The days are shorter, temperatures are dropping, and Pittsburgh’s gray skies will soon be making their comeback. But instead of dreading the next few months, why not lean into them?
Whether your idea of cozy is curling up with a book, sipping a hot cup of tea, or trying a new hobby, Pittsburgh has plenty of ways to make the colder months more enjoyable.
Lose Yourself in a Good Book
There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book under a warm blanket when it’s cold outside. If you’re looking for something new to read, consider supporting one of Pittsburgh’s independent bookstores.
Want to make your cozy reading more social? Try one of these local book clubs. A lot of them don’t even have assigned reading!
- Silent Book Club Pittsburgh meets monthly in Lawrenceville and the Strip District. Bring whatever you’re reading!
- Neurospice Girls Pittsburgh hosts a monthly silent book club (where you can read the book of your choice, uninterrupted) at The Soft Spot in Garfield. Headphones and crafting projects are also welcome.
- Pittsburgh Book Lovers Club meets at the Squirrel Hill Library for casual book chats, no required reading.
- Stay Gold Bookstore has a number of different monthly book clubs covering everything from horror to fantasy and sci-fi…and even cookbooks! Books for each club are shared on Stay Gold’s instagram and events page. Show up ready to chat!
- Not Gal Pals is a queer romance book club that reads books featuring LGBTQ+ characters or written by queer authors. It’s a welcoming space to discover new reads, and bond with new friends over shared love of romance novels. And you don’t have to be a romance expert to join!
Get Crafty With It
Why buy cozy things when you can make them yourself? Challenge yourself to learn a new skill (or strengthen an existing one) this winter.
- Quilt Church Pittsburgh brings people together to learn sewing skills and make quilts together to raffle off for charity. And despite the name, there’s no actual church or religion involved.
- Cut and Sew Studio in Morningside offers sewing, quilting, and clothing repair classes. You can even rent the studio for your own crafting party.
- Workshop PGH has classes in everything from woodworking and leatherworking to sewing and fabric dyeing. And for the holiday they even offer ornament and wreathmaking!
- The Andy Warhol Museum offers hands-on printmaking Friday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Printing on paper is free with admission, or you can buy a tote bag to customize.
- The Pittsburgh Correspondence Co-op is great for something a little more old school! The group meets monthly at East End Brewing for some good old-fashioned snail mail writing. Bring your own supplies or use theirs.
Warm Up From the Inside Out
Nothing beats a hot cup of tea on a chilly day. Abeille Voyante recently moved into a new space in Millvale, where you can make your own custom tea blend and attend stitching meetups on select days. Dobra Tea in Squirrel Hill is the perfect spot to escape a cold, gray day. Get cozy on the floor cushions and choose from more than 100 teas from around the world. Other spots for loose-leaf tea include Blue Monkey Tea in Squirrel Hill and Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea in the Strip District.
Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to high tea:
- The Café at the Frick in Point Breeze offers special holiday tea dates from late November through December.
- The Inn on Negley in Shadyside serves afternoon tea and an extra-indulgent hot chocolate topped with a chocolate lattice and homemade marshmallow.
- The Steeping Leaf in Morgan, PA offers afternoon tea and tastings where you can learn about different flavors and brewing techniques.
Find a Fun Way to Move Your Body
Leaving the house when it’s cold and dark isn’t always appealing, but a fun class can make those winter evenings less dreary.
- PGH SK8 offers roller skating lessons Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Homewood YMCA, with skates available to borrow.
- Stellar Pilates in Larimer is a great, beginner-friendly studio for anyone looking to enter your Pilates girl era. It's a great way to get a workout in without putting too much stress on your joints. And you get to wear fun socks while you do it, so it’s a cozy workout! Check out their free intro class on Saturdays at noon.
- Los Sabrosos Dance Co. offers Latin dance classes, including a trial class where you can sample salsa, bachata, and Brazilian Zouk.
- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has dance and fitness classes for adults.
- Level Up Studios teaches hip-hop, K-pop choreography, and Bollywood.
For more ideas, check out our guide to where to dance in Pittsburgh.
Book a Massage or Spa Day
Sometimes the best way to beat the winter blues is to treat yourself to a little pampering.
- Interwoven Wellness in East Liberty offers everything from therapeutic and hot stone massages to seasonal herbal body treatments. They also offer sliding-scale pricing for some services, with options starting at $60 to help make self-care a little more affordable.
- The Ripple in Lawrenceville is the perfect spot to sweat out your stress in a sauna, soak in a hot tub, or brave a cold plunge. It’s a great way to unwind, recharge, and get a little warmth back in your bones during Pittsburgh's colder months.
- Crown & Raine in Wexford or McMurray. Takes hair washing to a whole new level with relaxing scalp massages and luxurious head spa treatments. It’s a chance to give your scalp some TLC while enjoying a little pampering that goes way beyond your usual trip to the salon.
We’ve got even more recommendations in our guide to Pittsburgh’s best spa treatments.
And if a spa day isn’t in the budget, take a cue from NPR’s Life Kit and spend a weekend morning lounging in bed with a good book. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing is the ultimate cozy luxury.
Find a Furry Cuddle Buddy
Okay, this last one is a MUCH bigger commitment than going out for tea. But if you’ve already been thinking about adopting a pet, here’s another reason to consider it: They’re EXCELLENT at keeping you cozy!
There's nothing quite like curling up with a cat in your lap or a dog snuggled up next to you. As any pet owner knows, once you’ve got a cat or dog laying across your lap, it’s basically illegal to move.
Of course, adopting a pet is a serious, long-term responsibility, not just a way to keep warm this winter. But if you're ready for the commitment, check out the adoptable animals at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh, Animal Friends, Paws Across Pittsburgh, or Catcalls Rescue. Your new favorite cuddle buddy might be waiting for you!
