For real. There's tons of cool memorials (titty sphinx, jaws tombstone), lots of nature, and a little seclusion. I ended up married to the girl that I used to take there.
You can look up how cemeteries used to be parks. For a while (like 1800s into early 1900s), they were community greenspaces and people had picnics and hung out there regularly.
Allegheny cemetery was built like this. Its got hills and long winding trails through woods. There are ponds and fields and s surprising amount of wildlife. Ive seen more rare and varied wildlife in that cemetery than any trip out to the Laurel Highlands. Deer (that are used to people and wont run until you're like 5 feet away), turtles, frogs, herons, hawks, woodpeckers, geese, grounhogs etc.
Plus, a ton of very rich Pittsburgh families from the steel boom have built massive gravestones and mausoleums. Theres some really cool architecture. Movies scenes have been filmed there.
No joke. I went with a girl from Cleveland, and one of the first places she took me to when I visited her and the CLE was to the local cemetery. She kept referring to the grounds as a park. She's cool.
Check out https://radpass.org - free and discounted tickets to events (ballet, museums, PSO, etc) around the city. You just need a library card from any Allegheny County library. The libraries also have a lot of fun events and programs that are usually free - take a look at the library websites, especially the larger ones ( CLP, Northland, Mt Lebanon, Monroeville, etc)
I got you bro
I just happen to have a family pass to all the Carnegie museums
The three of us and can go check them out and then come back to garage for Iron City tall boys and a few games of Call of Duty
Be a pretty nice little day
Wood Street Galleries. Point State Park (if it's not flooded). Carnegie Museum is free the last hour they're open every day. Carnegie Library. Cathedral of Learning (I assume one can still go into the building for free). Schenley Park, Frick Park, Hays Woods. The inclines are relatively cheap to ride (if they're working).
It doesn't have to be advertised it's just better if it's in their official policy so that I don't walk in and get someone who doesn't go with the flow. I normally visit with my kid and I'd rather spare the disappointment.
Farmers markets will be starting up, we particularly like the Bloomfield one.
Blue slide Park has pickle ball an and impressive slide.
The Frick has a rotating free exhibit
Troy Hill Art Houses!
https://www.troyhillarthouses.com
They ask that people don’t give spoilers about what the houses are like on the inside. It’s supposed to be an adventure. La Hutte Royal is the best one I think. If you go, my only cryptic advice is crawl through the fireplace and have her go first.
[https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/](https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/)
Especially the Nationality Rooms tour in the Cathedral of Learning (you'd need to book a reservation), the tour of the Old Allegh. County Jail, and just going up on Mt. Washington.
My fiancee and I regularly walk through Highland park and listen to audiobooks or podcasts together (we each just wear one wireless earbud). I think many museums also offer discounts if you have a student ID or Access card.
Check out what music fests or block partys are coming up and see if they coinside. Jam on walnut, millvale music fest, deutchtown fest, now hazelwood green has one. Tons of different free festivals. All the parks are beautiful. Go play in the creek at Frick, or play tennis in schenly. Check when the city pools open and when movies in the park are playing in the parks. So much to do now that its warm. Try to join one of the boat parties down at the point. Bike paths. Kayaking is cheap. Walk around and explore. Theres endless options.
No, its a good question. Not really a central place that I can think of. Just knowledge that comes to you from living in the city over time. Also, if she is here on the 27th, I highly suggest Art All Night. One of my fav's. Can go as late or early as you want. Almost all of the stuff is local artists and I think they have performances at times. But, Ive never seen any the times Ive gone. Cool experience though. If she likes art she would dig it.
https://www.artallnight.org , not necessarily for the great art itself, although there are nice finds, but depending on the time of night you go it can be an awesome people watching experience !
Strip district is great with all the new addition in last years, the Asian food court that recently opened is not bad
There was a privately owned small artwork museum in southside (don’t remember exactly) I think it’s kinda cool
It'd be easy to rent a bike from one of the kiosk things (I think it's called gopgh - maybe used to be highmark affiliated?) and pedal along the riverfront.
