RV Rental Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh RV Rentals

Due to its ideal situation at the confluence of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela rivers, Pittsburgh, PA is a city rich in history and culture. By the 1800s, Pittsburgh was one of the largest U.S. cities west of the Allegheny mountains, and by the early 1900s, it was producing over half of America’s steel supply. Pittsburgh also has a volatile history, known for riots and rebellions as its citizens protested unfair policies on everything from whiskey to wages.

This colorful history is only one of the things that makes Pittsburgh such an amazing place to visit. It’s the perfect location for a fun RV road trip and offers lots of great campgrounds with free WiFi and modern amenities. You can choose to park your rig in just one spot or tour around the enigmatic area to several different locations. There are also lots of options for RV rentals in and around Pittsburgh in case you don’t own your motorhome; it’s a fun, versatile, and economical way to see one of the nation’s most interesting and historic cities.

Popular RV Destinations in Pittsburgh

Duquesne Incline

The Duquesne Incline is one of only two remaining inclines operating in the city of Pittsburgh, the other being the Monongahela Incline, both of which are located on Mount Washington. Back in the day before cars were common, the incline was used to transport workers from their homes on the top of the hillsides down to the mills and factories located on the banks of the rivers and back again. At over 140 years old, this incline is a marvel in industrial technology and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the city.

The Duquesne Incline takes you on a leisurely glide in its iconic red cable car 400 feet above Pittsburgh, where you can hang out at the Observation Deck at the upper station and drink in one of the “10 most beautiful views in America”, as deemed so by USA Today Weekend Magazine. The Incline is a cash-only attraction, so make sure to bring change, and consider riding up near dusk when you can get an excellent view of the city during nightfall.

The Strip District

The Strip District is one of Pittsburgh’s most famous and vibrant neighborhoods, with a varied assortment of independent merchants, boutiques, international grocers and retailers, and lots of the city’s top restaurants that feature every kind of cuisine imaginable. Once the hub of the mechanical industry as well as produce markets and terminals, today it’s an eclectic area that harkens back to Pittsburgh’s time as the behemoth metal and ore mining town it is known to be. As the mills, foundries, and factories slowly disappeared, the markets and shops remained and continued to grow.

This is a great neighborhood to hit up earlier in the day, since many of the shops and vendors like to call it quits as early as 3 p.m., even on the weekends. There are hundreds of shops in this neighborhood that can take many trips to fully explore. The international shops and stores feature hard-to-find and obscure food items from all over the world and are a feast for the senses. Also be sure to check out the numerous breweries, wineries, distilleries, and coffee and tea shops to find something unique to quench your thirst.

Fallingwater

Fallingwater is Pittsburgh’s own Frank Lloyd Wright-designed architectural marvel and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It features the iconic and unique design techniques and appearance that Frank Lloyd Wright is famous for. It was originally owned by the Kaufmanns, of Kaufmann department store fame, and was commissioned to be built in 1935 to give them a first-rate view of their favorite waterfall, Ohiopyle.

True to form, the eccentric architect couldn’t just build the house with a view of the waterfall, but built the house over top of it instead, weaving the waterfall through the entire theme of the actual home. A guided tour of this stunning property is a must to get every detail of this funky domicile. Since photography isn’t allowed inside the house, you have no choice but to drink in and absorb all the beauty and nuances the home has to offer.

Phipps Conservatory

If you’re looking for great examples of stunning horticulture, the Phipps Conservatory is going to be right up your alley. This is a massive collection of themed botanical gardens that isn’t only famous for its diversity, but also for its efforts in sustainability since the Phipps Conservatory is one of the most energy-efficient buildings on the planet. You’ll be blown away by the sheer size and variety of plant life in this beautiful and timeless place.

The main lobby of the Phipps Conservatory houses a stunning blown glass chandelier by the famous Dale Chihuly, and other installations of art are organically interwoven all through the gardens, making them even more awe-inspiring. Even the building itself is a work of art, with interesting lines and glass panes covering almost the entire facade, it beckons you inside. Once inside, you’ll get lost for hours among the dozens of themed rooms, including the Orchid Room, the Japanese Courtyard, the Tropical Fruit and Spice Room, The Desert Room, and far too many more to list.

Andy Warhol Museum

Another uniquely Pittsburgh attraction is the Andy Warhol Museum, in which you can fully immerse yourself in seven entire floors of pop art. The museum features more than 1,000 prints, 900 paintings, and 4,000 photographs, making it the largest museum in North America to be dedicated to a single artist. There are so many unique exhibits in this building, including many rotating exhibits from other artists, that you could easily pass the entire day here exploring and enjoying.

Many people recommend starting your tour of the museum on the top floor and working your way down to take in a chronological depiction of Andy Warhol’s work and life. You can lose yourself in fun interactive exhibits, like the Interactive Silver Clouds, which takes up an entire room and features dozens of helium-filled balloons that are moved around the room by a fan so you can play and tap them just like when you were a kid. Another fun thing to do is to shoot your screen test to appear in an Andy Warhol video.

