​There’s nothing more Pittsburgh than going to a Fish Fry on Friday nights during Lent. Restaurants, churches, and fire halls host them through Good Friday. Everyone is always welcome and they’re a great way to meet new people and spend time in different communities. 
Why a fish fry? Lent (February 22- April 6, 2023), is a 6-week religious observance by many Christians that leads up to Easter Sunday. On Fridays during Lent, Catholics abstain from eating meat. This has led to Fish Fry Fridays becoming a popular weekend destination this time of year. 
Many restaurants change their hours and adapt their menus to get in on the Fish Fry action. These are some of the best spots to order a colossal fish sandwich, a cold beer, and a side of Pittsburgh favorites pierogies or haluski…

• Big Jim’s, Greenfield
• Community Kitchen, Hazelwood
• D’s Six Pax and Dogs, Regent Square
• North Park Lounge, North Hills
• Primanti’s, all Pittsburgh locations
• Robert Wholey & Company, Strip District
• Rolland’s, Strip District
• Swissvale Volunteer Fire Department, Swissvale
• The Warren, Downtown 

Click here for an official, interactive Fish Fry map or check out local news stations and websites to see where the hot spots are. Plan accordingly because these are the place to be on Fridays, lines form fast, organizations run out of food and most are cash only. 
Whether you’re a native to the Steel City or a tourist looking to meet new people and experience new things, fish fries are truly a Pittsburgh tradition where you can raise your glasses to the days getting longer and spring being just around the corner!

​February and March in Pittsburgh can be long and dreary. Whether there’s snow on the ground or not, there are fun things to do indoors and outdoors. Here are some ways to beat the winter blues…

• Pins Mechanical Co.: A brand new, two-story entertainment complex in the Southside Works complete with duck pin bowling, pinball, vintage arcade games and an outdoor patio with firepits that will have you dreaming of summer nights. This spot is very similar to Shorty’s on the North Shore but it’s so much bigger. Pins is a family-family, dog friendly facility during the day and turns into 21 and over after 8 p.m. nightly. There are three bars, dozens of cocktails, draft beers and mocktails available. Drinks are game themed for a fun touch. Although Pins doesn’t serve food, you can order takeout and have it delivered to eat there. Be sure to take advantage of all the great selfie spots throughout the establishment. 
• Urban Air Adventure Park: New to the Waterfront area, Urban Air is where kids of all ages can go to take their cares away. Attractions include climbing walls, bumper cars, virtual reality, rope courses and trampolines galore. Visit www.urbanairparks.com to make reservations, book a party or buy passes in advance. Packages and prices vary.  
• Arsenal Bowl: Located in Lawrenceville and voted the best bowling and fun spot in Pittsburgh year after year, Arsenal Bowl has nightly themes, DJs, live music, trivia nights and specials. Reserve lanes or walk in and bowl but get there early, lanes go fast, especially on the weekends. 
• Tour Acrisure Stadium, PNC Park, or PPG Paints Arena: Get a behind the scenes look at where Pittsburgh’s three major sports teams play. Roam the halls and take pictures where your favorite players call home. Tour routes and areas visited vary based on date, time and events scheduled in the building. Book online and plan ahead because time slots fill up quickly. 
• Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest: Grab your pretzel necklace, clean your palate and head to the festival on February 24th - 25th at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. 400 local, regional, and hard to find craft beers from more than 130 breweries will be on hand. Sample beers while enjoying live music and karaoke. 
• Seven Springs Mountain Resort: Pick your pleasure… Seven Springs has snow tubing, snowboarding, skiing, a spa and of course, the Foggy Google where you can cuddle up by the fire and enjoy hot toddies. If you’re craving outdoor winter activities but don’t feel like taking an hour drive, check out Laurel Highlands or Boyce Park. Both are closer to the city and offer a lot of the same activities on a smaller scale.
• Ice Skating: Schenley Ice Skating Rink sits in the heart of the city in Oakland and local parks have rinks as well including North and South Park. Don’t forget to check out the rink at PPG Place, it’s open through February. There are also several indoor ice rinks to check out if you can’t deal with the blustery cold including Ice Castle Arena in Castle Shannon.

There are so many things to do in the city during the long, winter months. Check out museums, breweries, trails and everything Pittsburgh has to offer while staying warm until spring blooms. 

