Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on March 28, 2024.
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Although spring starts in March, Pittsburgh in April is when the season really starts to shine as the snow showers taper off and temperatures rise.
As such, this is the month where we start thinking of heading outdoors to enjoy the warming weather as best as possible.
In this one, we share several great things to do if you decide to visit Pittsburgh in April!
Kennywood Opens for the Season
Pittsburgh's historic theme park, Kennywood, returns for another season in 2024 starting on weekends on April 20th. So go ride the Jack Rabbit as many times as you can and finish it out with an order of potato patch fries!
CMU Spring Carnival and Buggy Race
CMU hosts many great events during the year, but their annual Spring Carnival is often a crowd favorite for the rides, food trucks, music, and more. But to us, the most impressive part of this particular event is the 100+-year-old tradition of the buggy race.
In its original design, the buggy races were exactly what you would imagine- carts with a driver would race around campus to try and achieve the best time. Today, the race looks a little different with the engineers of CMU designing some of the most aerodynamic racers piloted by some of the lightest students they can find on campus. This one really needs to be seen to be believed, and you can in 2024 during Carnival from April 11th to 14th.
Vintage Pittsburgh
Love retro and vintage products? The Vintage Pittsburgh event at the Heinz History Center is not to be missed with dozens of vendors selling their wares right inside the museum (which you can also explore with your ticket!).
In 2024, the Vintage Pittsburgh event runs on April 6th from 10 am to 3 pm.
Hit a Bike Trail
With the warming temperatures, we find ourselves working on our bikes to get them ready for another season of exploration around the region. So on a warm day, why not hit an area bike trail like the GAP, the Butler-Freeport Community Trail, the Westmoreland Heritage Trail, or our absolute favorite for a long ride, the Ghost Town Trail near Indiana, PA!
After, end your ride at one of the many area breweries near bike trails for a post-ride brew.
Enjoy a Beer Garden on a Nice Day
In April we just want to be outside as best as possible, and nothing beats being out in the rising temperatures with a nice cold beer at a beer garden. So not only go track out some gems like Strange Roots and Grist House but find some smaller outdoor drinking slots at the likes of Trace, Two Frays, Helltown in the Strip District, and even the Roundabout pop-up* on the North Shore River Trail to name a few!
*Yes, even though Roundabout's Lawrenceville location is no longer operating, they are still maintaining the seasonal popup! That being said, early spring dates can be variable based on weather, so be sure to follow them on Instagram to find out opening details.
Art All Night
Art All Night is one of our favorite shows of the year for a number of reasons. First, true to its name this one runs overnight for a 22 hour, non-stop show. Want to see the show at midnight? You can. Five AM? That too.
The second is that this monster show is without a jury and without censorship. Thousands of artists submit a piece of work that adorn a massive warehouse, and the event makes a great way to check out many styles of art all in a single stop.
In 2024, Art All Night is going to take place from April 27th to 28th at the Crucible Building at 3011 Smallman Street.
Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve
Our final two activities to recommend for April require the caveat that you need to time it right for the best experience, and we cannot predict that too well. The reason for this is because they are the spring wildflower blooms!
Throughout April, the parks around Pittsburgh come to life with gorgeous wildflowers, and one of the best places to check them out is the wildflower reserve at Raccoon Creek State Park (to the west of the airport). This massive reserve is often thought to have the most diverse collection of wildflowers in the state and is truly a must-see at its peak!
Note: While Raccoon Creek State Park is pet friendly, the wildflower reserve is not. So leave your furry friends at home when visiting this one.
Trillium Trail
One other gorgeous trail of note to check out during the wildflower bloom is the Trillium Trail near Fox Chapel. This particular trail is on the smaller side and can be visited in about a half-hour, but if you time your visit right towards the end of April odds are good you'll see what we think is one of the largest amounts of trillium in southwest Pennsylvania!
And if you want some more hiking while you're in the area, head over to Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve for more.
Note: Much like the wildflower reserve at Raccoon Creek, these trials are not pet-friendly.
Watch the Solar Eclipse on April 8th
The solar eclipse will be passing over Pittsburgh on April 8th, and while we are not at full totality (only 97% magnitude- you'll have to road trip to Erie, Cleveland, or Buffalo for full totality), the show in the city should be pretty spectacular all the same.
Go outside between 1 and 4:30 pm and look up (while wearing your eclipse viewing glasses, of course) to enjoy the show. The largest coverage of the sun is set to take place for just a few minutes around 3:17 pm, too!
Some local viewing meetups are happening too, including special programming at the Science Center (available with general admission tickets), a meetup in front of the observatory at Riverview Park, and a special ticketed event with eclipse cocktail at Space Bar to name a few (likely to sell out so get yours well in advance)!
Sports Events in April
For those who want to check out a sporting event in April, there is no shortage of great action to check out.
The Pirates are back for another season at PNC Park with opening day taking place on April 5th, pup night on April 24th, and Dollar Dog promotions on the 24th. Pick up tickets on Ticketmaster or Stubhub here!
The Penguins regular season is winding down with the final regular season games taking place on April 6th, 11th, 13th, and 15th. Cheer on the Pens one more time and pick up tickets on Ticketmaster or Stubhub!
The Riverhounds season is starting strong in April with one home game at Highmark Stadium on April 8th, 22nd, and 29th! Pick up tickets on Ticketmaster or Stubhub.
Do you have a favorite experience in Pittsburgh in April? Comment below to share!