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City Cast Pittsburgh

Kevin Gavin

 July is National Ice Cream Month, so we’re testing your knowledge on some local frozen treats.

How much do yinz know about local ice cream lore? (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)

Marla Kauffman

⏪ Looking for a previous Pittsburgh crossword? Find it here:

A crossword puzzle all about Pittsburgh news and fun facts. 

Can You Fill Out This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle?

Try This Pittsburgh Crossword Puzzle

What Pittsburghers have been wondering. We break down why things in Pittsburgh are the way they are and how they work.

Pittsburgh, Explained

! To get you in the mood, we’re sharing our favorite spots to get caffeinated (or enjoy an herbal tea) — whatever the reason or time of year.

*POD TITLE TK*

Lorelei by night, LV Coffee Project by day. Great natural lighting and plenty of seating make this one of my favorite places to post up with my laptop. I love getting the hojicha or matcha latte, but everything there is preciously sourced and delicious. LV is a project of Kira Hoeg, who has been providing Pittsburgh with high-quality goods and beautiful experiences for years (notably, the tiny, gone-but-never-forgotten 4121 Main in Bloomfield). —

Emma Honcharski, audience development manager

Long wooden tables and lots of natural light make this the perfect spot to get some work done with the help of a cup of certified 

. Redstart gets its beans from farms that provide a good habitat for migratory birds. You'll see lots of themed decor throughout the space, including a bunch of felt birds to keep you company while you respond to Slack messages. — 

This woman-owned space is cozy, on the quieter side, and has a laid-back atmosphere that makes it easy to want to settle in and stay awhile. Plus their bagel and lox sandwich is FIRE. I never made it to the legendary Beehive on the South Side, but I imagine the vibes were something like this. I could be completely wrong, so if you were a Beehive regular, consider this your invitation to visit and tell me if I’m correct. —

De Fer has a special place in my heart for socializing because it’s where I went on my first date with my now-fiancé. But even without the sentimental attachment, it’s one of my favorite places to meet up with friends. The coffee is excellent (they roast their own beans), the breakfast sandwiches are delicious, and the big industrial-style space is perfect for hanging out. I’ve enjoyed working here, too, but fair warning: It can get pretty crowded and noisy, especially on the weekends. Not ideal if you’re really trying to focus, but perfect if you’re looking to socialize. —

My favorite place to run into literally everyone I know. I love how easy it is to strike up a conversation with someone new, and that it feels like we’re on Cheers 🎵where everybody knows your name 🎵 The patio is perfect for catching up with a friend and being visited by lots of dogs, eager to get their pup cups, and toddlers playing with pine cones. Check 

for pop-up events like music from the May Day Marching Band, local flowers available for sale, and more.

This former motorcycle shop has a spacious outdoor patio plus plenty of indoor seating options — from comfy, velvety chairs to sleek booths — so you can catch up on the latest gossip without feeling like you're squeezed right next to an eavesdropping stranger. Order a bánh mì or vermicelli bowl to go with your coffee, and you'll leave feeling nourished in more ways than one. —

Delanie's is my go-to spot for inventive seasonal drinks. (Think maple miso latte or salted coconut ube cold brew.) When I want to focus on a good book and great flavors, without any distraction, there's no better place. — 

My favorite way to spend a day with myself is by spending money on a little treat. And the only thing better than one little treat (the drink) is two little treats (the drink and the book!). White Whale has all your basic coffee and tea drinks, as well as seasonal specials. I can’t wait to try their banana bread latte and apple pie chai! —

What’s better than a little caffeinated drink with a book in a magic garden? When I feel like I want to get out of town but only have time to cross a bridge, this is the spot for me. The inside is cozy and bright, and the tables outside and across the street are a nice extension of the space. Plus, there’s often a food truck, and it’s a quick walk to the Mattress Factory, City Books, or Allegheny Commons Park.

