5 Things to Do on the North Shore & North Side

PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

The home of both the Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium and the Pirates’ PNC Park, the historic North Side and riverfront North Shore are full of tourist destinations large and small, plus food, trails and scenic river views.

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The Andy Warhol Museum

117 Sandusky St.

warhol.org

One of the largest single-artist museums in the country, the Warhol is both a permanent tribute to the pop-art icon and an ever-changing center for challenging, contemporary art. You can see some of Andy Warhol’s most recognizable creations here, from instantly recognizable screenprints of Campbell’s Soup cans and Marilyn Monroe to the whimsical Silver Clouds installation — but go beyond the permanent collection and check out the rotating exhibitions as well.

The Warhol also boasts one of the city’s best gift shops, so if you’re bringing a piece of Pittsburgh back home, this is a great place to browse. — Sean Collier

Bicycle Heaven

1800 Preble Ave.

bicycleheaven.org

This combination museum and bike shop is incongruously located in Casey Industrial Park on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Bicycle Heaven is the world’s largest museum dedicated to bicycles. It started as the personal collection of bicycle aficionado and repairman Craig Morrow; he now showcases roughly 3,500 of the more than 27,000 bicycles in his collection.

Bicycle Heaven regularly provides props for movie and TV productions; bikes used in films including “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” are among those on display. The collection also features bikes dating back to the 1800s, including several penny farthings and an all-wooden bicycle made before the Civil War. — Jess Simms

PHOTO BY RENEE ROSENSTEEL

Randyland

1501 Arch St.

facebook.com/randylandpgh

Randy Gilson is often termed a folk artist, but he might be better thought of as a transformer — of places, of things, of attitudes. His exuberant personality is evident in every corner of Randyland, the whimsical backyard art installation that perennially creeps to ever more and more of the territory once owned by the North Side home.

Tourists from all over the world have stopped for a bit of Randyland magic, and Gilson has become a Pittsburgh icon. He might be there himself when you stop by Randyland. If not, you’ll get to explore every detail of this one-of-a-kind experience. — Sean Collier

PHOTO BY SEAN COLLIER

PNC Park

115 Federal St.

mlb.com/pirates/ballpark/tours

Frequently called the most beautiful ballpark in the majors, PNC Park has hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2001. Fans may book interactive tours of the 38,000-seat facility, which has a classic view of the city’s picturesque skyline. The tours last approximately 90 minutes and take place rain or shine. Because this is a walking tour, don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes.

Even if you can’t fit in a tour, it’s worth making the short walk from Acrisure Stadium along the Allegheny River to check out the statues of Pirates legends that surround the stadium; you’ll find the towering visages of Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski and Honus Wagner near the ballpark’s gates. — Sean Collier

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL AVIARY / COLTON BOLENDER.

National Aviary

700 Arch St.

aviary.org

At the National Aviary, two massive habitats are the marquee attractions. In the humid, lush Wetlands and Tropical Rainforest halls, large birds fly overhead and march along walkways. These are the most transportive rooms in the Aviary, where you can believe for a moment that you’re in a far-off environment — and come face to face with birds the size of cats and dogs.

Smaller, more peaceful exhibits surround the two large habitats at the nation’s largest indoor bird zoo. If you’d like to attend any of the Aviary’s popular up-close encounters or shows, arrive early; tickets can and often do sell out, particularly on days when many families visit. The Aviary opens at 10 a.m. every day; you can also book experiences online, and some include early admission. — Sean Collier