Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh, An vibrant and adaptable metropolis, Pittsburgh may be found in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2017, Harper’s Bazaar called Pittsburgh one of the ‘greatest places to go,’ and the city has continued its excellent track record.
You can’t come to Pittsburgh and not visit the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
Both the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum are must-sees for art aficionados.
There is so much to see and see in Pittsburgh that getting out of the city will be a challenge. However, you should.
There are a plethora of undiscovered jewels within driving distance of Pittsburgh.
So, let’s take a look at the top day trips you can do from Pittsburgh:
Best Day Trips from Pittsburgh
Seven Springs
Seven Spring Mountain Resort is a dream come true for all of you thrill seekers and explorers out there.
You can zoom from treetop to treetop on one of the mile-long zip line courses, taking in breathtaking views of the valley below.
Bicyclists in search of a paradise on earth will find it here.
Seven Springs is the adventure capital of the world, and for good reason: it has paths suitable for everyone from complete novices to advanced athletes.
After a good snowfall in the winter, the downhill trails take on a whole new dimension for skiers and snowboarders.
Monongahela National Forest
Lovers of the great outdoors will be thrilled to discover the huge Monongahela National Forest, one of West Virginia’s best kept secrets.
If you’re looking for the highest point in the Allegheny Mountains, look no farther than Spruce Knob, which is located in Monongahela National Forest.
Beautiful red spruce trees, smooth, worn stones, and huge stretches of woodland can all be found in the Dolly Sods Wilderness.
The park is full of hiking paths, and the Visitor Center has maps and information on all of them.
Please stop at Mountain State Brewing Co. on your way back to Pittsburgh; you won’t be sorry you did.
Lake Erie
Weekenders flock here because of the abundance of parks and campgrounds ideal for barbecuing and relaxing in the sun.
Since Lake Erie is so vast, when you hear the waves lapping against the sandy shoreline, you can forget that you’re in the middle of the United States.
Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort is a great place to take kids on vacation who want more organized activities.
It’s also a good place to remember in case the skies turn dark and ominous.
Laurel Highlands
The beautiful Laurel Highlands may be found just to the south of Pittsburgh.
This region of Pennsylvania, dominated by Mount Davis, serves as access to the Great Allegheny Passage.
There are eight different state parks in the Laurel Highlands, and all of them are free to enter.
It is feasible to drive most of the way up to Mount Davis’s parking lot and then trek the remaining 3,213 feet to the peak.
Canoeing over whitewater rapids, pottery-making classes, and opulent spa resorts are just a few of the many attractions in the Laurel Highlands, which also welcomes day-trippers.
Meadville
Meadville, Pennsylvania is a wonderful place for aspiring brewers and foodies to visit. Meadville is becoming known for its thriving craft brewery scene, so if you’re planning a day trip there, you might want to hire a driver.
TimberCreek Tap & Table and Voodoo Brewery are two of the most well-known breweries in the area.
The Sprague Farm & Brew Works is a small, family-run business that brews 100% keg-conditioned, unfiltered lagers and ales.
Tours of the factory are available every Thursday and Friday from 4-9 PM, and every Saturday from 12-9 PM.
In order to drink up all that beer, head over to Hoss’s Steak and Sea House for some world-class surf and turf.
Niagara Falls
From Pittsburgh, you may take a day excursion to one of North America’s greatest natural wonders—Niagara Falls.
The Niagara Falls, which span the international boundary between Canada and the United States of America, are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Many different vantage points are available, and the famous Maid of the Mist boat may take you right up to the base of the waterfalls.
You can get up close and personal with the thundering falls on this boat tour, experiencing the full force of the 600,000 gallons of water per minute that are crashing into the river below.
Cleveland
You should definitely spend a day in Cleveland, Ohio, which is just across the border in the state of Cleveland.
There is an abundance of opportunities for discovery.
One of Ohio’s most historic cities, Cleveland is situated on the shores of Lake Erie.
Exhibits on the greatest and most influential musicians in the history of rock and roll may be found at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a popular tourist destination.
There is a remarkable collection of artworks spanning six thousand years at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a fun place to spend the afternoon with kids if you happen to be in the area.
Penn’s Cave
The only wave cave and animal park in the United States, Penn’s Cave is a unique and exciting destination.
