15 Things to do on a Rainy Day in Pittsburgh

What to do when the forecast calls for rain in Pittsburgh? The many wonderful city attractions like parks, zoo, bike trails, overlooks, and walkable neighborhoods are best explored during the warmer drier months. Personally, I love gloomy weather, so I don’t mind finding new things to do when the forecast limits any outdoor activities. Since it rains here quite frequently, Mike and I have a list of handy indoor activities to enjoy when the forecast calls for no sun.

Luckily, there are many indoor attractions including top notch museums and theaters. Add in basic attractions you find in typical suburbs like malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, and there is plenty of fun to be had whether the sun is shining or not. Don’t let the unpredictable weather ruin your vacation plans. After living in the city for a year, I’ve come up with guide to indoor fun on those not-so-rare rainy days in the ‘Burgh.

Explore dinosaur fossils at The Carnegie Museum of Natural History

This amazing museum should be tops on your list, especially on a rainy afternoon when you can’t explore the great zoo, parks, and scenic overlooks. Most notable here is the incredible dinosaur exhibit, although you will also find a dazzling hall of gem and minerals, and over 2 dozen dioramas depicting wildlife of North America and Africa. Most tourists come to view the extensive dinosaur fossil collection, of which over 75% are real.

I found it interesting that this museum is home to several holotypes – which are basically examples used to identify species – including the Tyrannosaurus rex and Diplodocus carnegii. According to the museum, Andrew Carnegie purchased 130,000 unique and rare fossils from Western Europe in 1903.

I also really love the gem display – the collection is so colorful and dazzling that I typically spend the most time in this section. I like that they label everything too so you know what you are looking at.

• Hours: 10am-5pm (8pm on Wed)
• Price: $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 kids
• Tip: Visit after 3pm on weekdays (admission is discounted to $12)
• More info: Explore the Carnegie more via my detailed guide

Take in priceless works of art at The Carnegie Museum

This impressive art museum was the first US museum dedicated to modern art. Today, the collection is quite large and you can spend hours exploring more than 34,000 incredible works of art. From beautiful impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, to contemporary art from around the world, there is something here for everyone.

What I find most impressive here is the Hall of Architecture featuring over 140 plaster casts of notable architectural wonders. Because this museum is housed in the same building as the Natural History Museum, you can explore both for one price.

Thus, exploring both museums is definitely the best value on a rainy day. It’s a great half day activity especially if you add on a visit to the cafe (their coffee is amazing!). I have a Bank of America card, so I enjoy free admission the first full weekend of every month!

Note: Admission to both Carnegie Museums is free the first full weekend of each month to Bank of America cardmembers as part of their fabulous Museums on US Program. This is a great promotion where you can receive free admission to many amazing museums throughout the country. Mike and I use this deal frequently whenever we travel if the dates align.

• Hours: 10am-5pm (8pm on Wed)
• Price: $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 kids
• Tip: Visit after 3pm on weekdays (admission is discounted to $12)
• More info: See more of the art museum’s collection via my guide.

View colorful pop art at The Warhol Museum

This 7 floor museum is dedicated to the life and art of pop art icon Andy Warhol, one of Pittsburgh’s most famous natives. I’ve always loved Warhol’s colorful works, but it was fun to see some of his early work and read more about his life. It’s a very comprehensive museum, and thus, we have been back multiple times to explore it all. Even if you are not a major Warhol fan, there are some really colorful and interesting pop art pieces on display.

I recommend starting your journey on the 7th floor for a chronological exploration of Warhol’s life, from his early years in Pittsburgh to his high profile career in NYC. On an interesting note, this museum is the largest dedicated to a single artist. You will also find the largest collection of Warhol art and archives worldwide. Check the website for the current special exhibition.

• Hours: 10am-5pm (8 on Friday). Closed on Tuesday
• Price: $25 adults, $13 seniors, $13 kids
• Discounts: Admission to the Warhol is also free to Bank of America cardholders the first full weekend of each month. Note that each guest has to show their card and photo ID to take advantage of the deal.
• More info: I have highlighted a few of Warhol’s museum pieces in my article, but I highly recommend planning a visit for yourself. Like all great art, it is better viewed in person!

Take a cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper

This sightseeing cruise travels a scenic course along the 3 rivers downtown (the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monghala meet at Point State Park). I would put the view at Mt. Washington first (and the Duquesne Incline if you are looking for something more touristy), but the best way to enjoy the beautiful urban scenery and many mesmerizing bridges on a rainy day is definitely a cruise.

While the boat offers outdoor seating for the warmer seasons, you can still enjoy the climate controlled indoor deck on cold and rainy days. In fact, smoking is allowed outdoors so it’s probably better to sit inside anyways.

