Venturing Outdoors around Pittsburgh

Many residents of our great city don’t know that within an hour and a half’s drive radius, there are opportunities to participate in almost every outdoor sport imaginable, from rock climbing to caving to kayaking to hiking and biking. Many more also don’t know that Pittsburgh was rated as National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s #1 Urban Adventure Town in September 2006.

It is the mission of Venture Outdoors, a ‘Burgh-based, not-for-profit organization, to change that trend. More specifically, Venture Outdoors seeks to transform our region into one where the outdoors becomes an integral part of our culture, identity and lifestyle. They hope to achieve their mission by increasing local residents’ and visitors’ participation in outdoor recreation in the hopes that it will foster a greater appreciation for and deeper understanding of the region’s natural resources. Venture Outdoors offers a great number of themed public programs each year (over 400, to be more specific) designed to get beginners and experts out-of-doors and having a blast.

That’s right, I said ‘themed’ events. They range from Doggie Day Treks (designed to get you and your pup outside having fun together) to Tyke Hikes (meant to introduce your wee ones to the stroller-friendly trails of the area) to Full Moon Paddles and Happy Hour Paddles (great social kayaking events) to Beer-Tasting and Wine and Cheese Hikes (some people require this extra motivation to get them out in the wilderness *wink wink*). Winter events include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (provided there’s enough snow). They also offer geocache trips and a weekly lunchtime fishing session in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh during the summer. And more. Full Story »

A Favorite Pittsburgh Family Activity

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is tied in first with the Pittsburgh zoo as my favorite Pittsburgh place to take my 17 month old son. I highly recommend a weekend trip to the Children’s Museum for any family with kids aged 10 and under (it way beats watching TV).

The Children’s Museum is grouped into rooms, which include the following: The Attic, The Studio, The Garage/Workshop, The Theater, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, Waterplay, Toonseum (museum of cartoons), The Backyard, Interactive Art Room and The Nursery (for the wee ones). Plus, outside of the rooms, throughout the whole museum, there is a variety of interactive art to play with. For example, the screen with falling letters that you stand in front of to block the letters with your shadow - we were making some serious words with our heads and having more fun than the kids here! Full Story »