Looking for things to do in Pittsburgh with toddlers? These are the activities you need to check out while visiting with your little one.
You can find a lot of kid-friendly things to do in Pittsburgh, but it can be hard to tell if the activity is toddler-friendly, and there is a difference! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! As a toddler mama, I am sharing the things we did that made our trip to Pittsburgh amazing!
You are going to learn about some things to do with a 2 year old in Pittsburgh so they stay busy and engaged. A few are free things to do in Pittsburgh with toddlers, which is an added bonus!
After learning about all of these places to take toddlers in Pittsburgh, you will know where to go on your trip so that you don’t waste time or money on activities that are a bust for your toddler.
This post is all about the best things to do in Pittsburgh with toddlers.
Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh with Toddlers
1. Ride an incline
Pittsburgh has two inclines you can ride – the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline. We rode the Monongahela Incline and it was perfect for a toddler. The fare was cheap and the ride was short enough that the beautiful view captured our toddler’s attention for the whole trip. Win-win!
We chose to park at the bottom of the incline. There was plenty of parking available. We parked in a public lot and there is also parking at Station Square. Then it was a quick, easy walk from where we parked to the incline.
We rode the incline on a weekday morning so it was not crowded and we had the car to ourselves. You will want to ride in the morning to avoid crowds. We didn’t have to wait long to board since the cars keep running. Another plus when you have a toddler.
During the ride, you get some great views of the city. The ride is smooth and has a good pace so it’s not scary for a toddler.
Once at the top, you can walk along the sidewalk and enjoy a great view of Pittsburgh. There are several lookouts where you can take some amazing pictures. We had an umbrella stroller with us, which contained our toddler during the walk.
We highly recommend riding an incline for a unique Pittsburgh experience with your little one!
2. Visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh should definitely be on your list if visiting the city with a toddler.
Even though some activities are a little advanced, there is plenty to do with a toddler. You can easily spend one to two hours at the Museum. You could stay longer, but one to two hours is usually the sweet spot with a toddler. During that time you can enjoy each activity and keep them from losing interest.
Although the cost of admission isn’t super cheap, it is also not crazy expensive and definitely worth it for the experience. If you visit a lot of children’s museums, you may want to consider a membership at your local museum. That way you can get discounted admission when visiting other children’s museums.
There are several parking options close to the Museum including a lot at the Museum, a parking garage a short walk away, and street parking.
Some top toddler exhibits include Waterplay and Nursery. Waterplay has tons of water activities so expect your toddler to get wet. Smocks are provided, but honestly, you should bring a bathing suit so your little one can really enjoy themselves. Nursery is geared towards children under 5 so it’s perfect for a toddler and quieter than some areas with bigger kids.
3. Walk Three Rivers Heritage Trail
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is 33 miles so you probably won’t walk the whole trail with your little one. A great part of the trail to check out is in Downtown.
You can walk along the riverfront and your toddler will enjoy watching all the boats on the water. If you follow the trail around Point State Park, you can see where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River. There are great photo opportunities of the North Shore, South Shore, Downtown, and the fountain in the park.
The trail is paved and wide so your little one can walk or you can easily push a stroller. If you access the trail Downtown, there is plenty of parking in the area.
There is enough activity in the area to keep your toddler’s attention so you can spend an hour or two walking the trail. Plus, they can burn off some energy and get some fresh air in order to get a good night’s sleep!
4. Play at a local park
There are so many parks throughout the city for your toddler to explore. One of the most well-known parks in the city is Blue Slide Park, which is part of Frick Park.
Although the infamous blue slide might be too much for a toddler, the playground has spaces for toddlers to play. You can spend 30 minutes to an hour at the park while your toddler slides, swings, and climbs on the playground equipment.
There is street parking near the park; however, it can get busy so you might need to park and walk a little.
Wightman Park was recommended to us by a local in Pittsburgh. It was on our list to see, but we ran out of time and did not visit the park. The park was renovated in 2020 and is another option to explore.
5. Check out the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
No trip with a toddler would be complete without a trip to the local zoo. And the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium does not disappoint!
We visited on a Saturday morning so it was obviously crowded and with the Zoo being short-staffed, it took us 30 minutes to get in. We have a zoo membership at our local zoo so we had to wait in line to purchase tickets. If you purchase tickets online, you can get in quicker.
Speaking of zoo memberships, if you have a toddler and a local zoo, then look into a membership. Not only is it worth it if you visit your local zoo frequently, but you can get discounts at other zoos when you travel.
Parking at the zoo is free and the lot is large, but on a busy day, it can definitely fill up.
The Zoo is a good size and you can spend 90 minutes to two hours there. Be prepared with comfortable shoes, water, and a good stroller since there is a lot of uphill walking. On a good note, there are a lot of trees at the Zoo to provide shade on a hot day.
You will find a lot of big animals at the Zoo, which is so important for a little one. Your toddler can easily spot the animals and stay engaged.