Its hard to believe that 2023 is almost here! New Year’s is a time to reflect, make resolutions and of course, celebrate! Here are some ideas to ring in the New Year in the Burgh…
​

• First Night Pittsburgh: Activities are planned throughout the night in the Cultural District. The event is free and open to everyone and features food, family-friendly activities, live music, selfie stations and more. Highlights include…
  • Fireworks, it wouldn’t be an event in Pittsburgh without fireworks! Can’t stay awake until midnight? Children’s fireworks are scheduled from 6-6:15 p.m.
  • A block party featuring fire pits, crafts and chances to win fun prizes
  • A fully immersive ice maze with 5-foot-tall ice walls carved into holiday and Pittsburgh imagery. 
  • A First Night staple, the arts-focused New Year's Eve Parade is packed with performances and loaded with artistic surprises including giant puppets. 
• Rivers Casino: The whole second floor of the casino will be transformed into a giant celebration. DJs, bands, gambling specials and food are on the schedule and complimentary light bites and festive drinks will be served. Click here for more details including prices and ticket information. 
• Parties: It seems that every bar, brewery, and restaurant in town has a NYE bash planned. Most require you to purchase tickets ahead of time and admission typically includes a buffet and champagne toast. Click here to view the best events around town. If you’re not a big planner, go to Tequila Cowboy on the North Shore. They’re open all day with no cover and no presale tickets are needed.
• New Year’s Eve Dance Cruise: Hop aboard the Gateway Clipper and dance the night away with a champagne toast at midnight, hats, noise makers, and beautiful views of the skyline at night. Click here for tickets but hurry, the event is almost sold out. 
• Family friendly: Check out Phipps Conservatory, Bakery Square, The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium and the Children’s Museum for early celebrations that kids can enjoy. There are Noon Year’s Eve parties being held all around town and they’re the perfect way to ring in 2023 with the little ones.

However you decide to celebrate, be safe! Cheers to a happy and healthy new year! 

​Fall is a beautiful time of year in Pittsburgh. As summer temperatures subside and the leaves begin to change, we start to think about autumn traditions and plan activities to take full advantage of what the season has to offer. Here are some of the best fall activities around town…

• Kennywood Phantom Fall Fest: Kennywood’s spooky-season event lets you do Halloween your way. Come during the day for family fun and stay late for scary attractions and activities including seven haunted houses and four scare zones. Select rides are open all day and this is one of your last chances to grab those Potato Patch Fries before the park closes for the season. 
• Soergel’s: The Wexford located orchard’s fall festival takes place on the weekends from September 17 – October 30 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. It features tractor rides to the pumpkin patch, apple picking, delicious food and family friendly activities. The orchard will stay open late on Fridays for nighttime hayrides. Kick your weekend off with live music and Arsenal Cider! 
• Monster Pumpkins Festival (October 15 - 16): Taking place in a new location this year in the Strip, the festival features a costume contest, a 5K run / walk, the pumpkin regatta, a pumpkin pie eating contest, pumpkin sculptures and record-breaking pumpkins. Click here for a full schedule of events. 
• Allegheny County Fall Concert Series: New this fall, free music will be offered at the region’s parks on Saturdays ranging from rock, polka, and country at a list of rotating parks. 
• Haunted Pittsburgh Cruise: Jump aboard the Gateway Clipper on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October from 6:30-8:00 where Pittsburgh ghost stories will be told. Tarot card readings, hot chocolate, fall treats and a cash bar are also available. 
• Hundred Acres Manor: An immersive experience with five haunted house sections, a maze where you will come face to face with monsters and chainsaws, beer gardens and other entertainment throughout the attraction. The Manor was recently voted “One of America’s Top 13 Haunted Attractions” and the scariest attraction in Pittsburgh for the last two years. 

These are just a few fun, fall activities you can get into. Don’t forget to check out haunted houses, drive in movies and Halloween concerts. There are events all over the city throughout October and November. 

