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Visiting Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Visiting Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh grew to prominence as a manufacturing center and earned the nickname “Steel City.” Today, the city has traded it furnaces for high finance and has become a hub for technology and innovation. The city has recently been named by the Economist as the most livable city in the United States. One visit and I could see why eight different Fortune 500 companies made their world headquarters in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. We hope you enjoy our Visiting Pittsburgh Pennsylvania post.
Higher Education
To the east of downtown, are two of the city’s many fine institutes of higher education, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and Carnegie Melon University. Pitt counts among its buildings the awe-inspiring Gothic Cathedral of Learning with its beautiful Nationality Rooms. The East End is also home to many of the museums that help make up the Carnegie system of museums.
Attractions and Landmarks
As a result of the massive wealth produced by the city during its industrial age, the city has a spectacular tradition of imposing structures and homes. The great wealth lead to the creation of some of the country’s leading cultural institutes and beautiful public spaces. Many of the city’s landmarks can be found downtown around the juncture of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers.
Among the many free public venues you’ll find, are the Children’s Museum which is collocated with the zoo and the National Aviary, home to over 150 species of birds. The Mattress Factory Museum is one of the country’s leading avant-garde art venues, as is the Andy Warhol Museum, a six-story art gallery dedicated to their native son. Downtown is where you will also find the Carnegie Science Center and the Heinz Center which is home to the city’s symphony and opera. One of the most popular museums in that area is Bicycle Heaven which lies on the north bank of the Ohio across from Brunot Island.
In between the two universities, sits the Carnegie Museum of Art, considered the country’s first museum of contemporary art. Adjacent to the art museum is the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The museum collection equals that of the Smithsonian, and has the best dinosaur collection in the world. All this sits on the northern tip of Schenley Park and the stunning Victorian Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The gardens are a popular venue for concerts during the summer.
Neighborhoods
On the south bank of the Monongahela River you’ll find Mt. Washington. Originally known as Coal Hill, Mt. Washington is a treasure trove of Victorian architecture, where visitors can spend days exploring its many winding streets and hillside neighborhoods. But its most impressive landmarks are it two great inclines, the Duquesne and the Monongahela, two of few remaining operational inclines in the country. These two funiculars were built in the late 19th century to deal with the terrain in a pre-auto metropolis where large throngs of people were trying to deal with the town’s terrain.
Scaling the steep slope of Mt Washington as regular as clockwork, they provide residents a quick connection to downtown, as well as giving visitors memorable views of the city, especially at night. Once you make it to the top of either tram, you can walk along the appropriately named Grandview Ave for about a mile (there is also a bus route for those hot summer, or cold winter days), where you can descend on the alternate route. If you ride just one incline, most prefer the Duquesne. Not because of a superior view, but because you can watch the gears and cables works that control the operation of the incline. Also at the top of the Duquesne, you’ll find restaurants where you can enjoy the view of the city skyline while sipping on a cocktail.
Nightlife, Dining and Entertainment
After spending the day seeing the sights, you can explore a whole different side of the town after dark. As mentioned, the city has a world-class opera and symphony. The city’s has a number of professional theater companies around the city, who along with local universities’ performing art departments, ensure you will not be at a loss for a vast array of choices for entertainment.
If you would like to grab a bit to eat and do a little clubbing, there is no shortage of choices. South Side features Station Square which offers both dining and live music. Go a little further east on Carson Street, and you will find many of the city’s up-and-coming clubs featuring local artist. This is where you will also find many of the city’s casinos if you wish to try your luck. North of the downtown district along the Allegheny River is the Strip District. Once the site of much of the city’s shipping, the old warehouses have been transformed into boutiques, clubs and offer some of the best ethnic restaurants in the city. The areas around Duquesne University and Pitt are also popular night spots, especially with college students.
Sports Fans
The city has plenty to offer professional sport fans. The city’s three professional sports franchises, the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins, have all made black and gold the official colors of the city. PNC Park along the shores of Allegheny is the home of the Pirate while the Steelers play just a short distance away at Heinz Field, both just across the river from the popular Point State Park. The Penguins play downtown at Paints Arena just north of Duquesne University. The city also has a proud tradition of college sports with both Duquesne and Pitt competing at the NCAA Division IA level. Locals are proud to tell you that Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is Sports Town USA.
