Align your compass with the north star for a weekend of wine tastings, woodland walks, game nights, and restorative afternoons — all comfortably removed from the Draft’s Downtown frenzy. North of the city, there are places that invite languid afternoons. There’s a glass of wine with a view of vines. A guided walk through an eccentric historic home. And quiet forest paths alive with birdsong, or even a spa reset.
Northward Bound
Where to Eat
AVVA
235 Commercial Avenue, Aspinwall
What happens when a modern Mediterranean menu lands in one of Aspinwall’s most recognizable spots? You get AVVA. Opened in the former Luke & Mike’s space, AVVA leans into shareable mezze and crowd-friendly plates like baked shrimp and hearty mains built for groups. And don’t sleep on brunch, where çılbır, menemen, and sujuk-stuffed omelets make this one of Aspinwall’s strongest daytime moves.
Chengdu Gourmet 2
4768 McKnight Road, Ross Township
Prepare to have your taste buds jolted by fearless Sichuan heat at Chengdu Gourmet 2 on McKnight Road. The North Hills outpost was founded by chef Wei Zhu, a multiple James Beard Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic semifinalist. He is known for bringing deeply authentic Sichuan flavors to Pittsburgh. Enjoy numbing, tingly mapo tofu, rich dan dan noodles, and a strong lineup of cold appetizers that reward heat seekers and skeptics alike.
Polska Laska
1100 N Canal Street, Sharpsburg
If you want real-deal pierogi without gimmicks, Polska Laska is for you. What started as a pandemic-era pierogi project is now one of the most comforting lunch spots in Sharpsburg, serving handmade dumplings, haluski, cabbage rolls, and soups that taste like someone’s grandmother has been cooking all morning. Arrive hungry!
Il Pizzaiolo Warrendale
701 Warrendale Village Drive, Warrendale
Il Pizzaiolo does its best work by keeping things beautifully simple. The Warrendale location turns out wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas made with long-fermented dough, San Marzano D.O.P. tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella prepared in-house. Classics like the Margherita and Diavola anchor the menu, alongside straightforward pastas made with imported Italian maccheroni and a handful of salads to round out the table.
Where to Sip
Pittsburgh Brewing Company
150 Ferry Street, Creighton
If downtown feels like one long tailgate, head upriver. The Creighton brewery’s cavernous and beautifully restored indoor space, big screens, and easy parking make it a solid refuge. It’s ideal for low-key watch parties, enjoying crisp Iron City pours, and skipping the Draft chaos without giving up the game entirely.
Narcisi Winery
4578 Gibsonia Rd, Gibsonia
This family-run winery feels like the closest thing Pittsburgh has to a Tuscan daydream. The winery pours its own reds, whites, rosés, and fruit wines alongside an Italian-leaning menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, and desserts. Book a tasting or tour, split a bottle with friends, and hang out on the lawn or patio while live music rolls through. Cín cín!
The Wine Cave
3141 Harts Run Rd, Allison Park
Set below street level in Allison Park, The Wine Cave is a subterranean wine bar. Its low ceilings and dim lighting focus your attention on the glass in your hand! Bella Terra Vineyards wines lead the list, alongside curated domestic and international selections. Charcuterie boards and jumbo lump crab cakes round out the menu, while patio seating and reservable private cabins extend the experience beyond the cave itself.
Where to Have Fun
Bocce House of Pittsburgh
641 Alpha Drive, Suite B, O’Hara Township
This new O’Hara Township bocce destination pairs six regulation indoor courts with a full bar, Italian-inspired bites, and lounge seating for drinks between games. Whether you’re rolling with friends, hitting a mini league match, or just unwinding with wine, beer, or a cigar in the designated lounge, it’s a fun and buzzy alternative to downtown crowds.
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve
614 Dorseyville Road East, Fox Chapel
Craving some time in nature? This 134-acre Audubon reserve has about 3.5 to 5 miles of walking trails through woodlands, meadows, ponds, and wetlands — great for short hikes, birdwatching, or just stretching your legs. Free trails are open dawn to dusk year-round, with scenic spots and peaceful views that feel worlds away from town.
Bayernhof Museum
225 St. Charles Place, O’Hara Township
A one-of-a-kind escape from Draft weekend noise, this quirky mansion-turned-museum sits on a hill overlooking the Allegheny and is packed with one of the world’s most unique collections of self-playing musical instruments, music boxes, and automata. Guided tours are by appointment only and typically run about two to two-and-a-half hours.
Fox Chapel Day Spa
1366 Old Freeport Road, Fox Chapel
A suburban luxe reset that’s about more than just a basic rubdown. You can book classic massages, choose from a broad facial menu, and add energizing or detoxing body treatments. They also offer manicures, pedicures, waxing, and specialty wraps, so your escape can be a full afternoon of pampering.
Zone 28
2525 Freeport Rd, Harmarville
A sprawling entertainment complex perfect for when you’re in “choose your own fun” mode. You’ll find 33 bowling lanes, a giant arcade with 75+ games, a laser tag arena, and a couple of escape rooms to wander through with friends. Add a casual sit-down at the on-site Rail House Restaurant or drinks at the End Zone Sports Bar.
Story by Aakanksha Agarwal
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