Head to the ‘Burgh for Winter Family Fun

“The view of the city from the Monongahela Incline is a huge sight for little eyes to see.”

That’s why Lela Checco of Imperial drives to Mount Washington to take her young nieces on a sightseeing ride down the slope of one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent hills.

And that’s why you may want to consider doing the same thing.

Keeping kids busy and entertained during the long winter months is something entirely different. Whether you’re a parent tending to your own children, or are hosting young guests, you want to make sure that the winter fun doesn’t wear off after the last Christmas gift is unwrapped.

So why not hit Pittsburgh for some fun? A trip to the city can be a big deal for a young'un who spends most of his or her days in a suburban setting.

Here are a few great ideas for activities to do in Pittsburgh, which will keep the holiday spirit alive and keep your kids on their toes:

1. Monongahela Incline & Station Square. Grab the kids and head up to Mount Washington for a ride on the Monongahela Incline. As you descend the 635-foot-long track, your kids will surely be amazed by the panoramic view that unfolds before them.

The incline’s lower station is right across the street from Station Square, where numerous restaurants and retail experiences await.

Take some time to explore Station Square’s myriad shops. Get a bite to eat at any one of the complex’s many eateries, such as Hard Rock Café, where you can grab a killer burger and school your kids on the fundamentals of rock 'n' roll.

2. Plenty at PPG Place. Go to the heart of Pittsburgh for some winter-themed fun at PPG Place. Try your hand, or foot, at ice skating in PPG’s 104-square-foot rink, which is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $7 for adults, 6 for kids and seniors. Skate rental is just $3.

Hungry? Visit one of PPG’s dining spots. From pizza at Sbarro to a filet at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, you’ll be able to find something to curb your appetite.

3. Carnegie Science Center. Just because the kids might get a snow day here and there, that doesn’t mean they have to stop learning. The science center offers various day camps for kids of different age groups —so, you can drop the kids off and go on your way. Visit the website for more information and pricing.

If, however, you’d like to explore the center with your young ones, there’s plenty of fun to enjoy together. Tiny trains, big robots, aquatic ecosystems, food chemistry, air power and water play—the list goes on and on.

Admission to the center is approximately $18 for adults and $12 for kids (ages 3-12). Members of the military get in for half price, and Pennsylvania ACCESS/EBT cardholders pay only $1 for admission.

Included in the cost of admission is access to the USS Requin submarine parked on the shore and to Highmark SportsWorks, where several interactive exhibits will put a smile on your kids’ faces.

If you want to check out an Omnimax flick, it’ll cost ya’ extra. But Batman fans won’t mind paying the price, since a six-minute movie trailer for The Dark Knight Rises plays before select Omnimax shows.

While you’re in Pittsburgh’s North Side, throw The Bus some business. Dine at Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36, and see why it’s been voted Pittsburgh’s best sports restaurant every year since it opened. If you’re daring, try to tackle the 36-ounce, bone-in New York strip steak.

4. The Strip District. Take the kids for a stroll through Pittsburgh’s Strip District. Shop street vendors selling unique crafts, unofficial Pittsburgh sports apparel and items, and name brand knockoffs. Ethnic food stores, markets and specialty stores abound.

The Strip is the closest thing Pittsburgh has to big city vending districts, so it’s a must-see for kids who’ve only ever shopped in malls and box stores.

For a true taste of Pittsburgh, hunker down for a sandwich at Primanti Bros. on 18th Street. Experience what has made this fare an “almost famous” staple of the ‘burgh diet since 1933.

Craving more Pittsburgh flavor? Walk over to the Senator John Heinz History Center on Smallman Street. The 275-square-foot museum is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania.

Six floors of historical exhibits, including the popular Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, document 250 years of Pittsburgh history.

Admission is $10 for adults, 5 for children (ages 4 – 17), and 9 for senior citizens. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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Make sure to click on the links for information on the locations listed here, or call the business if you are uncertain about business hours and/or other restrictions.