Community Corner

Patch Picks: Staycations

Book a trip to Pittsburgh now.

There’s a reason Pittsburgh keeps getting named the nation's most livable city. From the Andy Warhol Museum to Phipps Conservatory to a tour of the three rivers with the Gateway Clipper fleet, there’s plenty to do around the ’burgh.

It’s perfect if you’re planning a “staycation” this year. What’s a staycation, you ask? Well, it’s all about you taking some time off from work to enjoy the amenities the area has to offer. It can be just as fun as traveling abroad -- but a lot less expensive.

Read on for our best staycation bets.

Find out what's happening in Cranberrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium – Travel the world without leaving the city. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium lets you get up close and personal with exotic animals from around the globe. Spend some time at the Water’s Edge before venturing to Kids Kingdom. With its underwater viewing tunnels, and indoor and outdoor viewing windows, the Water’s Edge is the best way to make friends with the zoo’s polar bears. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Take a German Tour – Never been to Germany? No problem. Leave the kids at home and brush up on your Bavarian with a stein of beer at Pittsburgh’s Hofbrauhaus, which is modeled after the legendary 400-year-old bier hall of the same name in Munich. Once you’ve had your fill of jagerschnitzel and potato pancakes, head back this way for a tour of historic Harmony, which German Harmonists founded more than 200 years ago. Browse the town’s unique shops, and visit the Harmony Museum on Mercer Street. Wrap things up with dinner at the Harmony Inn, once the residence of Austin Pearce, a prominent banker, mill operator and railroad executive.

Find out what's happening in Cranberrywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Splash Lagoon – To experience an island paradise, just drive two hours north to Erie. Splash Lagoon is one of the nation’s premier indoor water parks. The 100,000-square-foot complex is always a balmy 84 degrees. Splash Lagoon has acres of water slides, pools and other fun activities for kids. Stay onsite in one of the resort’s rooms, or book a night at one of the many hotels in the area. When it's time to dry off, enjoy the resort's arcade and restaurants.

Opening Day at PNC Park – Will this be the Pirates’ year? Opening day at PNC Park is April 7. Feel your heart fill with hope if you can nab a ticket to root, root, root for the home team with the thousands of other people who make attending the Pirates' first afternoon game of the season a Pittsburgh tradition. If you get a seat, grab a beer and get ready to soak in the atmosphere of the baseball field’s scenic beauty. Let's hope it doesn't rain!

Moraine State Park – Less than an hour away from Cranberry, the park offers a plethora of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, biking, equestrian trails, camping and lots more. While it’s a little too cold to go for a swim in the park’s lake right now, there’s nothing stopping you from taking a hike through the majestic park. Go be one with nature.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here