15 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in August

Steelers Training Camp

In August we start the final countdown to the return of Steelers season! While the home opener doesn’t occur until September, you can get your Pittsburgh Steelers fix by heading over to Heinz Field to take in training camp!

The schedule features many August practices all the way through the 18th of the month, so you have many opportunities to get a sneak peek at the team before football season begins! Note that while the event is free, guests in 2022 must register in advance.

Handel’s Ice Cream

There are many regional ice cream chains that have a strong presence in Pittsburgh, but none are more popular than Handel’s.

This Ohio-based chain has two stores in the city, and serves up crazy flavors like Spouse Like a House, Graham Central Station, and our personal favorite, Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, that are an absolute must try on a hot summer day.

Carrie Furnaces

Throughout this guide we recommend many museums where you can go to learn about Pittsburgh’s rich history. But sometimes we think that going to a museum is not enough- you need to get out there and see the history first hand.

At the Carrie Furnaces in Rankin, you can do just that on their weekend tour of some of the last remaining blast furnaces in the city (now maintained as a historical site by the Rivers of Steel Heritage foundation).

Your impression of Pittsburgh steel will never be the same after this one! (Reservations required)

After visiting the Carrie Furnaces, head on over to Homestead to check out the site of the Battle of Homestead and grab a meal at Blue Dust. Or if you’d rather stick around in Braddock, head to Brew Gentlemen for a beer.

Millie’s Ice Cream

Millie’s Ice Cream is rather new to the Pittsburgh dessert scene, but they are quickly making waves as one of the best ice cream producers in the region.

Staples like Salted Caramel and Vietnamese Coffee will get you hooked, and their seasonal flavors will have you returning time and time again.

While in Shadyside, grab a cup of coffee from Adda Coffee, a delicious bowl of noodles from Noodlehead, and head over to Roslyn Place to check out Pittsburgh’s wooden street!

Garfield First Fridays

Garfield is quickly becoming the place to be for local artists, and the First Fridays event (known as Unblurred) is a great time to get out to this underappreciated neighborhood to see the latest products of many talented artists.

Out of all of the First Friday events that go on in the city, this is one of our favorites.

While exploring the night market, be sure to try a few awesome Pittsburgh food trucks!

Enjoy a Riverhounds Game

Pittsburgh sports goes far beyond baseball, hockey, and football. So this August, why not get tickets to check out a Riverhounds soccer game at Highmark Stadium in Station Square!

One of the great things about this particular stadium is that it is quite small, so no matter where you sit you’ll have a pretty stellar view of the action. Just be sure to plan for some sun, as this one has limited shade options for guests!

In 2022, the Riverhounds play at home on August 6th and 27th.

Gus & Yia Yia’s

Gus & Yia Yia’s is not only one of Pittsburgh’s oldest businesses, it is one of the most unique.

This shaved ice cart on the North Side has been doing it the old fashioned way since the 1930s (founded by Gus’s father). One giant brick of ice, a rudimentary shaving implement, upper body strength, and syrup are the ingredients, and on a hot summer day the line for this one can be quite long but is well worth the wait!

While in the North Side, be sure to walk around Lake Elizabeth or take a stroll along the North Shore River Trail!

Roslyn Place

Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to a street made entirely out of wood?

Roslyn Place in Shadyside may be small, but it is one of the most historically significant as it is one of the last remaining wood streets in the USA.

You certainly drive by this one all the time, so on this week be sure to make a stop to check it out!

Looking for more in Shadyside? Check out Noodlehead, Casbah, or Millie’s Ice Cream!

Peach Picking at Simmon’s Farm

Come mid-August, peach season is in full swing and in Pittsburgh there is no farm better suited for peach picking than Simmon’s Farm in McMurray, PA.

This is one of the most beautiful farms you’ll visit in the region, and their abundance of peach trees will ensure you do not leave disappointed. Just be careful as bees love the peaches that fall to the ground!

On your way back in to Pittsburgh, grab a coffee at Orbis Caffee or a few slices of pizza at Beto’s.

Carnegie Museum of Art and History

You wouldn’t think of Pittsburgh as being home to one of the country’s premier art and natural history museums, but it is true and it is all thanks to the legacy of Andrew Carnegie.

Dozens upon dozens of rooms await with some of the world’s best art and natural history collections.

Be sure to check out Dinosaurs in Their Time, Hillman Hall of Gems and Minerals, and Hall of Architecture- three of our favorites!

Want to grab a bite to eat while in Oakland? Check out The Porch.

Spoonwood Brewery

Out of all of the breweries we’ve visited in Pittsburgh, Spoonwood Brewery in Bethel Park is one of the best for families as it is as much of a restaurant as it is a working brewery. We went for the beer (try the Astrid Belgian pale if it is available), but stayed for the handcrafted pizzas and sides that are sure to please guests of all ages.

Cinema in the Park

Get out and enjoy the long hot summer nights with Cinema in the Park– a weekly movie series at ten different Pittsburgh parks including Grandview Park (pictured), the West End Overlook, Riverview Park, and more! Be sure to check out the movie schedules at the previous link to find where the best movies are playing at any given week.

Maple Bottom Farm Sunflower Maze

While many sunflower fields near Pittsburgh are typically only open during a limited period in July, some farms have been a bit more ambitious and have planted multiple fields at various stages such that they can have sunflowers throughout the summer!

One such farm is Maple Bottom Farm in Dawson, PA, in the Laurel Highlands and in 2022 they planted five sunflower fields to try and have flowers from mid-July through Labor Day! Even better? This one cuts a (rather easy) maze path within the sunflower fields so you can really get surrounded by these gorgeous flowers on all sides.

Looking for a snack or a beverage on your way back from the farm? Be sure to stop at Greendance Winery and Sand Hill Berries (both are in the same location) on your way back to the turnpike. Hard to beat a sample of wine and the berry pies here!

Squirrel Hill Night Market

Pittsburgh loves its farmer’s markets, this is true, but did you know that Squirrel Hill is host to a new night market that occurs several times throughout the summer?

Murray Avenue closes down for this one, and food trucks, vendors, artisans, and musicians fill the streets for an event that is as much of a block party as it is a market. But be careful to check the schedule- this one only happens a few times per summer!

In 2022, the August edition of the Squirrel Hill Night Market will take place on August 27th.

Hartwood Acres Concert Series

We absolutely love Hartwood Acres as the mansion on site is one of the most beautiful in the city and the hiking trails can keep you busy over the course of many visits.

On Sundays an added feature comes out as the on-site amphitheater puts on live music performances, perfect for those who want to come out and make a day of it! The schedule for 2022 can be found here.

Looking for more Pittsburgh events in August? Click the previous link to check out even more! Or if you’re looking to visit Pittsburgh and need a neighborhood to stay in, we’ve got you covered there at the previous link too!