Treasure Hunting at PNC Park

On Aug. 24, around 22,000 baseball fans turned out to PNC Park to watch the Pirates beat the Colorado Rockies in a 4-0 shutout, marking a series sweep and the team’s fourth consecutive win. Though pitcher Paul Skenes was a draw — along with the return of Jen Pawol, MLB’s first female umpire — this season, Sundays are Family Fun Days offering a special Family Fun Zone, a chance for kids to run the bases after the game, and a pirate-themed treasure map for both kids and adults, available at every Sunday home game

Created in partnership with Aramark Sports + Entertainment, PNC Park’s longtime food vendor, the Bucco Buddy Treasure Hunt “encourages fans to get out and explore the park” with six stops featuring “delicious ballpark foods to scenic city views” and an excuse to chase down the Pirate Parrot mascot and the Racing Pierogies for photos.

Pittsburgh City Paper joined the hunt on Aug. 24’s Sesame Street Day — where no treasure could compare to the promotional Big Bird plush in a Pirates T-shirt. But for fans who enjoy a side quest or need a break after 90 scoreless minutes of America’s pastime, the hunt provides a pleasant (and dare I say throwback pen-and-paper-style) diversion even as it pushes you toward a glut of game-day food. Though you can download the Bucco Buddy Treasure Map online, we recommend picking up a physical copy, which is rolled up and tied with string, and comes with stickers to add as you visit each stop.

The journey takes treasure hunters along PNC Park’s Riverwalk including a full-on pirate ship for kids to climb. Food stops ask fans to enjoy a ballpark hot dog, track down cotton candy with the slightly frightening Pirate Parrot souvenir foam mask, and “satisfy their sweet tooth” with an order of dessert pierogies. Pro tip: while you’re springing for pierogies at Cannonball Burger, you might as well round out the culinary tour and try the Polish Cannonball, recently spotlighted by Yelp as some of the best stadium food in the country (and a cut above the other fare). Learn from our mistakes and find the mascots for selfies in the sections near home plate, where they appear after the Great Pierogi Race, or before the game on Federal Street.

The Bucco Buddy Treasure Hunt continues at the Pirates’ last two Sunday home games for the 2025 season on Sept. 7 and Sept. 21 during Fan Appreciation Weekend.