Pittsburgh Water Steps: Address, Pittsburgh Water Steps Reviews: 4.5/5
Pittsburgh Water Steps
Pittsburgh Water Steps
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
92 reviews
Excellent
49
Very good
30
Average
7
Poor
4
Terrible
2
🎓🤓 Keep Life Simple 🤓🎓
Pittsburgh, PA44,641 contributions
Oct 2019
The Water steps is just basically a small waterfall designed for little kids. Kids love to sit and put there feet in it. To me, it looks dangerous so be careful if you let your children walk around it. but I didn't see anyone fall
Written October 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KimMiesau
Olympia, WA125 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
These steps are located at the river's edge near the I-279 bridge over the Allegheny River (between PNC Park and Heinz Field). Great for kids, pets and adults to cool off in but there is no shade here. The entire North Shore is worth walking for the memorials to the WWII, Korea and Vietnam vets as well as police and fire fighters between the two parks. Korean and Vietnam memorials are long the water; WWII and police/fire fighters are at street level near Heinz Field and the casino.
Written June 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
mandimcm
Pittsburgh, PA77 contributions
Apr 2016
Let me start with: The steps are NOT slippery. I have never seen any children get injured. Have you ever gotten wet on a water ride at an amusement park? Same kind of water. Let's all just calm down.
We love the water steps! It's a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. The flowing water is so calm, the view is wonderful, and there are always kids there splashing and giggling. Our sons have a blast every time we go! We have a pool, but this isn't like swimming at a pool. This is an adventure for them!
Bring a lunch and plan to stay for a while. Take bathroom breaks before you get there, there's really nowhere to go if the kids have to use the restroom once you're there and all wet. Our youngest needed an emergency break and was able to use the bathroom in the Hyatt once, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. You could walk down to the Science Center and use the bathrooms there, I suppose. But you should dry off first.
I like to sit on one of the dry areas and have my feet in the water while my sons climb up and down and all around the steps with their "friends for the day" and have a blast! What a wonderful memory for them.
Try it! Even if you don't have kids, just go an enjoy for a while. Put your feet in. Take in the view. Breathe. Enjoy.
We love the water steps! It's a relaxing way to spend an afternoon. The flowing water is so calm, the view is wonderful, and there are always kids there splashing and giggling. Our sons have a blast every time we go! We have a pool, but this isn't like swimming at a pool. This is an adventure for them!
Bring a lunch and plan to stay for a while. Take bathroom breaks before you get there, there's really nowhere to go if the kids have to use the restroom once you're there and all wet. Our youngest needed an emergency break and was able to use the bathroom in the Hyatt once, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. You could walk down to the Science Center and use the bathrooms there, I suppose. But you should dry off first.
I like to sit on one of the dry areas and have my feet in the water while my sons climb up and down and all around the steps with their "friends for the day" and have a blast! What a wonderful memory for them.
Try it! Even if you don't have kids, just go an enjoy for a while. Put your feet in. Take in the view. Breathe. Enjoy.
Written April 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
abqtraveler13
Mississippi228 contributions
May 2013 • Family
The "T" stops very near the Water Steps which is one of the reasons I brought a 6 & 4 year old here for a break from Downtown. I found out about the Water Steps from an official city guide so I thought I'd give it a try & it was easy to see that lots of other families were regular visitors here. The kids loved playing in the water on all of the different levels with the other children. As the morning went on, older kids and adults came to relax and play too. I was really surprised to THEN find a sign warning people NOT to play or wade in the water because of the slipperiness of the steps. ~There are no washrooms, facilities, or changing areas here and that certainly began to concern me as the Water Steps filled up with people.~ Is this simply a lovely fountain or an interactive play area? I'm confused about this one!
Written May 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AndyB5542
Minneapolis, MN3,741 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
We walked to the water steps from across the river in downtown. When we got there, there were a lot of people around, but there was not any water in the steps!
Perhaps we arrived too late. It would have been nice to see with water.
Perhaps we arrived too late. It would have been nice to see with water.
Written August 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Veronika Č
Prague, Czech Republic6 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Right now there is no any water. It can be nice to see it with water. I can not recomend you to visit the steps.
Written September 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
HelenaGuerra
Washington DC, DC14,490 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Seeing all those people and kids bathing on the murky water, with a weird mixture of smells including chlorine made me noxious. People should be more careful where they allow their kids to play.
Written September 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
1914MimiA
Pittsburgh, PA107 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
You will see many children easing in the falls of the Water Steps. There is a pathway that goes along the river. You can here the game at PNC Stadium. In fact, while we were walking, one of the baseball balls flew by us into the river.
Written February 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hikingcarver
24 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
What a great place to cool off. Our grandchildren enjoyed playing on the Water Steps, a fun alternative to the backyard pool or spray. We took the T into town, had lunch at Market Square, took the T to the North Shore, and then home. Something different, something fun.
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Marilyn W
Pittsburgh, PA66 contributions
Jul 2013
I love walking by the steps in the summer. There is always one child splashing around, I see groups with bag lunches enjoying the area. There should be some seating along this part of the shore as the ducks walk all around the area leaving their cigar shaped "gifts".
Written January 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
465benjaminp
34 contributions
Are there any picnic tables located nearby?
lindsay0215
Pittsburgh, PA988 contributions
No. I’m pretty sure there aren’t any.
zingerfcpt
Pittsburgh, PA
When do they drain the water steps for the winter?
TombGuard320
Pittsburgh, PA357 contributions
I do not know for sure, but am pretty sure they do.. It would be too dangerous otherwise..
What is the parking situation like for visiting the water steps? I want to take my 4 kids and spend some time there.
SteelersTown28
Pittsburgh, PA105 contributions
We parked next to the Heinz Stadium at meter parking (on the corner of West General Robinson St. and Art Rooney Ave). - and walked over. Only a 10 minute walk. To make the time go faster, we walked to the Mr. Rogers Memorial and then walked up the Three Rivers Heritage Trail along the water (very scenic and can see Pointe State Park with fountain across the water).
When does the water steps get turned on in 2018?
MRJAMMERZ
West Mifflin, PA75 contributions
It usually on or around Memorial Day.
Can you walk from the water steps to point park fountain? If so about how long is it?
KimMiesau
Olympia, WA125 contributions
You can walk to Point State Park via the I-279 bridge over the Allegheny River. Depending on how fast you walk, it should take 10-20 minutes.
Marie S
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States3 contributions
When do they turn the water steps off? Are they on now?
Frequently Asked Questions about Pittsburgh Water Steps
- We recommend booking Pittsburgh Water Steps tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Pittsburgh Water Steps tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Pittsburgh Water Steps:
- (0.05 mi) Hyatt Place Pittsburgh-North Shore
- (0.13 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Pittsburgh North Shore
- (0.25 mi) SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pittsburgh North Shore
- (0.28 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh North Shore, an IHG Hotel
- (0.35 mi) Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel
- Restaurants near Pittsburgh Water Steps:
- (0.00 mi) Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse
- (0.09 mi) Southern Tier Brewing Co.
- (0.13 mi) Burgatory
- (0.09 mi) Tequilla Cowboy
- (0.04 mi) McFadden's