Best Spots For A Picnic In Pittsburgh
Few summertime endeavors are as simple and enjoyable as a picnic, and Pittsburgh's picnics are limited only by the imagination. Whether your style is PB&J sandwiches with your favorite pooch, or smoked salmon and chardonnay packed carefully into a wicker basket, the spots on this list provide the perfect backdrop for those sun-soaked summer get togethers.
Point State Park
101 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 565- 2850
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Price: free
Situated at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, Point State Park makes for one of the most idyllic picnic locations in the city. This 36-acre park is filled with wonders both natural and man-made. Natural landscapes, well-manicured lawns, park benches and trail systems revolve around the 100-foot fountain at the western most point of the park. The North Shore, Eliza Furnace and South Side trails all provide walking and bike access for visitors interested in everything from outdoor concerts to romantic picnic locations.
Riverview
159 Riverview Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
(412) 321-2400
www.pittsburghparks.org
Price: free
Among the attractions on the 287 acres of Riverview Park, the most popular include the Allegheny Observatory, park swimming pool, a space-themed playground and the Chapel Shelter. Once a Presbyterian church, Chapel Shelter now serves as a historic picnic shelter. The Riverview Park offers dense woods and lots of gorgeous terrain, so finding an out-of-the-way spot for a picnic is never a problem. Take special care at this gorgeous park, it's seen an unfair share of invasive species and deer abuse, pushing area nature lovers to truly work to give it extra TLC and ask that visitors protect it accordingly.
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Kennywood
4800 Kennywood Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15122
(412) 461-0500
www.kennywood.com
Price: $41.99 general admission/$28.99 children 46 inches and shorter
Kennywood Park is an beloved institution among Pittsburghers. Summers here are incomplete without at least one visit to the roller coaster capital of the world. Special events and corporate picnics are a long-standing tradition at Kennywood, and the Jack Rabbit Picnic Groves offer 10 pavilions for everyone from large groups to couples and families. They are the perfect spot to enjoy amusement park fare or to unpack a cooler full of family favorites.
Frick Park
6500 Park Way St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
(412) 682-7275
www.pittsburghparks.org
Price: free
Picnickers interested in a bit of history and culture with their meals must check out the majestic settings of Frick Park. Named for Henry Frick of U.S. Steel fame, Frick Park is easily the largest on this list and in the Pittsburgh area. Some of the park's signature attractions include the Frick Environmental Center, the Frick Art & History Center, the Frick Woods Nature Reserve and the Nine Mile Run Watershed. Its unique attractions and vast acreage promise entertainment, leisure and education for park visitors of any kind.
South Side Riverfront Park
South 18th Street and Riverfront Park
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(412) 255-2539
www.southsidepgh.com
Price: free
Located near the South Side Slopes on 18th Street, Riverfront Park is conveniently close to the shopping and fine dining that has become synonymous with the area. Grab takeout from one of the many area restaurants and dine out by the water this summer at the Riverfront Park. It offers a boat and canoe launch ramp for visitors interested in paddling and picnicking on the Monongahela River. Additional attractions at this 65-acre park include ball fields, picnic shelters and the Riverfront Trail.
Related: Nature lovers guide to welcoming spring in Pittsburgh
Marcel Tourdot is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.