Make a day of it.
Kittanning.

Getting to Kittanning, PA from Pittsburgh

Kittanning is the county seat of Armstrong County, set on the east bank of the Allegheny River roughly 40 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The drive follows the river valley for much of the way, which makes the trip part of the fun.

Route 28 north

Most people take Route 28 north out of the city, then continue toward Kittanning on the main highway as the valley opens up. Depending on traffic and where you start, plan on about an hour each way.

Arriving downtown

Downtown Kittanning, PA is compact, with Market Street running up from the river. Street parking and public lots are common in towns this size, but always read posted signs. Once parked, most of the stops on this page are an easy walk or a short drive apart.

Crossing the river

The bridge at the foot of Market Street connects downtown with the west bank. It is also a nice spot to look up and down the Allegheny before you start your day.

What Kittanning is known for

• The riverfront. Riverfront Park, listed above, gives you a long stretch of green space beside the Allegheny for walking, sitting and watching the water.
• A classic county-seat downtown. The Armstrong County Courthouse and older brick storefronts give Market Street its character.
• Independent shops. Boutiques, an apothecary and a bridal shop on this page show how much local retail a small river town can hold.
• Old-school fun. A bowling alley and a coffeehouse make easy anchors for a relaxed evening or a rainy afternoon.
• Summer festival tradition. Kittanning has long hosted the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival in summer. Dates and events change, so check current listings.

Kittanning PA through the seasons

Spring

Spring is a great time for a riverfront walk as the trees fill in. Water levels can run high after rain, so enjoy the river from the path.

Summer

Summer days stretch long enough for coffee, a park picnic, shopping and dinner. Festival weekends bring crowds and energy to the waterfront.

Fall

The drive up the Allegheny Valley is especially pretty when the leaves turn. Pair a fall drive with lunch in a historic building and an afternoon of browsing.

Winter

In colder months, lean on the indoor stops: the library, the coffeehouse, the bowling lanes and local shops. Holiday shopping on Market Street is a good excuse to bundle up and visit Kittanning, PA.

How to plan a day in Kittanning PA

The outing picker above suggests short, themed days. Here is how to stretch any of them into a full, easy-going visit.

Start on Market Street

Grab coffee first and get your bearings. From downtown you can see the river and decide whether to head to the park or the shops first.

Sample river and shops day

• Morning coffee downtown.
• A walk along the riverfront park.
• Lunch, then an afternoon of browsing local shops.

Sample family day

• Story time or browsing at the library (check its program calendar).
• A picnic and playtime by the river.
• A couple of games at the bowling lanes.

Sample date day

• An afternoon of shopping for something small and local.
• A sit-down meal in a historic building.
• An evening stroll beside the Allegheny.

A short history to bring along

Kittanning takes its name from a Lenape town that stood on this stretch of the Allegheny in the 1700s. During the French and Indian War, in 1756, a colonial force led by John Armstrong attacked the village, an event remembered locally as the Kittanning Expedition. Armstrong County is named for him.

The modern town grew up as the county seat in the early 1800s. River traffic, then railroads, clay, coal and nearby glassmaking helped it prosper, and you can still read that story in the courthouse and the older commercial buildings downtown. Knowing a little of this past makes a stroll through Kittanning, PA feel richer.

A simple river-to-Market Street walk

If you have an hour to spare, a short loop is the best introduction to the town. Start at the riverfront and follow the path along the water, watching for boats, herons and the reflections of the hills on a calm day. Then turn up toward Market Street and walk past the courthouse and the older storefronts. Many of the buildings have decorative brickwork and tall upper windows that hint at the town’s busier past.

• Pause at the bridge for the widest view up and down the Allegheny.
• Pop into a shop you did not plan on visiting. Owners usually know what is new in town.
• Check community boards and shop windows for flyers about upcoming events.
• End with coffee or something sweet before heading back to the car.

The whole loop is easy to do at a relaxed pace, and it gives you ideas for what to return to later in the day or on your next visit.

Practical tips for visiting Kittanning PA

• Check hours before you go. Small shops and cafés may close early or on certain weekdays.
• Call ahead for appointments. Bridal and special-occasion shopping often works by appointment.
• Bring layers. It can feel breezier by the river than up on Market Street.
• Plan for festival weekends. Expect more traffic and fuller parking when big events are on.
• Ask about accessibility. Older downtown buildings vary, so ask each stop about steps and restrooms.
• Shop small. A coffee, a candle or a gift goes a long way for a family-run business.

Pair Kittanning PA with nearby stops

• The Armstrong Trail. This rail trail follows the Allegheny through the county and is a peaceful place to walk or bike. Check trail conditions before you go.
• Crooked Creek Lake. South of town, this lake and its recreation areas are a popular spot for fishing, boating and picnics.
• Ford City. Just downriver, this neighbor town has deep roots in glassmaking.
• New Kensington. Stop on the way home along Route 28. See our New Kensington day guide.
• More of the county. Our Armstrong County guide has more towns and local businesses.

Planning for different groups

Families

Keep the plan simple: one indoor stop, one outdoor stop and a treat. The riverfront gives kids room to move, and the library and bowling lanes are easy fallbacks on a rainy day. Pack snacks and a change of clothes if the little ones will be near the water.

Friends

Shopping, a long lunch and a few frames of bowling make a fun, low-key day with friends. Split up for the shops you each love and meet back at the coffeehouse.

Couples

A slow morning coffee, browsing small shops and dinner with a river walk afterward make for an easy date. It is a good alternative to a crowded city night out.

Solo visitors

Bring a book to the coffeehouse, find a bench by the river and let the day unfold. A small town is easy to explore on your own schedule.

Wedding parties

If you are shopping for a dress or special-occasion outfit, build the day around your appointment and celebrate with lunch afterward.

Why small-town shopping matters

River towns like this one depend on visitors who choose local coffee, local gifts and local meals. Every purchase helps keep a downtown storefront lit and a family business open for another season. Talk with owners, ask what they recommend, and tell friends back in Pittsburgh what you found. If a favorite spot is missing here, suggest it below so other YinzMart readers can discover it too.