PPG Paints Arena – Area Bucket List

Many big events and performances in Pittsburgh take place at PPG Paints Arena. This premier venue hosts countless renowned performers and musical artists. It’s also home to NHL team Pittsburgh Penguins.

In addition to its versatility, another great part of PPG Paints Arena is its central location in Pittsburgh. This dynamic city features many attractions and destinations that easily can fill an entire weekend. When you’re in Pittsburgh, it can be hard to know where to start. The bucket list below is catered specifically to visitors of PPG Paints Arena, so be sure to check it out!

Duquesne Incline

A ride on the Duquesne Incline is an experience unique to Pittsburgh. Inclines are wooden cable cars once used to transport people and cargo up the steep hills of the city. A few of these beautiful wooden cable cars remain, and visitors to Pittsburgh would be remiss not to ride on one. The Duquesne Incline has been in service since 1877, and it provides riders with a glimpse into Pittsburgh history. Visitors can read up on the information and photographs present in the incline, and then explore the mini museum at the top.

A ride on the Duquesne Incline provides an incredible view of the amazing city below. USA Today Weekend Magazine even called it one of the “10 Most Beautiful Views in America.” From the top you can see Pittsburgh’s skyline, the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny rivers, as well as all of the city’s stadiums. Pittsburgh locals highly recommend a ride on the Duquesne Incline, and it’s only five minutes away from PPG Paints Arena.

Cathedral of Learning

Probably the most iconic structure in Pittsburgh, the Cathedral of Learning is a must-see. This magnificent, 42-story building was built in 1926 and serves as the centerpiece for the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. The Cathedral of Learning contains hundreds of rooms including libraries, classrooms, a food court, a computer lab, and a theater.

In addition to run-of-the-mill classrooms, the Cathedral of Learning features the renowned Nationality Rooms. These classrooms reflect the traditional styles of countries around the world. When the University of Pittsburgh built the Cathedral of Learning, various countries submitted designs for classrooms to reflect their distinct style of schooling. There are 30 in total, 28 of which are functioning classrooms used on a daily basis. The nationalities include Chinese, Austrian, Korean, Swiss, African, Armenian, Greek, and Indian. Each room is distinct and impressive, and unlike any other classroom you’ll ever see in the area.

Even if you don’t go inside the Cathedral of Learning, stand in the square outside and snap a picture. It’s only eight minutes from PPG Paints Arena, so you shouldn’t leave without first stopping by!

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

A visit to the 120-year-old Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is an escape in the middle of the city. From the outside, Phipps looks like an enormous greenhouse, with the completely glass structure providing plenty of natural lighting.

There are more than a dozen themed rooms in Phipps, such as the Orchid Room, Desert Room, Japanese Courtyard, and Tropical Fruit Room. Not only are there flowers and plants, but sculptures incorporated into the displays as well to accentuate the beauty.

The designs and arrangements change throughout the seasons, so guests can visit year-round and never tire of the displays. In the spring there are tulips abound, both inside and outside of the conservatory. In the winter, Phipps puts on an incredible Christmas display, including a beautiful tree along with plenty of lights and big red bows.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful destination, and is located just nine minutes from PPG Paints Arena.

The Andy Warhol Museum

Less than 10 minutes from PPG Paints Arena is the The Andy Warhol Museum. One of the most famous and prolific artists in the world, Andy Warhol created enough art pieces to fill six stories of this building. In total, the museum contains 17 different galleries consisting of more than 900 paintings, 1,000 prints, 77 sculptures, 4,000 photographs, and 4,300 films.

With this massive amount of material, it’s no wonder it’s the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. Go beyond the well-known Warhol works, like the soup can and Marilyn Monroe, to truly experience the late artist’s impressive range.

Randyland

Another outstanding artistic experience is Randyland, located 10 minutes from PPG Paints Arena. In 1995, artist Randy Gilson purchased a few run-down buildings in Pittsburgh to turn them into an art center. Over the years, he transformed the property into an internationally known art destination. Take your time exploring Randyland, as there are quirky details around every corner.

Visitors enter, for free, into a whimsical garden. The outdoor lot is covered in paint splatter from top to bottom and filled with plants, colorful signs, bright lanterns, and sculptures. There’s a surprise around every corner, from mannequins, to colorful doors, mirrors, and mosaics. The buildings surrounding the garden are painted with bright murals of butterflies and people dancing. Randyland is like a garage sale that’s been dyed rainbow and flipped upside down. You have to see it to believe it.

Mattress Factory

Pittsburgh clearly has no shortage of artistic experiences. The Mattress Factory is an immersive museum where each room is its own exhibit. You have probably seen at least one of its rooms on Instagram before, as visitors love getting to be a part of contemporary art.

Examples of these exhibits include a room with household items tacked onto the walls, light fixtures that look like eyes popping out from the floor, dark rooms with rainbow lights floating about, and a sculpture of a bull bursting from a fireplace. To truly understand the experiential art at the Mattress Factory, take the 12 minute trip from PPG Paints Arena.

If you’re visiting Pittsburgh for a show or a game at PPG Paints Arena, set aside a few hours, or even an entire day, to explore the city. There are attractions beyond those listed above that any visitor would love. Pittsburgh is a huge sports city, so catching a game along the North Shore is another possibility! No matter what you end up doing, this list will serve as a perfect starting point.