Attraction of the Week: Pittsburgh’s Point State Park

One of the things Mike and I love most about living in Pittsburgh is the easy access to beautiful green spaces. You don’t have to travel very far to enjoy some nature. Downtown, Point State Park stands out as a great place to enjoy the outdoors. This park is located at the tip of the “Golden Triangle.” This nickname was given to the downtown region as it marks the joining point of the Allegheny and Monongahela River to the Ohio River.

If you drive out to the West End overlook or take the Duquesne incline, you will be able to see the triangle-like shape of the park with the fountain as the tip. Both the West End and Mt. Washington overlook offer amazing views of the skyline with this park as the centerpiece.

Today, the park is considered a National Landmark due to its’ historic significance. After just one visit, I could tell that this park was popular with sightseers, fitness buffs, and event goers. While the views are gorgeous, what I love most is that I can start the beautiful Three Rivers bike path from this park. My usual route is biking from the park to the Strip District (a historic warehouse area turned busting tourist attraction) for a total ride of 5 miles or so.

The beautiful river scenery, year-round lineup of events, and close proximity to city attractions draws me here time and time again. I love visiting on summer weekends – it’s prime festival season and the best time to bike. Many of the city’s biggest events including the annual Fourth of July festival, the Three Rivers Arts festival, and the Pittsburgh Marathon take place at the iconic park. I’ve seen so many events going on here on any given weekend. As for the fall, this is a gorgeous leafy peeping destination thanks to the many trees.

A little bit of history

Asides from offering scenic views and convenient access to the city’s best urban bike path, this park holds a lot of historical significance. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 as part of the Renaissance District. The Pittsburgh Renaissance urban renewal project of the 50’s cleared a former run down industrial area for the 36 acre park which stands today.

This park was a key site during the French and Indian war of the 18th century. The Fort Pitt museum is located inside the park. I personally have not visited yet, but if you are interested you can learn more about Western PA’s role in the French and Indian War and also more about the general history of the city. You will also find three granite traceries which mark Fort Duquesne (1754) and Fort Pitt (1759).

This NPS article provides more background info

Park amenities

Most notably, the park is home to an iconic 150 foot fountain. This park centerpiece is where you will find most tourists taking pictures and enjoying the summer weather. It was one of our first stops after moving here. It really is beautiful and I love seeing all the city landmarks in the background. Note that the fountain is not running during the winter months.

Walking paths

You will find a few short paths where you can enjoy over 50,000 native plants. During the fall months, the trees come alive with dazzling golden hues. This is one of my favorite places in the city to leaf peep. The ‘Burgh is really beautiful during the fall months. You can check out my fall hiking guide for more of my best picks throughout the metro.

The Great Lawn is a big grassy area where many events take place. In the summer, I see a lot of tourists and locals picnicking, sunbathing, playing sports, and walking dogs (note that they must be leashed). The views are fabulous, no matter which direction you look. I love seeing all the stadiums and bridges from this viewpoint. It truly is a gorgeous and exciting city to be in!

Fort Pitt Blockhouse is the only remaining part of Fort Pitt left. Also, it is the oldest structure (est. 1764) in western Pennsylvania. Admission is free and open to visitors year-round.

Historical monuments

Throughout the park, you will find 23 plaques and monuments, as well as 3 recreated bastions.

Three Rivers Heritage Trail

If you feel like getting in a great workout, you are in the right spot. A ~2 mile portion of the beautiful 30+ mile long Three Rivers Heritage Trail begins at the park. I found out about this bike path soon after moving here after visiting the quirky Bicycle Heaven museum (another must-do!).

This ride is very scenic, mostly flat, and features great views of the iconic yellow Warhol and Clemente bridges, as well as the stadiums and other city sights. It’s one of my favorite budget friendly summer activities. Most of the time, I start my ride in The Strip District. I typically enjoy a cup of coffee at a local shop like Defer or La Prima (check out my favorite Strip attractions for more to do) and then bike to Point State Park and back. It’s the perfect weekend activity in my opinion.

Autumn leaf peeping

The autumn season in the ‘Burgh is quite beautiful like most other Northeast cities. I would say that the colors here are about equal to what I saw living in Massachusetts (as you know New England is the king of fall foliage).

This time of year, the temps will be much cooler, the crowds will be virtually non existent, and the golden hues of the season will surround you in every direction. I’ve seen some of the brightest fall colors surrounding this park.

The skyline, fountain, bridges, and surrounding hills look all the more enchanting with a backdrop of dazzling autumn hues. It’s definitely the best time of year temp and scenery wise to enjoy the natural surroundings. Just strolling around the tree-lined paths is nice this time of year.

Location/parking info

The park is located at: 601 Commonwealth Place. Metered parking is available, although limited especially on busy event weekends. The best time to visit is Sunday morning as parking meters are free and crowds are typically at their lowest levels. Another option is to park in The Strip District (there is lots of free street parking available if you arrive early enough) and bike over.

Dining options

While there are no restaurants within immediate proximity, you can walk or bike just a short distance to access some of the downtown establishments. A few nearby options which I recommend:

Primanti Bros – Sports pub known for their iconic sandwiches topped with meats, cheeses, veggies, fries, and coleslaw.

Christo’s Mediterranean – Charming long-running local Greek joint. I recommend it for the authentic ambiance, beautiful decor, and nice staff (we had a great time chatting with the owners). I recommend the Spanakopita with rice pilaf and green beans.

Nicholas Coffee and Tea – One of the few local coffeehouses in close proximity. Family-owned since 1919.

Rock N’ Joe – Their coffee is not as high quality as Nicholas, although they do offer a spacious loft with a fireplace. Update: Closed

Pizzaiolo Primo – Regional Italian chain serving wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta. Nice ambiance.