PNC Park, Pittsburgh

Since its opening in 2001, PNC Park has awed all those who've entered it, and has led many disgruntled Pittsburgh Pirates fans to complain that if only their team's performances could start to match up to the grandeur of their stadium, they'd have a shot at winning the league some time! Consistently voted in the top three of all baseball stadia in America, PNC Park is a breathtaking example of how sports stadium architecture can be concomitantly artful and spectator-friendly. A relatively small stadium (with a capacity of just under 40,000), even the cheap seats command perfect views of the playing diamond; while beyond the bleachers, views of the river, the Roberto Clemente Bridge, Pittsburgh's skyline and towering Mount Washington catch the eye. While daytime tours of the stadium are thoroughly rewarding, visitors to Pittsburgh should do their best to attend a Pirates game, where - as evening descends, and the city lights start to sparkle in the distance - a magical atmosphere is created inside PNC Park.

Getting There:
More than 50 Port Authority buses service the downtown Federal Street area

Opening Times:
Walk-up tours operate on weekdays, between April 11 and September 23. No tours on game-days

Admission:
For tours: $7 (adults), $5 (children)

Point State Park, Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's Point State Park, formerly a slum land, has been turned into a recreational delight and declared a National Historic Landmark for the strategic role played here during the French and Indian War in the mid 1700s. The site features paved promenades along the Ohio riverfront, overlooking dramatic views of the city with its busy waterways, scenic hillsides and many bridges. The park has been naturally landscaped and a 150ft (46m) tall fountain enhances the aspect. There is a biking trail, outdoor amphitheatre and in-line skating route. The Fort Pitt Museum is housed in one of the five original bastions of the ruined historic fort, devoted to displaying local history. The Fort Pitt Blockhouse, the oldest authentic building in Western Pennsylvania, is also open to the public.

Opening Times:
The Fort Pitt Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm

National Aviary, Pittsburgh

Situated in historic West Park on Pittsburgh's North Side, a few minutes from downtown, is the National Aviary, America's only independent indoor non-profit bird zoo. The Aviary is home to more than 600 birds of more than 200 species, many of which are threatened or endangered. From hummingbirds to Andean Condors there are birds from just about every corner of the world, with particular emphasis being placed on rainforest and wetland habitats. The birds are all kept in natural planted exhibits, which allows for close up views of our feathered friends.

Getting There:
Bus 16B, 16F, 17B or 500 from Heinz Hall, downtown

Opening Times:
Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Closed on major holidays

Admission:
$13 (adults), $12 (seniors), $10.50 (children 2-12)

Carnegie Museums, Pittsburgh

In 1895 Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie established an Institute, which he intended to improve and educate local people. Today his ideal has been realised in the form of a collection of four museums funded by the Carnegie Institute: a Museum of Art, Natural History, a Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum. The Carnegie Museum of Art on Forbes Avenue has a notable collection of contemporary art that includes film and video works. The adjacent Natural History Museum takes visitors time-tripping through the wonders of planet earth. The Carnegie Science Centre at Allegheny Avenue offers planetarium and laser shows and a variety of hands-on activities and exhibits for old and young. The final museum in the Carnegie bouquet is the Andy Warhol in Sandusky Street, featuring extensive permanent collections of art and archives relating to one of the most influential American artists of the 20th century.

Opening Times:
Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History Museum: Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm (until 8pm on Thursdays), Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Carnegie Science Center: Sunday to Friday from 10am to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 7pm. Andy Warhol Museum: open daily, except Mondays, from 10am to 5pm (until 10pm on Fridays)

Admission:
$15 (adult), $12 (child)

Fallingwater, Pittsburgh

Just 60 miles (about 95km) south-east of Pittsburgh on Interstate 76, Fallingwater is an absolute must-see attraction. The house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 for retail giant Edgar J. Kaufman, is situated among the waterfalls and woods of the beautiful Bear Run Nature Reserve, and remains the world's best example of what has come to be known as 'organic architecture'. A stupefying achievement, Wright managed to design a fully-functioning personal residence that blends fluidly and harmoniously with its natural setting: the sound of rushing water is a constant, susurrus presence in the house; a boulder juts out into the living room and doubles as a hearth; the windows open outward from the corners of the walls, leaving no panes to obstruct the natural view. Ayn Rand was so inspired by this triumphant feat of individualistic artistic expression, that she largely based her novel The Fountainheadon Wright's ingenuous creation. Fallingwater has been included in Smithsonianmagazine's list of '28 places to see before you die' - and visitors to Pennsylvania would be sorely remiss to pass up such an opportunity! Make sure to book well in advance.

Opening Times:
Regular season (March 14 to November 27): Open daily, except Wednesday, from 10am to 4pm. Advance reservations are essential.

Admission:
$20 (adults), $16 (youths 6-12). For $65, you get an 'in-depth tour' of the house