Explore the world’s largest bike museum at Bicycle Heaven

For fans of the quirky and unusual, you will want to plan for a self-guided tour at the world’s largest bicycle museum and shop. This place is cool, funky, and jam packed with floor-to-ceiling bicycles, lots of rare and funky retro bikes, a neon sprocket room, and endless antiques and memorabilia pretty much anywhere you look.

It’s a unique place to stroll around even if you are not that into bicycles, if anything for the the cool retro vibes alone – it’s like a blast to the past.

Anyone who loves bicycles could probably spend hours here. They have a lot of movie bikes on-site too like Pee Wee Herman’s iconic red bike and even the E.T. bike.

• Hours: 10am-7pm
• Price: $15 (age 5 and up)
• Tip: To justify the drive over, I recommend taking a look at Johnny Angel’s Ginchy Stuff and Music Museum located just next door.

See the Mr. Roger’s set at the John Heinz History Center

You can explore the history of the city at this Smithsonian affiliate featuring 6 floors of exhibits. I wasn’t too familiar with this city before relocating, so I learned a lot of new stuff here. I recommend all first time visitors to check it out. Also included with your admission is the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum so it’s a great deal.

I enjoyed learning more about the history of the Heinz company including how Henry John Heinz started the business in Sharpsburg, PA. Some of the things you can do include: watching old advertisements, viewing historic bottles and packaging, and browsing through rare artifacts.

What I loved most was seeing the iconic set and props from Mr. Roger’s neighborhood. I had no idea that this show filmed here until moving to the area. A memorial statue is located at North Shore Riverfront Park.

• Hours: 10am-5pm
• Price: $20 adults, $18 seniros, $11 students, Free for anyone under aged 17
• Discounts: Look into RAD Days, an annual celebration typically held in September where the Heinz and other museums are free to the public.

Dine at local restaurants

An overcast, drizzly day is a great time to check out a new restaurant. I like to support local business as often as I can: the advantage is that the food is usually higher quality than a chain. Primanti Brothers is the most iconic restaurant in this city. This popular sandwich shop opened up in the Strip District during the Great Depression. Today, you can enjoy a trademark sandwich (which is stacked high with meat, cheese, coleslaw, and french fries) just about anywhere in the metro.

Pierogies, Pittsburgh salad (French fries top the salad instead of croutons), and rolled crepe style hotcakes from Pamela’s Diner (a retro diner loved by everyone including President Obama) are also must-trys while exploring the city.

The city’s foodie scene continues to grow with new restaurants opening every year. Today, you can enjoy culinary choices across the board, with Thai, Indian, Chinese, Greek, and Italian restaurants in nearly every part of the city.

A few entrees I recommend:

• The funghi wood-fired pizza at Mercurio’s in Shadyside
• The veggie Detroit style pizza at Iron Born in the Strip District
• The veggie lo mein at Chinatown Inn downtown
• The breakfast burrito at The Porch at Schenley

Check out my ‘Burgh dining guide where I include a range of options for every budget including many vegetarian friendly entrees.

Enjoy treats & java at local coffeehouses

Today, you no longer need to resort to a Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts when exploring a new city. When you need a caffeinated boost, simply check out one of the many local coffee shops which populate almost every part of the city. Each section of town offers its’ own assortment of interesting local gems, so you will have a great place to sip a cup of joe no matter where your adventures may take you.

I love supporting local coffee shops and these are my favorites in town:

Carnegie museum area – Commonplace (high quality coffee, nice presentation), Big Dog (spacious interior featuring unique art work)

Mt. Lebanon area – Mediterra (delicious bakery treats and breakfast entrees), Mel’s Petit Cafe (great ambiance and crepes), Orbis (great bagels, nice ambiance), Coffee Tree (free refills, delicious house coffee, great service)

Strip District – Defer (high quality coffee and an eclectic vibe), Soluna (beautiful artwork and high quality Honduran coffee), La Prima AC Hotel (best espresso in the city)

Stroll around the mall

When all else fails, there are plenty of big shopping malls to waste away some time on a dreary day. My top picks include: The Mall at Robinson, South Hills, Ross Park, and Monroeville Mall.

Take a look at a few of the highlights of each:

• The Mall at Robinson – Nice Starbucks with a great central seating area for people watching, I Made It Market (a nice local store selling handcrafted specialties)
• South Hills Village – Nice mix of casual and upscale shops, Pittsburgh Popcorn Co., AMC Classic
• Monroeville – The Living Dead Museum (scenes were filmed in the mall), Cinemark Monroeville, Barnes and Noble, Pearl of the Orient (amazing Asian gifts)

Update: There are rumours that the beloved Monroeville mall may be closing in April of 2027 as Walmart purchased the mall in Jan of 2025.

