60th Annual Meeting
September 23-27, 2026
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Pittsburgh, PA
Event Countdown
Things to do in Pittsburgh
Welcome to the City of Bridges (there are 446 of them crossing our rivers and canyons). Located at the junction between the East Coast and the Midwest, Pittsburgh boasts all the best features of both. It’s a combination of small-town friendliness and big-city culture. Every neighborhood of Pittsburgh (including Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood) is like its own little city.
- National Geographic chose Pittsburgh for its Top 25 Places in the World to Visit in 2026. Pittsburgh is the only US city on this list.
- Lonely Planet listed Pittsburgh among the Top 10 Must-visit Places in the World for 2025.
- According to BBC Good Food, Pittsburgh is among the top 10 world destinations for foodies – the only U.S. city to make the list.
The official tourism site for Pittsburgh is Visit Pittsburgh, but we have some favorite places to go and things to do that we want to share with you:
Architecture
Robber-barons from the early 1900’s built huge mansions that have become attractions for architecture fanatics. And Pittsburgh had a lot of robber-barons…
Cathedral of Learning
The dominant feature of the University of Pittsburgh campus is the massive Cathedral of Learning (“Cathy” to the locals). It houses many of the undergraduate classrooms, as well as a series of Nationality Rooms that depict cultures from around the world. But the best reason to visit is the bottom-floor study area, with its medieval theme.
Hartwood Acres
You can take a tour of the mansion, and it’s even better to wander the grounds of this equestrian estate.
Visit: Hartwood Acres Park – Allegheny County Parks Foundation
Frick Mansion
This mansion has its own name: Clayton. The art museum is quite impressive, and often hosts visiting collections from museums around the world. The car and carriage collection is also worth the visit.
Visit: The Frick Pittsburgh
Mansions on Fifth
This four-star hotel is a converted mansion near the Pitt and CMU campuses.
Visit: Mansions on Fifth
PPG
While not the tallest building in downtown Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Plate Glass building is famous for the sheer amount of…. well… glass. It is a short walk from the meeting hotel.
Art & Museums
Warhol Museum
The iconic modern artist Andy Warhol was a Pittsburgher, and the unique museum devoted to his work is on the North Side. It is a fascinating tour through his entire career.
Visit: The Warhol Museum
Phipps Botanical Gardens
The premier indoor botanical garden in the USA is Phipps. It has recently undergone a major renovation, with a beautiful new façade. Each room is full of plants from a different climate — even the model train room!
Visit: Phipps Botanical Gardens
The Mattress Factory
It’s not actually a mattress factory — it’s a museum of modern art.
Visit: The Mattress Factory
Carnegie Art Museum
The Carnegie Art Museum and the Natural History Museum are actually in the same building. It’s very easy to visit them both at the same time. Unlike the Mattress Factory and the Warhol, the Carnegie is focused on classical art.
Visit: Carnegie Art Museum
Carnegie Natural History Museum
It’s not just about the dinosaurs! (Okay, it’s a lot about the dinosaurs). But the Gems and Minerals display is a favorite for adults. In the Halls of Architecture, the casts are in better condition than the originals, which have degraded with time – scholars come to Pittsburgh to study the casts because they have more detail!
Kamin Science Center
The Science Center is geared for children, but there are plenty of areas to appeal to adults as well, such as the planetarium, the IMAX theater, laser shows, a real submarine that you can tour, and a huge model train display.
Visit: Kamin Science Center
Heinz History Center
This museum is devoted to the history of Pittsburgh itself, and they have done a fantastic job of presenting the information and keeping it interesting. It is one of Pittsburgh’s hidden gems.
Visit: Heinz History Center
Museum of Illusions
Optical illusions abound; have your camera ready!
Walking Around Town
Funicular Railway
You can’t visit Pittsburgh without riding the Incline. This unique mode of travel will take you from the base of Mount Washington to the top, where a stunning view of the city awaits. There are two inclines, one of which is within walking distance of the hotel.
Point State Park
Walk out the front door of the meeting hotel, and you are looking at Point State Park. In addition to the iconic Point Fountain, you can tour the remains of Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt to learn more about the American-Indian War. It’s also a pleasant place for a morning walk or run.
Northside River Walk
Head across one of the many downtown bridges to reach the North Side, where you can walk among the ballparks and take a stroll along the Allegheny River. The trail will take you all the way to Herr’s Island, where the rowers launch.
Walking Tour of Historic Pittsburgh
There are several companies that would be happy to take you on walking tours of Pittsburgh, but for the best experience, I recommend a historic tour to learn about the roles that the city has played in industry and in war.
Children & Families
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Interactive displays and videos will keep children entertained for hours. There are areas devoted to the works of Mr. Rogers (a hometown hero).
Kamin Science Center
The science center is designed for children of all ages. It boasts an IMAX theater and a restored submarine that you can tour in the river.
