Attractions

The 10 Best Things to See in Pittsburgh for First Timers

In the 10+ years of running Discover the Burgh, we've made it our mission to experience the best that Pittsburgh and southwest PA has to offer.

Thankfully, you don't need a decade exploring the region to get the best out of Pittsburgh, and if you're coming in to the city for a first-time visit and want to check out the best of the best, we've got you covered.

The following are our favorite ten attractions that make Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. Whether you visit one or two, or all of these (and many more featured on this site outside of this article!), you're sure to have a great time exploring the Steel City!

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Pittsburgh Tour Company Offers Hop on Hop Off Fun

We love taking city tours when we travel, and in Pittsburgh, visitors can get a great feel for many neighborhoods with the double-decker bus tour by the Pittsburgh Tour Company.

This tour uses the iconic red double-decker buses to explore some of Pittsburgh's top neighborhoods, and those who book the hop-on, hop-off option can have a chance to check out some of the neighborhoods over the course of the day.

So, what all can you see, and how can you get the most out of this tour? We checked this one out to let you know what to expect!

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Cat Boat Excursions Offers Fun on the Rivers Near Beaver

In recent years, it feels like the Pittsburgh region is embracing its rivers, with more and more river activities coming out as time goes on.

In Beaver, a unique boat tour, Cat Boat Excursions, recently opened and offers a fun way to get out and explore the Ohio River and nearby Raccoon Creek in a cat boat which feels like one part motorized kayak and one part catamaran.

We were guests of Cat Boat Excursions to check out their guided experience, and share everything you need to know in this one!

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Saint Anthony Chapel Hosts Relics and Stations of the Cross

Saint Anthony Chapel in Troy Hill is one of the most interesting houses of worship in the city, and somewhat of a pilgrimage spot for the faithful.

Why is that? It is thought to be home to over 5,000 Catholic relics, and is considered to have the most in one location outside of the Vatican.

Throw on beautiful architecture, life-sized Stations of the Cross, and a modest museum, and you have a number of excellent reasons to visit this beautiful chapel in Troy Hill!

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Touchstone Center for Crafts is an Arts Oasis

Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, PA, is an artist oasis in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, about 90 minutes outside of downtown Pittsburgh

After many years hearing about this one, we made our way down for a Friday Date Night ceramics class as guests of the center, and truly regret waiting so long to get to this stunning facility!

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Kayak Pittsburgh Makes for Perfect River Exploration

One of our favorite on-the-water activities is kayaking. But when it comes to kayaking around the Point, we could never make the logistics work. When we were free, the river would be running too fast, or it would be abysmally hot. 

Then, Kayak Pittsburgh closed its rental location next to PNC Park to work on an upgraded dock near the convention center, which opened in the summer of 2025.

So we resolved to check this one as soon as it opened, and we are really glad we did- this kayaking launch site is a dream come true!

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Shore Thing is the Perfect Pittsburgh River Experience

If there is one thing we want more of in Pittsburgh, it would be more amenities on the rivers.

Yes, we have great bike trails and numerous boating opportunities to get out on the water, but it often feels like businesses (like restaurants) and public spaces to relax along the shores are lacking at times. With three rivers, we would love waterfront amenities everywhere you look.

So when Riverlife announced that they were bringing a new concept to the Allegheny River in 2025, called Shore Thing, we were in. Not only was this one set to be a space for everyone to get out and enjoy the views of the water for free, but they went one better- it is built on the water!

We went to this one on opening day and loved it so much that we returned the next day for more. It is just that good.

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Phipps Conservatory for the Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show

The Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show, aptly themed “A Moment of Beauty” for 2025, brings these two beautiful plants (both favorites of ours) to the forefront of the Conservatory while highlighting how some of the flowers with special art, lighting, and more.

The theme here invites you to take a few extra moments in each room to really stop and appreciate selected flowers, and we really appreciate the notion as you really do see more when you stop and reflect.

As always with our show features, we wanted to share a few of our favorite rooms from this show and hope you'll make it out to visit for yourselves!

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The Pittsburgh Glass Center is a Hub for All Things Glass

The Pittsburgh Glass Center has been a hub for all things glass art and glassmaking in Friendship for several decades now, and in 2024 the facility recently upgraded its facilities in a beautiful expansion.

While you may be familiar with this one for its numerous glassmaking classes on offer, this one has come together to be a facility that is three spaces in one. One part museum, one part artist space, and, of course, one part for glass classes for the public!

So be sure to plan an afternoon visiting this one to check out their museum-caliber exhibits, tour the facility, and take a class!

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Wild Illuminations Brings Holiday Lanterns to the Pittsburgh Zoo

In recent years, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium was known for hosting the Asian Lantern Festival for a night-time walkthrough amongst beautiful, massive lanterns.

In 2024, this changed as the zoo did not bring the show back for another year. Instead, the zoo announced a new show for the holidays, known as Wild Illuminations, that would be a similar experience to the lantern fest- with a holiday twist.

Naturally, as fans of the Asian Lantern Festival we had to visit this one on opening weekend to see what it is like!

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