North Park is the largest park in Allegheny County. Spanning parts of McCandless, Hampton, and Pine…read moretownships, it is nearly 3,100 acres in size, and it has a 65-acre lake for boating, kayaking, and fishing. Other amenities are a nature center, golf courses, swimming pool, ice rink, dek hockey rink, ballfields, shelters, off-leash areas for dogs, basketball courts, archery range, tennis courts, fields for radio-control airplanes, Go Ape zip lines, etcetera! This park even has a restaurant and an ice-cream shop. For several years, I have visited this park. Most often I take my dog to the dog park. I have also hiked the trails and enjoyed the beautiful plants and wildlife. I consider this park to be a blessing to the residents of the Northern suburbs and to non-local visitors.

The largest park in the Pittsburgh area (Allegheny County) with a 75 acre lake!…read moreThe lake is great for water activities like fishing or kayaking. There's an ice rink for winter ice skating. Paved walking trails. Wooded areas. Golfing. Swimming pool. Nature center. Hockey courts. Basketball. Tennis courts. Off-leash dog park. So much more! Need an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Take a quick trip from Pittsburgh to North Park and let nature do its thing!

This is a really cool, free and fun family activity. Drive…read morethrough North Park just past Pigeon picnic shelter. Straight ahead is the intersection of McKinney and Kummer roads (Gravity Hill). Stop at this intersection on Kummer Rd. (facing McKinney Rd.), shift your car into neutral and the car will slowly climb the hill. This is a public road; WATCH FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC. If you have to turn around, there's a small turn off on the left side of Kummer Road. There is really no lack of gravity. It's believed to be an optical illusion based on the geographic layout of the land. Still, it's a fun and cool thing to experience, especially for the kids (or for those of us who want to pretend we're still kids, and see the magic in everyday things).

Tiny but cozy. Really good place to visit nearby. I find this place perfect for meditating.read more

Hartwood Acres is magic, and I've been going to concerts and events out there for decades. Whether…read moreit was catching an outdoor summer concert on a warm evening or checking out whatever was happening on the grounds. The history and property itself are just stunning. The estate covers over six hundred acres of rolling hills, woods, and trails, and the Tudor-style mansion--built back in the late twenties--gives the whole place such a grand, timeless feel. Walking the grounds or sitting on the lawn listening to live music with the trees all around you is just unmatched. They also offer great seasonal events throughout the year. Beyond the summer concert series, they host fantastic community happenings, art exhibits, and holiday lights displays when it gets colder. It is truly a special park that feels worlds away from the city, even though it's right in our backyard.

2025 Wine and Spirits Event. Plenty of food trucks and wine and spirit vendors. Very hot out but a…read moredecent crowd.

Wonderful bird walk and talk at lovely facility. Beautiful grounds and fun gift shop.read more

Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve is the headquarters of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania…read more(ASWP). The ASWP's website says that this reserve contains 134 acres of sanctuary, several trails that total five miles, and facilities such as a nature store, native-plant nursery, play area, educational classrooms, teachers' resource center, and a library. Rental spaces include a barn, auditorium, and classroom. My husband and I visited the nature store and the native-plant nursery. At the nature store, we saw products such as bird feeders, bird seed, binoculars, gardening gloves, nature books, t-shirts, honey, stuffed animals, puzzles, greeting cards, etcetera. At the native-plant nursery outside, we thought that the plants were somewhat small in size but had a varied selection and were priced reasonably. The ASWP's website has a list of available plants, which includes over 150 species of trees, shrubs, and perennials that attract birds, butterflies, and bees. In the future, I plan to return to Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve to hike their trails. I think that I would enjoy seeing their woodlands, fields, streams, pond, and wildlife.

We absolutely love Bruno Sammartino Park, also known as Sangree. It's one of those places that has…read morea little bit of everything and is perfect for families or just getting outside for a bit. The fenced-in basketball court is a huge plus. My boys are here at least once a week playing pick-up games with friends. It's always active but never too crowded, and the fence gives some peace of mind since the balls stay in play and off the road. There's also a nice pavilion that's great for birthday parties or just grabbing some shade while the kids run around. The baseball field gets good use during the warmer months, and the walking path is perfect for a relaxing stroll or letting little ones ride their bikes. The playground is clean and well-kept. Whether it's shooting hoops, playing on the playground, or just getting some fresh air, Sangree has become a regular part of our week.

Ross Township is not sure what to do with Sangree. Right now the park features a playground and…read morebasketball courts. The planning commission is looking for grants for a $3 million dollar upgrade. That would relocate the play area away from vehicle traffic. Plans also call for a land bridge to make the park more accessible.