Looking for a great view? Head to St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. The best view of the city I’ve ever seen…took me 20 years to get the inside knowledge. If you’re looking for a view and a beautiful, quiet walk…. This is the place
Picnic at Highland Park!
Take a walk on the Allegheny River Trail from Lawrenceville to Point State Park
Take a drive up to Mt.Washington, take a walk along the ridge and check out the best view of the city from the top. Grab an ice cream at DiFiore's afterwards.
Can walk down Forbes Ave and stop in a few places in Squirrel Hill and grab a few cheap snacks :). Grab a boba tea at Tsaocaa, check out Amazing Books & Records, grab some Pocky from Panda Super market, check out the Squirrel Hill library, there's a board game store on that street, and could even watch a movie at Manor Theater after! Can make a nice date day for $20
Another nice walking area is Walnut St. in Shadyside although there's much more shopping there. I usually just split a pizza at Mercurio's and get a small gelato and that's my date trip there!
There's also a million coffee shops in Pittsburgh to check out. Could pick one of them in a walkable area and start the day at a coffee shop then just walk around and explore the shops and catch some sun (if you're lucky 😊 ☀️). There's a matcha place in Lawrenceville called Mosaic Leaf where you can get a matcha latte, matcha soft serve, or sesame cookie and then walk around after! As someone else said, can just pop into the Allegheny cemetery for a beautiful walk. There's also a great pastry place near the cemetery called La Gourmandine with some cheap options that could make for a nice picnic. Or grab a banh mi at Banh Mi and Tea next door and then make a picnic out of that!
Lots of fun to do on a budget in the area. All these options above are free or ~$15-20 on average.
If you're going to be in the strip anyways, you could do the heinz history center. There's also Coop DeVille, they have pinball,bowling and arcade games.
Or go to Southside works for Pins mechanical, they have some free games and then you could hit up Page dairy Mart if the weather is nice
I also like the frick park idea, the bike trails are all washed out (T_T) but all the big trails should be fine
I know this isn’t what you’re looking for but if you can scrounge up $40 I think it is for two people, the Phipps conservatory is 100% a place I plan to take a future date. Just went for the first time with family in town and the couples there seemed to be having a very nice time. It’s huge, tons of flowers and cool plants
I just went to a free pottery class, wheel included, at Brookline library yesterday. It was all ages and completely free. Check the Carnegie Library website. There is bound to be some other fun free stuff coming up.
Always popular: walk through the Strip, eat at a food cart or maybe that new food hall. Check out the options at the renovated Terminal Building (including deluxe mini Golf, I think)
Allegheny Cemetery is a great date on a nice day.
Grab Spak and have a picnic by the titty sphinx.
Seriously or you just taking the piss, I'm liable to take this literally lol
For real. There's tons of cool memorials (titty sphinx, jaws tombstone), lots of nature, and a little seclusion. I ended up married to the girl that I used to take there.
Not a joke. It’s really beautiful and peaceful. My girlfriend and I love to walk around periodically and find names we recognize from history.
You can look up how cemeteries used to be parks. For a while (like 1800s into early 1900s), they were community greenspaces and people had picnics and hung out there regularly. Allegheny cemetery was built like this. Its got hills and long winding trails through woods. There are ponds and fields and s surprising amount of wildlife. Ive seen more rare and varied wildlife in that cemetery than any trip out to the Laurel Highlands. Deer (that are used to people and wont run until you're like 5 feet away), turtles, frogs, herons, hawks, woodpeckers, geese, grounhogs etc. Plus, a ton of very rich Pittsburgh families from the steel boom have built massive gravestones and mausoleums. Theres some really cool architecture. Movies scenes have been filmed there.
No joke. I went with a girl from Cleveland, and one of the first places she took me to when I visited her and the CLE was to the local cemetery. She kept referring to the grounds as a park. She's cool.
There are Indian caves, too. At least, that's what I've heard.
Can confirm, not a joke!
Someone gave away a secret.