The Best Pittsburgh Coffee Shops for Every Occasion

Find the best of everything that Pittsburgh has to offer.

Pittsburgh’s Best

Pittsburgh's Best

City Cast Pittsburgh Staff

Are you a movie buff? A pizza connoisseur? A fan of campy thrillers? If so, there's a performance for you! For over-the-top gore, check out 

. (Beware: if you nab a ticket in the first few rows, you're officially in the "splash zone" and can get splattered with fake blood.) 

 promises "everything you love about the 90s classic with a whole lot more singing, dancing, and theatrical chaos." And 

 Dan Tallarico) invites the audience to participate in the show.

Time to break out your Sidney Crosby jersey! The Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens for their 

 at PPG Paints Arena. Get to your seat early for a pregame ceremony to kick off the team’s 

, complete with a retro-inspired logo and a ton of… 

Whether you want a little seasonal atmosphere or to be scared out of your mind, Pittsburgh has lots of options! Here are just a few of them.

If your idea of seasonal shopping involves fewer pumpkins and more peculiar finds, head to the 

 on Saturday, Oct. 10. The free event features more than 150 offbeat artisans and crafters, plus performers and food vendors. Come for the creepy shopping, stay for the neighborhood’s year-round Halloween energy.

Get to know the city’s creepy history with a nighttime walking tour through Downtown. 

 mixes local history with ghost stories. 

 promises tales of restless hotel guests, prisoners, and legends from the industrial era.

For the “I paid good money to be terrified” crowd, brave the 

 in Connellsville, where three floors of a former school become a real-life nightmare. Prefer a little less terror? The ScareHouse team’s new 

Halloween Hangout at The Plaza at North Shore

 offers movies, food and drinks, family-friendly trick-or-treating, and more. We took an in-depth look at tons of haunted attractions of all different age and scare levels in-and-around Pittsburgh 

” is a gorgeous poem that references the 71A bus), and this month features plenty of local authors. On Oct. 15 at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 

 will read from his newly published collection Konbit that’s inspired by the Haitian Revolution. And grace (ge) gilbert — Boen’s incredibly talented wife! — will host a 

multimedia presentation at City of Asylum

, accompanied by a live audio soundscape created by Boen. Stop by on Oct. 12 and say hello!

 by enjoying the beautiful green spaces within and beyond Pittsburgh. Head down to Duck Hollow on Oct. 17 for a full 

, including hiking through Frick, biking along our 

, kayaking around the fountain, and more. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is also hosting a community bonfire Oct. 17 — they’ll provide the roasting sticks, you bring what you wanna roast. And if you 

need to escape, drive about an hour north to 

, where you can camp or (if you’re not quite as rugged) “glamp” in an on-site cabin.

The Best October Happenings in Pittsburgh

Your Guide to October 2026 in Pittsburgh

Megan Harris

Looking for a scare this season? Pittsburgh is blessed to be in close proximity to all kinds of elaborate haunts, from the truly terrifying to a literal “boo barn.” Get in the Halloween spirit with these local and destination haunted houses and attractions near Pittsburgh.

Hear City Cast Pittsburgh’s Megan Harris and Marla Kauffman share some of their favorites and the ones they can’t wait to try.

Explore more than 70,000 square feet of gore at the 

, located east of Akron, Ohio, inside an old meat processing plant. The tour starts with an introduction from Grandpa Karver, a fictional namesake based on the Karver family who supplied meat for locals since 1948. Yes, that means you can expect cleavers, blood, and guts!

We’ve all seen a horror movie set in an old, creepy school — you can step inside that real life nightmare on three floors of 

 in Connellsville, Pa. The 1916 building is a complete scare season destination with a thrilling escape room, ax throwing, and a coffee shop.

Guard your soul down in West Mifflin, where a demonic force named Rulos lurks in the walls of an abandoned building. Rulos, the devious mastermind behind Pittsburgh’s newest professional haunted house, 

, offers VIP experiences — including snacks! — and lots of dates all throughout October.

