Passing time at an unfamiliar airport can feel long, especially if you’re tired, anxious, or stuck between flights. To help you set realistic expectations, here’s a practical look at things to do at Pittsburgh Airport—what’s genuinely useful during a layover, what reflects the local flavour, and what might help you pass the time a little more comfortably.
1. Enjoy a good meal
Finding food at Pittsburgh International Airport is generally easy during the day and early evening, with a mix of local names and familiar chains. Quaker Steak & Lube, a western Pennsylvania staple, is best known for wings and casual comfort food, while Bar Symon, created by Cleveland chef Michael Symon, focuses on burgers, sandwiches, and regional flavours in a relaxed bar setting. If you’re looking for something calmer and slightly more refined, Bellfarm Kitchen inside the connected Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport offers farm-inspired dishes and can feel like a welcome break from terminal noise.
For quicker bites, the airport has several cafés, bakeries, and markets selling grab-and-go items. The Strip Market reflects the city’s famous Strip District with ready-made sandwiches, salads, snacks, and sweets that work well for travellers short on time. You’ll also see familiar stops like Starbucks, Dunkin’, and Cinnabon for coffee and comfort carbs. As with most airports, late-night dining options are limited, so overnight travellers should expect a smaller selection and plan accordingly.
2. Go on a bar crawl
Pittsburgh’s strong beer culture shows up at the airport, with several bars highlighting regional breweries. Local Craft, Penn Brewery, and Voodoo Brewery all offer local beer selections without leaving the terminal. If beer isn’t your preference, Martini focuses on cocktails, while Vino Volo is a familiar airport wine bar option.
This isn’t a nightlife destination, but it can be a pleasant way to pass time if your flight schedule lines up with operating hours.
3. Visit the lounge
Have you got a long layover? You can try out an airport lounge. More lounges are beginning to move behind the exclusive practice of serving only first- or business-class flyers. Instead, travellers of any class or airline can head to the Club at PIT, where, for a single price, you get unlimited food and drinks, WiFi, news and TV, and a quieter, comfier environment than the main Concourse. Pre-book online or use your lounge membership program to gain entry. Locations and details are in our Pittsburgh Airport Guide. [ read more ]
4. Go shopping
Shopping at Pittsburgh Airport is more about browsing than destination retail, but there are a few stops that reflect the city’s identity. Black and Gold is a go-to for Pittsburgh sports merchandise, celebrating the colours shared by the city’s major teams. For edible souvenirs, Bottega dei Sapori offers Italian-inspired foods, coffee, and wine that make easy gifts or travel treats. The Strip Market also works well here, especially if you’re looking for locally themed snacks rather than generic airport souvenirs.
You’ll also find shops tied to regional culture, such as Three Rivers Harley-Davidson, alongside standard airport bookstores, convenience shops, and electronics stores for last-minute travel needs. Overall, the experience is practical and easy to browse, but not something most travellers would go out of their way for.
5. Browse the art and history exhibits
Pittsburgh Airport puts noticeable effort into showcasing local art, with rotating exhibitions placed throughout the terminal to give travellers something to explore between gates. One of the most distinctive installations is Fraley’s Robot Repair Shop, a permanent, interactive art piece that often catches travellers off guard in a good way.
The airport also features a photography exhibit highlighting the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, offering a quieter, more reflective stop if you’re wandering the concourses. Additional art displays change periodically, so what you see may vary from visit to visit. These exhibits are best viewed as short distractions rather than must-see attractions, but they do help break up long walks through the terminal.
6. Sightseeing
If you’re truly eager to leave the airport and have at least 8 hours to spare, it is possible to head into the city. The 28X Airport Flyer public bus connects the airport with downtown Pittsburgh and nearby neighbourhoods, running about every 30 minutes, with travel times often close to an hour. Taxis and rideshares are faster, typically reaching downtown in around 30 minutes, depending on traffic.
There is no luggage storage at the airport, so this is only suitable if your bags have been checked to your next destination and your carry-on is light.
Once downtown, travellers often gravitate toward the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, riverside views around PNC Park, or the museums near Carnegie Mellon University. The Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh is another popular stop. That said, this option works best for travellers who are lightly packed, comfortable navigating transit, and not cutting things too close with their return to the airport. Visit Tripadvisor for more things to do in Pittsburgh.
7. WiFi
Hop online to chat with friends or catch up on work thanks to free airport WiFi.
8. Sleep
Pittsburgh Airport is generally considered sleep-friendly by U.S. airport standards, though comfort depends heavily on where you settle. Travellers report that landside benches near the main security checkpoint offer space to stretch out overnight. Airside, the Southwest area of Concourse A is often mentioned as relatively comfortable.
Noise, lighting, and overnight foot traffic can still be disruptive, so earplugs or noise-canceling headphones are strongly recommended. If you want a proper bed, the Hyatt Regency is directly connected via indoor walkway, and several nearby hotels offer airport shuttle service. Full details are listed in our Pittsburgh Airport Guide. [ read more ]
Updated 30 December 2025
These are just a few things to do on a layover at Pittsburgh Airport. Visit our Pittsburgh Airport Guide for more information about the services and facilities available, such as food, WiFi, mobile charging, luggage storage, nearby airport hotels, and much more.