It’s a long winter, and stir-crazy children are no fun. These experience gifts can add some variety to the holiday season.
Take a drive through the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium in Highland Park for the Zoo Lights Drive-Thru, with animal-themed light displays on select nights from Nov. 27 to Jan. 3. Actual zoo animals may be visible as well. $60 per vehicle ($40 for zoo members) at pittsburghzoo.org.
This might be the year to take kids for fun in the snow. Boyce Park in Plum will open this year, though it’s still figuring out details. A little farther away, Seven Springs, Hidden Valley and Laurel Mountain in Westmoreland and Somerset counties offer skiing, tubing and other snow sports. Prices vary based on day of the week and length of session.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is skipping its popular outdoor light garden this year but will still feature “Home for the Holidays,” the Winter Flower Show with indoor lights. The Oakland glasshouse will also offer virtual storytimes with Santa several evenings per week from Nov. 27 to Dec. 22. Show tickets must be booked in advance. $11.95 for children, $19.95 for adults at phipps.conservatory.org.
The Carnegie Science Center and SportsWorks on the North Side won’t be crowded, with building capacity limited to 15%. While a few exhibits are closed because of COVID-19, the vast majority are open, including a holiday favorite: the Miniature Railroad & Village. Tickets are sold for timed entry at half-hour intervals and are strongly recommended to be purchased online in advance. $19.95 for adults, $11.95 for children at carnegiesciencecenter.org.
Transport the family to Washington County for the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Chartiers, where transportation enthusiasts can ride a trolley on a 4-mile track and see nearly 50 historic trolley cars. Tickets are between $10 and $12 depending on age; advance online reservations are recommended at pa-trolley.org.
Escape the Pittsburgh winter to a tropical rainforest or warm wetland climate for some bird-watching at the National Aviary on the North Side. Timed tickets are $14.95 for children and $17.95 for adults at aviary.org.
Anya Sostek: asostek@post-gazette.com.
First Published: November 27, 2020, 5:00 a.m.