With a continuous walk through five themed houses, 

 in Bethel Park is a classic for any Pittsburgh scare season. Their immersive scares feature all kinds of add-ons, like a beer garden, chainsaw maze, enigma escape room, and even a burial simulator voiced by horror icon Tom Savini.

Every Halloween, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio — famous for being the film set for “The Shawshank Redemption” — becomes 

, bringing 100 years of genuine human suffering to the fore. Children as young as 10 are permitted on tours that last 40-50 minutes. (Psst. You can also take historical and paranormal tours at the 

A Victorian cemetery, a hayride of no return, and chainsaw-wielding killers — find it all at the 

 in Smithfield, Pa. This haunted attraction has been entertaining Halloween junkies in Fayette County for over three decades.

 in Canton, Ohio has five unique spine-chilling attractions. And if you need a minute to work up some courage, there are a few bars throughout the site: Carnevil, Poison Ivy’s Greenhouse, and French Quarter at the Factory. Shake out all of your fears at the Fear Fair Back Alley dance club, a new addition this year.

 in Somerset County get you access to four attractions, including a boarding house and asylum, sinister hayride, swamp walk, and cornfield, as well as DJs, food and drink concessions, and nightly bonfires. Check for discounts. Admission is free for most dates if your birthday is in October!

Explore a decaying estate once known for its glamour, a grotesque circus, or a pulseless trail at the 

 in Uniontown. Plan for an hour and a half, plus wait times.

 in Monongahela, guests take a shuttle to a secluded property, where a stone mansion and creepy surrounding grounds make up the main attraction. Look for campfires, concessions, eerie music, and an outdoor horror movie theater.

 in Beaver County becomes a haunted, 18-hole mini golf course this time of year. Putt through the shadows with your glow-in-the-dark golf ball, and treat yourself to ice cream afterwards.

Rain or moonshine, there’s a chilling experience waiting for you along the trail at 

, Beaver County's longest-reigning Halloween attraction. Follow the colorfully-painted signs through the woods. Freddy’s slogan is "half the scare is getting there.”

 at Tour-Ed Mine & Museum in Tarentum for a haunt built around the fictional story of Louis W. Hicks, a ruthless Gilded Age mine owner with a taste for the occult. The experience takes you through a caretaker’s cabin, haunted mansion, graveyard, and chamber of dark experiments before an actual train ride into the mine.

? The beloved haunt remains on hiatus, but its makers are hosting a 

 at The Plaza at North Shore, including haunted happy hours, free movies, food and drink, and more — plus ticketed events for Devil's Night and Halloween Night.

If you want the tricks or treats without the terror, check out one of these happier haunts:

 in Monessen features theatrical vignettes in a former funeral home. The Sunday matinee includes a trick or treat and tour without the scares.

 in Cedar Creek and Twin Lakes Parks takes you through different parks, full of mazes, cemeteries, and more than 100 ghouls, goblins, and monsters.

 in Alameda Park is a one-day-only treat Oct. 10 where families can walk a mile among the ambiance for frightful fun. There’s an adaptive version for more sensitive kiddos, too.

 in Ligonier has themed-rides, fall-favorite concessions, and trick-or-treating through its Story Book Forest.

 in West Mifflin is perfect for pint-sized thrill seekers — just go during the day.

 in Highland Park has crafts, a costume contest, a Halloween parade, and trick-or-treating. Plus, their 

, running every night through Nov. 1, lights up the park with intricately carved pumpkins.

 in Monongahela has a Big Boo Barn, plus hayrides, apple and pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and life-size scarecrow building.

 runs a scare-free option on select Sundays with lights on, fewer jump scares, and kids crafts.

 is an outdoor haunt and cornfield with food trucks, a bonfire, and other activities in case you need a break.

