October in Pittsburgh is often when fall makes itself known. The temperatures drop rapidly, fall colors reach their peak, and the end-of-year slowdown starts becoming much more apparent.
But that doesn't mean you have to slow down in your explorations of the city, as it turns out October is another great month where you can get out and enjoy the city!
So if you are looking for things to do in Pittsburgh in October, check out the following options.
We are quite fortunate to have a number of beautiful covered bridges near Pittsburgh, and Washington and Greene Counties just south of the city boast an impressive thirty bridges between them.
Naturally, it should be no surprise that these two counties got together to put on a Covered Bridge Festival at nine of the thirty sites, and have been doing so every September since 1971!
We made our way out to explore a few of the sites in the Covered Bridge Festival and wanted to share a bit more about what you can expect when visiting, as well as a few logistics you need to keep in mind. As far as festivals go, this one can be quite busy!
We always love it when several brands collaborate for something greater than the sum of the parts. Unspeakable does just that with Vietnamese influences from Ineffable Ca Phe and select spirits from Noire Distillery next door, all with a speakeasy vibe.
A cocktail bar with Asian elements, local spirits, and well-executed drinks? We're in for this combo!
We have a soft spot for all things Oktoberfest, and after getting to enjoy the celebration in Munich for its wild party, we love checking out all of the Pittsburgh Oktoberfest celebrations that take place throughout September (and spill into October).
As there are no shortage of events taking place in breweries and other public places, we thought we would share a few of the top Oktoberfest events you may want to consider. Prost!
Pittsburgh's bagel scene has been rapidly improving in recent years with the opening of many great shops with house-made bagels, bagel sandwiches, and more.
Those in the North Hills looking for a delicious bagel received one more option in the form of Three Brothers Bagels, which opened in Glenshaw in mid-2023.
The popularity of this one skyrocketed overnight, with frequent early sellouts, so of course, we had to visit shortly thereafter to check it out. For those who need a bagel, this one is a treat!
The Pittsburgh Irish Festival has been an annual tradition in the region since the 1990s and has found a home to celebrate all things Irish culture at the gorgeous Carrie Furnace in Rankin each September.
Whether you want to visit this one to get your fill of Irish food, drinks, shops, or live music, this popular event is one not to miss!
We love Pittsburghese, and whenever we hear it, we know we are most certainly back in the Burgh.
The local dialect first started as the result of Scots-Irish immigrants moving into the region, then mixed with immigrants from all over coming in to work in the steel industry in the late 1800s/early 1900s, and several generations later what we now know as Pittsburghese was born!
Sadly, due to Pittsburgh evolving into a cosmopolitan city after the steel industry's collapse, it feels like the Pittsburghese dialect is becoming less and less used over time. Still, both visitors and locals alike frequently hear Pittsburghese around the city. So in this one, we thought we would share some of the most common terms you may hear when visiting!
Hemlock House opened in a prime location on S. Braddock Street in Swissvale (near Regent Square) in 2023 and serves up an array of modern pub fare with some flavor twists that you're unlikely to find anywhere else.
We visited this one with eager anticipation shortly after they opened and discovered this one is quite the gem.
Although we did not get to try the full bar menu just yet as the liquor license was still a work in progress, this pub is worth a visit for the food alone!
Note: At the time of our visit, Hemlock House had popups from local producers Kingfly Spirits and Arboretum Trail Brewing. So, while perhaps not their own bar program outright, you could still get a great drink with a meal all the same!
In 2019, we, unfortunately, missed Quantum Theatre's performance of King Lear at the gorgeous Carrie Furnace in Rankin.
So when the group announced that they would be bringing Shakespeare's iconic play, Hamlet, back to the historic site in 2023, we knew we had to take in a show and bought tickets right away.
Not only is the performance one not to be missed, but the gorgeous backdrop also provided a stellar ambiance you are unlike to get anywhere else.
If you're reading this, the odds are good that the weather outside is not so great. We get it. The weather in Pittsburgh is, well, often not the best.
But you're in luck! There are several great indoor activities in Pittsburgh that are perfect to enjoy on a rainy day.
So whether you're in the mood to hit a new museum, take in a movie, play pinball, or more, we've got some ideas for you!