Pittsburgh makes day tripping so, so easy. After all, we’re within easy driving distance of a slew of amazing attractions. The following day trips, arguably 12 of the best day trips in Pittsburgh, promise a year full of adventure. Follow one each month of the year, or go whenever the mood strikes. Whatever you do, you’re in for a whole lot of fun.

Note: Remember to contact the attraction featured in the day trip before hitting the road to check for current hours, prices (if applicable), and to ensure it is still open.

  1. January – Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Champion

Facebook/Seven Springs Spend a snowy Western Pennsylvania day outdoors on the slopes, or zip and zoom down the mountain on a snow tube at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. When you need a break from the cold, head indoors to Slopeside Dining Room for a delicious meal and pretty spectacular views of the resort. Keep reading.

  1. February – Splash Lagoon in Erie

Facebook/Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark Starting to suffer from cabin fever? Embark on a day (or an overnight) trip to Splash Lagoon in Erie, where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped straight into summer. The indoor waterpark promises fun for the whole family – from the wave pool to the lazy river. Read more.

  1. March – Covered Bridges near Pittsburgh

Wikipedia/Kathy – Flickr We’re on the cusp of spring - it finally arrives this month! Western Pennsylvania’s home to quite a few covered bridges. This day trip will take you to six of those covered bridges, including Bailey Covered Bridge and Leatherman Covered Bridge. Don’t forget to take your camera along, too. Keep reading.

  1. April – Waterfall & Wineries in Western Pennsylvania

Flickr/Jon Dawson Can you think of a better pairing than wine and waterfalls? This day trip will take you to some of the most beautiful waterfalls – including Cucumber Falls – and wineries in Western Pennsylvania. Your journey will take you to Greendance Winery and Stone Villa Wine Cellars. Cap off the day with a visit to the fairy tale-like Tree Tops Restaurant. Read more.

  1. May – Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Slip on a pair of comfy walking shoes for your day at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Tucked in Oakdale, the 452-acre botanic garden offers plenty to see and to do – from a lily pond with stepping stones to an enchanting fairy garden. Keep reading.

  1. June – Trax Farms in Finleyville

Facebook/Trax Farms Summer arrives this month, and that makes June the perfect time for a bit of strawberry picking. Trax Farms, in fact, welcomes visitors to pick their own strawberries from its seven-acre strawberry field. Keep an eye on the calendar, too, because the farm is known for its annual Strawberry Festival. Read more.

  1. July – Conneaut Lake Park in Conneaut

Facebook/New Conneaut Lake Park Enjoy a leisurely 90-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh to Conneaut Lake Park. Don’t forget your bathing suit, because you’ll definitely want to relax on the beach and take a dip in the lake. Afterward, climb aboard some of the park’s popular rides. Keep reading.

  1. August – Laurel Hill Lake in Somerset

Facebook/Laurel Hill State Park Complex Pack up all of your beach gear for a sunny summer day at Laurel Hill Lake in Somerset. The sandy beach provides an idyllic spot to relax and to soak up the sun. Wade in the water of the lake, or go kayaking, canoeing, or row boating. Read more.

  1. September – Half Crown Hill Orchard in McDonald

Facebook/Half Crown Hill Orchard We’re barreling straight toward fall, and we all know what that means. Time for fall festivals, hay rides, and apple picking. Pick your own apples at Half Crown Hill Orchard, where you’ll choose from 16 different apple varieties – from golden delicious to honey crisp. Keep reading.

  1. October – Triple B Farms in Monongahela

Facebook/Triple B Farms Thirty-one days of fun until Halloween arrives. Many area farms host fall festivals to celebrate the season, including Triple B Farms. The sprawling farm offers a full menu of activities, including pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and a fun yard for the whole family. Read more.

  1. November – Grupp’s Christmas Tree Farm in Harmony

Facebook/Grupp’s Christmas Tree Farm Set your GSP For Grupp’s Christmas Tree Farm, which usually opens during the third week of November, in nearby Harmony. There, you can cut down your own Christmas tree (or purchase a pre-cut one, if you prefer). The Christmas tree farm also sells wreaths and decorations. Keep reading.

  1. December – It’s A Wonderful Life in Indiana

Facebook/It’s A Wonderful Life Festival Celebrate the Christmas season at the It’s A Wonderful Life Festival in Indiana, home to Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life"). Typically held the first three Saturdays of December, the festival offers a full menu of family fun, including visits with Santa. Read here.

What are your favorite day trips in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! If you’re feeling a bit of wanderlust, how about a road trip? Hit the open road on this train-themed road trip around Pittsburgh.

Facebook/Seven Springs

Spend a snowy Western Pennsylvania day outdoors on the slopes, or zip and zoom down the mountain on a snow tube at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. When you need a break from the cold, head indoors to Slopeside Dining Room for a delicious meal and pretty spectacular views of the resort. Keep reading.