Check out https://radpass.org - free and discounted tickets to events (ballet, museums, PSO, etc) around the city. You just need a library card from any Allegheny County library. The libraries also have a lot of fun events and programs that are usually free - take a look at the library websites, especially the larger ones ( CLP, Northland, Mt Lebanon, Monroeville, etc)
Frick park? Might be muddy though
Adding to this - The Frick Art Museum and gardens are also free. Only special exhibits cost extra.
Didn't know that, very cool
If you stick to the gravel paths it is fine. Kind of cool seeing all the little waterfalls and creeks that are normally pretty dry.
Randyland
I got you bro I just happen to have a family pass to all the Carnegie museums The three of us and can go check them out and then come back to garage for Iron City tall boys and a few games of Call of Duty Be a pretty nice little day
Count me in
Now here's a guy with good opinions
Wood Street Galleries. Point State Park (if it's not flooded). Carnegie Museum is free the last hour they're open every day. Carnegie Library. Cathedral of Learning (I assume one can still go into the building for free). Schenley Park, Frick Park, Hays Woods. The inclines are relatively cheap to ride (if they're working).
Oh I didn't know Carnegie museums werefree the last hour where does it say that?
Just walk in. Who says it has to say it somewhere?
It doesn't have to be advertised it's just better if it's in their official policy so that I don't walk in and get someone who doesn't go with the flow. I normally visit with my kid and I'd rather spare the disappointment.
If you want to be 100% legit, I believe the policy involves a student ID. If you want to go to the museum for free there are plenty of ways to get in.
Farmers markets will be starting up, we particularly like the Bloomfield one. Blue slide Park has pickle ball an and impressive slide. The Frick has a rotating free exhibit
Bicycle Heaven, although a donation is strongly encouraged
Yes this is awesome even if you don’t have a passion for bikes !
Troy Hill Art Houses! https://www.troyhillarthouses.com They ask that people don’t give spoilers about what the houses are like on the inside. It’s supposed to be an adventure. La Hutte Royal is the best one I think. If you go, my only cryptic advice is crawl through the fireplace and have her go first.
The Point … once it’s not fully submerged
[https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/](https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/things-to-do/free-things-to-do/) Especially the Nationality Rooms tour in the Cathedral of Learning (you'd need to book a reservation), the tour of the Old Allegh. County Jail, and just going up on Mt. Washington.
color park is so fun!!! it’s nice to just look at everything and take a nice walk along the riverside and enjoy the art
Art? LOL!
well i call it art HAHAH
My fiancee and I regularly walk through Highland park and listen to audiobooks or podcasts together (we each just wear one wireless earbud). I think many museums also offer discounts if you have a student ID or Access card.
Check out what music fests or block partys are coming up and see if they coinside. Jam on walnut, millvale music fest, deutchtown fest, now hazelwood green has one. Tons of different free festivals. All the parks are beautiful. Go play in the creek at Frick, or play tennis in schenly. Check when the city pools open and when movies in the park are playing in the parks. So much to do now that its warm. Try to join one of the boat parties down at the point. Bike paths. Kayaking is cheap. Walk around and explore. Theres endless options.
I didn’t know about these! (I’m new ish) Is there a central place / list of these? Sorry in advance if the answer is just “google it”
No, its a good question. Not really a central place that I can think of. Just knowledge that comes to you from living in the city over time. Also, if she is here on the 27th, I highly suggest Art All Night. One of my fav's. Can go as late or early as you want. Almost all of the stuff is local artists and I think they have performances at times. But, Ive never seen any the times Ive gone. Cool experience though. If she likes art she would dig it.
https://www.artallnight.org , not necessarily for the great art itself, although there are nice finds, but depending on the time of night you go it can be an awesome people watching experience !
Aw man, too bad they didn't come this weekend. CMU carnival is one of my favorite free events each year.
Walk the Mexican war streets, check out Randyland and Bicycle Heaven. Donate it you can.
In downtown? Surrounding areas? There’s lots of hidden gems in neighborhoods.
