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Highland Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Sports & Outdoors

Highland Park

Pittsburgh park built around a historic city reservoir, with trails, gardens, a zoo, and an aquatic center.

Pittsburgh, PA

About Highland Park

Highland Park began in the late 1800s when Pittsburgh needed a municipal water supply. A reservoir opened in 1879 and drew visitors for its open space and views. The city later formalized the park by ordinance. Reservoir No. 1 still anchors the park, and its loop trail is popular with walkers and joggers. Visitors reach the reservoir through the Victorian-style Entry Garden, which has fountains, a reflecting pool, and benches. The park also offers a bike track, a swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy has led restoration work since 2003, including the Entry Garden and a set of seasonal pools along Washington Boulevard that create urban wetland habitat.

  • #reservoir
  • #trails
  • #gardens
  • #zoo
  • #aquarium

What's around here?

The closest stops to Highland Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

    $25–$50

    See African elephants, lions, polar bears, sharks and red pandas at a 77-acre zoo and aquarium in Highland Park.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Museums

    Bayernhof Music Museum

    Under $25

    A former family residence in Pittsburgh that now holds a large collection of music boxes and other antique automatic music machines.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    1.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Shopping

    Bakery Square

    Check prices

    Open-air shopping, dining, and office development in Pittsburgh's East End with a rotating calendar of events.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    1.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Frick Park

    Check prices

    A large wooded city park in Pittsburgh known for its trails through steep valleys and slopes.

    3.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Mellon Square

    Check prices

    A 1955 downtown Pittsburgh park built over a parking garage, known for its Modernist design and green space.

    5.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Local Gem

    Pittsburgh Botanic Garden

    Under $25

    A young, growing botanic garden on a reclaimed coal-mining site west of downtown Pittsburgh.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    5.3 mi awayMore like this

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