McConnells Mill State Park in Lawrence County protects 2,546 acres of the Slippery Rock Creek Gorge, a National Natural Landmark of steep walls, huge boulders, waterfalls and scenic overlooks, plus a 19th-century gristmill and covered bridge. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. The rocks are slick and the creek is fast and dangerous: stay on the trails, and swimming isn't allowed. The gristmill runs on a limited schedule; ask the Moraine State Park office.
Moraine State Park in Butler County covers 16,725 acres around 3,225-acre Lake Arthur, with 42 miles of shoreline, plus trails for hiking, biking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. The official page lists no entrance fee.
Tuesday–Sunday: museums and greenhouse 10am–5pm, gardens 8am–8pm; closed Mondays
The Frick Pittsburgh
At The Frick Pittsburgh in Point Breeze, the gardens, the permanent collection of The Frick Art Museum, part of the Car and Carriage Museum and the greenhouse are always free. You need a free general site admission ticket; check in at the Grable Visitor Center. Clayton house tours and some special exhibitions cost extra. Free parking lot on site.
Walk in any day to the Pittsburgh Glass Center in Garfield for a self-guided tour of its contemporary glass exhibition and studios, where you can meet the artists. Admission is free (a $10 donation is suggested, not required). Penn Avenue construction means detours nearby, so allow extra time. The make-your-own glass sessions cost extra.
Contemporary Craft, a nonprofit gallery on Butler Street in Lawrenceville, shows three-dimensional work in clay, glass, metal, fiber and wood. Admission to its exhibitions is free, six days a week, with late hours on Thursdays. A free audio guide is on the Bloomberg Connects app.
Wed–Thu 10am–5pm; Fri 10am–5pm (noon–8pm Nov 13–Jan 15); Sat–Sun 10am–5pm
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art · Pittsburgh
General admission to The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in downtown Greensburg is free, with free parking in two lots on site. Open Wednesday–Sunday; Fridays run noon–8pm from Nov 13, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027. The one upcoming paid exception is Art in Bloom, March 17–21, 2027. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and closes at 3pm the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Wed–Sun 11am–5pm (closed 1–1:30pm), through Jan 31, 2027
Wood Street Galleries · Pittsburgh
Wood Street Galleries downtown hosts Sound of the City by Hprizm (of Antipop Consortium), an immersive audio installation built from vinyl, tape loops and field recordings from New York and western Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh's rivers, mills and transit. Free, Wednesday–Sunday through January 31, 2027.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art · Pittsburgh
Most Saturdays from 1 to 2pm, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art runs a free guided public tour of its galleries. Museum admission is free too. Check the museum's events calendar for the week's tour.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art · Pittsburgh
On Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg treats veterans to free coffee and donuts all day plus free admission to its ticketed Ansel Adams and Victoria Sambunaris exhibitions. No registration needed.
Allegheny County libraries (reserve online at radpass.org) · Pittsburgh
An Allegheny County library card unlocks RAD Pass: free or discounted passes to regional attractions such as the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museums, Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust shows and the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. Reserve a pass for a specific date on radpass.org. The person reserving must be 18 or older.
Verified Oct 27 · pittsburghzoo.org
Catch: Allegheny County library card holders · The person reserving must be 18+ · Some passes are discounts, not free; guests beyond the pass pay
Fort Pitt Block House, Point State Park · Pittsburgh
The Fort Pitt Block House in Point State Park, built in 1764 as a small defensive redoubt, is the only surviving structure of Fort Pitt and the oldest architectural landmark in Pittsburgh. It has been free and open to the public since 1895. Hours vary, so call 412-471-1764 before you go.
Verified Oct 27 · pa.gov
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