Pittsburgh
The 'city of bridges' awaits with an almost endless amount of river crossings sure, but way more to entertain visitors to Pennsylvania’s second largest city.
Pittsburgh in a nutshell
Pennsylvania’s second largest city, Pittsburgh, has been called many different things, including The City of Bridges, because it boasts 450, more than any other city on earth.
It’s also known for its iron and steel industries that attracted immigrants from Italy, Ireland and Poland to come and live here, and their cuisine has become part of the patchwork of Pittsburgh’s delicious cuisine.
Most recently Pittsburgh has been called The City of Champions, which is testament to its sporting prowess (pro football, baseball and hockey are all big attractions here). These days, its known for its techno savvy, too, with companies like Google, Amazon and Uber taking residence alongside Facebook and other innovative businesses.
Culture is rife, with a wide selection of art, cuisine, music and theater all taking center stage. The Andy Warhol Museum is iconic, a tribute to the famous pop artist who was born in Pittsburgh, as is the Carnegie Library Music Hall, home to a world-class ballet company and symphony orchestra.
As for those numerous bridges – they span 3 rivers in all, connecting Pittsburgh’s various diverse neighborhoods, making Pittsburgh easy to explore to see its historic attractions and museums, watch an NFL game, relax in a leafy park, shop till you drop and enjoy superb dining options.
Best time to visit: In the fall, September and October, when the leaves turn the surroundings into a spectacular wonderland, the weather is still good and the crowds have thinned.
Best Area for Sightseeing: Golden Triangle The heart of Pittsburgh’s downtown area is home to Fort Pitt as well as numerous other historic attractions.
Shopping in Pittsburgh: Head for the vibrant shopping districts where you will find several independent shops offering fashion, accessories, design items and more.
Food & Restaurants in Pittsburgh: The cuisine is diverse and exciting here, with plenty of Polish, German, British, Russian, Asian and Latin American dishes to try.
Nightlife: You’ll find lots of night-time entertainment to enjoy, from casual pubs where you can watch a sports match on TV to sophisticated cocktail bars, craft breweries, cafes and clubs.
Things to do in Pittsburgh:
- Watch your favorite sports team – the Steelers, Penguins or Pirates – in an exciting live match.
- Escape to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for some lush respite from the city.
- Take a boat on the river to see the city from a different perspective.
- Ride to the top of Mount Washington for breathtaking city views.
- Explore the fascinating Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh History Center to learn all about the Underground Railroad and other historic city facts.
- Enjoy a Saturday morning at Pittsburgh’s iconic Strip District, the warehouse district, a lively mix of a market and a street fair, with plenty of items to buy and places to have a coffee and people-watch.
- Enjoy a morning exploring the life of Andy Warhol at the museum dedicated to this famous pop artist.
- Visit the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.
- Drink some locally brewed craft beer in an old church – the Church Brew Works, located in a church built in 1902.
Best way to get around: Rent a car to explore at leisure. The city also offers a bicycle share program.