The playground of the reliably radical and the predictably unusual.

From Pittsburgh’s Point State Park, you can see three different rivers connect. We think that’s a pretty apt metaphor for the entire city — because here, minds of all kinds converge to discover amazing culture, devour eclectic cuisine and engage in work that advances the world.

Pittsburgh is a place that’s home to academic paragons and athletic powerhouses, eye-opening cultural experiences and endless adventure — and maybe soon, to you.

Explore a new perspective: Between 90 distinct city neighborhoods and over 86,000 students studying across 10 colleges and universities, Pittsburgh is a prime place for exploration: of places, of cultures and of ideas.

Carnegie Mellon is nestled in one of Pittsburgh's oldest neighborhoods. Just swipe your ID, and you’ll gain access to a network of public transportation that will take you anywhere in the city — including free access to many of the city’s prominent cultural institutions, like the Andy Warhol Museum, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, the National Aviary and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

Experience the arts: If you’re a culture vulture, Pittsburgh is your kind of place. Enjoy a night at the opera, a concert from the symphony orchestra or a show in the Cultural District. If you’re looking for something more low key, you can cozy up with a book from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, which is just a short walk from campus and boasts stunning Beaux Arts architecture.
 
Kick back and let loose: If fun and games are on your itinerary, don’t miss the pinball scene at Kickback, or the board and tabletop gaming options at Games Unlimited. Knock over some pins at Arsenal Bowling and Swissvale Bowl-a-Rama, or try your hand at axe-throwing at Lumberjaxes. Prefer your fun on four wheels? Try skateboarding at Swissvale’s Switch and Signal.

Amid throngs of sports fans donning black and gold (the official colors of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Penguins), you’ll find plenty of green. The Pittsburgh region has 15,000 acres of public parks; 400 miles of biking, hiking and walking trails; and more trees per square mile than any other U.S. city. It’s also home to one of the largest concentrations of certified “green” buildings, including the Phipps Conservatory.

Opt for an outdoor adventure and take a walk or bike ride in Point State Park, which sits at the nexus of the city’s three rivers in the heart of downtown. It serves as a waypoint for trails and bike lanes in all directions, including the Great Allegheny Passage, which goes all the way to Washington, D.C.

Get some thrills at Kennywood Park, named among the best theme parks in the nation for its old-fashioned atmosphere and first-class roller coaster scene. Or if chills are more your thing, take the bus downtown and glide on the ice at PPG Plaza’s 2,000-square-foot outdoor rink.  

Or, if you just want to decompress close to campus, take a walk through Schenley Park, a 456-acre green space that’s a popular gathering spot for CMU students and home to our annual Buggy Race.