And if you’re looking for community, the 

 is always recruiting new members! Their mission is to create a welcoming space where folks can share their passion for haunted attractions, horror-themed creativity, and the art of scaring. Check out their 

City Cast Pittsburgh’s Marla Kaufmann and Francesca Dabecco contributed.

Get in the Halloween spirit with these local and destination haunted houses and attractions near Pittsburgh.

The Best Haunted Houses and Attractions in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's Best Haunted Houses and Halloween Fun

Boen Wang

Celebrate the diverse cultures, cuisines, and history of Hispanic and Latino communities in the U.S. during 

Why mid-September to mid-October? Because many Latin American countries from Mexico to Chile 

 call Pittsburgh home. They've formed advocacy groups, started restaurants and businesses, established cultural centers, and made countless other contributions to this city. As 

, it’s more important than ever to recognize that Hispanic and Latino people have always been here — even before the founding of the U.S. — and will continue to call this country home.

Here’s what to do, where to eat, and ways to support Pittsburgh’s Hispanic community:

Desperate Hope: Migration Through The Darién Gap in Panamá

Sept. 21, Latin American Cultural Center. $10

Photojournalist Federico Ríos Escobar will discuss his new photo book 

 that tells stories from Darién Gap — a treacherous stretch of dense jungle that straddles Colombia and Panamá, which many migrants cross en route to the U.S.

Sept. 23, Heinz History Center. Museum admission required

Kids under five can sing songs, listen to stories, and make crafts at this family-friendly event. Led by Casa San José’s Israel Centeno, up to three children can attend (and explore the rest of the museum) for free with adult general admission. Pro tip: 

Together We Are More: Many Roots, One Community

Sept. 24, Benedum Hall. Free with registration.

Pitt Law professor Sheila Vélez Martínez will give an on-campus lecture as part of the University’s Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Sept. 26, Andy Warhol Museum. Museum admission required.

A full day of festivities starts at 11 a.m. with Spanish-language tours of the galleries, flamenco dancing, a drag performance, and the opportunity to make your own pop art-style screen prints. Double pro tip: 

Oct. 10, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Main. Free.

My incredibly talented friend, Pitt MFA classmate, and groomsman Jared Lemus is returning to the proverbial ‘Burgh to discuss his excellent debut short story collection 

(buy a copy and get him to sign it!). He’ll also discuss his upcoming novel 

, which you can preorder now (I already did!).

Pittsburgh Riverhounds | Hispanic Heritage Night | #LatinoPittsburgh

Oct. 10, F.N.B. Stadium. Tickets start at $27.60.

Our beloved men’s soccer team takes on the Hartford Athletic in this nighttime match-up. Enjoy “themed entertainment and a festive matchday atmosphere” as the sun cinematically sets beneath the hills.

I’ve gotten El Colibri from the Bloomfield Saturday Market a bunch of times now and am super excited to finally go to their newly opened brick-and-mortar. Crucially, all of their food is gluten-free — which is great because my wife has celiac. I’ve found that many Latin Americans cuisines are often naturally gluten-free, since so many dishes are corn-based.

 the grocery store and taco stand’s Beechview location, another example of how federal agents are disrupting communities across the country. Las Palmas is a Pittsburgh institution — I have fond memories of visiting the South Oakland location for unbeatably cheap tacos before class in Cathy — and is fighting against the odds to survive.

Arepas stuffed with stewed meat and fried plantains — what’s not to like? They also offer bowls, salads, and empanadas. And most of their menu is gluten-free!

I don’t go Downtown super often, but when I had time to spare before a Greyhound trip I got arepas from this excellent hole-in-a-wall that’s tucked beneath a parking garage. City Paper’s readers even declared it the 

best restaurant in Downtown and the Strip

 about what rights people have when ICE is nearby (regardless of their immigration status), as well as how bystanders can assist during an ICE encounter.

ACLU-PA also published know-your-rights guides in 

 about what to do when interacting with law enforcement.