Facebook/Splash Lagoon Indoor Waterpark

Starting to suffer from cabin fever? Embark on a day (or an overnight) trip to Splash Lagoon in Erie, where you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped straight into summer. The indoor waterpark promises fun for the whole family – from the wave pool to the lazy river. Read more.

Wikipedia/Kathy – Flickr

We’re on the cusp of spring - it finally arrives this month! Western Pennsylvania’s home to quite a few covered bridges. This day trip will take you to six of those covered bridges, including Bailey Covered Bridge and Leatherman Covered Bridge. Don’t forget to take your camera along, too. Keep reading.

Flickr/Jon Dawson

Can you think of a better pairing than wine and waterfalls? This day trip will take you to some of the most beautiful waterfalls – including Cucumber Falls – and wineries in Western Pennsylvania. Your journey will take you to Greendance Winery and Stone Villa Wine Cellars. Cap off the day with a visit to the fairy tale-like Tree Tops Restaurant. Read more.

Facebook/Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

Slip on a pair of comfy walking shoes for your day at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Tucked in Oakdale, the 452-acre botanic garden offers plenty to see and to do – from a lily pond with stepping stones to an enchanting fairy garden. Keep reading.

Facebook/Trax Farms

Summer arrives this month, and that makes June the perfect time for a bit of strawberry picking. Trax Farms, in fact, welcomes visitors to pick their own strawberries from its seven-acre strawberry field. Keep an eye on the calendar, too, because the farm is known for its annual Strawberry Festival. Read more.

Facebook/New Conneaut Lake Park

Enjoy a leisurely 90-minute drive from downtown Pittsburgh to Conneaut Lake Park. Don’t forget your bathing suit, because you’ll definitely want to relax on the beach and take a dip in the lake. Afterward, climb aboard some of the park’s popular rides. Keep reading.

Facebook/Laurel Hill State Park Complex

Pack up all of your beach gear for a sunny summer day at Laurel Hill Lake in Somerset. The sandy beach provides an idyllic spot to relax and to soak up the sun. Wade in the water of the lake, or go kayaking, canoeing, or row boating. Read more.

Facebook/Half Crown Hill Orchard

We’re barreling straight toward fall, and we all know what that means. Time for fall festivals, hay rides, and apple picking. Pick your own apples at Half Crown Hill Orchard, where you’ll choose from 16 different apple varieties – from golden delicious to honey crisp. Keep reading.

Facebook/Triple B Farms

Thirty-one days of fun until Halloween arrives. Many area farms host fall festivals to celebrate the season, including Triple B Farms. The sprawling farm offers a full menu of activities, including pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and a fun yard for the whole family. Read more.

Facebook/Grupp’s Christmas Tree Farm

Set your GSP For Grupp’s Christmas Tree Farm, which usually opens during the third week of November, in nearby Harmony. There, you can cut down your own Christmas tree (or purchase a pre-cut one, if you prefer). The Christmas tree farm also sells wreaths and decorations. Keep reading.

Facebook/It’s A Wonderful Life Festival

Celebrate the Christmas season at the It’s A Wonderful Life Festival in Indiana, home to Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey in “It’s A Wonderful Life"). Typically held the first three Saturdays of December, the festival offers a full menu of family fun, including visits with Santa. Read here.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Seven Springs Mountain Resort, 777 Water Wheel Dr, Seven Springs, PA 15622, USAAddress: Splash Lagoon, 8091 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509, USAAddress: Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15071, USAAddress: Trax Farms Market, 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332, USAAddress: Conneaut Lake Park, 12382 Center St W, Conneaut Lake, PA 16316, USAAddress: Laurel Hill Lake, Pennsylvania 15501, USAAddress: 600 N Branch Rd, McDonald, PA 15057, USAAddress: Triple B Farms, 823 Berry Ln, Monongahela, PA 15063, USAAddress: 147 Grupp Ln, Harmony, PA 16037, USAAddress: Philadelphia Street, Philadelphia St, Indiana, PA 15701, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Day Trips In Pittsburgh April 20, 2022 Beth Price-Williams What are some amazing day trips near me? Pittsburgh is the perfect launching point for exploration – whether we want to head to DC, West Virginia, or Ohio. However, if we want to stay in Pennsylvania, we’ll also find a TON of absolutely unforgettable day trips near Pittsburgh. You don’t have to hop on a flight to some faraway beach to enjoy the sand and sun. Instead, set your GPS for one of the 13 beaches at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. While they’re ideal on a summer day, you might want to visit in the off-season too, if you’re seeking a bit of peace and quiet. For a really unique day trip near Pittsburgh, head to Punxsutawney, the home of Phil and his beloved Phyllis. You can see both at their burrow at the town library. The town’s all about Phil with Phantastic Phils – a series of whimsical statues – dotted throughout the town, and you’ll definitely want to visit Gobbler’s Knob, even if it’s not Groundhog Day. Bringing the kiddos along? During the summer, head to Ligonier. The charming small town features some adorable restaurants and shops, but it’s what’s down the street that the kids will really love: Idlewild Park & SoakZone, an old-fashioned amusement and waterpark. (It’s also a great place to introduce the little ones to Mister Rogers.) What are some unique things to do around Pittsburgh? Let’s face it. Most of us take what others consider unique in Pittsburgh for granted. After all, if we’ve lived here for any amount of time, we’re used to the fact that we can just shop aboard the Duquesne Incline or the Monogohela Incline to trek to the top of Mount Washington for some of the best views of the Pittsburgh skyline. Or we can simply drive over to the North Side to admire Randyland, arguably the city’s most colorful home. We can also make the nearly two-hour drive to Pymatuning State Park, a picture-perfect day trip destination near Pittsburgh. It is home to the Linesville Spillway, where the ducks walk on the fish. (You can even feed the fish and the ducks.)

