High on the hills of Highland Park, the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium packs a world tour into one very walkable park: some 4,000 animals representing 475 species, from African savanna giants to the sharks gliding over the PPG Aquarium’s water tunnel.
For families, the rhythm is easy. Start with the big charisma — elephants, lions, giraffes in the African Savanna — then cool off in the Aquarium, where stingrays and sea turtles drift overhead. The Islands exhibit brings lemurs and siamangs at eye level, and the Tropical Forest’s primates keep little ones glued to the glass. Save energy for the Zoo’s hills (it’s Pittsburgh, after all) and time a break at the Village or the safari-style food stands.
The Zoo is at 7370 Baker Street in Highland Park, open daily year-round. Memberships are the local family’s best friend; hours and tickets at pittsburghzoo.org.