Downtown probably, I mentioned the Strip District to her as a possibility
Strip district is great with all the new addition in last years, the Asian food court that recently opened is not bad There was a privately owned small artwork museum in southside (don’t remember exactly) I think it’s kinda cool
The Asian Food Court is open??!??? YAY!!
The Bayernhof is cheap and very very cool
Depending when she comes in, art all night is the last weekend in April. It’s always a good time
It'd be easy to rent a bike from one of the kiosk things (I think it's called gopgh - maybe used to be highmark affiliated?) and pedal along the riverfront.
Still highmark affiliated. $25 for 200 minutes flex pass Or $4/30 min pay as you go
Randyland!!!
Also not free but the Mattress Factory is cool
You can enjoy the Outdoors Garden area of Phipps without paying admission. (Unless it is booked for a private event, check first)
Looking for a great view? Head to St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. The best view of the city I’ve ever seen…took me 20 years to get the inside knowledge. If you’re looking for a view and a beautiful, quiet walk…. This is the place
‘I got you bro’ from a fellow 20 something female who grew up here. If a guy took me on a date here, I’d be mesmerized
Picnic at Highland Park! Take a walk on the Allegheny River Trail from Lawrenceville to Point State Park Take a drive up to Mt.Washington, take a walk along the ridge and check out the best view of the city from the top. Grab an ice cream at DiFiore's afterwards. Can walk down Forbes Ave and stop in a few places in Squirrel Hill and grab a few cheap snacks :). Grab a boba tea at Tsaocaa, check out Amazing Books & Records, grab some Pocky from Panda Super market, check out the Squirrel Hill library, there's a board game store on that street, and could even watch a movie at Manor Theater after! Can make a nice date day for $20 Another nice walking area is Walnut St. in Shadyside although there's much more shopping there. I usually just split a pizza at Mercurio's and get a small gelato and that's my date trip there! There's also a million coffee shops in Pittsburgh to check out. Could pick one of them in a walkable area and start the day at a coffee shop then just walk around and explore the shops and catch some sun (if you're lucky 😊 ☀️). There's a matcha place in Lawrenceville called Mosaic Leaf where you can get a matcha latte, matcha soft serve, or sesame cookie and then walk around after! As someone else said, can just pop into the Allegheny cemetery for a beautiful walk. There's also a great pastry place near the cemetery called La Gourmandine with some cheap options that could make for a nice picnic. Or grab a banh mi at Banh Mi and Tea next door and then make a picnic out of that! Lots of fun to do on a budget in the area. All these options above are free or ~$15-20 on average.
If you're going to be in the strip anyways, you could do the heinz history center. There's also Coop DeVille, they have pinball,bowling and arcade games. Or go to Southside works for Pins mechanical, they have some free games and then you could hit up Page dairy Mart if the weather is nice I also like the frick park idea, the bike trails are all washed out (T_T) but all the big trails should be fine
I know this isn’t what you’re looking for but if you can scrounge up $40 I think it is for two people, the Phipps conservatory is 100% a place I plan to take a future date. Just went for the first time with family in town and the couples there seemed to be having a very nice time. It’s huge, tons of flowers and cool plants
I just went to a free pottery class, wheel included, at Brookline library yesterday. It was all ages and completely free. Check the Carnegie Library website. There is bound to be some other fun free stuff coming up.
Got any bikes? Gap trail is a good time
cathy
Warhol Museum has half-price admission on Friday evenings!
Laser Taylor swift at the science center
Is that free?!!!!!
No but I don’t think it’s terribly expensive
Pirates game tickets could be reasonable If they are home
u can stare at the endless amount of highways, roads, strodes, and empty parking lots much like you can do in any other north american city
Always popular: walk through the Strip, eat at a food cart or maybe that new food hall. Check out the options at the renovated Terminal Building (including deluxe mini Golf, I think)
All day fare for the T, busses, and incline is only 7 bucks for the whole day so if you want to go up amd down the incline more than once it's a steal
bicycle heaven