We know how hard it is to find a Pittsburgh activity that keeps you engaged as an adult and comfy indoors at the same time. Perhaps it’s time for indoor adventures around Pittsburgh as the cold closes in. There are museums in many neighborhoods, restaurants and shops scattered around the city, and specialty entertainment venues ready to make your day (or evening) off a memorable one. Plan a whole day out with the list below, and you will be climbing to tall heights, solving mystery puzzles with your besties, and competing against your loved ones in axe throwing.
Indoor Activities in Pittsburgh for Adults
Museum of Illusions Pittsburgh
North Shore
This new museum on the North Shore immerses you in the world of illusions, where nothing is quite as it seems. Explore a spinning Vortex Tunnel, tiptoe through the Tilted Room, and even serve up your own head on a silver platter. Sound crazy? You’ll just have to trust us and go see for yourself.
Puttshack
Strip District
This mini golf course will make you feel like you’re living in the future. With new technology, the golf balls at Puttshack track your game for you, scoring you points depending on how you play the game. Unlike regular mini golf, you’ll want to score as many points as possible by landing your ball in the glowing supertube or hitting bonus goals. Plus, there are four courses to try that each have different themes so be sure to come back for another visit to try them all.
Ascend
South Side, Point Breeze
Just because there’s snow on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t go rock climbing. At Ascend there are exercise activities like bouldering, top-roping, slacklining, and much more. They also have a yoga area with classes offered dailey so that even if high energy exercising isn’t your thing, you can still get your body moving.
Arsenal Bowl
Lawrenceville
This isn’t your grandma’s regular bowling alley. At Arsenal Bowl, which is only for those 21 and over after 9 p.m., you get an old-school bowling experience in a nightclub atmosphere. The alley has different specials all week long so check out their schedule for live band nights, all-you-can-bowl discounts, and drink specials.
Playground Dropout
Millvale
Grab some friends, book a private lane, and enjoy delicious food while you compete for the spot of Axe Throwing Champion. Plus, you can also take part in indoor ice curling during the winter months with a full service bar right against the ice. There’s even a live game show that you can book for your chance to win big. Or, choose to try your hand at Bombhole that’s like Battleship and cornhole combined.
Escape the Room
South Side
Escape rooms bring out the best and the worst of us all in the funniest way possible. Work together with a group of friends at Escape the Room to solve various puzzles in different themed rooms. Right now you can choose to explore The Agency, The Apartment, or The Dig. Each has a unique storyline and plenty of tricks to solve.
Shorty’s
North Shore, Waterfront
With two different locations in Pittsburgh you can choose from Shorty’s at the Waterfront or Pins and Pints on the North Shore. At either location, you’ll be welcomed into a space that embraces retro entertainment. After you grab a bite to eat, take part in duckpin bowling, pinball, and shuffleboard at their North Shore location or dartboards, karaoke and XL Connect Four at the Waterfront location.
Coop de Ville
Strip District
Who said you have to be a kid to enjoy the arcade? At Coop de Ville you can dig into all the Southern comfort food you love and put your quarters to use in the classic arcade. Not to mention their extensive drink menu keeps you sipping all night long. If video games aren’t your thing they also have duckpin bowling, pinball, and billiards. Your whole friend group will have something they can relish in.
Pittsburgh Pinball Dojo
Bellevue
This ones for all the pinball fanatics out there. Practice your skills on over 50 machines from all across the decades at Pittsburgh Pinball Dojo. Stop in during their Open Play events to pay $15 and play for as long as you’d like. Make sure to bring your own food and beer or buy snacks there and hang out all evening long.
OnPar Now
Strip District
Hitting balls out in the snow is no fun. But, hitting balls on an interactive and immersive indoor green is a blast. Head to OnPar Now to get your practice swings in without shivering the entire time. They provide best-in-class TrackMan simulators, revolutionary putting green with PuttView technology, and Pittsburgh’s only indoor sand trap. If you’re not sure how to golf, they have plenty of instructors more than happy to give you a hand.
The Bocce House
Fox Chapel
At The Bocce House, you’ll find six professionally designed regulation bocce courts with shadow-free lighting and perfectly leveled surfaces. But, besides the bocce fun, you can also indulge in self-serve craft beer and wine as well as authentic Italian food. Or, simply relax in the cigar lounge where premium spirits await you.
Painting with a Twist
South Side
Put a colorful spin on your night out and come home with a painting that you can hang on your wall. In each instructor-led paint and sip session, guests follow step-by-step guidance from local artists to create their own canvas masterpieces. And, you can always bring along your own snacks and beverages to delight in while you paint. There are even special BFF/Date Night paint and sips that allow you and someone you love to create a piece of art that comes together when your two paintings connect.
Mix Candle Co.
South Side Works and Lawrenceville
Have you ever wanted to create your very own candle or perfume? This studio lets you explore more than 100 fragrance options as you mix and match at your own pace and design a scent that reflects your personal style. You can even choose your own jar for your product to come in and, of course, name it too. Your candle will take 2 hours to cool so it also gives you the perfect opportunity to explore the shops and restaurants surrounding the studio.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Coop de Ville
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