Pittsburgh New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Downtown & the Cultural District

7 places

First Night across 14 blocks, a rising ball at midnight and fireworks over the rivers.

• Photo: Cbaile19 · CC0

  Highmark First Night

  Dec 31 arts festival across the Cultural District, with outdoor stages, a parade and an early fireworks show.

  Tip Pick up the printed schedule and plan the indoor shows you want first.

  DoCultural District$5 hr6 p.m. to midnight

• Future of Pittsburgh ball rise

  At midnight the illuminated ball rises nearly 75 feet at Stanwix Street and Penn Avenue as fireworks go off.

  Tip Arrive by 11:30 p.m.; the blocks around the corner fill fast.

  SeeDowntownFree45 min11:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.
• Photo: Cbaile19 · CC0

  Point State Park

  Park at the tip of downtown where the Allegheny and Monongahela meet to form the Ohio.

  Tip Walk out to the fountain at dusk for the view of Mount Washington lit up.

  OutdoorsDowntownFree45 minLate afternoon
• Photo: daveynin · CC BY 2.0

  The Rink at PPG Place

  Outdoor ice rink around a tall Christmas tree in the plaza of the glass PPG Place towers.

  Tip Skate in the afternoon of Dec 31 before First Night crowds arrive.

  DoDowntown$60 minAfternoon Dec 31
• Photo: Cbaile19 · CC0

  Original Oyster House

  Pittsburgh's oldest bar and restaurant, open on Market Square since 1870, known for oversized fish sandwiches.

  Tip Order the fish sandwich to share; it hangs well past the bun.

  EatMarket Square$60 minEarly dinner Dec 31
• Photo: Cbaile19 · CC0

  Omni William Penn Hotel

  Grand 1916 hotel on Mellon Square, with a palm court lobby and a Prohibition-themed bar downstairs.

  Tip Book early; it is a short walk to both the ball rise and the Cultural District.

  StayDowntown$$$Dec 30 – Jan 2

• The Speakeasy

  Low-lit cocktail bar in the lower level of the William Penn, styled after the hotel's Prohibition years.

  Tip Stop in for a drink after midnight, away from the street crowds.

  DrinkDowntown$$60 minAfter midnight

Destination 02

Mount Washington

6 places

A slow Jan 1 riding the inclines up for the view of the three rivers, then lunch in the Strip.

• Photo: Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Duquesne Incline

  Cable car from 1877 that climbs Mount Washington in wooden cars, with an observation deck at the top.

  Tip Bring cash or a transit card and check holiday hours before you go.

  DoMount Washington$45 minLate morning Jan 1
• Photo: Danny Fowler · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Grandview Avenue overlooks

  Row of overlook platforms along the ridge with a full view of downtown, the Point and the bridges.

  Tip Walk the 1.5 miles between the two inclines along the ridge.

  SeeMount WashingtonFree60 minMidday Jan 1
• Photo: Cbaile19 · CC0

  Monongahela Incline

  Oldest operating funicular in the US, from 1870, running down the hill to Station Square.

  Tip Ride it down to finish your walk along the ridge.

  DoMount Washington$20 minEarly afternoon Jan 1

• Station Square

  Old Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad station and freight buildings on the riverbank, now shops and restaurants.

  Tip Cross the Smithfield Street Bridge on foot to get back downtown.

  SeeSouth Shore$45 minAfternoon Jan 1
• Photo: Perry Quan · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Strip District

  Old wholesale produce district along Penn Avenue, now full of food shops, coffee roasters and markets.

  Tip Many shops close on Jan 1, so plan to browse on Dec 30.

  ShopStrip District$1.5 hrMorning Dec 30
• Photo: Tom Murphy VII · Public domain

  Primanti Bros.

  Original 1933 Strip District counter serving sandwiches with fries and coleslaw piled inside the bread.

  Tip Check holiday hours before you go; expect a short line at lunch.

  EatStrip District$45 minLunch Jan 1