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How to Spend 48 Hours in Pittsburgh

Located in a breathtaking landscape on the Allegheny Plateau, ‘The City of Bridges’ is the second-largest city in Pennsylvania and offers every traveller visiting a wide range of things to do.

With so many things to do, it's essential to plan your two days in Pittsburgh properly. Starting from the bustling Downtown to the Strip District and Lawrenceville, it is truly a fantastic place to visit.

Author: Camp Leaders
17 Mar 16:08

So, whether you're looking for the locals' favourite food haunts or searching for the city's best view, we've got you covered in our guide to spending 48 hours in Pittsburgh.

Day 1
Early Morning - Downtown
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The best way to start your day in Pittsburgh is to explore the Downtown area.

Market Square is considered the heart of Pittsburgh City, and it used to house many of the city's important buildings, such as the courthouse and prison.

However, now you can see that it has transformed into a modern, busy area. You'll find both locals and tourists here, as it has countless restaurants, coffee shops, and entertainment venues, with little boutiques dotted around in which one can shop for hours.

Another popular place is the Cultural District, where you can see a large number of theatres, live performances, and art galleries for those interested in immersing themselves in the culture of Pittsburgh.

But before that, head to La Gourmandine and have a lovely breakfast. They serve everything French, like Croissant, Pain Au Chocolat, Abricotine, and Choux à la Crème as their breakfast options.

A great way to fuel up ahead of a busy day.

Late Morning - The Andy Worhol Museum

Next up is the Andy Worhol Museum, which is located about 10 minutes away from the Downtown area of Pittsburg.

The Andy Worhol Museum was established in 1994, and today, it exhibits more than 4000 photographs and 1000 artwork done by Andy Warhol, Pittsburg city's most famous pop artist. Some might say that these works are so fantastic that they are way ahead of his time, so see them whilst you can. You can also see some of the films he worked on throughout his career.

Generally, it will take about 2 hours to explore the whole museum, so give yourself time to become immersed in what it offers.

Afternoon - Point State Park
Point State Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

After that, you can head to the Point State Park, which is located about 15 minutes away from Andy Worhol Museum and is easily accessible by Fort Duquesne Boulevard.

Point State Park is one of the must-visit attractions because it is home to one of the largest fountains in the world, with an incredible height of 150 ft.

This is an excellent break from the bustling city life and has an ancient history with the establishments of Fort Pitt, which dates back to the 1760s.

You can also enjoy strolling, cycling, etc., in the well-paved promenade of Point State Park, so there's something for everyone.

Evening - Duquesne Incline
Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The evening hours are perfect to see some rare views of the city.

You can do this by getting on the Duquesne Incline, located about 10 minutes away from Point State Park by taxi.

The Duquesne Incline was created in the 1870s, and today, you can ride to the Incline Observation Deck on the inclined cable car. By doing so, you can enjoy the Pittsburgh skyline's spectacular views, along with a lovely sight of the three rivers; Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio.

If you are looking for a place to have a nice dinner in Pittsburgh, you can head to The Commoner. It serves Fried Pork Chop, Parisian Gnocchi, The Commoner Burger, Cheesecake Custard, Chocolate Ganache, and a wide range of alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages as their dinner options.

A hearty, filling way to end day one.

Day 2
Early morning - Strip District
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

You can start day two of your 48 hours in Pittsburgh by heading to the Strip District, a lively little area filled with many shopping venues, restaurants, and boutiques.

And if you are looking for a place to have breakfast, look no further than Pamela's Diner. They serve delicious breakfast options such as Egg & Cheese Sandwich, Corned Beef Hash, Pittsburg Hash, Chocolate Chip Banana Hotcakes, French Toast, and Belgian Waffles. As they say, its a "Pittsburgh tradition".

Weekends can be crowded, but don't let that stop you from exploring the Strip District.

You can also visit the Senator John Heinz History Center, located a few minutes away from Strip District, to learn about Pittsburgh and American history.

Late morning - Carnegie Museum of Art

Next up is the famous Carnegie Museum of Art, which can be a 30-minute ride from Strip District if you are taking the metro.

The Carnegie Museum of Art was founded by Andrew Carnegie in the 1890s, and it is the first museum in America to show a primary interest in contemporary art collections.

Today, there are more than 30,000 artworks within the museum. The most notable ones are the Japanese prints and an archive of 80,000 photographic negatives by the world-famous photographer Charles "Teenie" Harris.

For those interested in art and culture, this is a stop you won't want to miss.

Afternoon - Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

After that, you can head to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which is just a short 10-minute walk from the Carnegie Museum of Art.

This enchanting area is located in Schenley Park, and it was given as a gift to the city by Henry Phipps in 1893.

It is an excellent place for an afternoon stroll, as it lets you escape the everyday whirling nature of Pittsburgh. There is also a 14-room Victorian-inspired glasshouse with orchids, bonsai, etc., which is one of the key attractions and is open to all those interested in walking around its grounds.

Evening - Lawrenceville
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

You're nearly at the end of your 48 hours in Pittsburgh, sadly. So, what classier way than heading to Lawrenceville to end your final night? Lawrenceville is full of nightlife and buzzes with atmosphere. With many eateries, restaurants, and breweries for you to visit before your trip ends, it's sure to make sure you sign off in style.

Head to the Morcilla (for Spanish dishes), Poulet Bleu (for French fine dining options, their steaks are the best!), Piazza Talarico (for excellent Italian food and wines), or to Merchant Oyster Co. (for delicious seafood dishes).

Don't forget to check out the Church Brew Works, Eleventh Hour Brewing, Bar Botanico, and Grapperia if you want to taste some of Pittsburgh's best wines and cocktails.

More Pittsburgh Tips
  • The best time to visit Pittsburgh is June to September when the weather is more favourable. The temperatures range from 18 °C to 30 °C, perfect for those who have been to summer camp https://www.campleaders.com/gb/summer-camp-in-america/what-is-summer-camp .
  • You can use a MetroCard to travel in Pittsburgh https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/plan-your-trip/transportation/public-transportation/ , and this is generally a cheaper option than hiring a taxi.
  • There are many free walking tours in the city. Try to find them, and you can learn almost everything about Pittsburgh leisurely.
  • There are free Wi-fi spots in the Downtown area of Pittsburgh, so make sure to check it whenever you are at a restaurant or a tourist attraction.
  • Make sure to keep cash with you at all times because it will be easier when you have to tip at the restaurants.
Camp Leaders
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