Pittsburgh’s finicky winter weather can certainly make it feel as though we live at the North Pole, especially when the temperatures dip below freezing and the snow storms arrive. But, then, there are those peaceful times when the Pittsburgh landscape turns into a magical wonderland. Here are nine majestic spots in Pittsburgh that are like the North Pole.
- Powdermill Nature Reserve – 1847 PA-381, Rector, PA 15677
Facebook/Powdermill Nature Reserve Experience the sheer beauty of Pittsburgh in the winter at Powdermill Nature Reserve, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s environmental research center. Open all year around, the scenic reserve welcomes visitors to hike its snow-covered trails and to view the spectacular local wildlife.
- McConnells Mill State Park – Portersville, PA 16051
Flickr/Glenn Marsch Pittsburghers are pretty lucky to live near so many amazing local and state parks like McConnells Mill State Park in nearby Portersville. A virtual winter wonderland, the sprawling state park provides the perfect setting for such winter activities as hiking and sledding. Winter programs are also offered at the state park.
- Pittsburgh Botanic Garden - 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairy tale at the North Pole when you visit the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden this winter. Open all year around, the garden features three miles of maintained trails that allow visitors to explore.
- Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium – 7340 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Facebook/Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Bundle up and head to the Pittsburgh and PPG Aquarium for a rare winter experience. The zoo’s resident penguins strut their stuff during the Penguin Parade through the zoo every Saturday and Sunday morning, at 11:25 a.m., through February 26, 2017.
- Keystone State Park – 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA 15627
Facebook/Keystone State Park Keystone State Park sprawls across 1,200 acres, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Discover the pure beauty of the park in the winter as you engage in such popular winter activities as ice skating, hiking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.
- Seven Springs Mountain Resort – 777 Water Wheel Dr, Champion, PA 15622
Facebook/Seven Springs Skiers know Seven Springs as one of the most popular skiing spots in Western Pennsylvania. But, the winter wonderland offers plenty of other winter activities, including snow tubing, snowmobile tours, horseback riding, and snowshoe tours. And, if you prefer to just relax and soak in the beauty of winter, climb on a charming sleigh for a horse drawn sleigh ride.
- Schenley Park Skating Rink – Overlook Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Facebook/Schenley Park Skating Rink Breathe in the crisp winter air as you glide around the ice rink at Schenley Park, a winter tradition for generations of Pittsburghers. The ice rink, which features varied hours, welcomes ice skaters to open skate sessions or to attend such special events as the Skate with Santa and the Mascot Skate.
- PPG Place Wintergarden – PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Yelp/Rhonda C. Escape the winter chill with a visit to the PPG Wintergarden, an annual tradition that features gingerbread houses (all entered into a gingerbread house contest), and Santa Clauses and decorations from around the world. After your visit indoors, head to the nearby MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place.
- Overly’s Country Christmas
Facebook/Overly’s Country Christmas Stroll through a magical Christmas village, capped with freshly fallen snow, at Overly’s Country Christmas, a quaint Christmas attraction that features dazzling Christmas lights, a Christmas shop, entertainment, and food stalls. Overly’s Country Christmas runs through January 1, 2017.
Don’t get stuck indoors this winter. Plan to visit these nine spots in Pittsburgh that are like the North Pole for an unforgettable winter adventure.
Facebook/Powdermill Nature Reserve
Experience the sheer beauty of Pittsburgh in the winter at Powdermill Nature Reserve, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s environmental research center. Open all year around, the scenic reserve welcomes visitors to hike its snow-covered trails and to view the spectacular local wildlife.
Flickr/Glenn Marsch
Pittsburghers are pretty lucky to live near so many amazing local and state parks like McConnells Mill State Park in nearby Portersville. A virtual winter wonderland, the sprawling state park provides the perfect setting for such winter activities as hiking and sledding. Winter programs are also offered at the state park.
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairy tale at the North Pole when you visit the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden this winter. Open all year around, the garden features three miles of maintained trails that allow visitors to explore.
Facebook/Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Bundle up and head to the Pittsburgh and PPG Aquarium for a rare winter experience. The zoo’s resident penguins strut their stuff during the Penguin Parade through the zoo every Saturday and Sunday morning, at 11:25 a.m., through February 26, 2017.
Facebook/Keystone State Park
Keystone State Park sprawls across 1,200 acres, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Discover the pure beauty of the park in the winter as you engage in such popular winter activities as ice skating, hiking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.
Facebook/Seven Springs
Skiers know Seven Springs as one of the most popular skiing spots in Western Pennsylvania. But, the winter wonderland offers plenty of other winter activities, including snow tubing, snowmobile tours, horseback riding, and snowshoe tours. And, if you prefer to just relax and soak in the beauty of winter, climb on a charming sleigh for a horse drawn sleigh ride.
Facebook/Schenley Park Skating Rink
Breathe in the crisp winter air as you glide around the ice rink at Schenley Park, a winter tradition for generations of Pittsburghers. The ice rink, which features varied hours, welcomes ice skaters to open skate sessions or to attend such special events as the Skate with Santa and the Mascot Skate.
Yelp/Rhonda C.
Escape the winter chill with a visit to the PPG Wintergarden, an annual tradition that features gingerbread houses (all entered into a gingerbread house contest), and Santa Clauses and decorations from around the world. After your visit indoors, head to the nearby MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place.
Facebook/Overly’s Country Christmas
Stroll through a magical Christmas village, capped with freshly fallen snow, at Overly’s Country Christmas, a quaint Christmas attraction that features dazzling Christmas lights, a Christmas shop, entertainment, and food stalls. Overly’s Country Christmas runs through January 1, 2017.
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Address: 7340 Butler St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206Address: 777 Water Wheel Dr, Champion, PA 15622Address: 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA 15627Address: 1847 PA-381, Rector, PA 15677Address: 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Oakdale, PA 15071
