Looking for an urban waterfront oasis to explore on your trip to the Steel City? Pittsburgh’s North Shore is one of the city’s top destinations for travelers who want to see & do it all while maintaining a slower pace with a bit of breathing room.
From sports and arts & culture to nature and science, North Shore is chalked full of top-rated amenities and attractions, from PNC Park to the Andy Warhol Museum. The neighborhood is also a hotspot for hip restaurants and bars, like the infamous North Shore Tavern, as well as offering visitors affordable hotels.
Ready to explore this exciting corner of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? Discover what to see & do, where to eat & drink, and where to stay with this complete North Shore travel guide.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our Pennsylvania Travel Guide for more tips & recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do on your vacation!
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What to see & do in Pittsburgh’s North Shore
PNC Park
Take yourself out to the ball game at PNC Park. Home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, this MLB baseball stadium opened its doors during the 2001 season. Perched along the shore of the Allegheny River, this open-air venue also offers incredible views of the Pittsburgh skyline right from your stadium seat.
Hungry for dinner during the game? There’s no need to eat on your lap at PNC Park. Head over to the POP’S PLAZA food court during the 7th inning stretch. Afterward, bring your kids to the baseball-themed playground with life-sized player bobbleheads to work off some of that extra energy.
This innovative ballpark is challenging what it means to be a modern sports venue. Be sure to book a PNC Park Tour to learn about what makes it stand out and new enhancements on the horizon.
Acrisure Stadium
The official home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Acrisure Stadium, formerly known as Heinz Field, is another top North Shore attraction for sports fans. Seating over 68,000, the mega-venue isn’t just an NFL field but also hosts the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football games, WPIAL Championships, a neverending rotation of concerts, and the Steelers Hall of Honour Museum.
Like any American football stadium worth its salt, Acrisure Stadium has plenty of food & drink outlets, including a Primanti Bros. pop-up. But if you really want to take a stadium specialty, be sure to seek out a Doritos Corn Dog Pretzel. This wild concoction is comprised of Doritos-crusted corn dogs, served with nacho cheese and scallions for dipping—and a side of more Doritos!
Andy Warhol Museum
Art lovers bound for Pittsburgh’s North Shore need to make time to visit the Andy Warhol Museum. Featuring the largest permanent collection of Warhol’s work in the entire world, this popular art museum is sure to inspire your creative side. The museum also displays plenty of rotating exhibitions of other contemporary artists supporting the legacy and mission of the world-famous American artist.
The Andy Warhol Museum is the heart of the Pop District, a multi-block public art initiative operated by the museum itself, which now serves as one of the city’s premier live event and performance venues. During your visit to one of the premier museums in Pittsburgh, you should target daily film screenings, gallery talks, and Warhol’s Conservation Lab to make the most of your visit.
Carnegie Science Center
Explore the world around you at the Carnegie Science Center. Since opening its doors in 1991, this award-winning museum has offered disability-accessible, educational fun for all ages through interactive exhibits exploring STEAM fields. The museum also has a rotating schedule of live events every day, so no two visits will ever be alike.
One of the reasons kids and adults alike love the Carnegie Science Center is that nearly everything is hands-on. At the science museum, you can play with a 3D printer, visit the Robot Hall of Fame, or navigate a two-story replica of the International Space Station.
A few add-ons you may want to consider on your Carnegie Science Center visit are a show in The Rangos Giant Cinema (featuring both documentaries and the occasional Hollywood film) and the Buhl Planetarium and Observatory with daily laser shows.
Allegheny Landing
Nestled between the Roberto Clemente Bridge and Andy Warhol Bridge, Allegheny Landing is one of the most photogenic (and most photographed) waterfront parks in Pittsburgh. It’s located next to PNC Park, making it a quick pit stop for a gameday picnic.
Several major trails—including the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the Mayor Thomas Murphy North Shore Trail—run through Allegheny Landing, and the docks have track lighting, making it a top choice for romantic evening strolls.
Allegheny Landing is also one of one first riverfront sculpture parks in the country, with famous works like the Pittsburgh Variations, Piazza Lavoro & Mythic Source, and The Forks scattered throughout the grounds.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
A 33-mile network of paved waterfront pathways, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail is the perfect way to hike, bike, or sightsee all in one afternoon. Several trailheads will grant you access to the pathways right in North Shore, but this trail also passes through Downtown Pittsburgh, the Strip District, South Shore, and South Side Flats, connecting you to many of Pittsburgh’s top neighborhoods.
