Things to do in Pittsburgh

Fall Family Activities in Pittsburgh: Things to Do This Autumn

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Children in Halloween costumes holding jack-o'-lantern candy buckets and a black cauldron

Quick answer

Popular fall family outings around Pittsburgh include pumpkin patches and orchards like Soergel Orchards, Simmons Farm and Triple B Farms, Halloween events at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, and foliage views from the Duquesne Incline. On the rivers, families can sail Halloween Family Fun (Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026) or the evening Haunted Three Rivers cruise.

Ready to make the most of fall in Pittsburgh? From pumpkin patches and fall festivals to colorful foliage and family-friendly adventures, there are so many fun things to do this season. Make your fall outing extra memorable with a cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper and see the city from a whole new perspective. Gather the kids, grab your sweaters and start checking off your autumn list!

Event dates below are the 2026 dates as listed when we published this guide. Hours and dates can change, so check each website before you go.

Farm outings and pumpkin patches

  1. Soergel Orchards, Wexford: best overall
  2. Shenot Farm & Market, Wexford: best North Hills option
  3. Simmons Farm, McMurray: best for lots of activities
  4. Triple B Farms, Monongahela: best for a full-day fall adventure
  5. Harvest Valley Farms: best for younger kids
  6. Yeck's Pumpkins & Hayrides, Freedom: best traditional pumpkin-patch experience

Fall events and festivals

  1. Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkin Festival: Oct. 17–18, 2026
  2. Gateway Clipper's Haunted Three Rivers cruise: Friday and Saturday evenings through Oct. 30, 2026
  3. Gateway Clipper's Halloween Family Fun cruise: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
  4. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium's Jack O'Lantern Extravaganza: Oct. 2 – Nov. 1, 2026
  5. Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium's ZooBoo: Saturdays, Oct. 17 & 24, and Sundays, Oct. 18 & 25, 2026
A giant skeleton decoration at the Gateway Clipper dock beside the Three Rivers Queen as guests crowd the decks
Spooky season at the dock

Fall foliage and Pittsburgh scenery

  1. Gateway Clipper's Autumn Serenade Lunch: select Wednesdays and Saturdays in October, with a lunch buffet and live music
  2. Duquesne Incline: a classic ride up Mount Washington with views over the Point
  3. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden: walking trails and gardens in autumn color
  4. Point State Park: where the three rivers meet, right downtown
Fall trees in red, orange and gold along the riverbank below a yellow arch bridge in Pittsburgh
Fall color along the rivers

Prefer to see the colors from the water? The one-hour Three Rivers Sightseeing cruise sails through the fall, with narration about Pittsburgh's history along the way.

Indoor activities for rainy or cold days

  1. Phipps Conservatory: Halloween Happenings: Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, 5–8pm
  2. Kamin Science Center
  3. Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Planning a school or scout outing this fall? See our field trips and group cruises.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Gateway Clipper Halloween Family Fun cruise?

Saturday, October 24, 2026. It boards at 12:45pm and sails 1:30–3:30pm from Station Square, with a DJ and character friends.

Is the Haunted Three Rivers cruise family-friendly?

Yes. It's a one-hour evening sightseeing cruise with spooky Pittsburgh stories for all ages. Children 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.

Can we see fall foliage from a Pittsburgh boat cruise?

Yes. The Autumn Serenade Lunch sails select October Wednesdays and Saturdays with a lunch buffet and live music, and the one-hour Three Rivers Sightseeing cruise sails through November.

Cruises in this story

Kids & Family Halloween Family Fun

Ghosts, ghouls and goblins welcome: an afternoon river cruise with a DJ and character friends.

$36.66 per adult, all-in · Sat, Oct 24, 2026

DetailsBook
Holiday & Seasonal Haunted Three Rivers

Ghost stories of old Pittsburgh, told after dark on the water.

$36.66 per adult, all-in · Fri & Sat, late Sept–Oct

DetailsBook
Dining Autumn Serenade Lunch

A midday buffet with live music and fall color on the banks.

$62.37 per adult, all-in · Select Wed & Sat in October

DetailsBook
Sightseeing Three Rivers Sightseeing

One hour, three rivers, and the captain telling the city’s story.

$33.53 per adult, all-in · Apr–Nov · days vary by month

DetailsBook

Find your cruise

Sightseeing tours, dinner and dance cruises, family and holiday cruises, all sailing from Station Square.

See all cruisesGive a gift card

Or call (412) 355-7980

More from the Captain’s Log

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