Whether you want a solo relaxing day or festivities for you and all of your friends, here are our tips for planning the best birthday in the Burgh.
1. Go On A Guided Tour
There is so much art and history to explore in Pittsburgh. Get a glimpse of our region’s industrial past at the Carrie Blast Furnaces along the Monongahela River. Rivers of Steel offers tours where you can learn about the landmark’s iron-making legacy or see how the site has been transformed with art.
Want more than just an elegant birthday dinner? Explore the flavors of an entire neighborhood with a Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour. Choose from spots like the Strip District, Lawrenceville, South Side, Oakland, Allegheny West, and Brookline.
Trivia buff? Discover fun facts about Pittsburgh from an expert guide at Walk the Burgh. Tours take place in Downtown and go between one and two miles. Learn about the whiskey rebellion while tasting cocktail samples, see a spooky side of the city with nighttime ghost tours, or explore iconic buildings on a family-friendly outing.
2. Enjoy A Fancy Dinner
If you love inventive food made with fresh ingredients, splurge on a prix fixe dinner at One by Spork in Garfield. Each small plate is paired with wine and cocktails or NA drinks, crafted to perfection. Look around the communal table, and you’ll be amazed by all of Spork's food lab tools, from a koji incubator to a dehydrator.
In the warmer months, Churchview Farm hosts farm-to-table meals by a rotating lineup of impressive local chefs. All of the dinners are made with ingredients grown on the Carrick farm and enjoyed just a skip away from the crop fields and pollinator gardens. They always sell out fast, so plan ahead for your next occasion.
Want an excuse to dress up? Put on your best threads to step inside a fairytale at Hyeholde in Coraopolis, a cottage-style restaurant located inside of a castle. Hyeholde always serves full-course dinners, but look out for special events like summer picnics and literature-inspired meals.
Host Megan Harris recommends bringing the meal to you by booking a private chef, like friend of the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast Chef Alekka.
3. Take A Craft or Cooking Class
Level up your knowledge as you celebrate another year under your belt. Learn how to make ravioli, tortellini, and more pasta shapes with Istituto Mondo Italiano in Swissvale, or find more tasty how-to’s with our list of the best cooking classes in Pittsburgh.
Take up a new craft with WorkshopPGH in Wilkinsburg, which offers tutorials in sewing, watercolor painting, knitting, woodworking, and more. Or, get fired up with a pottery class at the Union Project in Highland Park or a Make-It-Now session at the Pittsburgh Glass Center in Friendship. (Tip: Union Project hosts adult birthday parties!)
On my list: For my birthday this year, I want to take an antique printing press workshop with local stationery maker Gingerly Press in Lawrenceville. I’ve been a fan of Lindsay’s art for years, and I’d love to make a unique memento to mark my special day.
4. Have A Relaxing Spa Day
Invest in yourself and opt for a luxurious spa experience. I’m a big fan of Heal Pgh in Chateau, which offers a variety of massages, light therapy, acupuncture, and more.
If you’re feeling adventurous, dip into a float tank at Victory Float in Lawrenceville or Sewickley. The tank cuts off all external stimuli, and the water perfectly matches your body temperature, ensuring you come out of the session feeling refreshed.
Want to meditate but can’t figure out how? Try sound healing at Sound Intuition Wellness and Massage in Castle Shannon. The tones of Tibetan bowls, gongs, and drums will calm your mind. Check out their massage menu, too.
5. Get Extra Special Sweet Treats
The flavor combinations at Third Space Bakery in Garfield are always stellar. Choose from menu staples like the chocolate hazelnut cake with espresso-rum syrup, or vanilla-chiffon cake with amaretto syrup and almond pastry cream.
Want treats for your whole birthday week? Order an assorted box of bonbons from Lux Artisan Chocolates that are almost too pretty to eat.
Producer Sophia Lo recommends celebrating with three cakes: a local favorite, one you want to try, and a homemade goodie baked by a friend.
6. Rent Out An Entertainment Spot
Step under the lights and star in your own game show at the Playground Dropout in Millvale. You and all of your pals will be laughing through games like Survey Shoutout and Wheel of Winners.
Challenge your friends to a casual game or a full-on tournament at The Bocce House in Fox Chapel. With their self-serve beer and wine system, you can play and pour at your own pace.
Have a lot of friends? Rent out Row House Cinema’s 86-seat boutique movie theater in Lawrenceville for a grand birthday screening. You can even treat your guests to the popcorn bar and customize the marquee outside.
7. Get A Cabin With Your Crew
Pack a cooler, s’mores supplies, and your best hiking shoes for a weekend in the woods. Whether you want a glamping experience (like these cabins with waterfall pools in Hocking Hills, Ohio) or a cheap campsite where you and all of your friends can pitch a tent, there’s a nearby destination for your outdoor party. Check out these camping tips from Marcus Shoffner, founder of the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition.
Executive producer Mallory Falk has heard great things about the Deer Valley YMCA Family Camp, if you want to rent out a large, beautiful space in the Laurel Highlands.
8. Take in the Magic of Our Three Rivers
If your birthday is during the warmer months, you’re in luck! There are lots of ways to have a peaceful (and adventurous!) day enjoying Pittsburgh’s rivers. Check out kayak excursions with Venture Outdoors; rent a pontoon boat for the day; eat alfresco at restaurants with the best water views; or hang out on Riverlife’s floating barge on the North Shore (returning for the season on my birthday, May 22!)
9. Jam Out at Pittsburgh Music Venues
Okay, so your favorite band isn’t in town on your birthday … that doesn’t mean you can’t get down with some good music. Pittsburgh has a ton of awesome small venues that support local acts, like Spirit, Roxian Theater, Mr. Smalls, Club Cafe, and Thunderbird Music Hall. Check their calendars — you might have the best night and find something new for your playlist.
What’s even better? When live music can come with an incredible dinner. Nearly every night of the week, you can enjoy global flavors and sounds at Con Alma in Downtown. Their seasonal menu is perfect for sharing and has a bunch of options for vegetarians.
10. Buy Yourself Something Nice (& Local!)
Get something you can treasure for years to come. I love sporting accessories made by Pittsburghers, like jewelry by Jenna Vanden Brink; her dainty ceramic designs are so chic and charming. Or sustainable clothing by Otto Finn; their gender-neutral jackets are made from recycled quilts, and they’re reversible! I’ve also had my eyes on unique leather goods by Clark Morelia, like wallets, crossbody bags, and belts.
