National Aviary — Attraction in Pittsburgh

Our visit to the National Aviary was nothing short of feather-tastic. With four kids (ages 2, 5, 7, and 10) and another on the way, planning a full day of bird-watching fun takes military-level precision. Thankfully, the Aviary’s website lays out daily activities in a super helpful way: experiences that get you close (included), closer (small fee), and even closer (premium add-ons). With that in hand, we built a custom itinerary as detailed as a birdwatcher’s logbook—and it totally paid off.

10:00 AM – Check-in We arrived right at 10 and got wristbands, maps, and four kids immediately arguing over which bird was coolest (spoiler: no consensus). The layout is easy to navigate—even with a double stroller and multiple snack demands.

10:30 AM – Junior Penguin Encounter (Premium Add-On) Our first “even closer” moment: meeting penguins up close. Our 5-year-old, who’s convinced he’s the next great explorer, asked so many questions I thought the penguin might waddle off in self-defense. The 2-year-old just kept shouting “Waddle waddle!” with uncontainable joy.

11:00 AM – Habitat Heroes Show Birds swooping overhead, conservation lessons, and superhero flair? This show kept all the kids engaged. Our 5-year-old now identifies as a “Habitat Hero,” though his main mission seems to involve rescuing stuffed animals from under the couch.

11:30 AM – Rainforest Feeding & Exhibit This lush, tropical space had birds flying freely, and the 10-year-old tried to ID every one like he was auditioning for a bird-themed game show. It felt like a rainforest vacation—minus the mosquitoes.

12:00 PM – Sky Deck (Closer Add-On) This bird of prey show was jaw-dropping. It’s 5+ only, so Dad stayed back with the toddler and explored sensory stations, puppet theater, and reading nooks while hawks and falcons soared inches above our heads.

12:30–2:30 PM – Flex Time: Lunch, Birdley VR Ride, Exhibits The café had solid options (though our 7-year-old still chose “just chips”). The big kids did the Birdley VR flight simulator and came out grinning. Meanwhile, we explored Grasslands, Eagle Hall, and Treetops. “Big birbs” is now our toddler’s official name for eagles.

2:30 PM – Rainbow Lorikeet Feeding & Canary’s Call One of the best parts of the day—lorikeets landed on the kids and made their whole week. Canary’s Call was a hit, though it triggered a “can we get a pet bird?” campaign (jury’s still out).

3:00 PM – Wetlands Feeding & Exhibit This was a peaceful, gorgeous space. The kids were surprisingly quiet… until the 2-year-old tried to join the ducks in the water. No ducks—or toddlers—were harmed.

3:30 PM – Snack Break & Condor Court (Outdoor) We refueled and then checked out the impressively massive condors. Our 5-year-old insisted on comparing his arm span to theirs, which—spoiler alert—was not even close.

4:00 PM – African Penguin Feeding & Penguin Point We wrapped the day watching playful African penguins. It was the perfect finale—fun, adorable, and memory-making.

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Final Verdict: The National Aviary is a top-tier family destination. The mix of included and add-on experiences gave us flexibility and plenty to do with kids of all ages. We left with tired feet, full hearts, and at least one child squawking like a parrot.

Design by Rachael Benion For info and tickets: https://www.aviary.org

Disclaimer: This is a hosted review, which is a fancy way of saying we received free tickets in exchange for our honest opinions. And trust us—we’re brutally honest. Just ask our kids...

I've been coming to the Avairy every week for the last 3 or 4 months, and this review will be nothing but the truth. The atmosphere of the Avairy and Cleanliness is Impeccable. The decor with the seasons is beautiful. The variety of shows and things to do is amazing. But staff wise. Some are extremely welcoming and nice, and others not so much. I come with a client with Disabilities. And she loves loves the Avairy. She feeds the lorikeets every week. TWICE. The people who work the feeds at the Lorikeet feeds are usually very kind and accommodating to her when she askes to do her 2 cups of feeds one at a time but today they didn't care they just doubled up in one cup and rushed her through. It wasn't the guy but the older lady working the door with him. I'm not calling out names, but I'm sure the supervisor who reads these reviews will know who was working and on shift at the time. My client applied for a volunteer position. She had an interview. She was shy. The interviewer only took two mins with her and gave her hope, saying you'll hear back in 1-2 weeks if you got the position. And after her bugging her at the avairy and asking when is the Volunteer meeting and ..... it took almost 5 weeks before receiving a sorry to inform you. My lady went straight to a manager like. Hey, I applied and haven't heard. Can you please tell her to message me. That email came quickly after.

Aside from staff, I also eat at the cafe. Interaction with staff there has always been a pleasure. Food at the cafe is okay, though. Nothing really seems to taste amazing. Accept the chicken and fries. For it being Atria, it tastes like elementary lunch.

Also, the consistency of how people perform the feeds, especially in the Wet lands sucks. Some when they talk are so melatone you can't hear them. Some are exciting and engaging with the visitors by letting them feed the Inca Terns. And cracking jokes. My client comes to this feed every week just to get a shot to do this because she loves it. And some don't even feed them or they do it themselves, and that breaks her heart.

Also, this isn't about my client, but I think the Avairy would make more money if the one on one experiences, like meeting a penguin or the sloth experiences, weren't so dang expensive. 120 dollars for 30 mins to look at a penguin up close is not worth my money, and I probably will never do this type of experience again because it wasn't that amazing.

Also I suggest charging stations so that cell phones and devices can charge when your here and I also suggest free guest wifi because phones die so quick and it would be nice to be able to take multiple pictures and videos with out the devices dying.

So, my review is 4 stars for that reason. It's not bad here, but it could...

The National Aviary, located at 700 Arch Street in Pittsburgh, is truly a haven for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike. I’ve been fortunate to visit regularly, and every trip is an exciting new experience. When I first started out in photography, this incredible location gave me my first opportunities to capture moving objects—there's no better place to practice than here, surrounded by the beauty and energy of these birds.

The variety of species is simply astounding. It's rumored to be the largest indoor site for birds, and while I’m not entirely sure if that's official, I can confidently say you’ll find more species here than in most zoos across America. Every visit feels like stepping into a vibrant, living gallery of nature.

Some of the standout birds that I’ve encountered include:

Golden-Crested Myna – This energetic bird, with its vivid yellow crest, is an absolute delight to watch.

Victoria Crowned Pigeon – Majestic and eye-catching, with their intricate crown and blue plumage.

African Penguin – Their playful waddle and social antics always bring a smile to my face.

Golden Breasted Starling – Its brilliant golden feathers make it an unforgettable sight.

American Flamingo – Graceful, elegant, and captivating with their social interactions and vibrant colors.

Roseate Spoonbill – Unique in both form and color, these birds are always a pleasure to observe.

Bald Eagle – Awe-inspiring in their grandeur, these eagles are a powerful presence.

Toco Toucan – Their striking orange beak and lively nature add so much character to the aviary.

Scarlet Macaw – With their bright red, yellow, and blue feathers, these macaws bring an explosion of color to any setting.

While I can't list all 500+ species in this review, each bird offers something special—whether it’s their striking plumage, engaging behaviors, or unique characteristics. The experience is always educational, visually stunning, and deeply inspiring.

If you visit, I highly recommend arriving during feeding times. Watching these magnificent birds eat is an experience like no other. It’s a must-see for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts of all ages. The National Aviary remains my go-to place for photography and a peaceful retreat into the wonders of the...