20 Pittsburgh Activities that are Worth the Price

photo: http://www.aviary.org/grades9-12

Wondering which Pittsburgh activities should be included in your school trip?

There are many fun and educational activities to include in your trip, including several free Pittsburgh attractions. Knowing what is available is critical in planning an amazing travel experience for your students. The following list details Pittsburgh activities that are worth the admission price!

See an example of a 2-day customized Pittsburgh itinerary

Student Group Rates:

$ = $10 or less

$$ = $11-20

$$$ = $20+

National Aviary($)– “Encounter exotic, rare, and endangered birds up close as you are transported from rocky coastlines through a tropical rainforest to serene grasslands. Free-flight, walk-through exhibits allow birds to perch at arm’s length and greet you, while more elusive inhabitants are only discovered by careful study of the tree tops and groundcover, with melodic calls, whistles and bellows as your guide…From vibrant songbirds to powerful raptors, each of the 500 birds you uncover is more fascinating and beautiful than the last. “
Benedum Center ($$$)- “The 2,800-seat theater is home to Pittsburgh Cultural Trust presentations including PNC Broadway Across America, Pittsburgh Dance Council, CD Live, Pittsburgh International Children’s Theater, Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, and First Night Pittsburgh. The Trust also provides priority programming dates on the Benedum stage to Cultural District resident companies including Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Pittsburgh Opera.”
Carnegie Museum of Art ($$) – “Carnegie Museum of Art is arguably the first museum of contemporary art in the United States, collecting the “Old Masters of tomorrow” since the inception of the Carnegie International in 1896. Today, the museum is one of the most dynamic major art institutions in America. Our collection of more than 35,000 objects features a broad spectrum of visual arts, including painting and sculpture; prints and drawings; photographs; architectural casts, renderings, and models; decorative arts and design; and film, video, and digital imagery. “
Carnegie Museum of Natural History ($$) – “Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s exhibition halls blend historic dioramas with cutting-edge research. Admission includes same-day access to both Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art.”
Carnegie Science Center ($) – “Visit us to experience four floors of interactive exhibits. See anOmnimax movie on the BIGGEST screen in Pittsburgh! Explore the galaxy without ever leaving the North Shore at the Buhl Planetarium. Watch hair-raising live shows and discover an array of programs for the whole family!”
Duquesne Incline ($) – “Take a step back in time on a century-old cable car and see the best views of downtown Pittsburgh while riding one of the few remaining inclines in the country. Opened on May 20, 1877, the Duquesne Incline was rescued and restored by a group of local residents in 1963 and still delights residents and visitors with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars.”
Gateway Clipper ($$$) – “A unique Pittsburgh attraction, the Gateway Clipper fleet offers riverboat tours, cruises, and event space for all occasions and ages.”
Just Ducky Tour ($$$) – “Riders will enjoy a fully narrated tour of historic downtown Pittsburgh with a splash into the river for a different view of the city.
Kennywood Park ($$$) – “Kennywood is one of the oldest and most beloved amusement parks in America. Founded in 1898, the theme park near Pittsburgh, PA has thrilled and delighted both young and young-at-heart visitors for more than 110 years.”
Mattress Factory ($$) – “Founded in 1977, the Mattress Factory is a contemporary art museum and experimental lab featuring site-specific installations created by artists in residence from around the world.”
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens ($) – “Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a Pittsburgh gem — a thriving oasis with many unique environments to explore. Begin your journey in our LEED®-certified Welcome Center before entering our exquisite 1893 glasshouse with ever-changing displays. Then, continue on to the Tropical Forest Conservatory and the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, one of the greenest buildings on Earth.”
Fort Pitt and Fort Pitt Blockhouse($)- “The Fort Pitt Museum, located in historic Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh, is a two-floor, 12,000-square-foot museum that tells the story of Western Pennsylvania’s pivotal role during the French & Indian War, the American Revolution, and as the birthplace of Pittsburgh.”
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium ($$) – “The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is home to thousands of animals representing more than four hundred species, including 22 threatened or endangered species.”
PNC Park Tour ($) – “The Pirates invite you to tour PNC Park, the home of the Bucs. PNC Park is located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore along the Allegheny River… Our interactive tour will give guests a broad view of the 38,000-seat facility with its classic view of the city’s picturesque skyline.”
Sandcastle Water Park ($$$) – “Experience 15 waterslide attractions, the Mon Tsunami Wave Pool, scenic Mushroom Pool, the relaxing lazy river, and two children’s area – all located on a boardwalk that is sure to make you feel like you’re on vacation!”
SportsWorks($) – “Did you know that a passion for sports can be used as a gateway to talk about the topics of physics, anatomy, biology, and even chemistry? That’s the whole idea behind Carnegie Science Center’s Highmark SportsWorks^®: to inspire learning and curiosity by uniting the experience of sports for every age level with the laws of science that control sports.”
Senator John Heinz History Center ($) – “Explore Pittsburgh’s rich tradition of innovation and discover 250 years of Western Pennsylvanian history at the Senator John Heinz History Center, Pennsylvania’s largest history museum and a proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.”
Toonseum ($) – “The ToonSeum is a small boutique style museum dedicated to the comic and cartoon arts.”
Andy Warhol Museum($$) – “The collection includes 900 paintings; approximately 100 sculptures; nearly 2,000 works on paper; more than 1,000 published and unique prints; and 4,000 photographs. The collection also features wallpaper and books by Warhol, covering the entire range of his work from all periods.”
Western PA Sports Museum ($) – “You’re invited to a museum unlike any other. A place where you can enjoy the great works of Maz and Mario. Art and Arnie. Roberto and Franco. Suzie and Swin.A place where you can relive the moments that made them great. The Immaculate Reception. The Home Run. Olympic gold. Super Bowls. Stanley Cups”