By Jillian Diamond
Family fun doesn’t have to stop just because the weather is cold, but it can be difficult to find fun indoor spots on short notice. Museums are a great start—and Pittsburgh has many of those—so, here are some good ones that highlight the area’s diverse indoor attraction landscape, with both classic and non-traditional collections to explore. They provide so many different ways to have fun and learn something new,
all while keeping you comfy and cozy indoors.
National Aviary
700 Arch St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday
Kept at a balmy, tropical temperature throughout the year, the National Aviary is the perfect way to experience nature without stepping foot outside. The only independent nonprofit aviary in the United States, it’s home to more than 500 different animal species. For an additional cost, visitors can interact with the animals directly, with experiences including meeting penguins and feeding sloths.
$16.95-$19.95; free for children younger than 2 | aviary.org
The Mattress Factory
509 Jacksonia St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Step into another world at The Mattress Factory, a museum specializing in immersive art installations for all ages. You’ll find plenty of unique art you can’t see anywhere else, including exhibitions created by famous figures like Yayoi Kusama. This is one museum where kid visitors don’t have to be careful about keeping their hands off (some of) the exhibits! $17-$22; free for children younger than 6 mattress.org
Bicycle Heaven
800 Preble Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Open 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
It may not be biking weather, but Bicycle Heaven is the perfect place to get your fix until you can take your trike out of the garage. In addition to operating as a regular bike shop selling bicycles and cycling gear, Bicycle Heaven is also the world’s largest bicycle museum and has thousands of rare and novelty bikes under its roof. It even exhibits bikes from movies, such as Pee-wee Herman’s iconic bicycle from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.”
$15; free for children 5 and younger bicycleheaven.org
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
10 Children’s Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh makes learning fun and interactive, allowing kids to get a hands-on experience with a variety of different subjects. Kids can make their own creations in the makeshop and art studio, learn about the water cycle at the waterplay exhibit and even adventure through the two-story limb bender climber. The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibits, so your experience might be different each time you visit.
$17-$19; free for children younger than 2
all tickets $5 after 3 p.m.
pittsburghkids.org
Summer Butterfly Walks
Howard County Conservancy
10520 Old Frederick Road
Woodstock, MD 21163
Aug. 14 & 26, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Did you know that Maryland is home to
more than 150 species of butterflies? Learn
tips and tricks to spot these butterflies and
get a breath of fresh air as you and your
family take a relaxing walk around
Mt. Pleasant trails and gardens. Remember
to dress for the weather and bring a reusable
water bottle! These walks are free,
but registration is required. Children must be 8 years of age or older.
Free | howardnature.org
Western Philadelphia Sports Museum
Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
One of several museums housed within the Heinz History Center, the Western Philadelphia Sports Museum is sure to entice any sports-loving kid. The museum celebrates some of Pittsburgh’s greatest athletes, including exhibits for local teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as highlighting important parts of sports history such as the city’s involvement in Negro League Baseball.
$11-$20; free for children 5 and younger
heinzhistorycenter.org/visit/
sports-museum ■