Visit: Kamin Science Center
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
This was already one of the top three children’s zoos in the country before they built the aquarium. The polar bear exhibit and the primate house are particularly exciting. There is also a petting zoo.
Visit: Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
National Aviary
One of the best aviaries in the country. You can pet the penguins and feed the parakeets from your hand.
Visit: National Aviary
National History Museum
Dinosaurs and a lot more. The Gems and Minerals exhibit is surprisingly engaging.
Visit: National History Museum
Idlewild
This combination amusement park and water park, designed for children, is a one hour drive from downtown.
Visit: Idlewild
Kennywood
Old-style amusement park with wooden roller coasters and traditional carnival rides, located on the south side of the city. A unique Pittsburgh experience!
Visit: Kennywood
Hiking & Water Sports
- “The Point”: Pittsburgh’s three rivers come together at “The Point”, which is easily visible from the meeting hotel. If you’d like to get out on the water, Venture Outdoors is a wonderful resource. You can find river boats, kayaks, jet skis, and our famous Gateway Clipper for a slow tour of the city along the rivers.
- City Parks: The large city parks (like New York’s Central Park, but with more hills) are Schenley and Frick. They are easy to access by car and each contains hours of easy to moderate hiking trails.
- Nature Preserve: Beechwood Farms is an Audubon nature preserve about a half-hour from downtown. It boasts easy hiking trails and lots of birds.
- North Park: North Park lies about a half-hour north of downtown. It has a central lake with kayak rentals and miles of hilly hiking trails.
- Moraine State Park: Moraine State Park lies about an hour north of downtown. Lake Arthur, in the center of the park, has sailboats and beaches, although they might be a bit cold in September. There are extensive beautiful surrounding hiking trails, including paths that lead to historic McConnell’s Mill.
- Allegheny Trail: If you want a full day of hiking, it’s worth travelling a little further to the Laurel Highlands and the famed Allegheny Trail. Bring a map and a cell phone, because you can easily get lost on these wilderness hikes.
Night Life
Pittsburgh Symphony
Pittsburgh has one of the finest Symphonic Orchestras in the country. They have pops concerts, movie nights, and of course the best of classical music. Community orchestras such as the Pittsburgh Philharmonic and Butler County Symphony Orchestra mean that classical music is almost always available.
Visit: Pittsburgh Symphony
Bars
There is a wide variety of nightlife in different neighborhoods: The Strip district, downtown, and Carson street on the southside are good places to start.
Excursions
These sites are all about 1 hour drive from downtown Pittsburgh.
Fallingwater
The iconic house designed by Frank Llyod Wright attracts visitors from around the world.
Visit: Fallingwater
McConnells Mill
You can drive to the mill, but it’s much more fun to hike a few miles through the surrounding state park to reach it. Learn how mills worked and how they fit into the culture of early American life.
Visit: McConnells Mill State Park
Ohiopyle State Park
Ohiopyle is best known for its white water rafting, but the hiking surrounding the town is amazing.
Visit: Ohiopyle State Park
Laurel Caverns
If you like caves, Laurel Caverns are some of the best in the country. The caverns are huge and designed for easy visitor access – no spelunking required.
Visit: Laurel Caverns
Ligonier
A charming rural village that retains its 18th-century character. Small shops line the streets. The adjacent Fort Ligonier has daily tours where you can learn about the American-Indian War. Set some time aside for a hike through the surrounding state parks.
Visit: Ligonier
Religion
- Hinduism: The nationally famous Sri Venkateswara Hindu temple receives visitors from around the country year-round.
- Islam: There are numerous Muslim Community Centers around Pittsburgh, but the closest to our hotel is the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.
- Judaism: Squirrel Hill is Pittsburgh’s Jewish neighborhood. There are kosher restaurants and synagogues for every level of observance.
- Christianity: Beautiful hundred-year-old churches from every Christian denomination can be found around every corner throughout Pittsburgh.
- Latter-Day Saints: Pittsburgh’s LDS Temple, located in the northern suburbs, is brand new. It was dedicated in 2024!
Shopping
Strip District
Pittsburgh’s Strip District lies a pleasant walk from the hotel. Its main street is lined with open-air markets, specialty shops, and generational family-owned businesses. It is the quintessential place to buy Pittsburgh-themed clothing and gear.
Station Square
The tourist-themed shopping experience is at Station Square on the South Side. When you get tired of shopping, take the funicular railway up to the top of Mount Washington for a spectacular view!
Sports
- Baseball: The Pirates might not have the best record in baseball, but they play in one of the best stadiums in the league. A well-hit home run can splash into the river. The architecture recalls the steel-manufacturing roots of the city. The 2026 schedule isn’t ready yet, but hopefully there will be home games during the meeting.
- Football: The Steelers are one of the most popular football teams around the world. During home games, tailgating parties take over the entire North Side. Season tickets are handed down as family heirlooms. Tickets can be had – for a price.
- Hockey: The hockey season won’t have started during the meeting, so you’ll have to come back another time to see the Penguins.