Your Day in North Shore & North Side: A 24-Hour Itinerary

This itinerary is designed for a perfect day exploring one of Pittsburgh’s busiest neighborhoods. It’s a walkable plan that combines iconic sights, local food, and unique experiences.

MORNING

LUNCH

AFTERNOON

EVENING

DINNER

LATE NIGHT

Morning: Coffee and a Sunrise

We know it’s sometimes hard to wake up early, but trust us, it’s worth it this time.

But First, Coffee: Start your day by heading to one this neighborhood’s many coffee shops. For convenience sake, head to Convive Coffee on the North Shore, and make sure to get a quick bite there too; we recommend a croissant, they’re massive. If you’re feeling like taking a journey, you can go to Commonplace Coffee in the Mexican War Streets instead.

Take in a Sunrise: Either way, make sure you’re back along the Allegheny River for sunrise. The city will be basked in gold, the beginnings of the new day reflecting in our rivers and illuminating what all we have in store for you. It’s a cathartic experience, and one you won’t soon forget.

Lunch: A Variety of Flavor

After your golden start to the day, you’ll probably start feeling a bit hungry.

Take the Scenic Route: . From the North Shore, take a short yet scenic walk up to the North Side via Federal Street and head to Federal Galley, a sleek, sprawling food hall with a mix of modern flair. The restaurants in the food hall are consistently rotating, but some staples include a chicken sandwich shop called Given to Fly and a New Mexican/traditional Mexican place called Mijo. Federal Galley has indoor and outdoor seating, so it’s perfect in all types of weather and for all types of palates.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors: If you want to spend more time in our great outdoors, Allegheny Commons Park West is one of Pittsburgh’s best spots to have a picnic. Grab local cuisine from any of the mom-and-pop place nearby and set up shop in the park’s grass, where you can choose between sitting under the shade of a tree, along the water’s edge on Lake Elizabeth, or in the wide open fields to enjoy some sun.

Check It Out: Allegheny Commons Park West is also home to the National Aviary, the nation's bird zoo is home to more than 500 birds and other animals from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild. Large walk-through habitats allow for close interactions between visitors and birds. Visitors can watch flamingos frolic, witness penguins waddle and swim, and "hang out" with a sloth. The Aviary is open 10am-5pm and closed on Tuesdays.

Afternoon: Museum Crawl

After checking out the National Aviary, it’s time to brush up on the area’s other museums.

Museums In and Near the Mexican War Streets: From the Aviary, go north to the Mexican War Streets – and admire the vibrancy of the homes there as you explore – to head to The Mattress Factory Museum of Contemporary Art. Open 11am-6pm W-S (closed Tuesdays, open by appointment only Mondays), the museum has pioneered the development of alternative art forms through site-specific installations, video and performance art. It is nationally and internationally recognized as a leader in site-specific, contemporary art and is notorious for pushing the boundaries of both artist and viewer. After you’re done there, head to Randyland, a free open air art museum also in the Mexican War Streets that might just be Pittsburgh’s most colorful spot. And if you brought the little ones, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab was recently named the best children's museum in the country by USA Today!

Go Back to Where You Started: Once done there, you’re going to leave the North Side to head right back to the North Shore. Along the way, stop at the Andy Warhol Museum, dedicated to the Pittsburgh-native known for his pop-art style and iconic soup can prints. Even if you’re not a fan of sports, the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum is a must-stop because it so perfectly encapsulates the history of our team, but also of our city and our community. On the North Shore, you’ll also want to check out the Kamin Science Center, right along the Allegheny River.

Did you know? The Andy Warhol Museum is the largest single-artist museum in North America. The museum is always bustling. Through daily programming like Fifteen Minutes Eternal, a thirty-minute film that gives an overview of Warhol’s life, and Gallery Talks which offer thematic museum tours led by museum staff members or Donald Warhola, one of Warhol’s ten nieces and nephews, The Warhol has become a welcoming place for all who want to experience his art. It has even become a trendy rental space for cocktail parties, events and weddings!

