Pittsburgh is jam packed with attractions for any type of tourist. The sports fan will have a ball watching any of Pittsburgh's home teams play and will be surrounded by die-hard sports fans. While ladies who may prefer to skip the game will enjoy North Side & North Shore attractions like Carnegie Science Center and the Andy Warhol Museum. Families will fall for this area as well because it's home to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.
Hot Tips: Plan ahead when looking to score tickets to sporting events.
Filled with diverse neighborhoods that are all a pleasure to explore, Pittsburgh scores points with sports fans, culture seekers, and families for the close proximity of sports venues on the North Side & North Shore. Across the Allegheny River from downtown, the North Shore and North Side house many Pittsburgh attractions such as the Carnegie Science Center, Heinz Field and PNC Park, the National Aviary, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and the Andy Warhol Museum. Those who prefer to be more central to downtown should explore the hotel options in Pittsburgh's Downtown area or Strip District.
Hot Tips: Driving around during rush hour; Pittsburgh city roads are confusing to navigate.
Pittsburgh's diverse populationmake this city a diner's dream! The Strip District is lined with truly special finds, from restaurants owned by famed chefs like Italian spot Lidia's to Primanti Bros., the famous former "truck stop" that serves the most classic American sandwiches that are a full meal. But no trip to Pittsburgh is complete without a trip to Mount Washington and the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto where the food and views can't be beat.
Hot Tips: Take a ride on the restored incline cars up the side of Mt. Washington, enjoy a date at the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto and ride back down after dark.
Hot Tips: Primanti Bros. sandwich in the Strip District, pierogis.
Nothing beats Pittsburgh's Strip District for a night out. This funky section of the city is walkable making it easy to try a few places in one night. Hot spots include Prive Ultra Lounge, and Altar Bar where dance floors are plentiful and VIP bottle service is an option for the high roller. And if you love a good dive bar, don't miss The 31st Street Pub because it can't be beat for rock 'n' roll.
Hot Tips: Hot spots get crowded; arrive a little early so you're sure to get in.
If you're looking to do some shopping in Pittsburgh, be sure to visit downtown and the Strip District. Downtown is a small spot packed with department stores, specialty shops and boutiques. While the Strip District is a vibrant market district filled with eclectic offerings. For a day indoors, pop into one of Pittsburgh's excellent malls where you can shop, eat and be entertained without having to weather the outdoors.
Hot Tips: Station Square for shopping. There are few actual shops in Station Square.
Hot Tips: Steelers or Penguins gear, Heinz merchandise, Duquesne Incline memorabilia.
Five of Pittsburgh's most unique features and characteristics.
It's impossible to effectively discuss Pittsburgh without giving attention to its famously diverse and down-to-earth population. Every facet of the city's unique present day culture was shaped by the ethnic traditions of countless groups of immigrants from regions like Italy, Britain, Poland, and Lithuania. While the bulk of Pittsburgh's citizens are friendly and welcoming, if you've never experienced the local dialect ("Pittsburghese"), you may find yourself flailing through conversations. For a quick crash course, remember that yinz is plural for "you" (and that people from Pittsburgh are sometimes called Yinzers) and words like "downtown" are often pronounced more like "dahntahn."
Some of Pittsburgh's many museums and art installations are world-class institutions. The Oakland neighborhood is home to a series of Carnegie Museums, foremost among them the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art. Just around the corner from this, the Frick Art and Historical Center offers unique insight into the history of Pittsburgh's once-booming steel industry. The Andy Warhol Museum, in the Northside district, is a must-see for art-lovers and pop culture junkies alike. It features a boundless collection of Warhol's works, as well as a recreation of "the Factory" where he was headquartered for many years.
Pittsburgh's long history is bound up intrinsically in the presence of its three rivers (the Allegheny, Monongahela, and the Ohio), which allowed for its formation in its earliest days, and for its post-industrial steel boom. Pittsburgh is also known as the "City of Bridges," owing to the fact that many assert it has more bridges than any city in the world (Venetians and Chattanoogans famously decry this claim, but locals are quick to dismiss them.) Many of the bridges feature stunning architecture and design, with some of the more famous being the West End Bridge, the Fort Pitt Bridge, and the Three Sisters.
Pittsburgh is a city whose culinary scene comprises the holy trinity of factors: it has an excellent dining scene that is robust but not touristy, they have an array of ethnic markets and locally-owned and operated grocers, and they have a handful of signature dishes. Primanti's is your best bet for a no-frills but exceptionally hearty and delicious dining experience; they serve a renowned sandwich piled high with fries and slaw. The Strip District is where you'll find the greatest concentration of ethnic eateries and one-of-a-kind markets. And the Bloomfield neighborhood is home to some of the most authentic Italian restaurants this side of the pond.
If you're looking for a city in North America that experiences four distinct seasons (think: not Miami or Alaska), head to Pittsburgh. Because Pittsburgh straddles humid continental and humid subtropical climate zones, it sees warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Although the seasons run through pretty much the whole gamut throughout the year, it rarely sees extreme weather conditions outside of the occasional blizzard during the winter. Because of the variation between (and, in the fall especially, during) the seasons, it's best to watch conditions closely as you pack your bags.