10 Great Ways to Celebrate the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh

Steelers Country at Point State Park

Point State Park is the crown jewel of downtown Pittsburgh. The famed gateway to the west, where explorers departed into the unknown, is now one of Pennsylvania's best state parks.

In 2025, the park closed its iconic fountain at the Confluence for restoration. It is now refurbished just in time for the NFL Draft, and, naturally, Point State Park will be one of the hubs of all the action with Steelers Country! The park will be home to the Steelers Nation Unite Bar, an immersive fan cave, the Super Bowl Rings Display, live entertainment with stops from Steelers legends, a Terrible Towel art piece, and so much more.

Whether you're looking to explore Point State Park to see the newly restored fountain or to get in on the Steelers action, it is a must-visit during the NFL Draft weekend.

For a full line-up of Steelers-related events during the Draft, click here.

Steel on the Move at US Steel Tower

Pittsburgh quite literally built the world with its steel in the late 1800s and early 1900s, which subsequently gave the Steelers their name and famed logo.

At the US Steel Tower downtown, they're showcasing the history of steel making during NFL Draft weekend with Steel on the Move. This one will feature an immersive blast furnace where visitors can head inside and learn about the steelmaking process.

So as you explore downtown, don't miss learning a bit about our steelmaking history at this one, running from 10 am to 6 pm April 23rd to 25th.

Specials at Area Bars and Restaurants

It should be no surprise that area bars and restaurants are getting in on the NFL Draft action with watch parties, special promotions, and more. There are so many happenings during the NFL Draft that it is impossible for us to keep up with them all.

Thankfully, PGH Draft Week has you covered with a running log of great special events taking place at area businesses during the Draft weekend (over 120 logged at last check!).

But no matter where you are heading out to grab a bite or a brew, be sure to get advanced reservations if you are able. As the city will be busier than ever before, many top restaurants in Pittsburgh are likely to be booked out or, if allowing walk-ins, could have quite the line. So be sure to snag a few reservations in advance to be prepared.

Looking for more places to enjoy when visiting? Don't miss our guides to the best Pittsburgh cocktail bars, craft breweries, and more found in the navigation menu at the top of this page!

Pitt Block Party at Arts Landing

You may be aware that downtown Pittsburgh recently received some major upgrades in addition to the fountain restoration at the Point, and the new park, Arts Landing in the Cultural District, is one such space that will be unveiled in 2026.

This reclaimed section of downtown was recently converted into a park for hosting events like our annual Three Rivers Arts Festival, live music, and other special programming throughout the year. And it is getting a special sneak preview soft open for the NFL Draft!

Over the course of the Draft weekend, the University of Pittsburgh will host a three-day block party featuring food trucks, music, and a celebration of Pitt football. So whether you're looking to check out the university's scheduled festivities or simply want to check out the new space, be sure to swing by Arts Landing during the Draft!

Check out more from the Pitt Block Party here.

Draft Day 5k

Fancy a run with a few thousand of your closest NFL fans? The Picksburgh Draft Day 5k will take place on April 25th at 8 am. Enjoy a beautiful run, walk, or jog along the North Shore, the Strip District, and Downtown to kick off the day's festivities with a nice workout!

Click here to grab your entry ticket.

Concerts Galore

There will be many great music events going on in Pittsburgh around the Draft. Local musicians Wiz Khalifa and Bret Michaels will both be playing at the Draft on April 24th before the start of the second round. Country music star Kane Brown will also close out the event on the 25th.

Nearby on the North Shore, The Plaza and Shorty's will be hosting Nelly, Steve Aoki, and 2 Chainz over the NFL Draft Weekend as well.

If you're sticking around downtown before the Draft, head to the newly remodeled Market Square on April 22nd, where DJ Arie Cole will be performing at 3:30 pm, Nash.v.ill will be performing at 5:30, and Big Jus & Steel Townhorns will be on at 6 pm!

S.R.G. of The Clarks will also be performing on Thursday at the Draft Weekend Kickoff at Nova Place.

More concerts taking place around the NFL Draft can be found here.

Taste of the Draft

GENYouth is taking on the fight against student hunger with their Taste of the Draft party on April 22nd from 4 to 7 pm at The Tower at PNC Plaza downtown.

This fundraising event will be hosted by Doug Flutie, feature many local restaurants (including restaurants like Di'Anoia's, Con Alma, Primanti Bros., Chengdu Gourmet, Cafe Momentum, Arepittas, and many more), give guests the chance to meet Steelers players, and so much more.

Great food and raising money for an even better cause? Don't miss Taste of the Draft on the 22nd!

Grab tickets for Taste of the Draft here.

Check Out Sports Exhibits at Area Museums

Pittsburgh has been, and always will be, a sports town. This is naturally reflected in our area museums like the Heinz History Center (home to the Franco Harris Sports Museum), The Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville (featuring the history of Pirates legend Roberto Clemente), and, of course, stadium tours as well (we're big fans of the PNC Park stadium tour, which has many available during Draft week)!

So if you want a bit of a break from the Draft festivities but are still in sports mode, why not spend some time in one of our world-class museums and their associated sports wings? They are some of the best, after all!

We recommend booking all museum and tour tickets in advance as they're likely to sell out in advance. The Kamin Science Center is also home to a great sports exhibit, Sports360, as well; however, due to its location next to the stadium, the museum will be closed during the NFL Draft through May 2nd.

The NFL Draft Itself

Of course, you can't attend the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh without swinging by Acrisure Stadium during the main event for the Draft selections, special programming, and other great events taking place throughout the week.

Much like area businesses in the North Shore, the stadium will be the epicenter of all the action, with a massive, almost airplane-hanger-like tent constructed just next to the stadium to host all the festivities. Be sure to register in advance, as it seems like a QR code may be need to be scanned to enter the Draft campus proper.

Don't want to brave the crowds by the stadium? Don't worry, you'll never be too far from the action with the Draft being streamed in many local businesses and events, including picks being projected on the side of the Wyndham Grand Hotel near Point State Park!

Getting To and From the Draft

Finally, if you are planning to attend the Draft, we wanted to share some logistical details we've come across in the lead-up to the event.

With several hundred thousand attendees estimated to attend over the weekend, it should go without saying that driving in or near downtown Pittsburgh is to be avoided if you can. Not just for the crowds, but for the inflated parking prices expected at nearby lots. So if you don't already have reserved parking nearby, we recommend considering alternative transportation wherever possible.

Thankfully, Sheetz has sponsored free rides on the T and Monongahela Incline, new bus routes have been added, and of course, ride-share companies will be out in force (albeit likely at considerable surge pricing).

For road closure information near the stadiums, click here.

What are you looking forward to during the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh? Comment to share!