Vacation Rentals in Pittsburgh

Defined by its towering skyscrapers and stately wide bridges, the strikingly good-looking city of Pittsburgh enjoys a spectacular location on the confluence of three rivers- the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela. There is much to do in this "City of Steel" from checking out Andy Warhol’s personal belongings to riding a 140-year funicular up Mt. Washington. World-class dining, nightlife, and eclectic festivals are just some of the reasons you should visit with a vacation rental as your base.

Vacation rentals in Pittsburgh are super comfy and scattered across the city’s 90 neighborhoods. Rentals in the Cultural District and Downtown Pittsburgh will fetch you quick access to the river-facing Point State Park, Market Square, and the Heinz History Center. Meanwhile, the relaxed North Side beckons for its easy access to river trails, bars, and breweries. Foodies and compulsive shopaholics should look no further than the Strip District set on the banks of the Allegheny River. Finally, if bar-hopping and a boisterous atmosphere do it for you, choose rentals on South Side – they tend to be competitively priced too!

Kids can enjoy a glimpse into an astronomer’s life with SkyWatch which takes place at the Buhl Planetarium at the Carnegie Science Center. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium holds lions, leopards, red pandas, and even a komodo dragon. The larger exhibits for polar bears, sea otters, and sharks are a hit with young visitors. Randyland is the residence of artist Randy Gilson who transformed his property into a visual landscape of junkyard oddities - plastic animals, broken toys, used bikes, and even old arcade machines. A top-rated attraction at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is the Kindness Gallery where kids can learn a thing or two about empathy and kindness.

You can’t go wrong with Latitude 360, a sprawling entertainment center spread over 65,000+ sq. ft. Visitors here can pick from comedy shows at their Vegas-style theater, dine-in movies, luxury bowling, and much more. Once dusk falls, check out a Broadway musical at the restored Benedum Center for the Performing Arts – it oozes opulence with its central chandelier adorned with 40,000+ crystals. The Kelly Strayhorn Theater proposes contemporary dance, music, and theater in an intimate community atmosphere. The night ends on a reflective note at Point State Park, a vantage point to watch the night-time river boats glide by.

A fantastic starting point would be the Heinz History Center, a treasure trove of information on the iconic Heinz ketchup brand, as well as Pennsylvania’s illustrious history. The Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History earn you encounters with Cezanne, Monet, and a rather intimidating Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. One of North America’s largest single-artist museums, the Andy Warhol Museum honors Pittsburgh’s native son through stunning multimedia and deeply personal memorabilia. The notorious Mattress Factory is unparalleled in its quest to provoke both artists and audiences. Look out for the pitch-black sensory room and the museum’s rooftop installation that lights up Pittsburgh’s skyline by night.

From June through October, visitors are treated to live entertainment, artisanal food, and drinks at the pop-up Saturday Night Market on Market Square. Established in 1856, July’s Big Butler Fair is all about the farm animals, demolition derbies, fireworks, and even carousels for kids. For jousting and bronze-casting shenanigans, coincide your trip with Pittsburgh’s Renaissance Festival in September. Around the same time is the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, a riot of fun, food, and color. The year closes with scintillating Downtown Pittsburgh's Christmas Displays. Make sure to snap yourself against the beautifully lit Christmas Tree in Point State Park.

Spread over 15 acres, the gardens are renowned for their superbly curated flower shows, bonsai collection, a tropical forest, and a historic glasshouse. Don’t miss the Trolls Exhibit where these whimsical creatures will snore, growl, or even sneeze as you pass by.

Restaurants here won’t break the bank and you can try a range of ethnic cuisines. Lucy’s Banh Mi Cart, and Maiku Sushi for Vietnamese, and the Italian DiAnoia’s Eatery are popular ones. For handmade ice-creams, milkshakes, and fine chocolates, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop delivers, and how!

A one-hour cruise along Pittsburgh’s Monongahela, Ohio, and Allegheny Rivers will take you past the city’s most significant bridges, buildings, and historical landmarks. On-board narrators regale visitors with river lore and interesting facts.

Set in Pittsburgh’s Troy Hill neighborhood, this chapel contains nearly 5000 relics of Catholic saints, but its biggest draw is the thorn from Christ’s Crown of Thorns. The chapel has more relics than any other place in the world outside of Rome. A docent-led tour is a good idea.

Bring your Pittsburgh trip to a close with a ride up the nostalgic Duquesne Incline funicular – these cable cars date to 1877! From the observation deck, visitors can soak in glorious views of the city by night.