Visit Pittsburgh
VisitPITTSBURGH is the official tourism promotion agency for Allegheny County. Established in 1935, VisitPittsburgh is dedicated to generating convention, trade show and leisure travel business for the Pittsburgh region. VisitPITTSBURGH is a non-profit organization serving its business membership.
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We were hosted as guests of Visit Pittsburgh. We appreciate the hospitality and really enjoyed the amazing city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh is a great city. I love the vibe it has going on. I’ve never found another city like it.
This looks like a cool place to visit. I have plans to got to CT later this year and I want to try to make a trip to Pittsburgh for the day.
The many times I’ve been to Pennsylvania. I’ve never been to Pittsburg before, taking notes!
This sounds like such a gorgeous place to visit. I would love to take a photo tour.
That pancake at the diner looks delicious. I have friends in Pittsburgh and they have been trying to convince me to visit.
My husband is from a couple hours away from there. It’s such a gorgeous place and so many things to do!
Pittsburgh really has made some transition and it is a place I would love to see up close. My husband loves those teams and I would take in the art and the museums.
My husband’s family is from Pennsylvania, however, I have not visited Pittsburgh with him. My great uncle lived there after he retired from the navy. It does look like a nice place to visit. I’d go for the museums and library first. 🙂
What a beautiful place! I’d love to pack my bags and fly to Pennsylvania right now! 😉
I have been to some places in Pennsylvania but havent been to Pittsburgh yet. It sure looks like I missed visiting this interesting part of PA. I will make sure I do next time. I love visiting museums so that would be my first stop in Pittsburgh.
I haven’t been here in so long! We went to NYC last year and never got to travel to Pennsylvania during our stay there. It would have been nice. It’s always been such a peaceful and quiet place.
I’ve never been to Pittsburgh before. It sounds like a fun place to visit. I’ll have to keep it in mind for sure. It looks like there’s lots to do.
I’ve never been to Pittsburgh before either, looks like it’s worth a visit though. My college roommate is from Bethlehem, PA, so I’ve visited her there and we did Philly as well.
I’ve been in Pennsylvania but I didn’t visit Pittsburgh. Now I regret it.
We’ve been to a number of places in Pennsylvania over the years, but ironically we never end up in Pittsburgh! Looks like that needs to change 😉
I have never been to Pittsburgh before.
Looks like a great place to visit!
I have never been to Pittsburgh before!! It looks like a beautiful city!! So many amazing sites and places to visit! I’ll have to add that to my travel wish list!
What a lovely city. I’ve never been there, but I’ve seen a lot of photos of its amazing sites. I would love to go one day.
I went to school just north of Pittsburgh, and I had a chance to check out some of the city. The Pittsburgh Zoo is a great place, and I wish I had spent more time exploring the rest of the city.
I’ve never been in Pennsylvania, I love those photos especially the museum. I’d love to visit there soon and I will make sure to bring my family.
I like how you showed the beauty of Pittsburgh, it’s so interesting! I would want to visit that lovely place.
I totally love Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, I’ve been there twice and I really miss that place. Love their foods and amazing spots as well.
I am so craving pancakes from a diner now! That looks so good! Pittsburgh looks like a great place to visit!
I love Pittsburgh. A few years ago my husband and I flew out there for a football game and I was amazed at how beautiful and fun the city was.
I haven’t ever been to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. When I was growing up, I am thankful that I got to experience going to several different states and places. Since becoming an adult, I haven’t had the opportunity to travel with my kids as I would have liked to. Darn adulting is hard.
We’ve never been to Pittsburgh, but Hubby says we’re going to visit the city one of these days and watch our fave MLB team, the Atlanta Braves play against or beat the Pittsburgh Pirates. 🙂
I’ve been to Pittsburgh once before but only stayed overnight. I would love to go back an explore more!!
We are just right up Pennsylvania! While it is a distance from NJ we would definitely love to explore PA this summer. Thank you for this fabulous share. Such a beautiful city to explore.
I’ve never been, but have heard some really great things recently. On my list now.
I’ve been seeing so many great reviews about Pittsburgh! I really need to make a trip there with my family.
Hey I just came back with Visit Pittsburgh myself! How cool I loved the town so much so many cool little places and its a cool foodie and drink spot too! I love the Andy Warhol Museum I will be back to get more ecclectic gifts and memorabilia for myself!