Evening: Catch a Game

A trip to the North Shore isn’t complete without catching at game. Even if you’re not a sports fan, Pittsburgh’s sports teams are a part of our culture, and being in our home crowd will make you feel at home even if you’re far from it.

Play Renegade: From August to (hopefully) January, you can catch the Pittsburgh Steelers playing on select Sundays at Acrisure Stadium. Get there early to tailgate in one of the surrounding lots and make sure you have your Terrible Towel, because once Renegade hits in the fourth quarter, you’ll feel the hype in your bones.

Raise the Jolly Roger: From April to (hopefully) October, the Pittsburgh Pirates play at PNC Park. Deemed the sixth best MLB Stadium in the country by USA Today in 2026, we think that PNC Park has the best view of any stadium; seriously, if you’re not a baseball fan, at least go for the view of downtown, and bonus points if it’s a firework night. Not to mention PNC Park has some iconic food you can only get there and will ignite your tastebuds like never before.

Check It Out: If you really don’t like football or baseball, no worries! Pittsburgh also boasts the Pittsburgh Penguins (National Hockey League), Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (professional soccer), Pittsburgh Riveters SC (women’s professional soccer), and more! The Penguins near Downtown at PPG Paints Arena and both the Riverhounds and Riveters play at Highmark Stadium on the South Shore near Station Square.

Dinner: Craft Cocktails and Bar Bites

We skipped over the main drag of the North Shore just to save it for dinner. The North Shore between Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park is filled with restaurants and bars, making it the perfect place to stop for dinner, especially before or after a game.

Grab a Cold Beer: If you’re into a cold beer on a hot day, head to Southern Tier Brewing Company, bonus points if it’s nice out and their patio is open. Their main courses will make your mouth water, but their bar bites are what shine.

Build Your Own Burger: For something a little more customizable, stop by Burgatory and build your own burger, from the meat to the bun to everything in between. Don’t forget to grab a milkshake while you’re there too.

Not Feeling a Bar Feel?: For less of a bar feel, head to The Foundry | Table & Tap, a rustic-chic restaurant that features pub eats, a large draft beer list, a growler fills. This moody spot takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the North Shore and could serve as a nice refresh should you need it.

Late Night: Hit Up a Bar Hop

Staying on that main drag of the North Shore means you’re in the right spot for when late night begins and can grab a seat at a bar before they fill up fast. Several places in the North Shore are open until at least 2am, with both club and bar vibes to fit whatever you’re feeling.

Dance the Night Away: If you’re looking to dance, look no further than Tequila Cowboy. With three different rooms for three different vibes – from country to early 2000s hits – this spot is a great place to start or end your night, but make sure to go even if it’s an in between spot. If you go early enough, you can also catch some live music on the main stage. Right across the street from Tequila Cowboy is Jason Aldean’s Kitcken + Bar, which is a similar vibe to Tequila Cowboy but tends to not be as cramped. This is also arguably a better place to grab late night bites with your drinks. It’s also the spot to go if you’re not trying to stay out all night, as they close at midnight during the week and at 2am only on Fridays and Saturdays. Another place to pop in for a party is McFadden’s, which is directly across the street from PNC Park. With a massive bar that feels more dive than mainstream, you’ll want to be at this Irish joint after a Pirates game and especially during the month of March.

Craving a Craft Cocktail: For something that feels a little fancier, Bar Louie is one of the North Shore’s best kept secrets. Tucked between places like Southern Tier and Burgatory, this upbeat grill is known for martinis, microbrews, and happy hour deals. Make sure to grab some sliders while you’re there!

Let's Go Gambling: And if you’re not ready to call it quits for the night, Rivers Casino is a short walk away from Acrisure Stadium. The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The casino offers more than 130,000 square feet of casino floor 2,708 slot machines, 128 table games, 55 hybrid gaming seats, 30-table live poker room, and state-of-the-art High Limits gaming area. Guests of Rivers Casino have to be 21 years or older to access the gaming floor.