📍 Hidden Gem in Downtown Pittsburgh

I couldn’t believe my eyes—right in the heart of the steel city, there’s a secret paradise that feels like stepping into a tropical rainforest 🌴✨ 🦜 National Aviary is the only Congressionally-certified bird zoo in the U.S. No noisy crowds—just a living, breathing tropical ecosystem you can actually walk into! ✨ Must-See Highlights: 1️⃣ Indoor Rainforest Zone: Waterfalls, vines, and sunlit ponds. Felt like wandering into Jurassic Park! Perfect for photos 📸 2️⃣ Pink Flamingo Area: So calming and dreamy 💖 Watch them wade and preen—instant mood booster. 3️⃣ Immersive Bird Encounters: Most exhibits aren’t behind glass. You actually step into their world! 4️⃣ Feeding Experiences: Hand-feed penguins or colorful lorikeets 🐧🦜 Fun for kids, couples, and everyone! 📷 Pro Tip: Come in the morning ☀️—soft light, fewer people, amazing natural photo ops. No filter needed! 🌳 Bonus Spot | Allegheny Commons Park Just a short walk from the aviary! Perfect for a lakeside picnic, photos , or quiet relaxation by Lake Elizabeth. A true urban oasis 💚 🎫 Ticket: $20 | FREE for CMU students (sorry Pitt, not this time 😅) 📍 Address: 700 Arch St, Pittsburgh, PA 🕰️ Hours: 10AM - 5PM daily 🚗 Getting there: Walkable from downtown | Street parking or lot available #PittsburghLife #HiddenGems #NationalAviary #CMU #TravelDiary #UrbanOasis #BirdLovers #StudentLife #VisitPittsburgh 🌿🦩