Make summer a retro rewind in Pittsburgh
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
Summer's slipping away and backpacks are filling up, but there's still time to share the simple, pre-smartphone joys of childhood with your kids.
The big picture: The "'90s summer" trend is all over TikTok, celebrating unstructured afternoons that defined millennials' formative years.
Yes, but: You don't have to be a '90s kid, or a parent, to love a good throwback.
- These activities are for anyone chasing nostalgia from any era.
Between the lines: Unstructured play fosters creativity, problem-solving and cooperation, while easing stress and anxiety.
Zoom in: Pittsburgh is full of ways to rewind the clock.
- 🍿 Catch a drive-in movie, complete with classic concession stands, at spots like Dependable Drive-In in Moon Township, Butler's Starlight Drive-In, Evergreen Drive-In in Mount Pleasant, or Riverside Drive-In in Vandergrift.
- 🛼 Lace up at an old-school roller skating rink, like Neville Roller Drome that's been around since 1948. Or sign up for PGH SK8 School lessons in Homewood — and hit the public skates at Schenley Park Roller Rink (summer only) or Eden Park Roller Rink in McKeesport when it reopens in September.
- 🎳 Strike into lanes lacquered with history like Princess Lanes in Whitehall, Arsenal Bowl in Lawrenceville, Pines Plaza Lanes in Ross Township, or even duckpin bowling at Glassport Lanes when it opens for the season in September.
- 🕹️ Play pinball and vintage arcade games at places like Pittsburgh Pinball Dojo in Bellevue, Pinball Perfection in West View, or Coop de Ville in the Strip District.
- ⛳ Putt your way through seasoned mini golf courses like Kniess in Ross Township, Forsythe in Carnegie, or the Windmill in Hopewell Township (especially during Halloween!)
- 🍭 Make a pit stop at an old-fashioned candy shop like Grandpa Joe's in the Strip District and several other locations, Rocket Fizz in West Homestead, or Lucky Duck in New Kensington.
- 🐢 Turtle soup was much more popular in America 100 years ago, but at Carmody's Grille on Neville Island and Huntz's Tavern in Etna, you can still sample a bowl.
The bottom line: The "good old days" — however you define them — are still alive in the Steel City.