Skip to main content

Outdoor Adventures

🧗 Outdoor Adventures for Kids in South Side, PA

7 hiking, farms, nature centers, and outdoor adventure spots rated and reviewed by families.

Activities & Venues in South Side

7 of 7
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens botanical garden in Pittsburgh, PA Activity
Photo: Eric Schnipke

Phipps Conservatory offers a magical indoor-outdoor experience where kids can explore 14 distinct garden rooms filled with exotic plants, colorful butterflies, and seasonal flower shows. The stunning Victorian glasshouse creates a tropical escape even in winter, while outdoor gardens provide space for kids to wander and discover nature's wonders year-round.

🕑 2-3 hours
Rollier Hardware Inc hardware store in Mount Lebanon, PA Activity
Photo: Rollier Hardware Inc
4.6(467)$5 mi · Mount Lebanon

This isn't your typical hardware store visit! Rollier Hardware Inc is a beloved Mount Lebanon institution where kids can step back in time at the old-fashioned candy counter while parents browse quality home goods. The nostalgic atmosphere and friendly service make even a quick errand feel like a special outing, and children love picking out penny candy from the vintage-style display.

🕑 30-45 minutes
South Shore Riverfront Park and Trail park in South Side, PA🧗 Adventure
Photo: Qi Chen

South Shore Riverfront Park and Trail offers families a beautifully maintained, flat paved trail stretching along the Monongahela River with stunning Pittsburgh skyline views. Perfect for introducing little ones to biking or enjoying a leisurely stroller walk, this scenic riverside gem provides a safe, car-free environment where kids can burn energy while parents soak in the waterfront atmosphere.

🕑 1.5-3 hours depending on how far you ride or walk and how many photo stops you make
Shiloh Farm - Grow Pittsburgh farm in Pittsburgh, PA🌾 Farm
Photo: Tarun Gupta
4.5(10)$4 mi away

Shiloh Farm brings urban agriculture to life for Pittsburgh families, offering hands-on educational programs where kids can learn about sustainable farming, meet farm animals, and discover where their food comes from. This welcoming Grow Pittsburgh site combines outdoor exploration with meaningful learning experiences that help children connect with nature right in the city.

🕑 1-2 hours
Activity
Free3 mi · Shadyside

Chatham University Arboretum offers families a peaceful escape into nature right in the heart of Pittsburgh's Shadyside neighborhood. With well-maintained walking paths winding through diverse tree collections and open green spaces, it's perfect for casual nature walks, tree identification adventures, and letting kids explore the outdoors without the pressure of a formal botanical garden experience.

🕑 1-2 hours
🧗 Adventure
Free6 mi · Fox Chapel

Kittanning Pike offers a scenic, paved route perfect for introducing kids to biking or enjoying leisurely stroller walks through the charming Fox Chapel area. This well-maintained trail connects neighborhoods with gentle terrain, making it accessible for even the youngest riders with training wheels or balance bikes. It's an ideal spot for families looking to get outside together without venturing far from suburban conveniences.

🕑 1-2 hours for a leisurely family ride or walk
Trillium Trail premise in Fox Chapel, PA🧗 Adventure
Photo: Michael Connolly
Free7 mi · Fox Chapel

Trillium Trail offers families an easy, peaceful woodland hike through the heart of Fox Chapel, perfect for introducing little ones to nature. The gentle terrain and well-maintained paths make it ideal for stroller-pushing parents and new hikers alike, while seasonal wildflowers,especially the namesake trilliums in spring,create magical learning moments about local ecosystems.

🕑 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

Also in Pittsburgh Metro