Pittsburgh certainly has no shortage of absolutely breathtaking places. Just about everywhere we look, we’re greeted with natural or man made beauty. Spend time in the new year exploring some of the 10 most beautiful places in Pittsburgh.
- Succop Nature Park – 185 E Airport Road, Butler, PA 16002
Facebook/Succop Nature Park Stroll along paths as you’re greeted by some of the area’s wildlife, including frogs, at Succop Nature Park, a reserve run by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. Guests can join scheduled events, including special programs, holiday events, and guided hikes.
- Allegheny Islands State Park – Cheswick, PA 15024
Flickr/Clint Discover the sheer beauty of Allegheny Islands State Park, a 50 acre park snuggled in Harmar Township. The catch? You can only get there by boat. Once on the island, you’ll discover unmarked foot paths and ideal spots for fishing. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also grants permission to groups who request the chance to camp on the island, which has no facilities or services.
- Schenley Park – Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Flickr/Kit An awe-inspiring landscape awaits at Schenley Park in Oakland. Stroll along paths in wooded areas. Soak in stunning views of the Pittsburgh skyline. Swim in the pool during the summer or go ice skating in the winter.
- Pittsburgh Botanic Garden – 799 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Feel inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the PIttsburgh Botanic Garden. Explore the 60 acre Woodlands before meandering around the picturesque lake. The self-described “living museum” also features a variety of plants and educational programs.
- The Cathedral of Learning – 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Flickr/Norm Rekitt Jr. The story behind the building of The Cathedral of Learning is, perhaps, as beautiful as the cathedral itself. Part of the funding for the towering artistic masterpiece came from the donations of local children. The fundraising campaign kicked off in 1925. Each child who donated a dime with a written explanation of how he or she earned the 10 cents earned a certificate, stating they owned one brick in the cathedral. An estimated 97,000 Pittsburgh-area children participated in the fundraiser.
- Fern Hollow Nature Center – 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley, PA 15143
Facebook/Fern Hollow Nature Center Embrace the serenity of the outdoors at Fern Hollow Nature Center. Attend one of the scheduled programs to learn more about the environment or simply visit to to go sled riding, to watch native birds, to lie down and look up at the stars, or to fly a kite.
- Buhl Castle – 422 E State Street, Sharon, PA 16146
Flickr/Jon-Mark Davey Treat yourself like royalty when you visit the fairy-tale Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa. Spend a night at the regal castle or visit for an afternoon of pampering at the spa.
- Hartwood Acres – 200 Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Flickr/Ken Sutton Stretched across 629 acres, Hartwood Acres features 30 miles of trails, perfect for hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding. Be sure to also visit some of the 11 outdoor sculptures that reside in the park and tour the on site mansion.
- Twin Lakes – 219 Twin Lakes Road, Latrobe, PA 15650
Flickr/vefanuri Twin Lakes Park offers tranquility with its dual lakes, activity center, and island stage. Visitors can rental paddle boats, rowboats and canoes in the summer. Cross country skiing is a favorite pastime in the winter. The popular park in Greensburg hosts such annual events as the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival and the Summer Concert Series.
- Westinghouse Castle – George Street, Wilmerding, PA 15148
Wikimedia Commons/Cbaile19 Nestled in the unassuming community of Wilmerding, the fairy-tale like Westinghouse Castle dates back to 1890 and once served as Westinghouse Air Brake Company’s main offices. Recently sold at a Sheriff’s Auction, Westinghouse Castle’s new purpose has yet to be announced.
Walk into your very own fairy tale as you visit 10 of the most beautiful places in Pittsburgh then plan a stop at these nine spots that transform into a real life winter wonderland.
Facebook/Succop Nature Park
Stroll along paths as you’re greeted by some of the area’s wildlife, including frogs, at Succop Nature Park, a reserve run by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. Guests can join scheduled events, including special programs, holiday events, and guided hikes.
Flickr/Clint
Discover the sheer beauty of Allegheny Islands State Park, a 50 acre park snuggled in Harmar Township. The catch? You can only get there by boat. Once on the island, you’ll discover unmarked foot paths and ideal spots for fishing. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources also grants permission to groups who request the chance to camp on the island, which has no facilities or services.
Flickr/Kit
An awe-inspiring landscape awaits at Schenley Park in Oakland. Stroll along paths in wooded areas. Soak in stunning views of the Pittsburgh skyline. Swim in the pool during the summer or go ice skating in the winter.
Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
Feel inspired by the breathtaking beauty of the PIttsburgh Botanic Garden. Explore the 60 acre Woodlands before meandering around the picturesque lake. The self-described “living museum” also features a variety of plants and educational programs.
Flickr/Norm Rekitt Jr.
The story behind the building of The Cathedral of Learning is, perhaps, as beautiful as the cathedral itself. Part of the funding for the towering artistic masterpiece came from the donations of local children. The fundraising campaign kicked off in 1925. Each child who donated a dime with a written explanation of how he or she earned the 10 cents earned a certificate, stating they owned one brick in the cathedral. An estimated 97,000 Pittsburgh-area children participated in the fundraiser.
Facebook/Fern Hollow Nature Center
Embrace the serenity of the outdoors at Fern Hollow Nature Center. Attend one of the scheduled programs to learn more about the environment or simply visit to to go sled riding, to watch native birds, to lie down and look up at the stars, or to fly a kite.
Flickr/Jon-Mark Davey
Treat yourself like royalty when you visit the fairy-tale Buhl Mansion Guesthouse and Spa. Spend a night at the regal castle or visit for an afternoon of pampering at the spa.
Flickr/Ken Sutton
Stretched across 629 acres, Hartwood Acres features 30 miles of trails, perfect for hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding. Be sure to also visit some of the 11 outdoor sculptures that reside in the park and tour the on site mansion.
Flickr/vefanuri
Twin Lakes Park offers tranquility with its dual lakes, activity center, and island stage. Visitors can rental paddle boats, rowboats and canoes in the summer. Cross country skiing is a favorite pastime in the winter. The popular park in Greensburg hosts such annual events as the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival and the Summer Concert Series.
Wikimedia Commons/Cbaile19
Nestled in the unassuming community of Wilmerding, the fairy-tale like Westinghouse Castle dates back to 1890 and once served as Westinghouse Air Brake Company’s main offices. Recently sold at a Sheriff’s Auction, Westinghouse Castle’s new purpose has yet to be announced.
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Address: 200 Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238Address: 422 E State Street, Sharon, PA 16146Address: 799 Pinkerton Run Road, Oakdale, PA 15071Address: 185 E Airport Road, Butler, PA 16002Address: 4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213Address: 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley, PA 15143Address: 219 Twin Lakes Road, Latrobe, PA 15650
