Point State Park

When General John Forbes defeated French forces to capture Fort Duquesne in 1758, it marked a turning point for the British in the French and Indian War. It also marked a significant point in the history of both Pittsburgh and the US, as the subsequently built Fort Pitt went on to play an important role in the Revolutionary War and the development of the city.

Point State Park marks this site today, and city dwellers and visitors alike come to relax by the river bank and learn its fascinating history. Sitting in the heart of the city, at the apex of the Golden Triangle where the Allegheny and the Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, this 15-hectare park is one of the most scenic and popular places to visit in the city.

Wander the tree-lined riverside walkways, cool off in the huge fountain or lie back with a picnic on the manicured lawns. The park’s location means that it offers unique views across the bridges and skyscrapers of the three rivers and city that surround it. These cityscapes can be clearly viewed from the paved promenades, where you’ll doubtless encounter plenty of people walking, cycling and roller-blading amidst the trees and monuments of this popular green space.

Music and art festivals are held here regularly, including the Three Rivers Arts Festival in June, and the Three Rivers Regatta in July so, if you’re lucky, there’ll be one going on during your visit. The park’s rich history is also commemorated with granite traceries in the ground marking the sites of the two forts that once stood here, along with 23 monuments and plaques that will keep history buffs busy for hours.

The Fort Pitt Blockhouse – a part of the original fort – is the oldest surviving structure in West Pennsylvania, while at the Fort Pitt Museum you’ll learn everything you could want to know about the French and Indian War. There’s no admission charge to Point State Park and it is open every day.

The museum, however, is closed on Mondays, and the Blockhouse is not open on Mondays or Tuesdays.