Pittsburg, PA
Going to the 2026 NFL Draft? Here are other places to check out
Where are the sites of the Pittsburgh 2026 NFL Draft located?
With the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh April 23-25, 2026, here is a look at the future sites of the Main Stage, Theater and the NFL Draft Experience.
As the NFL Draft sweeps into downtown Pittsburgh, there is plenty for visitors to explore beyond the football-themed attractions.
While most visitors will certainly plan to engage in football fan experiences around Acrisure Stadium and Point State Park, a trip to the Steel City can include plenty of adventures. The region is home to countless experiences, with highlights in art, food, music and more that are sure to excite visitors to the downtown area.
Beyond the iconic photo opportunities at the Mount Washington overview and the busy foot traffic at the point for NFL-sponsored events, what else is there to do around the downtown Pittsburgh area throughout the week?
Explore the culture of the Strip District
A must-see for tourists is the Strip District, a cultural hub of the city that offers dining, shopping and plenty of fun activities.
The Strip is home to the original Primanti Bros. location, an iconic sandwich shop that serves fries and coleslaw on its sandwiches. Wigle Whiskey’s distillery is also located in this area, offering plenty of local spirits for visitors to sample.
Walking around the area guarantees a little bit of everything: golf, groceries, breweries, restaurants and plenty of local shopping options. This is also a popular destination for nightlife in the city, so this is likely to be the party spot of Pittsburgh during the draft.
Learn more about regional history at local museums
Located near the Strip District, the Sen. John Heinz History Center offers visitors a glimpse into the dynamic history of the Pittsburgh region.
With six floors of exhibits, visitors can learn why items such as Heinz Ketchup and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood have such strong ties to the region’s culture. And, of course, there are plenty of sports exhibits at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, recently renamed the Franco Harris Sports Museum after the iconic Steelers running back, located on the second and third floors of the history center.
The Fort Pitt Museum is also a draw for fans of the Revolutionary War and the early development of Pittsburgh. For those looking to travel even farther back in time, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History also offers plenty to see, including some colossal dinosaur exhibits.
Get a glimpse of nature without leaving Downtown
If you are looking to escape the city’s noise and see some natural beauty, a visit to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers an expansive display in Oakland. With a 14-room glasshouse and 23 gardens to wander, the gardens are perfect for colorful photos or more peaceful walks between events.
The National Aviary also offers a unique glimpse into nature, with plenty of birds calling Downtown home. The conservatory offers plenty of daily activities and accommodations, making it a great stop for families who want to interact with some feathered friends.
Experience the local art scene and interactive experiences
Pittsburgh is also home to several unique art museums, such as the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Andy Warhol Museum. Both offer a wide selection of interesting displays that capture the local art history and the current styles defining the region. These laid-back experiences can be a blast for those interested in the arts.
Looking for a more experimental experience? An interesting option can include the Mattress Factory, which showcases installation art from its international residency. Randyland also offers a unique artistic experience, with the public art installation showcasing a variety of colorful sights made from found objects. Street art fans will enjoy a trip to Color Park, which offers a great view of the downtown skyline and colorful graffiti, providing plenty of photo opportunities.
The Kamin Science Center also offers plenty of activities and unique exhibits for families to enjoy. The science center is within walking distance of Acrisure Stadium, so a quick stop to enjoy the fun can be an easy goal for draft attendees.
Venture slightly outside the city for big attractions
While most of the action of the NFL Draft will be in downtown Pittsburgh, the region also has some big attractions within driving distance. A fun stop for families slightly outside the city is the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Around seven miles from the draft action, the zoo is a must-see for animal lovers and offers plenty of unique sights.
For thrill-seekers, the NFL Draft will also coincide with the opening weekend of Kennywood Amusement Park in West Mifflin.
The increased traffic to the region will likely mean a busy time at the park, but it will certainly be a lively stop for roller coaster fans. The amusement park features a Steelers-themed section and is one of two amusement parks in the United States designated as National Historic Landmarks.
A deadly motorcycle crash in Cranberry Township near Interstate 79 was discovered more than two days after it happened, Pennsylvania State Police said.
According to the police report, troopers believe 36-year-old Milo Corll was driving his Harley-Davidson on the ramp from Route 228 onto I-79 northbound near the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex when he crashed sometime around 2 a.m. on Tuesday. But police said he wasn’t discovered until around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Police said Corll’s motorcycle went off the ramp and into an area of saplings and foliage. Corll was thrown from his bike, which continued on until landing on the southern side of the ramp. He wasn’t wearing a helmet and sustained a fatal injury, police said.
Troopers said they were able to confirm the date and time of the crash by using surveillance video from a nearby business, VEG ER for Pets.
Police didn’t release any other details about the crash.
The Cranberry Police Department, the Cranberry Fire Company, PennDOT and the Butler County coroner also responded to the scene.
New baby lion grooms itself in video shared by Pittsburgh Zoo
The Pittsburgh Zoo welcomed a new lion cub and shared a behind-the-scenes video of it learning to groom itself.
This summer, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium will have a new “mane” attraction after a cub’s birth in April.
The female cub, born to nine-year-old parents Scarlett and Hondo, came into the world on April 5.
Scarlett and her cub were residing in a private maternity den as of May 20, the zoo said in a release. Here’s when you’ll be able to see them.
When can I see Pittsburgh Zoo’s new lion cub?
The lion cub, who doesn’t have a name yet, will likely make her public debut in late summer. The zoo is waiting until the cub shows strong mobility skills before placing her in the public lion habitat. In the meantime, adult lions are still out and about and can be seen by zoo visitors.
Where is Pittsburgh Zoo’s lion cub?
As of May 20, the cub and Scarlett were in a quiet area away from the public to let them bond, with veterinarians routinely performing health checkups.
This, according to the zoo, is to mimic how lions and their cubs would behave in the wild: Lionesses seek out isolated shelters where they can hunker down with their young until the cubs are strong enough to join their pride.
How big is Pittsburgh Zoo’s lion cub?
The zoo didn’t say exactly how big the lion cub was, but it said cubs typically weigh about two or three pounds when they’re born. Much like domestic cats, lion cubs are born blind, with their eyes opening within a week or two.
“The cub is doing great and exceeding milestones,” Assistant Curator of Mammals Karen Vacco said. “Scarlett is an excellent mother and has been caring for the cub well. Animal care staff are carefully monitoring healthy nursing patterns and normal maternal behavior.”
When did Pittsburgh Zoo last have lion cubs?
It’s been nearly six years since a lion cub was born at Pittsburgh Zoo. The last birth was in July 2020, when lioness Abana mothered three cubs.
Pittsburgh cub’s birth marks ‘major victory’ for species survival
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium noted that the birth of the cub marks a “major victory” for the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Lion Species Survival Plan. The plan is a national effort to ensure genetic diversity in animals in human care.
In the wild, African lions are vulnerable, as they face threats from habitat loss, conflict with humans and declining prey. Successfully rearing lion cubs is part of conservation efforts to help the future of the species, the zoo said.
How much do Pittsburgh Zoo tickets cost?
Tickets to visit the zoo between May 22 and September 7 cost between $31 and $36, depending on the specific ticket you opt for. On May 21, there are single-day tickets that range in price from $20 to $24.
Finch Walker is the Pittsburgh Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Walker at FWalker@usatodayco.com. Instagram: @finchwalker_. X: @_finchwalker.
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