It seems like everyone in Pittsburgh is looking for ways to get out of the house this winter! Fresh air is good for the soul - not to mention it helps to get the wiggles out of the kids! Macaroni KID South Hills is committed to finding your family fun right in your backyard, and has put together a parent's guide to outdoor winter activities for the whole family! We really try and focus on venues closest to the South Hills of Pittsburgh, but occasionally we'll suggest crossing a river or two for a great find. As a mom, I know how far my littles will survive in the car, so I try not to recommend any place I wouldn't drive my own family to! Does your family have a favorite winter spot in the 'Burgh that isn't listed? We'd love to hear about it! Email emilyp@macaronikid.com with any suggestions you may have!
****Please be sure to check with venue to confirm times as well as any COVID-19 guidelines that may require you to purchase tickets in advance***
OUTDOOR ICE SKATING
One of my favorite winter memories as a kid was taking ice skating lessons and going to open skate at the South Park Ice Skating Rink. Located on Corrigan Drive in Bethel Park, the NHL-sized rink and skate trail is open from mid-November to mid-March (weather and conditions permitting). South Park Ice Skating Rink offers so many great options at the rink, be sure to check out their Hockey is For Everyone Day: Public Skate. Here are some other great places in Pittsburgh to get your skate on:
South Park Ice Skating Rink
South Park
The South Park Ice Skating Rinks will open for the season on November 24th through mid-March, weather and conditions permitting. $5 admission and $2 skate rental for Allegheny County residents. 2023 Public Skating Times are below. Please note, holiday hours vary:
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Find more info on their website here.
The Ice Rink at Moon Park (Waiting on confirmation for 2023)
Did you know that Moon Park is opening an acrylic ice rink for the winter? Last year, there was a small rink under the Clearview Pavilion for skaters to enjoy. This year the rink is expanding and moving onto the Tennis Courts. This new location will allow the rink to more than double its size. The 48’ x 68’ rink will have short sides to allow for recreational hockey or ice skating. Acrylic ice functions in many of the same ways as real ice, but it doesn’t require below freezing temperatures. For the best results, we recommend sharpening your skates. Sharp skates will provide the best glide. The rink is open daily from dawn to dusk and on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from dawn to 9 p.m. Street shoes are not allowed on the rink. Hockey nets are available for no contact play. No checking is allowed on the rink.
The Rink at PPG Place, Downtown | WEBSITE
Schenley Park Skating Rink, Schenley Park | WEBSITE
North Park Ice Skating Rink, Allison Park | WEBSITE
Nemacolin, Farmington | WEBSITE
INDOOR ICE SKATING
I know I said this was for outdoor activities, but can you really list the outdoor rinks without following up with the indoor ones? I couldn't bring myself to do it! Plus, some kids (and adults) like to skate but prefer to do it indoors and that's ok ;)
Ice Castle Arena, Castle Shannon | 412.561.9090
General Admission is $10, kids 5 and under skate for free. Skate rentals are $5. The schedule is updated monthly on their website HERE.
RMU Island Sports, Coraopolis | 412.397.4454
General Admission is $5 for kids 12 and under and $7 for adults. Skate rentals are $3. Public skate sessions seem to run from noon to 2pm Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend sessions that vary. Call ahead or check the schedule prior to planning your visit.
Ice Center, Mt. Lebanon | 412.561.4363
General admission is $7 for all day skate and $5 for half day skate (2 hours or less) Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9am-1:30pm.
Saturday and Sunday from 2:10pm-4pm rates are $5 for children 5 and under, $7 for students ages 6-17, and $8 for adults. Skate rentals are $3. TGIF Late Skate on Friday's from 7:40pm-10pm are $10/person. These dates run through May 2022 but should always be double-checked for accuracy.
Printscape Arena, Southpointe | 724.745.6666
General Admission is $9 for 12 and under and seniors, $10 for 13 and over. Skate rentals are $3 and skate helpers are available to rent for $5. Public skate sessions are held Friday eventing and Saturday afternoons. Please check the schedule or call for exact times.
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SNOW TUBING
This is sure to be a huge hit for kids of all ages and adults alike! My husband took our 4 and 8-year-old to Boyce Park this winter, and they had an absolute blast!
Boyce Park, Plum | WEBSITE
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion | WEBSITE
Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley | WEBSITE
Nemacolin, Farmington | WEBSITE
DOWNHILL SKIING & RIDING (SNOWBOARDING)
Pre-pandemic, Ski PA offered free Snow passes to children in 4th and 5th grade. They have determined this program was no longer working in a way that could be managed in post-pandemic operations and have since eliminated the program. While local ski resorts run different deals through the season, you can always check out Ski PA for Affordable Family Options.
Boyce Park, Plum | WEBSITE
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion | WEBSITE
Hidden Valley Resort, Hidden Valley | WEBSITE
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
South Park Golf Course offers cross country skiing. You can plan your train route by downloading the Parks Trails Mobile App HERE. MORE INFO: WEBSITE
Venture Outdoors, Pittsburgh | WEBSITE
SNOWSHOEING
Venture Outdoors, Pittsburgh | WEBSITE
Boyce Park | WEBSITE
Intro to Snowshoeing with the Park Rangers January 12th
SLED RIDING
Macaroni Kid South Hills has put together a great list of the best sled riding hills in the 'Burgh. You can check them out HERE.
GOLF & MINI GOLF
Cool Springs, Castle Shannon | 412.831.5080
Cool Springs mini golf is open year round from 10am-10pm daily, weather permitting. Adults are $9 and kids are $4. The covered 2-story driving range is also open 365 days a year during the same times. Hit a small bucket of balls for $10, medium for $13 or large for $16. Don't forget to bring your debit or credit card though because Cool Springs is a completely cashless campus.
South Park Golf Course, South Park
South Park Golf Course is open year round for golf, weather permitting. For more info, check the website.
Top Golf, Bridgeville
Take the fam out to hit some golf balls in one of Top Golf's climate controlled hitting bays for year round comfort. Top Golf is open Sunday-Thursday from 10am-11pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am-12am. Prices are per hour, per bay, starting at $27. Each bay accommodates up to 6 players.
Fun Fore All, Cranberry | WEBSITE
Fun Fore All has outdoor mini golf open every day, weather permitting. If you are lucky enough to get there in December and early January, you can check out their Holiday Lights Mini Golf where their two golf courses are transformed into a gloriously illuminated winter wonderland!
If you're looking for more family fun, check out our daily events calendar HERE to find out what is happening in your part of town today! Subscribe HERE to receive our FREE e-newsletter to get the latest family fun happenings in the South Hills delivered right to your inbox each week!