See a play/concert/movie

The Benedum Center is the place to go to see any Broadway hits. It’s located in the Cultural District downtown. Recent productions included: Frozen, Hairspray, and Beetlejuice. Heinz Hall is home to the Symphony Orchestra and the O’Reilly Theater houses the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Our first production we saw here was The Nutcracker. We stayed at the beautiful Omni William Penn (which is walkable and decorated gorgeously for the holidays). It was a wonderful experience.

Of course, you can always add seeing a movie to your rainy day to-do list if all else fails. There are a number of movie theaters throughout the metro. My favorites include: Cinemark Robinson Township and Cinemark North Hills.

Upcoming Cultural District events

Play with cats for a good cause at Kitty Cat Queen Rescue

While cat cafes have long been popular in Japan, the first cat cafe did not open in the US until 2014. Cat Town in Oakland sparked an ongoing trend of cat cafes popping up across the US. A cat cafe is basically a themed cafe where you pay a fee to observe/play with cats. Some cafes serve drinks.

Most importantly, most of the cats are adoptable. This is a great way to find your new kitty. Even if you have no intention of adopting, you can feel good about supporting a great cause (funds go towards housing the kittens and paying the staff).

My favorite option in the metro is Kitty Cat Queen Rescue. The space is gorgeous with a separate room for adult cats and kittens. The staff is super friendly and the cats are awesome. There are a ton of toys, scratcher trees, and climbing posts for the cats to enjoy. I even adopted my ginger cat, Myles, here! Another great option is Cats N’At in Wexford.

• Hours: 4pm-7pm (Tuesday-Friday), 11am-5pm (Saturday and Sunday), Closed on Monday.
• Price: $5 per adult for a 1 hour visit

Go old-school at Dave and Busters

We like taking a break from the cell phone and TV to enjoy some old-fashioned arcade gaming fun at Dave and Busters. It’s a great activity on a rainy day when we can’t hike or do anything else outside. You can enjoy a mix of arcade and ticket style redemption games where you can cash in your tickets for prizes. You will find retro carnival style games (goldfish bowl ball toss, skeeball) as well as modern gaming options like guitar hero.

There is also a large sports bar and a restaurant serving comfort foods. With so many large flat screens, it’s a great place to watch a game – check for special promotions! Overall, D&B is a fun place to enjoy a few hours indoors. It can get pretty pricey, so I recommend visiting for half price games on Wednesday or enjoying one of their eat and play specials.

Go bowling

Although overpriced nowadays, bowling is always a fun way to kill a few hours on a rainy day. Arsenal Bowl is the most trendy spot in the city. The ambiance is a bit more fun and flashy that your old-school smoke-filled alley and they host a number of fun events including 80’s night and craft beer night.

If you are looking to keep it cheap, head out to the suburbs. Also check the deals page for discounts at each alley – AMF Mt. Lebanon and Paradise Bowl are 2 good choices that offer a number of special promotions.

Get back to nature (inside) at the Phipps Conservatory

Here the weather outside doesn’t matter as you can enjoy a stroll through beautiful gardens in a cozy warm setting. The space is pretty small and a bit overpriced compared to most big city arboretums, however, it is a great place to warm up on a rainy day.

At Phipps, you will be able to explore 23 diverse gardens as well as a beautiful 14 room glass house. It’s a great way to still enjoy plant life even when you can’t visit a local park. Along with enjoying the lovely gardens, you will get to see several gorgeous glass blown art pieces by amazing artist Dale Chihuly. I truly enjoy is work so this is a nice bonus!

After your visit, there are many local restaurants and shops to enjoy in the Oakland downtown region. I like The Porch on Schenley although they are more famous for their outdoor patio which is off limits if it is raining. Mercurio’s in Shadyside is another one of my favorites. It’s a quick 5 min drive and they serve great wood fired pizzas and gelato.

• Hours: 9:30am – 5pm (Monday-Thursday), 9:30am-10:00pm (Friday), 9:30am-5:00pm (Saturday & Sunday)
• Price: $23 adults, $21 seniors, $20 students, $12 ages 2018
• Free day: A free day (limited number of tickets available) is offered through the Summer RAD days program
• More info: See more pics from our visits to this conservatory

Pinball Perfection

Enjoy hours of old-school gaming fun at this massive indoor pinball museum. Seriously, this 2 floor museum houses one of the largest pinball collections, as well as many other fun old-school games including stand up arcades, skeeball, foosball, arcade bowling, and more.

For one low price ($15 pp), you can play to your heart’s content. With over 300 machines, it’s the largest pinball collection in the region. Lots of fun retro machines to play from the 50’s through the 80’s including a collection of Star Wars and Star Trek machines and even a rare Empire Strikes Back machine.

• Hours: Noon – 5pm (Tuesday – Saturday)
• Price: $15 per adult
• More info: Explore the Pinball collection