Most Instagram Worthy Locations Near Pittsburgh
Pittsburghers already know how photogenic this city is--just take a scroll through Instagram hashtags and locations and see for yourself. But where to get the best shots for your Instagram? Whether you're looking for a great picture of the skyline or some of the more unique spots around town, we've got you covered. Here are five of the most Instagram-worthy places in Pittsburgh. Just decide on a filter and let the likes roll in.
Mt. Washington
www.visitpittsburgh.com
Mt. Washington is often hailed as having one of the best views in the city for good reason--at 367 feet high with four scenic overlooks situated along the aptly named Grandview Ave., it offers a great view of the skyline. The view makes it an excellent spot for an Instagram snap, whether you want the skyline itself or a selfie. It's also a great spot for a picture with friends or your significant other. In addition to the overlooks, you can get another great view and great pictures, of course, from one of the two inclines, Instagram-worthy in their own right.
PNC Park
115 Federal St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 323-5000
pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pit/ballpark
Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park's location offers views of both downtown as well as the Allegheny River, making it another great spot for an Instagram post of the skyline--or the game or park itself, of course. A nice, close seat will give you great Instagram-worthy pictures of the game and players, while seats a little farther back or higher up provide a great view of the city looming behind the park. The ballpark was voted the best in America last summer, due in part to its design, and on a sunny spring day, the park will give you some of the prettiest pictures in the 'Burgh.
Kennywood
4800 Kennywood Blvd.
West Mifflin, PA 15122
(412) 461-0500
www.kennywood.com
Few things provide better summer Instagram pictures than amusement parks and their rides, and as Kennywood is one of the oldest in the country and a designated historical landmark, it provides great material. In addition to big, modern steel roller coasters, Kennywood also has some of its original wooden coasters still standing. If you're a fan of Instagramming your food, go for some Potato Patch fries. And finally, no summer night at Kennywood would be complete without a picture of the beloved heart-shaped "goodnight" sign.
Related: 5 Things In Pittsburgh That Exist Nowhere Else In The US
Cathedral Of Learning
4200 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
www.tour.pitt.edu/tour/cathedral-learning
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning--a Gothic Revival tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places--is like the centerpiece of Oakland, worthy enough of its own Instagram filters and hashtags. But what makes this place even better Instagram fodder are its Nationality Rooms on the first and third floors, a series of 30 classrooms reflecting the cultures of various countries all over the world. For the best photo ops, just be sure class isn't session, as 28 of the 30 rooms are regularly used. The other two are used mostly for special events.
Mattress Factory
500 Sampsonia Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 231-3169
www.mattress.org
Most art museums don't permit visitors to take pictures (if you're gonna sneak it, we recommend the "Silver Clouds" exhibit in the Warhol Museum), but the contemporary art museum Mattress Factory in the city's North Side is an exception. In fact, the museum all but encourages photos, regularly featuring guest photos on their social-media pages--just use #MattressFactory. The museum's Repetitive Vision exhibit is a popular one for Facebook profile photos and Instagram posts with its dot-covered mannequins, as is the Infinity Dots Mirrored Room. If you're looking for a photo opp that's a little different, the Mattress Factory is the perfect place.
Janelle Sheetz is a 20-something closed-captioner by day, writer by night, just outside of Pittsburgh. She also regularly contributes to AXS.com and Examiner.com, and her writing has also been featured on The Billfold and Neutrons Protons.