Randyland

A one-of-a-kind attraction that Pittsburgh is particularly proud and fond of is the whimsical and ultra-creative space called Randyland. It all began in 1995 when Randy Gilson purchased some rundown real estate on the city’s North Side and began transforming it into a funky and unique art space. Now this playful and original destination receives national and international acclaim.

You could spend several days meandering through this now-massive art installation, which is a complete feast for the eyes, kind of like drinking from a fire hydrant of vibrant artwork. With so much color and whimsy, you’ll feel the pressures of adulting slide off your shoulders while sitting in many of the brightly painted chairs and benches trying to absorb every detail.

Events and Entertainment in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Restaurant Week's Winter Celebration

Hosted in January, the Pittsburgh Restaurant Week’s Winter Celebration is a great way to kick off the new year, although maybe not if your New Year’s resolution was to go on a diet. Take advantage of incredible deals and special menus offered by dozens of restaurants throughout the city. Choose from every type of cuisine and eat at small family-owned intimate venues or larger national chains.

Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find something to satisfy it at Pittsburgh Restaurant Week, whether it’s spicy Mexican, delicate Thai or Asian, bold Italian, hearty steaks or seafood, flavorful Indian, or anything else you can think of. It’s all about showcasing the unique and extremely wide range of culinary offerings and talents that the city has to offer. Who says nothing good happens in January?

OpenStreetsPGH

Held in late May, June, and July, OpenStreetsPGH is inspired by the global open streets movement, in which hundreds of cities around the world celebrate open streets to promote automobile-free transportation, community engagement, and healthy outdoor activity. Pittsburgh closes select streets to car traffic and invites residents and visitors from all over to reimagine the streets as places for people.

For a few hours, you and your family and friends can walk, bike, skate, run, and dance through the city, seeing it from an entirely different perspective. Organized by the non-profit organization Bike Pittsburgh, it focuses on making the city accessible and safe for everyone to explore via foot, bike, or any other non-motorized method you can come up with. You can even enjoy live music, entertainment, and food vendors galore as you stroll through otherwise bustling areas of town.

Three Rivers Arts Festival

This event is held in June of each year and features ten days full of amazing musical entertainment featuring a diverse range of talents from India.Arie to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. There’s something to satisfy every musical taste out there. Hosted over several stages, the Three Rivers Arts Festival is one of the city’s biggest draws every year, attracting more than 500,000 visitors.

The event is hosted at the confluence of the three rivers, hence the festival’s name. It features dozens of free and open-to-the-public performances that are designed to highlight the steel city as a visual and performing arts mecca.

Picklesburgh

If you’re looking for an event that’s a little more eclectic and off the beaten path, then Picklesburgh won’t disappoint. Normally held in late July, this fun and unique festival takes place over multiple days and was voted the #1 Best Specialty Food Festival in America. 

An event unlike any other, you’ll have a great time checking out the Roberto Clemente Bridge as it’s transformed into a venue to celebrate all things pickle. Enjoy handcrafted prepared foods and artisan cocktails featuring, obviously, pickled ingredients from local chefs and restaurants. There’s also lots of live music, pickling demonstrations, pickle-themed merchandise and memorabilia, and the much-anticipated pickle juice drinking contest. Can’t you just feel your saliva glands working overtime?

FAQs

Q: What are RV rentals?

RV rentals work much like any other vehicle rentals. You pay a daily or weekly rate. You can expect these rates to fluctuate based on the time of year and the geographic location that you're renting. Naturally, rates tend to increase during peak season. You can get an RV for a certain period and enjoy all its benefits while traveling without the hassles and large cost of owning your RV. It’s also a great way to try out some different RV models if you’re considering purchasing your own.

Q: How much are RV rentals?

RV rentals in Pittsburgh can range between $75 and $150 per night for most small to moderately sized trailers and campervans. Larger RVs and travel trailers can cost from $100 to $250 per night, depending on the season and the RV’s year, make, and model. Some companies offer a discount if you rent for longer than a week.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Pittsburgh?

While most states require you to be at least 25 years old to rent an RV, the legal age to rent one in Pennsylvania is 21. This may not be the policy of your RV rental agency, however. Most companies require you to be at least 25 to rent.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you'll need insurance to rent an RV in Pittsburgh. It's meant to cover the vehicle in case of an accident and is mandatory in most states. Most rental companies will have RV-specific insurance that you can purchase.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

This policy varies among rental agencies, but most RV rental facilities in Pittsburgh will expect you to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas. At the very least, the fuel should be at the same level as when you picked up the vehicle.

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Pittsburgh?

Many RV and camper rentals in Pittsburgh are pet-friendly, and there are even vehicles specially designed for accommodating animals. Still, it’s important to double-check the policy with your chosen rental agency before renting a particular vehicle.