If you are looking for a full day of family fun without traveling too far, you have come to the right place! A lot of people do not realize this but the Mon Valley and Pittsburgh East communities offer so many free to low cost adventures for the whole family to enjoy. Consider this your "staycation" guide and enjoy our 24-hour jam-packed guide for fun things to do in the Mon Valley and Pittsburgh East.
Morning – Breakfast & Outdoor Play
Breakfast at Valley Dairy (Belle Vernon, PA)
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Valley Dairy in Belle Vernon. Kids love the food and parents love how affordable and family-friendly it is at the restaurant. We are big fan of breakfast foods and Valley Dairy really hits the spot first thing in the morning.
Explore Round Hill Park (Elizabeth Township)
After breakfast, take a trip to Round Hill Park, located not too far off route 51 in Elizabeth Township. It's completely free and the kids will enjoy walking around, checking out all the farm animals and playgrounds. During the warmer months, check out their splash pad too! (Hint: If you go to the splash pad, be sure to bring your own chairs as seating is very limited!)
Want more options? Check out our Indoor Play Guide and Playground Guides!
Midday – Learning & Lunch
Educational Stop
Sprinkle in some learning during the day and check out the Monongahela Area library. My kids LOVE coming here to pick out books and playing in the play area for kids. If you do not want to go to the library, check out the Donora Smog Museum too! This museum offers tons of information related to the Mon Valley area that older kids especially will find fascinating.
Lunch at Uncle June's Pizzeria
Grab a slice of Pittsburgh style pizza at Uncle June's Pizzeria. Located right in White Oak, PA, this pizza shop offers amazing tasting pizza with a Pittsburgh twist. Definitely worth trying out!
Afternoon – Playtime & Sweet Treats
Active Fun
Head to Outer Limits Adventure for either climbing, slides, and arcade fun or Full Throttle Adrenaline park for racing, axe throwing, VR and more. Both businesses are located right in Monroeville. Prefer to stay outdoors? Head on over to Boyce park. Tons of playgrounds, hiking, swimming and snow tubing available (depending on the season).
Sweet Treat Stop
Every fun day needs to include ice cream or a sweet treat. (Coming from the girl who quite literally can not have a meal with out something sweet after) Check out our Ice Cream Guide here to check out the list of amazing shops in the Mon Valley and Pittsburgh East area.
Evening – Dinner & Entertainment
Dinner at Lock 4 (Charleroi, PA)
Enjoy dinner right on the water at Lock 4 located in Smitty's Marina in Charleroi, PA. Not only do they have amazing tasting food, but the views are great and they offer coffee (not just black coffee, but coffee shop coffee) and ice cream!
Evening Fun
Wrap up the night with mini golf, bowling or roller skating! Donora Roll R Way is always a hit with families (and you can play laser tag too!), or check the Macaroni KID events calendar for outdoor movie nights and community festivals happening this weekend.
Bonus: Make it a Staycation
Want to extend the fun? Spend the night in Uniontown or Greensburg and make it a full weekend getaway. We'd recommend Ohiopyle (near Uniontown) for a more outdoorsy adventure with cabin vibes! Check out the Uniontown Macaroni KID or North Huntingdon Macaroni KID for fun in those areas too!
Wrap-Up
The Mon Valley and Pittsburgh East are full of family-friendly activities just waiting to be explored. Whether you follow this itinerary step by step or mix it up with your own local favorites, you’re guaranteed a day full of memories.
Don’t forget to check our Events Calendar for even more family fun happening this weekend!
