Pittsburgh is full of luscious green spaces, from sprawling woodlands to pocket parks. We partly have the Gilded Age to thank for our extensive park system — many spots are the former estates of wealthy Pittsburghers like Mary Schenley, Henry Clay Frick, and George Westinghouse. (Fun fact! There’ve actually been archeological digs in Westinghouse Park to search for artifacts from when it was the famed inventor's mansion.)
With 176 parks to choose from, there's something for everyone. Matthew Hileman of the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy joined the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast to share some of his favorites.
🌳 Most Underrated: Allegheny Commons Park
Allegheny Center
This North Side green space is Pittsburgh’s oldest park — and possibly the most overlooked. Its mature tree canopy lines wide, flat pathways, perfect for all ages and abilities. Take a seat by Lake Elizabeth for a stunning view of Downtown peaking above the trees; relax by the Northeast Fountain; stop for an ice ball at Gus and Yia Yia’s cart; or get some local goodies at the farmers market on Fridays in the summer.
Riverview Park was created in 1894, mostly from farmland. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🔭 Most Overlooked: Riverview Park
Perry North
With an extensive network of wooded trails, this North Side park makes you feel like you're escaping the city without ever leaving. Plus, it's home to the Allegheny Observatory, a historical astronomical research institution. Schedule a tour in the spring or summer, or set up shop to do your own stargazing on a clear night.
👟 Best Hiking: Frick Park
Various East Pittsburgh Neighborhoods
This East End oasis is Pittsburgh’s largest park, with steep valleys and wooded slopes spanning 644 acres. Take an easy stroll along the West Rim Wander or challenge yourself on the Tour Loop Trail, which circles nearly the whole park.
Coming soon: Frick Park is building an Outdoor Discovery Space and Sensory Nature Trail with accessible pathways and shelters, activity tables, a garden kaleidoscope, and a track chair program that’ll allow people with disabilities to navigate the terrain.
West End Overlook sits 700 feet above the Ohio River. (Megan Harris / City Cast Pittsburgh)
🏡 Best Neighborhood Park: West End Overlook
Elliott
This park is tucked into the mountainside and offers some of the best views in the city — including a picture-perfect panorama of Downtown and the three rivers. It’s a popular spot for summer sunsets and fireworks, and Hileman says it’s also great for admiring birds or simply finding solitude among the trees.
Mary Schenley donated land to the city in 1889 to create Schenley Park, with the condition that it never be sold. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
💖 Best Date Spot: Schenley Park
Oakland
With hiking trails, Panther Hollow Lake, a golf course, and more, Schenley Park is a recreational haven — but Hileman says it’s also a prime date destination. The medieval cottage-style Visitors Center, winding cobblestone pathways, and stone bridges make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. During the winter, you can hold hands while skating on the ice rink.
✨ Most Improved: Frankie Pace Park
Crawford-Roberts
This is “one of the most unique parks in the country,” Hileman says, because it reconnects the Hill District to Downtown with a “cap” that stretches across I-579. It’s named after community organizer Frankie Pace. Stroll through the tiered park, admire the rain garden, and find a peaceful setting smack dab in our urban center.
