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Pittsburgh Attractions Take Top Honors in USA Today's 10Best Travel Awards 2026

Another year, more chances to vote for Pittsburgh top attractions for USA Today's 10Best polls of 2026!

Pittsburgh is in the national spotlight again in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards of 2026! People from around the country are invited to come together and vote some of the Steel City's staple locations the best at what they do and are. Here are our winners and some attractions that are up for voting:

Best History Museum

Heinz History Center (#1)

The Heinz History Center is took back-to-back first place finishes after winning USA Today's 10Best Best History Museum in the country voting!

The Heinz History Center, which was also voted "Pittsburgh's Best Museum" in 2022, is Pennsylvania’s largest history museum where you can see Smithsonian artifacts daily throughout six floors of engaging exhibitions, perfect for visitors of all ages.

The museum’s flagship exhibit, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, is where you can flex like Rosie the Riveter, learn about the region’s contributions to the Apollo 11 moon landing mission, and see how Pittsburgh transformed from a steel-making industrial powerhouse to a worldwide leader in technology, medicine, and education.

Best Children's Museum

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh (#1)

The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh brought home the first place finish in USA Today's 10Best Children's Museums in the United States after finishing in second place two years in a row!

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh provides innovative and inclusive museum experiences that inspire kindness, joy, creativity and curiosity for all learners.

Best Beer Label

Bumble Berry - Fat Head's Brewery (#2)

Set against a deep blue, honeycomb-patterned background, Fat Head Brewery’s Bumble Berry label is dotted with bright bumblebees, centering on the brewery’s cartoon mascot for a playful, approachable look. The cheerful design reflects the beer inside: a honey blueberry ale brewed with real honey and blueberries offering light sweetness, soft fruit character, and an easy-drinking finish. The visual and flavor profiles signal a beer that’s refreshing, friendly, and made to be enjoyed without pretense.

Best Specialty Food Festival

Picklesburgh (#3) (#3)

This is kind of a big dill. After finishing in first place last year and second place in 2024, Picklesburgh took home 3rd place in USA Today's 10Best ranking of Best Specialty Food Festival for 2026! In 2024, 250,000 people came to Pittsburgh to partake in the fermented fun in Downtown.

Best Film Festival

Three Rivers Film Festival (#3)

Pittsburgh's November film showcase puts a roster of independent features, shorts, comedies, dramas, and documentaries front and center, celebrating the vibrant art form. Special events include parties, a script competition, and panel discussions that will get you thinking about the state of cinema.

Best Science Museum

Kamin Science Center (#3)

In its first year in the competition, this beloved Pittsburgh attraction was named the third best science museum in the country!

Explore the wonders of the universe in the Buhl Planetarium, learn about the human body in the BodyWorks Exhibit, check out replicas of famous robots in the Robot Hall of Fame, and more at the Kamin Science Center. Formerly known as the Carnegie Science Center, it’s home to five levels of fun exhibits, as well as the Rangos Giant Cinema. The museum hosts dozens of events all year round dedicated to all aspects of science.

Best Beer Festival

Barrel & Flow Fest (#3)

Voters deemed Pittsburgh's Barrel & Flow Fest the third best beer festival in the country in USA Today's 10Best contest this year, and who can blame them? With 3,000 craft beer industry professionals and enthusiasts coming together for a weekend celebrating Black-owned breweries, this festival truly is something special.

Best Beer City

Pittsburgh (#5)

There's no feeling quite like cracking open a cold IC Light, kicking up your feet, and enjoying the crispy taste of a good, Pittsburgh beer. That's just part of why voters in USA Today's 10Best contest voted Pittsburgh as the fifth best beer city in the country this year. With over 40 breweries to satisfy all types of tastes, there's a beer for everyone here.

Best MLB Stadium

PNC Park (#6)

In our opinion, PNC Park is the perfect place to enjoy a summer night out and catch a ball game. PNC Park ranked sixth in this year's USA Today 10Best contest for best MLB stadium. Constructed at the turn of the century to replace Three Rivers Stadium, PNC Park is nestled right along the Allegheny Rivers and offers one of the best views in baseball.

