Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on April 3, 2023.
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Pittsburgh in March can be hit or miss depending on the weather. Some years we get an early spring and it is a beautiful time to be outside. Others, the winter dreariness continues on.
As such, if you are looking to get out and explore Pittsburgh this month you'll need to be aware of the weather before making plans.
So in this month's feature, we have a mix of indoor and outdoor options to have you covered no matter what the forecast is!
Mellon Park Walled Garden
Not every experience included in this guide is a happy one, and the memorial at the Mellon Park Walled Garden is most certainly a somber one. Dedicated to Ann Katharine Seamans, a Pittsburgh native who tragically passed away at a tragically young age, the memorial at the garden is special because it can only be seen at night! Hundreds of LED lights are embedded into the ground, and when visible after dark show the constellations found over Pittsburgh at the moment of Ann's birth in 1979.
After your visit to the Walled Garden, head over to Shadyside for a meal at The Yard, Casbah, or Mercurio's (and finish off there all the same for some gelato!).
Find a Fish Fry
Fish Fry culture in Pittsburgh during Lent is no joke, with many restaurants, Elk and Moose lodges, and churches taking part having food throughout the season. As Lent often runs from late February to early April, this means that March is the best month of the year to get out and find a good fish fry!
In need of a good fish sandwich this season? Check out this interactive map for all of the options out there.
Harrison Hills Park
The hiking trails at Harrison Hills Park span for many miles, but our favorite, the Rachel Carson trail, is the one you should check out on this visit. This trail is an out and back path with some stunning views of the Allegheny River to the east of the city. Just be sure to visit this one before the leaves are back on the trees as the best views are hidden during the summer months!
If you're in the mood for a slight detour on the way back from Harrison Hills, head to Wooden Door Winery for some amazing wine!
Fineview Lookout
As its name suggests, the neighborhood of Fineview is home to a pretty fine view of the city (we couldn't help ourselves). The lookout on Catoma Street is a perfect place to spend an evening at sunset to appreciate an angle of the city many do not venture out to explore!
If you want another great view while in the area, head over to St. John's Cemetery in Spring Garden, and then head down to the North Side for a drink and a bite of Hungarian fare at Huszar.
St. Patrick's Day Parade
The annual St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Pittsburgh is one of the biggest celebrations in March, and in 2023 the parade will return on Saturday, March 11th at 10am. The parade typically begins at Liberty Avenue and 11th Street and then goes down Grant Street before turning right on Boulevard of the allies and ending at Commonwealth Place at Stanwix.
Be prepared to hang out with a few hundred thousand new friends at this one, and if you are up to keep the celebrations going after the parade the bars downtown and in South Side are sure to keep the festivities strong well throughout the night!
Pittsburgh Glass Center
If you've ever looked for a workshop where you can create something with your hands, but want something a bit more adventurous, a session at the Pittsburgh Glass Center is for you.
This facility offers many classes including Beadmaking, Blown Ornaments, and Coasters- perfect for those of all skill levels wanting to try their hand at something incredibly unique!
In the mood for something to eat before or after your class? Check out Apteka nearby!
Clayton (The Frick Estate)
Out of all of the industrial magnates that once called Pittsburgh home, the estate of only one, Henry Clay Frick, still stands. This gorgeous 19th century home is kept in perfect order to match the style from when the Fricks lived there, and is open for tours throughout the week to see what life was like for the rich in the early 1900s!
In March 2023, the Frick Art Museum on property grounds will be featuring the exhibition “Reckoning: Grief and Light” too (running through June 2023)!
After visiting Clayton, go grab a beer at East End Brewery.
Kickback Pinball Cafe
Kickback Cafe is a unique business in Lawrenceville as it is one part trendy coffee shop and one part pinball arcade! So rather than swinging by a traditional coffee shop for a late night pick-me-up, head down to this one for a bit of fun while sipping on on your coffee! Just don't forget your quarters.
Looking for more while in Lawrenceville? Why not grab a meal at Smoke or a beer at Church Brew Works?
Phipps Spring Flower Show
Phipps Conservatory is the premier conservatory in Western Pennsylvania and is home to nearly a dozen rooms with various themes to showcase some of the world's best flowers and plants. Each March the gardens unveil their most popular show, the Spring Flower Show, which features dozens of amazing spring flowers as well as art pieces curated to each show's unique theme.
If you only have time to visit the conservatory for one show a year, make it this one. 2023's Spring Flower Show is themed Five Senses of Splendor and runs from March 18th to April 16th.
After Phipps you can easily go explore Oakland or Squirrel Hill, so why not grab a Japanese takeaway box at Oishii Bento or a drink at the tiki bar Hidden Harbor?
Page Dairy Mart
While you can enjoy ice cream at many shops in Pittsburgh year-round, many are also seasonal. Page Dairy Mart is one such ice cream shop that typically is open from March through October and has a die-hard following for their soft serve, sundaes, and more. (The Yinzer Sundae is a treat any time of year, and their fall flavors like apple cider always warrant a return visit before they close).
Page Dairy Mart's opening day in 2023 is March 9th.
Duquesne Incline
During the height of the industrial age in Pittsburgh, the city built many funiculars on the sides of the hills so residents could make their way up and down the hillsides to and from work with ease. With the advent of cars and modern roads most of these were shut down, but two, the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines on Mount Washington, still stand.
The Duquesne Incline is a special favorite thanks to its breathtaking views of the city and the mini-museum covering the history of Pittsburgh's funiculars inside.
(Insider secret- be sure to go to the Point of View Statue, located just up the hill to the right after exiting the incline at the top station. You won't regret it!)
Broadway in Pittsburgh
From Cats to Lion King, The King and I to Hamilton, Pittsburgh's Cultural District does a great job of bringing some of the country's most acclaimed performances to the city throughout the year. So on a March evening, dress to the nines and head downtown to take in a show!
March 2023's show is Six: The Musical, running March 14th to 19th at the Benedum Center.
If you have a bit of time before your show, make a reservation for Meat and Potatoes– one of our favorite spots downtown. If you need a quicker bite, check out Condado Taqueria.
Riverhounds Game
As a sports-crazed city, Pittsburgh has just about everything for those looking to cheer on a local team.
Our resident soccer team is the Riverhounds, and their stadium is perfectly located in Station Square- just across from the city. Check out their schedule and visit for a great game once their season kicks off in earnest in March with home games on the 11th, 18th, and 28th!
Want to explore before or after the game? Consider a ride on the Gateway Clipper or head down to Cilantro and Ajo a few blocks down in South Side for some amazing Venezuelan fare.
Aurochs Brewing Co
Aurochs Brewing Co. is Emsworth's neighborhood brewery, and is also the city's only brewery that is 100% gluten-free! Their beers are made from millet and quinoa and include a white ale, brown ale, amber ale, and pale ale that are just as delicious as other local breweries' gluten-containing counterparts. Perfect for an afternoon beer!
Emsworth is in great proximity to many restaurants to enjoy after grabbing a pint. Check out Ephesus Pizza if you're in the mood for something to eat before heading home!
Trillium Trail
The Trillium flower is a rather rare flower to Western Pennsylvania, and there are only a few places around the city to spot it during its brief late-March/early-April bloom. The aptly named Trillium Trail in Fox Chapel is one of these places, and this small hiking trail becomes to go-to place for flower fans in early spring (and is a peaceful nature reserve for the rest of the year).
Keep the hiking going while exploring north of the city and check out Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve.
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