nature, and learn something along the way. On this Reserve there are more than five miles of trails in 134 acres of sanctuary, filled with native plants, animals, and birds.The Audubon Center for Native Plants is here, as well as programs, classrooms, a library, and an auditorium. It’s become a community center that focuses on the use and preservation of native plants. It’s a wonderful place to celebrate and explore the botanical world, at any age.

Contact number: (412) 963-6100

Location: 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238

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Phipps Conservatory

Phipps Conservatory prides itself on being a leader in horticultural education, and offers classes for children and adults on native plants and how to cultivate orchids, among others. They are appropriate for all levels of expertise.

Contact number: (412) 622-6914

Location: 1 Schneley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Learn more here.