Free Activities in Pittsburgh? There’s More Than You Might Think.
The Fort Pitt Bridge stands in front of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline.
Whether you want to explore Pittsburgh’s far-flung neighborhoods, break a sweat at local public parks, or browse through artwork in a museum, there are more free activities to do in the city than one person could experience during their time at Chatham University.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to try a few of the ideas listed below before your studies at Chatham are over. Whether it’s your first or last term on campus, these suggestions will give you an idea for how to spend a fun day at no cost.
The historic Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park in Pittsburgh’s North Side. (Photo: Tom Murphy VII)
Park it!
Pittsburgh’s parks and trails are some of its biggest points of pride. The city says it maintains approximately 1,920 acres of land distributed across five regional parks. Each of these regional parks has its own character and amenities:
Quickly accessible from the Shadyside and East Side campuses.
Offers a wide sprawl of trails to explore.
Has countless opportunities for recreation near the University of Pittsburgh campus.
Its fountain and gardens offer enticing spots for respite.
This park is comprised of four smaller community parks in the Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights neighborhoods. These parks offer scenic city views, trails, and activities
Home to the historic Allegheny Observatory, built in 1912.
Located where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet at the western edge of Downtown, it’s popular with locals and visitors throughout the year
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch in Oakland is one of the best places in Pittsburgh. (Youthelectronics / Creative Commons)
Dive Into a Book… or a Movie… or a Synthesizer
A good library can be the cornerstone of a community, and Pittsburgh has one of the most robust library systems in the country with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP). Library card holders can request items from nearly anywhere in Allegheny County’s library system to be delivered to their local library for pickup. A library card can be obtained for free at any CLP branch with a photo ID.
Located on Forbes Avenue, this library branch is the closest one to Shadyside campus.
This branch is also relatively close to Chatham’s campus. It offers a large, environmentally friendly space.
A short bus trip from Shadyside to Oakland, this is the crown jewel of the CLP system. It contains more than 2.5 million items in its collection. Inside, visitors will find an art gallery, a coffee shop, several reading areas, tables, computers, and more. The library also has a large selection of films, CDs and records, photographs, and television shows, as well as music resources and electronic instruments.
Of course, CLP Main also houses a mountain of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels. Don’t know where to start? Ask a librarian.
Be sure to visit the stacks on floor two, where you can catch a glimpse of the fossil display in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History next door.
The Mexican War Streets area contains some of Pittsburgh’s most beautiful architecture. (Steven Adams / Creative Commons)
Explore the City of Neighborhoods
Pittsburgh is made up of 90 individual neighborhoods, each of which have their own cultures, histories, and vibes. Chatham students will no doubt spend a good deal of time in Shadyside, as well as nearby Squirrel Hill and East Liberty. But these areas only scratch the surface of the Steel City.
On weekend mornings and afternoons, there are fewer places better for people watching. Spread across approximately 20 blocks between Downtown and Lawrenceville, the Strip features wholesale food suppliers, specialty stores, gift shops, and more. But you don’t need to buy anything there to have fun; the main attraction is witnessing the intersection of locals, shoppers, tourists, workers, and other folks. It’s like Pittsburgh’s version of a permanent open-air market.
A historic district full of well-preserved and restored architecture, as well as murals and other artwork. It’s one of the best places to take a walk if you’re interested in beautiful homes, buildings, and gardens.
This neighborhood near Chatham is the heart of Pittsburgh college life. Free activities include the Carnegie Library, the Cathedral of Learning, and, with a student ID, a visit to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.
Use Your Student ID
Don’t underestimate the power of the Chatham student ID.
Not only does it grant you access to the Jennie King Mellon Library, the Eden Hall shuttle, and the Athletics and Fitness Center, but it gets you free fare on Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s buses, light rail, and funicular.
That means you can ride Pittsburgh’s historic and iconic inclines free of charge.
In addition to free access to the Carnegie Museums, there’s also the kid-friendly Kamin Science Center and the pop-art centric Andy Warhol Museum. These are some of Pittsburgh’s most beloved cultural institutions, so take advantage of them while you have the chance.
There are often free events at the museums too; check their website for listings.