If you believe you witnessed ICE activity in the Pittsburgh region, you can call 

 main line at 412-343-3111. If you witness or are experiencing ICE detention, you can call their 

about more ways to volunteer and give support this Hispanic Heritage Month.

 hotline at 412-536-6423 to report potential ICE activity. The organization is hosting a 

on Sept. 23 in Aliquippa — no prior experience is necessary.

Discover history, eat at local restaurants, and support immigrant rights during Hispanic Heritage Month in Pittsburgh.

How To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Pittsburgh

The Best Ways To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Pittsburgh

Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, when hijackers killed nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania. Western PA was directly affected: one of the hijacked planes crashed into a field in Shanksville — around 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh — killing 40 passengers and crew members.

Venues in and around Pittsburgh are hosting musical performances, public art displays, memorials, and other events honoring those who lost their lives.

 in Somerset County will host an observance starting at 8:30 a.m. with a reading of the names of all passengers and crew members. A ceremony at 1:00 p.m. includes remarks, music, and wreath-laying. Forty candlelit lanterns will be placed at the Wall of Names during a luminaria ceremony at 7:30 p.m., and a column of light will illuminate the night sky until midnight. Visitors can observe sidewalk chalk portraits of every passenger and crew member throughout the day. All events will be livestreamed on 

A single bagpiper will play at 8:46 a.m., 9:03 a.m., 9:36 a.m., and 10:03 a.m. — the times at which planes crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the field in Shanksville. The performance is at the 

 on Carnegie Mellon’s campus, planted in remembrance of the seven CMU alumni who died.

Pitt students, faculty, and staff can meet at the on-campus Recreation and Wellness Center for a stair climb from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Working in waves, participants will climb a total of 2,200 steps to symbolize the approximately 110 stories first responders climbed in the Twin Towers.

The borough is hosting a commemoration honoring first responders. The event starts at 4 p.m. at Westinghouse Lodge, coinciding with the Friday farmers market, and includes a picnic, award ceremony, and concert featuring local high school musicians and the Balmoral Highland Pipes and Drum Band.

On Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m., the Cultural District will host a live music, storytelling, and theatrical performance called 

. Hear Bill Spade, an FDNY first responder, and Jaymes Poling, a combat veteran of the War in Afghanistan, relive their experiences of the attacks and the war that followed — accompanied by a jazz band and visual elements.

Remembering the 9/11 Attacks in Pittsburgh

 with apple and pumpkin picking, German beer festivals, community farm celebrations, haunted trails, parades, and more.

Check back for updates! We’ll be updating this a lot.

One of Pittsburgh's biggest, oldest German cultural organizations hosts its annual festival over Labor Day weekend, including imported beer, authentic food, and live music, plus they're hosting an 

Check out Brenckle’s enormous stock of pumpkin and gourds, plus some of the most unique and fun decorations to get your home ready for fall. Look for vendors like Nosh & Curd specialty food shop, The Roaming Bean coffee truck, Amish donuts, Recon Brewing, and more.

Celebrate Labor Day weekend (and Western PA’s prominent role in labor history) with this celebration at Northmoreland Park with arts and crafts, a flea market, a circus, and live music.

Break out your best tea-party hat and brush up on your Premier League allegiances. It’s a week-long British invasion that includes events across the city: afternoon tea at the Mansions on Fifth Avenue, a Britsburgh Ale cask tapping at East End Brewing, a South Side history walk, British music and trivia nights, a Riverhounds match, and a closing village fête in Aspinwall.

Witches, wizards, and muggles are invited to a free screening of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at The Plaza at North Shore. Bring a seat or blanket and wear your finest robes and House scarves. Festive treats like butterbeer, popcorn, and cotton candy will be available from Sugar Bird. Prizes and gift cards will be awarded to the best dressed throughout the night!

Celebrate all things Irish at Carrie Blast Furnaces. The festival, which is in its 35th year, features live Irish music, dancing, food, cultural talks, trivia, vendors, and even ghost stories — all in one of Pittsburgh’s coolest industrial settings.