Along your journey down the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, you’re sure to pass several popular Pittsburgh attractions, including Point State Park, historic landmarks, the Pittsburgh Bridges, the Andy Warhol Museum, and the Carnegie Science Center. If you want to walk or bike between activities instead of wasting money on taxis, this trail is a great way to connect your itinerary stops.
Where to eat & drink
Built up an appetite on your North Shore adventure? Grab lunch at the “World Sandwich Headquarters.” Primanti Bros. serves a little bit of everything, but sandwiches stacked a mile high are what they’re known for. When ordering, you’ll have over 25 combinations to choose from. Don’t forget the pickle and side of ‘slaw!
Looking for North Shore’s tastiest burger? Check out Burgatory. The burgers here are so good they’ve even put a private label on the meat blend! The official recipe might be the city’s best-kept secret, but what we do know is that it’s a thick, juicy patty of sirloin, chuck, brisket, and short rib.
You can also have the chefs fire-up one of their specialty patties like bison, elk, or dry-aged wagyu. For the perfect pairing, order one of Burgatory’s thick, frothy milkshakes. The 21+ crowd can even order “Hard Shakes” spiked with various spirits like old-fashioned bourbons and caramel vodka.
Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse is the perfect restaurant for a celebration, a romantic date, or a nice dinner to end your Pittsburgh vacation. From its corner location with a quiet and classy ambiance, this steakhouse serves 13 different beef presentations, including 100% Japanese A5 Wagyu. It’s not every day you stumble upon a beautiful cut like this with such luscious marbling. The restaurant also has a full raw bar to appease seafood lovers and a giant menu of craft cocktails and fine wine.
If you love craft beer, a visit to Mike’s Beer Bar is a must. Located directly across from PNC Park, this establishment has been given the accolade of “Best Pre-Game Bar in Pittsburgh,” but it’s a top stop whether you have tickets or not. With over 80 local beers on tap and a whopping total of 500 on the menu (300 of which are Pittsburgh-made), you’re sure to leave Mike’s with a new favorite brew.
North Shore Tavern is the ultimate bar for baseball lovers. NST is all decked out in Pittsburgh Pirates flags, autographed jerseys, and giant portraits of team legends. Sports memorabilia aside, the bar is home to the locally famous “Steak on a Stone,” which is seared on a hot rock right before your eyes. Not in the mood for beef? You can also get lamb, pork, and various surf and turf options served in this signature style.
Pull up a seat at Southern Tier Brewery North Shore taproom bar if you’re looking for a pint. In addition to a rotation of 30+ draughts, the Pittsburgh location of this all-American brewery has a menu full of beer-infused food. From IPA smoked wings to beer-infused saucy brisket meatballs, Southern Tier takes “bar food” to the next level.
Where to stay
Thanks to its prime location just 5 minutes from downtown, North Shore is a favorite for choosing where to stay in Pittsburgh. There’s only a handful of accommodations here, however, but you will often find better value than at similar properties in the Golden Triangle.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh North Shore, an IHG Hotel
The guest rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh North Shore are bright and cheery, but it’s the hotel amenities that truly take the cake at this location. Traveling without your own set of wheels? Save on taxi fare with the hotel’s complimentary shuttle and off-site Restaurant Delivery.
To ensure you have a good night’s sleep, each room is well stocked with a various selection of teas to calm your senses and blackout blinds. Be sure to bring a bathing suit and energize yourself for the day with a morning dip in the indoor pool.
Residence Inn Pittsburgh North Shore
Looking for extra room to make yourself at home? The Residence Inn Pittsburgh North Shore is an aparthotel with full-size kitchens living rooms, and workspaces in every guest room. Even though you’re opting for a suite that’s closer to a vacation rental, you’ll still have access to all your favorite hotel amenities, like a free hot breakfast, an indoor pool with mood lighting, and a 24-hour exercise room.
Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore
If you have a slightly larger budget to work with, choose the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore. With amenities designed for vacation memory-making—like shared BBQ facilities, an indoor pool, and an outdoor firepit lounge—this hotel makes for the ideal summer escape. Indulge all your snacking needs with the on-site grab-and-go market as well as the sit-down cafe and breakfast bar.
