What to do in Pittsburgh while house and pet sitting

Located at the junction of three rivers and known as the ‘Steel City’ thanks to its steel industry background, Pittsburgh in western Pennsylvania sounds like an amazingly exciting destination for your next pet sitting trip – and it is!

Apart from its famous ‘Gilded Age’ sites, the metropolis offers scenic parks, fascinating museums, thrilling amusement parks and interesting historic sites. So, let’s have a look at what to do in Pittsburgh!

Pittsburgh attractions

No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without a visit to its ‘Gilded Age’ sites – three landmarks established during the era of the same name at the end of the 19th century. And here they are:

1. Carnegie Museum of Art: among all the best things to do in Pittsburgh, the one that should make the top of your must-do list is a visit at the fabulous Carnegie Museum of Art – a museum and art gallery whose breathtaking architecture is no less impressive than its well-curated collection, comprised of over 35,000 pieces. Apart from the museum’s permanent collection featuring art, architecture and photography exhibits, the Carnegie Museum of Art also showcases up to 15 temporary exhibitions per year, which means that even if you’ve been there before, you should definitely drop by again while you’re in Pittsburgh.

2. Carnegie Museum of Natural History: if art isn’t your thing, how about a visit to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History instead? Here you can marvel at dinosaur skeletons, other fossils and even mummies, learn about anthropology and evolution, or let yourself be dazzled by the natural beauty of the museum’s mineral collection.

3. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: time for an afternoon in nature after all the museum adventures! Located in Schenley Park, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens was founded in 1893 and features a plethora of themed indoor and outdoor gardens, including the Palm Court, an orchid garden, a Japanese garden, and even an edible garden.

Free things to do in Pittsburgh

There are lots of fun things to do in Pittsburgh and some of them won’t even cost you any money to visit and enjoy. Here are some of the best free Pittsburgh activities and sights:

1. Randyland: if you love quirky architecture and colourful spaces, you’ll love this next one among the best things to see in Pittsburgh! Randyland is a funky folk-art house and outdoor museum designed by Randy Gilson, who runs Randyland himself and is always open to chatting with visitors.

2. City walking tours: for some free fun with your new four-legged friend, have a look at the official website of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation and download their free self-guided walking tours. There are six tours in total, all leading you through different parts of town and past interesting historic sites and exciting landmarks.

Fun things to do in Pittsburgh

Did you have a couple days of exciting sightseeing and woke up this morning thinking: “What are some pure fun things to do in Pittsburgh today?”. Have a look here:

1. Andy Warhol Museum: everyone knows the eccentric Andy Warhol, but no city celebrates his life and works in as much style as Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist and features over 12,000 paintings, films, sculptures, photographs and more of the Pittsburgh-born icon, presented on seven floors.

2. Kennywood & Sandcastle Water Park: do you love rollercoasters? Among the many exciting places to visit in Pittsburgh is also a fun amusement park called Kennywood, full of exciting rides ranging from fun and kid-friendly to action-packed and thrilling. And if you’re visiting Pittsburgh in summer, you can also plan for a day at the Sandcastle Water Park and enjoy the cool slides and other attractions there.

3. Rivers of Steel: as mentioned in the intro, Pittsburgh is also known as the ‘Steel City’ because of its history in steel production – and Rivers of Steel is arguably the most exciting way to get a glimpse into the industry. The guided tour takes you through the former Carrie Furnace with its impressive structures and inspired, now added art installations, but you can also participate in crafting workshops there or join one of the festivals and special events, regularly held at the site.

What to do in Pittsburgh with pets

City adventures are even more fun if you can share them with a friend. Here are some cool ideas for fun outings with your new pet buddy:

1. Point State Park: if you’d like to combine walking your new pooch friend with relaxing walks through lush landscapes and maybe even a little trip through history, take them to Point State Park. Here, you can visit the ruins of several historic forts and enjoy the beautiful walkways and waterplay at the park’s fountain. And if you’re in for a solo trip here, too, you can even spend a couple hours at the Fort Pitt Museum to learn more about its significance during the French and Indian War.

2. Three Rivers Heritage Trail: another scenic jaunt you and your pet protégé can enjoy together is the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, which comprises about 24 miles of walkways, passing the city’s riverbanks, Downtown, the Strip District, famous for its hip shops, stalls and street art, as well as Pittsburgh’s North Side, where the Andy Warhol Museum is located.

3. South Park Dog Park: to make sure your new fur buddy can run wild once in a while, too, head over to South Park Dog Park. The fenced area comes with watering stations and benches and offers more than enough space for some unleashed dog fun!

Best Restaurants in Pittsburgh: Food and drink

Hungry after all your sightseeing fun? Here are some of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh to recharge your batteries:

1. Take your pick at Market Square: if you’d like to combine culinary with historical adventures, best take a trip to Market Square. A couple hundred years ago, the square housed the first courthouse, the first jail and the first newspaper west of the Atlantic Plain – nowadays it boasts yummy eateries, serving food from all over the world, ranging from fancy to affordable.

2. Superb Italian at Alla Famiglia: if you’d like to try not just one of the best Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh but the best Italian restaurant there, head over to Alla Famiglia. On their menu, you’ll find delicious pasta but also excellent meat and seafood dishes. Alla Famiglia is definitely in the higher price range, but the quality of the food absolutely justifies the bill.

3. East End Brewing Company: if you and the pooch are in the mood for a snack during your outings, take a pit stop at the dog-friendly East End Brewing Company. Here you can relax on the patio while enjoying a cool beer, a nice bowl of water and some pizza.

Ready for your pet sitting trip to Pittsburgh now? Head over to our currently available sits and find the perfect pet/owner match for you so you can start your adventure as soon as possible! And once you’re back, feel free to post impressions of your trip within our Community Forum to share the fun!

Looking for more pet sitting opportunities?

Pittsburgh isn’t the only amazing place you can visit to see exciting new places while making new pet friends in the process! Check out our How it works page to learn more about how TrustedHousesitters’ pet-loving members connect, or have a look at all currently open sits to pick your next adventure: