Summer in Pittsburgh

Summer is a time to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and find adventure. Luckily for students in the Genetic Counseling Program, here in Pittsburgh, there is no shortage of ways to take advantage of the warmer season. Check out some of our favorite ways to spend the summer. 

1. Trails

For a city, we have found Pittsburgh to have a surprising amount of green space. There a number of parks, many located near campus and in the neighborhoods where students tend to live. There are miles of trails to explore by foot or bike. You could hike most of the day, and you would never know that you are in the city. Plus, there are also off-leash areas in some of the parks so you can take your dogs on adventures with you. 

2. Public Pools

Pittsburgh has a number of public pools located throughout the city, so there should be one that is convenient to you.  Students can purchase a year pass for $35 or pay the $5 daily rate to access them. The pools have lots of green space to lay out towels, read, and dry off. They really are the best way to spend a lazy afternoon -  just don’t forget your sunscreen!

3. Biking

With so much to explore in the city, it seems like you would never get to see it all on foot, but biking opens up a whole new world. The recent addition of bike lanes has made many roads more bike friendly for both everyday commuting and exploring, and we have taken advantage of it. One of our favorite things to do is bike along the river. While there, it always an adventure to explore downtown: seeing all the murals, finding art installations, and soaking in the vast variety of architecture.  Don’t have your own bike? Don’t worry! Healthy Ride PGH has bike share stations set up in convenient locations, allowing you to rent a bike when you need one and then drop it off when you’re done. 

4. Kayaking

As a city full of bridges it is impossible to forget the rivers! In Pittsburgh, the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers converge, so there is a lot of water running through the city. There is nothing better than looking at the skyline from the water, complete with Heinz Field and PNC Park. Better yet, there are always student discounts on kayak rentals throughout the summer. 

5. Ohiopyle State Park 

Sometime adventure takes you outside of the city. If that is the case, Ohiopyle should be your destination. Why?  A natural water slide created by the river cutting through 300-million-year old sandstone. If that isn’t enough, the park also boasts white water rafting, camping, horseback riding, hiking, and biking trails. 

6. Summer Events

Throughout the summer there are events hosted in different neighborhoods.  Here are a few to look out for:

• Jam on Walnut: This 3-night event benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For one night each month of the summer, Walnut Street is closed and celebrations begin with live music from local bands, food trucks, and vendors added to the great shops that are permanent features.  Who can say no to fun summer nights for a cause? 

• Squirrel Hill Night Market: Murray Avenue is closed down in the evening for a pop up market featuring local artists, craftsmen, and vendors along with live music and food trucks. 

• Open Streets PGH: This community building and fitness event was started by Bike PGH. The idea is to get everyone out and moving by closing the streets to traffic and opening them up for people to walk, run, bike, rollerblade, or skateboard through a 3-mile stretch of the city. There are also salsa lessons, yoga, and group fitness classes, free of charge. 

• Cinema in the Park: Throughout the summer, Schenley Park hosts outdoor movies on Wednesday nights. Other parks throughout Pittsburgh do the same.  Just bring a blanket or a lawn chair to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. 

- Emily Griffenkranz, Class of 2017