Things to do with a 20 month-old? (Pittsburgh, Carnegie: car, park, places to visit)

[bug714]

My husband is working in Pittsburgh for the month of February and my 20 month-old son and I will be joining him the last half of the month. I am trying to figure out things to do during the day while my husband is at work. From my searches it seems like the Children's Museum, Science Center, Natural History museum, Zoo/Aquarium, and Aviary would be good places to visit. Anything else that we shouldn't miss? We will be staying in Oakland near the hospitals but I will have a car. We are coming from Southern California and my son is used to being going on a walk or to the park at least once a day so the cold and being indoors a lot is going to be quite a change for him. Any suggestions on where he can run around and get his energy out would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[gameguy56]

Have him put on a jacket and play in Schenley Park!

It's a beautiful park right on the west side of Oakland.

[BrianTH]

For an indoor option, you could check out the Center for Creative Play:

Center for Creative Play | Play. Learn. Grow Together. (broken link)

From Oakland, it is just a short car ride on the Parkway (first exit past the Squirrel Hill tunnel).

[likepgh]

Phipps Conservatory. One of Pittsburgh's (the nation's?) treasures and a wonderful place to go in the winter.

[DoulaKaren]

I agree w/likepgh -- Phipps is a lifesaver in winter!

Center for Creative Play is great for burning energy but don't forget the Toy Lending Library (pittsburgh toy lending library), which is also fun and very laid back, and right in Shadyside.

The Carnegie Libraries also have lots of different storytimes (Don't Miss This! Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh) that might be an option. A perfect day for me might mean going to a storytime at the beautiful new library in Squirrel Hill and treating my kids to fancy cupcakes at Dozen (Dozen cupcakes Pittsburgh | welcome).

[bug714]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I just hope that the weather is a little better when we get there on Saturday! I'm too chicken to drive in snow/icy conditions so we might not be going anywhere unless it warms up a bit!

I'm excited to visit the Toy Lending Library and am going to inquire about joining. It would be nice for our little guy to have some things to play with while we're out there since we won't have room to bring many toys.

Thanks again and if there are any more suggestions please keep them coming!

[stasia]

Now is a good time to visit Carnegie Museum of Natural History; the crowds in to see our renovated dinosaur hall have settled down, and what kid wouldn't enjoy a temporary exhibit about poop??

Carnegie Museum of Natural History