Come to Rich Farms in Smithfield for Fright Farm starting on Sept. 11, featuring haunted houses and nightmarish hayrides. You can also check out Kids Day starting on Sept. 26, with corn mazes, non-nightmarish hayrides, and more. Both events run until Halloween.

Mark 27 years of this enormous Murrysville corn maze — grown every year in a different design — and once you find your way out, try to draw it. Don’t skip the pumpkin patch or the cozy hayrides, either.

Start early for family-friendly fun, then stay late for scares at seven haunted houses and four scare zones — plus new fall tasting menus and a one-of-a-kind trick-or-treating experience at the Ghostwood Estate starting Sept. 19. 

Look for 140 vendors offering food, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and all-day sidewalk sales in the village — all decked out for autumn. 

Eat your way through the Strip District with more than 25 food trucks and vendors serving a wide variety of tacos. Enjoy Latin music, salsa dancing, bars, and family-friendly activities.

Spend the afternoon getting curious in the Hill District at a free, all-ages block party. There’ll be hands-on STEM activities for kids, live DJs, local food and vendors, plus mini science workshops throughout the day. Registration is required in advance for workshops.

Sip Oktoberfest beer from Grist House, eat German food from Freedom Farms, and listen to live polka from the Polkameisters at this all-day Oktoberfest party.

Step into the magic with Moon Parks & Recreation, featuring boozy and non-alcoholic potions, arts and crafts, music, games, costume contests, and more. Ticket sales support local parks!

Get a taste of their limited release Herman’s Best Oktoberfest Lager (adult tickets include a pour while supplies last), try your luck in their stein-holding contest, throw some axes, watch a chainsaw artist, listen to live music, shop specialty artisans and farmer’s market vendors, and more.

Trick-or-treat through the Story Book Forest and enjoy one of the longest treat trails in Pennsylvania, take a spin on favorite rides like the Midnight Conductor Railroad, and find out what happens when growing pumpkins goes horribly wrong. 

Take part in a celebration of handmade, homegrown, and fermented fun at Allegheny Commons Park West on the North Side. Try an activity like indigo dyeing and wild clay ceramics, or bring your best submission for the pie and tomato contests.

Enjoy a Tolkien-inspired day of fantasy, food, and fun for the whole family at Bloom Cafe in Valencia. There will be live folk music, local vendors, craft workshops, themed drinks, and more.

Watch costumed dogs (up to 25 pounds) zip around an obstacle course near the Waterfront gazebo while the kiddos get their faces painted, take home balloon animals, and more. The pumpkin patch alone is worth a walk around the square.

In past years, a wristband would get you access to the petting zoo; pumpkin patch; carving displays; a butterfly house; corn, hay, and sunflower mazes; and a ton of special events and games, like the human hamster wheel, pumpkin Guess Who?, basketball corn hoppers, strongman sledge hammers, and more.

Dust off your lederhosen and head south to Canonsburg in Washington County for a weekend of German-inspired fun. Bring the whole family for crafts, carnival rides, games, dancing, and of course, tasty eats — like pretzels, sausage, and potato dumplings.

Drink beer from a milk jug in Troy Hill’s historic cobblestone biergarten, where a taste of Munich takes over four festive floors and a pair of purple-tinted, outdoor caves. In past years, we’ve loved the hot German potato salad, schnitzels, and Soergels x Penn shandy — but since 

, we’re not sure what might be on offer.

Fall Festivals, Oktoberfests, Pumpkin Patches, and Autumn Events in Pittsburgh 2026

The Best Fall Festivals, Oktoberfests & Autumn Activities in Pittsburgh

July is National Ice Cream Month, so we’re testing your knowledge on some local frozen treats.

Food & Drink

How Well Do You Know Pittsburgh’s Ice Cream History?

Kevin Gavin

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