Point State Park is where Pittsburgh began and the best free thing to do in the city. It covers 36 acres at the tip of downtown, at the exact point where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers come together to form the Ohio, and it is run by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The park's centerpiece is a 150-foot fountain that sends water high above the confluence, and around it you will find riverfront promenades, 23 monuments and historical markers and three recreated bastions from the original Fort Pitt. The history is deep. The French began colonizing the area in 1747 by establishing Fort Duquesne here, and when British General John Forbes arrived in 1758 the outnumbered French burned the fort and left. The British built Fort Pitt on the same ground, and in 1803 the Lewis and Clark expedition built its keelboat here before heading downriver. The Fort Pitt Museum stands on the footprint of an original bastion, and the Fort Pitt Block House, built in 1764, is open for tours.
Hours and access
The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, admission is free, and it is accessible for wheelchairs. The Block House has free admission, with its own hours, which you can confirm by phone. The Fort Pitt Museum, which is run by the Heinz History Center, has its own hours and tickets. A parking lot at the park charges a fee, and other lots and garages are within walking distance downtown.
Planning your visit
An hour is enough to walk to the fountain, read the markers and look at the confluence, and two to three hours if you add the museum and the Block House. The park is lovely in all seasons, though the fountain may not run all year, so check its schedule if you are visiting in winter. Early morning and sunset are the best times for photography, and the park is a calm place to watch the city light up as evening comes.
Making it count
Point State Park links well with the Duquesne Incline, because the view from Mount Washington looks straight down on the fountain, and the walk across the bridges to the North Shore is only a few minutes. Visitors interested in the French and Indian War will enjoy the museum, while those who are just looking for a place to relax can bring a coffee and watch the rivers. It is also the best way to understand why the city exists, because the geography explains everything about its industrial past.
What to expect
The experience
A free riverfront state park with a large fountain, monuments, a 1764 blockhouse and the Fort Pitt Museum.
Best time
Early morning or around sunset, and check the fountain schedule in winter.
How long
An hour for the park, two to three hours with the museum.
Tips
Bring a camera, check the Block House and museum hours separately, and combine it with the Duquesne Incline.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors, history lovers and photographers.
- Families
- Free, open and easy for children to run around, with a fountain to watch.
- Couples
- A scenic riverfront stroll at sunset.
- Pair with
- The Duquesne Incline, the North Shore bridges or the Heinz History Center.
- Time needed
- One to three hours.
Good questions
Is Point State Park free?+
Yes, the park is free and open daily from sunrise to sunset. The Block House is also free, while the Fort Pitt Museum has its own admission.
What is at Point State Park?+
A 150-foot fountain, riverfront promenades, monuments, recreated Fort Pitt bastions, the Fort Pitt Block House and the Fort Pitt Museum.
What is the Fort Pitt Block House?+
The Fort Pitt Block House, built in 1764, is a surviving piece of the old fort and is open for tours.
Is there parking at Point State Park?+
Yes, there is a fee-charging parking lot, and more lots and garages nearby downtown.
Is the fountain on all year?+
Check the park's schedule before a winter visit, since the fountain may not run all year.