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Day Trips In Pittsburgh

April 20, 2022

Beth Price-Williams

What are some amazing day trips near me? Pittsburgh is the perfect launching point for exploration – whether we want to head to DC, West Virginia, or Ohio. However, if we want to stay in Pennsylvania, we’ll also find a TON of absolutely unforgettable day trips near Pittsburgh. You don’t have to hop on a flight to some faraway beach to enjoy the sand and sun. Instead, set your GPS for one of the 13 beaches at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. While they’re ideal on a summer day, you might want to visit in the off-season too, if you’re seeking a bit of peace and quiet. For a really unique day trip near Pittsburgh, head to Punxsutawney, the home of Phil and his beloved Phyllis. You can see both at their burrow at the town library. The town’s all about Phil with Phantastic Phils – a series of whimsical statues – dotted throughout the town, and you’ll definitely want to visit Gobbler’s Knob, even if it’s not Groundhog Day. Bringing the kiddos along? During the summer, head to Ligonier. The charming small town features some adorable restaurants and shops, but it’s what’s down the street that the kids will really love: Idlewild Park & SoakZone, an old-fashioned amusement and waterpark. (It’s also a great place to introduce the little ones to Mister Rogers.) What are some unique things to do around Pittsburgh? Let’s face it. Most of us take what others consider unique in Pittsburgh for granted. After all, if we’ve lived here for any amount of time, we’re used to the fact that we can just shop aboard the Duquesne Incline or the Monogohela Incline to trek to the top of Mount Washington for some of the best views of the Pittsburgh skyline. Or we can simply drive over to the North Side to admire Randyland, arguably the city’s most colorful home. We can also make the nearly two-hour drive to Pymatuning State Park, a picture-perfect day trip destination near Pittsburgh. It is home to the Linesville Spillway, where the ducks walk on the fish. (You can even feed the fish and the ducks.)

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Pittsburgh is the perfect launching point for exploration – whether we want to head to DC, West Virginia, or Ohio. However, if we want to stay in Pennsylvania, we’ll also find a TON of absolutely unforgettable day trips near Pittsburgh. You don’t have to hop on a flight to some faraway beach to enjoy the sand and sun. Instead, set your GPS for one of the 13 beaches at Presque Isle State Park in Erie. While they’re ideal on a summer day, you might want to visit in the off-season too, if you’re seeking a bit of peace and quiet. For a really unique day trip near Pittsburgh, head to Punxsutawney, the home of Phil and his beloved Phyllis. You can see both at their burrow at the town library. The town’s all about Phil with Phantastic Phils – a series of whimsical statues – dotted throughout the town, and you’ll definitely want to visit Gobbler’s Knob, even if it’s not Groundhog Day. Bringing the kiddos along? During the summer, head to Ligonier. The charming small town features some adorable restaurants and shops, but it’s what’s down the street that the kids will really love: Idlewild Park & SoakZone, an old-fashioned amusement and waterpark. (It’s also a great place to introduce the little ones to Mister Rogers.)

What are some unique things to do around Pittsburgh?

Let’s face it. Most of us take what others consider unique in Pittsburgh for granted. After all, if we’ve lived here for any amount of time, we’re used to the fact that we can just shop aboard the Duquesne Incline or the Monogohela Incline to trek to the top of Mount Washington for some of the best views of the Pittsburgh skyline. Or we can simply drive over to the North Side to admire Randyland, arguably the city’s most colorful home. We can also make the nearly two-hour drive to Pymatuning State Park, a picture-perfect day trip destination near Pittsburgh. It is home to the Linesville Spillway, where the ducks walk on the fish. (You can even feed the fish and the ducks.)