​Did you know that Pennsylvania has the longest foliage season than anywhere else in the world? According to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the last week in October is prime time to see autumn in all its glory before winter makes its return.  Here are some of the best spots to take in vibrant, seasonal views…

Soak up every minute or summer and enjoy all the fun that the iconic Three Rivers has to offer. As Pittsburghers, we’re so lucky to have these beautiful waters in our backyard. Here are the best ways to enjoy them and soak up the city views…

• Kayak Pittsburgh: Rent single or tandem kayaks at two convenient locations in North Park and Sharpsburg and a new location coming next year to downtown Pittsburgh. To make reservations and for information on prices and hours, visit Venture Outdoors.
• Cruisin’ Tiki Tours: Two-hour private sightseeing cruises are the perfect backdrop for birthday and bachelorette parties or a fun day on the water. The tiki boats hold up to six people, they’re equipped with speakers for the ultimate dance party, guests can bring their own coolers and snacks and each boat is accompanied by their very own captain. Visit Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh for details.  
• Gateway Clipper: The Gateway Clipper Fleet offers something for everyone… dinner cruises, children’s cruises, holiday parties, the new Pittsburgh Party Boat and more. Most cruises are two hours and there’s no better way to see the city. Heading to a baseball or football game? Park in Station Square and climb aboard for a quick boat ride over to the stadium. Visit the Gateway Clipper to see everything it has to offer. 
• Point State Park: Located at the tip of the Golden Triangle, sit and relax with your feet in the fountain and let the fresh air hit your face. This is a beautiful spot to take epic selfies and get the best view of Acrisure Stadium(formerly and will always be known as Heinz Field).
• North Shore Water Steps: We’ve mentioned these before but they’re a great destination on a hot day. Kids can frolic and run up and down the cascading water steps while adults can cool off and people watch. 

We’ll see you on the water!

Kennywood is a timeless tradition located 20 minutes outside of the city and one of Pittsburgh’s most beloved historical landmarks. An amusement park for all ages that features thrilling rides, delicious treats, and a variety of entertainment. 
Rides includes three wooden roller coasters, and the states tallest and fastest coasters, The Phantom’s Revenge and The Steel Curtain. After a brief retirement, the park brought back its most beloved ride, The Kangaroo. Children will love Kiddie Land and Thomas Town. 

Tickle your taste buds with fried Oreos, funnel cakes, park favorite Potato Patch Fries (adding cheese and bacon is a must) and square ice cream bars covered in chocolate and nuts! The park often has food trucks visit and they’ve recently added a beer garden. 

There are events and activities all season long including dance shows, parades, trivia, and light shows. The seasonal events are just as much fun as a hot, summer day at the park. Play all day and fright all night at Phantom Fall Fest. Enjoy family fun during the day and be prepared to be scared at night at the various haunted houses around the park. Make your holiday season sparkle by walking through the park among thousands of twinkling lights during Kennywood Holiday Lights.

Plan a trip to Kennywood and make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget to checkout Kennywood’s sister parks, Sandcastle Water Park and Idlewild too!

Pittsburgh shines in the summer. There’s so much to see and do while taking in the gorgeous city views! Explore the Burgh and create memories that will last a lifetime. Here are the top 5 free things to do this summer.
​

1. The Three Rivers Arts Festival: This 10-day celebration of the arts runs from June 3 – 12 in the Cultural District. Every performance and attraction are free and open for everyone to attend. Artists, vendors, and food stands will line the streets. Don’t forget to bring money for funnel cake, cotton candy and fresh squeezed lemonade! For a complete schedule of events, click here.
2. Cinema in the Parks: Grab a blanket, pack your own snacks and head out for a free movie under the stars. Beginning in July and running through the end of August, movies will be shown at Citipark locations around the city. Visit the City of Pittsburgh for a full schedule of movies and locations.
3. Open Streets Pittsburgh: Miles and miles of city streets are temporarily closed to traffic and open for people to walk, run, bike and more. This is your chance to explore areas that are usually occupied by vehicles, take a fitness class or learn how to bike. The Open Street Days are scheduled online. 
4. Market Square Farmers Market: The rain or shine market happens every Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. through October 27. This is the perfect way to spend your lunch break while enjoying local, live entertainment on a warm summer day. Visit the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for a full schedule of vendors and entertainment. 
5. The North Shore Water Steps: A popular destination for people of all ages located between Heinz Field and PNC Park. As water cascades, children splash and play while adults sit, sunbath and people watch. 

These are just 5 of the great, things you can do this summer. Get outdoors and enjoy festivals, concerts and the three rivers. They happen all season long and there’s something for everyone.