Best Science Museum

Moonshot Museum (#9)

Moonshot Museum (co-located at the headquarters of the space robotics company Astrobotic) is dedicated to the space industry. Featuring multiple interactive exhibits, any space-lover will be fascinated to see the construction of Astrobotic’s lunar spacecraft, go on simulated lunar missions, and learn how science, technology, engineering, and math all come together to make space exploration possible.

Best Immersive Art Experience

Mattress Factory (#10)

Mattress Factory is an immersive space in Pittsburgh where visitors can experience the creative visions of local and global artists. Artists work in residence to build site-specific installations, many of which blend art and technology while exploring the possibilities of audience interaction.

Best Free Museum

August Wilson African American Cultural Center (#10)

Named after the well-renowned playwright, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center features rotating exhibitions centering on Black culture. Previous exhibitions have featured the works of artists like Jo-Anne Bates and Garrett Bradley, highlighted the importance of Black comic book culture, and more, while the permanent exhibition, August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape, explores Wilson’s life and works.

Still time to vote...

Best Road Cycling Event

Dirty Dozen

Challenging cyclists to conquer Pittsburgh’s steepest hills, the Dirty Dozen is a grueling, iconic, one-day race. The course includes 13 ascents, including the infamous Canton Avenue, which features a 37% grade. Participants will get a tour of various neighborhoods and take in the city’s unique architecture. Founded by cyclist Danny Chew, the event tests riders’ strength, drawing competitors from across the country.

Best Botanical Garden

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Just in time for spring, Pittsburgh's Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is up for USA Today's 10Best Best Botanical Gardens in the country! Located in Schenley Park, Phipps is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered a City of Pittsburgh historic landmark. Stop by for an impressive display of orchids, palms, cacti, bonsai and more.

Best Dinner Cruise

Gateway Clipper Fleet

The noteworthy dinner cruise on the Gateway Clipper showcases Pittsburgh’s breathtaking riverside architecture and vibrant culture. Savor an impressive buffet filled with an abundance of favorites including chicken, hearty pasta dishes, and fresh salads, all while cruising past the city's skyscrapers. Live DJ music enhances the experience, ensuring a lively evening on the water.

Best Food Tour

'Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour

The 'Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour was voted among the best food tours in the country by USA Today's 10Best contest last year! The 'Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour has been feeding hungry tourists for more than 15 years, offering six different distinct neighborhood walking food tours. Each one combines a history lesson with numerous stops for tasting "on the go," and is limited to 12 guests. A popular tour covers The Strip neighborhood and Steel City's market district. Or try the Saxonburg tour out in Butler County, which offers distinct German flavors. Any of the six options will surely satisfy, though you can also create a custom tour tailored to your tastes.

Best Food Hall

Federal Galley

A combination food hall and restaurant accelerator, Federal Galley gives chefs in Pittsburgh a place to try out new restaurant concepts while the rest of us get to taste the results. At any given time, there are four different options on rotation. There's also a full bar serving local and national beers and refreshing cocktails.

Best City Park

Frick Park

Open since 1927, this sprawling woodland park is home to playgrounds, hiking trails, sledding hills, baseball fields, tennis courts, and even an environmental center. The Frick Park’s famous Blue Slide Playground even inspired Mac Miller’s debut album, "Blue Slide Park."

Best Recreational Trail

Great Allegheny Passage

The Great Allegheny Passage connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cumberland, Maryland, with 150 miles of an almost-flat path perfect for hiking and biking. Those who venture out on the trail are rewarded with gorgeous mountain views as they cross 16 bridges. This was the first trail to earn a spot in the Rails to Trails Conservancy's Hall of Fame.

Taylor S.

Author

Taylor S.

Content Development Manager

A friendly neighborhood Pittsburgh transplant. Probably at book club, a local coffee shop or thrift store. Tell your pet I said hi.

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