On Pittsburgh’s North Side, the National Aviary is a rainforest you can walk into. America’s only independent nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds houses more than 500 birds of 150 species — and the magic is how close they get: penguins porpoising past the glass, lorikeets landing on your feeding cup, flamingos strolling through their wetland at arm’s length.
Families love the walk-through habitats. In Penguin Point, African penguins waddle and swim in a rocky colony built for close encounters. The Wetlands and Tropical Rainforest rooms let macaws, toucans and spoonbills fly free overhead, while the Grasslands and Canary’s Call zones slow the pace for the littlest birders. Daily feedings, talks and flighted bird shows run through the day.
The National Aviary is at 700 Arch Street on the North Side, open daily. Tickets and program times are at aviary.org — arrive for the morning feedings, when the whole place sings.
