Close out the summer with food festivals, free outdoor fun, and mini-golf courses galore.
1. Play a Round of Mini-Golf
Pittsburgh-area golf courses may be some of the best in the state, but not all of us are looking to walk miles over 9 holes – at least, not me. For my kindred spirits, you have an array of options for miniature golf.
Forsythe Miniature Golf in Carnegie offers an extensive menu of homemade ice cream sandwiches to munch on during your session including “The Fluffernutter” and “Cereal and Berries.” Forsythe also hosts “Sip N' Putt” on Thursday nights.
At Bakery Square, the last “Putt & Play” of the summer is on Aug. 12. It’s free to play and open to all! And the Westmoreland Museum of American Art has art-themed holes to play during Putt-a-palooza, which runs now through Aug. 30.
Just a hot dog with a hot-dog-mobile. (Courtesy of Michael Foglia)
2. Enjoy a Food Festival
If you loved Picklesburgh, the food portmanteaus continue: BaconBurgh returns to Southside Works on Aug. 30. In addition to more than 15 food trucks and vendors, I’m most excited for another mechanical bull that’s not a bull and the promise of an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile sighting.
Perhaps you prefer pizza, pasta, and cannoli in your diet. If so, check out Little Italy Days. It returns to Bloomfield Aug. 13-16 and includes local vendors, “celebrity” bocce, a neighborhood pizza contest and Vito from The Sopranos (seriously).
If ice cream is your love language (mine too) then you’re due for a visit to the Great American Banana Split Celebration in Latrobe, the dessert’s birthplace, Aug. 22 and 23.
Our hills are good for something: You can snag a great seat at one of the many live music performances around town! (City of Pittsburgh)
3. Jam Out(doors)
We’re not yet done with outdoor music! Allegheny County’s Summer Concert Series continues at South Park on Friday nights and Hartwood Aces on Sunday evenings. You can also check out Jam at Grandview in Mount Washington on Saturdays and enjoy Reservoir of Jazz in Highland Park on Sundays.
Some tips for maximum comfort: Bring a folding chair or blanket to claim your space. While there are local food and drink vendors, you can also bring your own spread: I love to prepare a mocktail in a cold thermos and pack Penn Mac meat and cheeses in a lunch box.
Whether you’re more of a modernist with a splash of vintage or building out a historically accurate tea party spread, you’ll find something to love at Phipps’ Vintage Mixer Night. (Rachel Carlson / City Cast Pittsburgh)
4. Shop Local
This month is Vintage Mixer Night at Phipps Conservatory on Aug. 20. You can shop every era amid Phipps’ whimsical Alice in Wonderland show! Vendors will be selling clothing, furniture, jewelry, and housewares. As someone building a personal Pyrex collection, I’ll be on the hunt for new-to-me butterprint-patterned dishes (hit me up if you have a tip).
Other maker-markets to shop this month are Breezefest in Brookline on Aug. 8, Neighborhood Flea in Southside Works on Aug. 9, and the Squirrel Hill Night Market on Aug. 22.
The Bridle Trail in Schenley Park is one of my favorites to hike because it’s (mostly) flat and leads to the Schenley Park Pool! (Laura Tsutsui / City Cast Pittsburgh)
5. Touch Grass – or Trail or Forest
Take your four-legged child to Raccoon Creek State Park for a dog-friendly hike where they can become a certified “B.A.R.K. Ranger.”
If you’d rather stay close to home, try an activity with the Pittsburgh Park Rangers. From typical nature hikes to moon hikes, there are tons of great options. Plus, the city’s rangers also host kid-friendly programs and hikes for adults ages 50 and up.
Check out Outdoors for All Day on Aug. 15 to find even more outdoor-specific resources. The event at Allegheny Commons will host family-friendly activities, environmental education, games, music, food, and more. If you participated in any three events from First Try Collective’s Summer Series, don't forget to bring your passport to get free Millie's ice cream.
