Get out the old bucket list. Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to update your bucket list. Here are nine hidden destinations in Pittsburgh that will bring you closer to nature, challenge you, and allow you to feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairy tale.
- Pittsburgh Botanic Garden – 799 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Spend a leisurely spring day at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden exploring the trails of flowers and other natural beauty. Cross picturesque footbridges. Tiptoe on stepping stones across a pond. And, stop to smell the wildflowers. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden welcomes guests Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arrive by 3:30 when the last tickets for the day are sold.
- Go Ape Adventure Park – 991 Tennis Court Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
Facebook/Go Ape USA Play among the trees - soaring across ziplines and crossing rope bridges - at Go Ape Adventure Park in Allison Park. Challenge yourself to the five sections of the obstacle course on this treetop adventure course that’s open to everyone age 10 and up.
- Destiny Hill Farm – 1069 S Main Street, Washington, PA 15301
Yelp/Nancy C. Breathe in the sweet scent of lavender at Destiny Hill Farm. Explore the sprawling lavender farm by crossing over a fairy tale footbridge, stopping for a chat with Luther the donkey, and admiring the lavender and sunflowers. Destiny Hill Farm hosts a lavender festival each year during the summer. The dates for the 2017 festival have not yet been announced.
- Sahli Nature Park – 194 McKinley Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Facebook/Sahli Nature Park Listen to the sound of a gushing waterfall when you visit Sahli Nature Park, a 90-acre natural oasis tucked in the forest of Beaver County. Visit butterflies at the butterfly nursery. Kick your feet toward the sky on the swings, and hike through the forest where you’ll encounter local wildlife and vibrant flowers.
- Living Treasures Wild Animal Park – 288 PA-711, Jones Mills, PA 15646
Facebook/Living Treasures Wild Animal Park Feed a giraffe or goats. Stroll next to a tortoise. Or, ride a pony when you visit Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, with locations in Jones Mills and New Castle. The animal park offers an interactive experience and hosts the annual Night at the Zoo each October. Living Treasures Wild Animal Park welcomes visitors April through mid-November each year.
- Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa – 422 East State Street, Sharon, PA 16146
Facebook/Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa Pamper yourself with a luxurious massage or book a long weekend getaway at the breathtaking Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa. The castle, built in 1896, boasts charming suites and guestrooms, a luxury spa, and meandering paths around the property.
- Raccoon Creek State Park – 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050
Facebook/Raccoon Creek State Park Wile away the day splashing in the water or lying in the sun at Raccoon Creek State Park’s beach. The 500-foot sandy beach is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset during the summer. Bring a picnic or buy goodies from the concession stand. Raccoon Creek State Park also offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, biking, and fishing.
- Riverview Park – 159 Riverview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214
Yelp/Eryn P. Escape the busyness of downtown without leaving the city when you visit Riverview Park. The park promises spectacular views of the city skyline, hiking trails, the opportunity to view wildlife, and benches on which to relax. Riverview Park is also home to the Allegheny Observatory.
- Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve – 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Flickr/ccbarr Explore Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, a sprawling natural oasis that features local wildlife, a tranquil pond, and plenty of vibrant flowers and plants. Hike the numerous trails or visit during one of the reserve’s regular events.
After you visit these hidden destinations in Pittsburgh, you might want to embark on these 10 epic adventures.
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Spend a leisurely spring day at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden exploring the trails of flowers and other natural beauty. Cross picturesque footbridges. Tiptoe on stepping stones across a pond. And, stop to smell the wildflowers. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden welcomes guests Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Arrive by 3:30 when the last tickets for the day are sold.
Facebook/Go Ape USA
Play among the trees - soaring across ziplines and crossing rope bridges - at Go Ape Adventure Park in Allison Park. Challenge yourself to the five sections of the obstacle course on this treetop adventure course that’s open to everyone age 10 and up.
Yelp/Nancy C.
Breathe in the sweet scent of lavender at Destiny Hill Farm. Explore the sprawling lavender farm by crossing over a fairy tale footbridge, stopping for a chat with Luther the donkey, and admiring the lavender and sunflowers. Destiny Hill Farm hosts a lavender festival each year during the summer. The dates for the 2017 festival have not yet been announced.
Facebook/Sahli Nature Park
Listen to the sound of a gushing waterfall when you visit Sahli Nature Park, a 90-acre natural oasis tucked in the forest of Beaver County. Visit butterflies at the butterfly nursery. Kick your feet toward the sky on the swings, and hike through the forest where you’ll encounter local wildlife and vibrant flowers.
Facebook/Living Treasures Wild Animal Park
Feed a giraffe or goats. Stroll next to a tortoise. Or, ride a pony when you visit Living Treasures Wild Animal Park, with locations in Jones Mills and New Castle. The animal park offers an interactive experience and hosts the annual Night at the Zoo each October. Living Treasures Wild Animal Park welcomes visitors April through mid-November each year.
Facebook/Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa
Pamper yourself with a luxurious massage or book a long weekend getaway at the breathtaking Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa. The castle, built in 1896, boasts charming suites and guestrooms, a luxury spa, and meandering paths around the property.
Facebook/Raccoon Creek State Park
Wile away the day splashing in the water or lying in the sun at Raccoon Creek State Park’s beach. The 500-foot sandy beach is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset during the summer. Bring a picnic or buy goodies from the concession stand. Raccoon Creek State Park also offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, biking, and fishing.
Yelp/Eryn P.
Escape the busyness of downtown without leaving the city when you visit Riverview Park. The park promises spectacular views of the city skyline, hiking trails, the opportunity to view wildlife, and benches on which to relax. Riverview Park is also home to the Allegheny Observatory.
Flickr/ccbarr
Explore Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, a sprawling natural oasis that features local wildlife, a tranquil pond, and plenty of vibrant flowers and plants. Hike the numerous trails or visit during one of the reserve’s regular events.
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Address: 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050Address: 614 Dorseyville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238Address: 159 Riverview Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15214Address: 799 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale, PA 15071Address: 991 Tennis Court Road, Allison Park, PA 15101Address: 1069 S Main Street, Washington, PA 15301Address: 288 PA-711, Jones Mills, PA 15646Address: 194 McKinley Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010Address: 422 East State Street, Sharon, PA 16146