One of the most convenient and inexpensive day trips from Pittsburgh, this destination is great for the whole family.
A day at Penn’s Cave can be spent leisurely strolling the park and watching the animals go about their business, or it can be used to explore every inch of the park and see every exhibit.
You can go on a treasure hunt through the Miner’s Maze, explore the cave system on your own, or even pan for precious stones.
Penn’s Cave is an interesting and informative destination, and the Cave Cafe makes it unnecessary to bring a picnic.
Fallingwater
Many consider Fallingwater to be the most famous house in Pennsylvania.
Fallingwater, which was designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s best architects, is now protected as a National Historic Landmark.
Since its opening in 1964, this architectural masterpiece has attracted more than five million visitors from all around the world.
Tours at Fallingwater are given by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy every day from 10 am to 4 pm (excluding Wednesdays).
On your tour, you’ll pick up tidbits about the home’s fascinating past while marveling at its unique and forward-thinking architecture.
Weekends are ideal for combining a house tour with a stroll around the surrounding area.
Hartwood Acres
Located on a hilltop just outside of Pittsburgh, the mansion and grounds at Hartwood Acres are a hidden gem.
The manor house itself is a magnificent example of Tudor architecture from the 16th century.
Tours of the building and grounds are given every day by the heritage preservation crews.
Hartwood Acres Mansion is located in Allegheny County Park, a massive 629 acres in size. While you certainly won’t be able to explore the park in its entirety in a single day, a stroll around the gardens and soaking in the stunning panoramas offers a welcome respite from Pittsburgh’s congestion and smog.
Columbus
Travel to Columbus, Ohio, the capital of the state of Ohio.
Full with fascinating landmarks and historic sites The travel to Columbus from Pittsburgh is a fascinating and educational one.
Germans arrived in Columbus in the early 1800s, and you may see their carefully preserved village houses if you go now.
A visit to the Franklin Park Conservatory is a tranquil way to spend a day.
There are plenty of picture-perfect sights to capture at every turn throughout the gardens, thanks to the numerous art displays and plant displays.
If you want to learn more about science and the stars, the COSI Columbus is the place to go.
A planetarium and many interactive displays are available.
Gravity Hill
Even if going to Gravity Hill is a bit of a novelty, it’s still a great experience.
Gravity Hill is a mysterious hill in quiet Bedford County that goes by several other names.
There’s something about this place that makes cars coast uphill and soccer balls fight gravity on the way down.
Spray-painted ‘GH START’ on the pavement in front of you will be your clue that you’ve arrived.
Put the car in neutral, let off the brake, and watch the miracle unfold.
The terrain on either side of the road only serves to heighten the optical illusion and amplify the surreal sense of motion.
Washington DC
Seeing the nation’s capital is always exciting, but seeing Washington, D.C. in the United States of America is especially thrilling.
Visiting Washington, DC from Pittsburgh takes a full day, but it is time well spent.
The White House and the U.S. Capitol Building should be your first stops.
If you’re interested, you can sign up for guided tours of both structures.
The Smithsonian Institution is large enough to fill a full day or more of sightseeing.
The sheer quantity of their museums, zoo, and universities is astounding.
Chautauqua
You won’t be let down if you visit Chautauqua for the day if you’re looking for something exciting to do.
The Chautauqua Institution calls itself the “World’s Vacation Learning Centre,” and it is located in the town of Chautauqua.
Every day, there are lectures and seminars covering a wide range of subjects in the arts, sciences, society, and more.
After that, there’s Peek ‘n’ Peak Resort’s aerial park in Chautauqua, a veritable paradise for the daring.
Explore the hidden beaches and coves of the lake by kayak or soar over the treetops on zip lines.
Baltimore
It’s time to visit Baltimore, Maryland, and cross it off your list of must-see American cities.
A massive metropolis with 200 distinct neighborhoods. Many different communities and cultures coexist peacefully in Baltimore.
Baltimore is still a bustling port and dock because it is located on one of the most important and lucrative mid-Atlantic commerce routes.
The National Aquarium, Fort McHenry, and Port Discovery are all fantastic places to explore while in Baltimore.
Even if you’re not usually inspired by fine art, you can find inspiration at the American Visionary Art Museum.
Some of the art displays are so out of the ordinary that they must be seen to be believed.