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Fabulous Pittsburgh
by Joe McGrath
Welcome to Pittsburgh!
The secret is out. Pittsburgh is a fabulous city made up of interesting neighborhoods. It’s a city that’s rich in culture, and steeped in history. It’s a city that loves its sports, culture, and fireworks.
And there’s nothing quite like the magnificent scenes atop Mt. Washington, where you may enjoy what USA Weekend calls “one of the most beautiful views in the country.” “Wow!” is the frequently heard refrain from visitors when the beautiful skyline bursts into view after exiting the Fort Pitt Tunnel. When we tell them our rivers are so clean that major fishing tournaments are held in Pittsburgh, they say, “Who knew?” And, we smile to ourselves and say, “Hey, you’re in America’s Most Livable City!”
Yes, Pittsburgh is a city that reinvented itself. Once known as the “Steelmaking Capital of the World,” Pittsburgh is now a hub for finance, medicine, education, and technology—including robotics and advanced steelmaking technology.
And, we’re a green city, too. Considered a true leader in the green movement, thanks to its environmental renaissance, Pittsburgh is among the greenest cities in America, based on the number of Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) rated buildings and square footage within the city limits. In Pittsburgh, there are more than 25 LEED registered or certified buildings, with another 30-plus green buildings under construction. Our stunning David L. Lawrence Convention Center is the world’s first and largest green certified convention center. And, our rivers are so clean that FLW Outdoors is hosting the world’s richest bassfishing championship—the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup—here in Pittsburgh in 2009.
Visitors will soon find out that Pittsburgh is full of passionate, friendly people. This town is welcoming to everyone, and provides a wealth of entertainment for every interest. And, with 89 neighborhoods, Pittsburgh is a city to be explored one delightful area at a time.
Start Downtown, then cross one of Pittsburgh’s famous three rivers—the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio—to explore the region’s distinctive topography and countryside jewels. Nearby, you can tour Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpieces—Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, and Duncan House. Venture further into Pittsburgh Countryside where you’ll find some of the most picturesque surroundings imaginable.
Downtown Pittsburgh is not only the heart of the business community, but also the soul of the city rich with many cultural, dining, and shopping destinations.
The 14-block Downtown Cultural District offers a vibrant mix of both classic and contemporary performing and visual arts. The elegant Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts is home to the renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. The 2,800-seat Benedum Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Dance Council, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Pittsburgh Opera, as well as first-run Broadway touring productions. Take in a play presented by the Pittsburgh Public Theater at the contemporary O’Reilly Theater, or enjoy a dance performance at the restored Byham Theater. The Harris Theater hosts some of the most provocative independent and foreign films.
And, there’s no shortage of culinary choices. Some of the region’s standout eateries can be found in and around the Cultural District, but be sure to make reservations during the pre- and post-theater rush.
Stretching a mile east from Downtown, the Strip District is famous as one of the city’s premier destinations for dining and entertainment. Industrial and warehouse spaces have been converted into a bustling marketplace by day and trendy nightclubs, microbreweries, and restaurants all night long. Leave time for a pilgrimage to the original Primanti Brothers for the ultimate Pittsburgh sandwich.
One of Pittsburgh’s largest neighbor-hoods, Lawrenceville is home to a diverse
mix of people who are attracted by the
architectural gems, affordable homes, and
burgeoning business corridors. You’ll find
numerous restaurants, designer businesses,
art galleries, and coffee shops. Check out
the 46 blocks of the 16:62 Design Zone for
home furnishings, antiques, and art that can
only be found in this interior design district.
An easy walk or subway ride from Downtown across the Monongahela River takes you to Station Square, a shopping and entertainment complex on the site of a former railroad station. Recently expanded, Station Square includes a host of restaurants and entertainment venues, riverside dining, and skyline views, and a lighted musical fountain. The Freight House Shops include dozens of specialty stores, including some of the best in local merchandise.
Along the South Side of the river, bustling East Carson Street is chock full of small galleries, live music clubs, eclectic restaurants, vintage clothing stores, coffee shops, and an endless row of bars and clubs. The new SouthSide Works offers a growing number of big-name shopping and dining options along the “Mon” River. Further east is The Waterfront, a shopping and entertainment destination with more than 60 shops and restaurants on more than 300 acres. Built on the site of a former steel mill, the complex’s towering inert smoke stacks provide a regal landmark and nod to the region’s heritage.
Artsy Shadyside is another walkable neighborhood with an upscale flavor and plenty of shopping and dining.
Oakland is Pittsburgh’s college town, where you’ll find thousands of students from area universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, Chatham, and Carlow enjoying the scores of restaurants, bars, and clubs they frequent.
In Oakland you’ll also find the Carnegie
Museums of Art and Natural History. These
world-famous museums stand as Andrew
Carnegie’s lasting legacy. Situated alongside
the Carnegie Library and Music Hall,
the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
showcase one of the finest dinosaur exhibits
in the world. The Carnegie Museum of Art
houses an extensive collection of
Impressionist, post-Impressionist, and
19th- and 20th-century American works.
Architecture and ethnic heritage meet at the
towering Cathedral of Learning’s Nationality
Rooms. The region’s steel heritage is celebrated
at Rivers of Steel in Homestead.
We’re proud to say that the city is getting the recognition it deserves. Travel experts Frommer’s recently designated Pittsburgh as one of the world’s top travel destinations. Places Rated Almanac ranked Pittsburgh the #1 Most Livable City in America. We’re named among the Best Arts Destination by American Style magazine, and rank eighth in American City Business Journals’ survey of fun cities. And, we’re among the top 10 of the World’s Cleanest Cities by Forbes magazine. The list goes on!
History buffs can discover the region’s heritage at the Senator John Heinz History Center. Find out what Big Macs, Bingo, and the Ferris Wheel have in common at a new permanent exhibition, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation. This new exhibition celebrates the Pittsburgh people and inventions that have changed the way we live, work, and play.
Just across the Allegheny River from Downtown, Pittsburgh’s jazz legacy lives on at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, and The Mattress Factory exhibits thought-provoking installation art. Nearby, The Andy Warhol Museum showcases the Pittsburgh native’s life career in a converted industrial building turned into the largest single-artist museum in the United States.
Pittsburgh’s industrialist age comes alive
at The Frick Art & Historical Center, where
visitors can tour the former residence of
steel magnate Henry Clay Frick and view
an outstanding permanent collection of
Italian, French, and Flemish art.
Pittsburgh is a family town, too. Visit the city’s newest Family District on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side where you’ll find the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Science Center, National Aviary, New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Commons Park, and Pittsburgh’s great sports stadiums— PNC Park and Heinz Field.
The Carnegie Science Center boasts one of the world’s most sophisticated interactive planetariums, a four-story domed OMNIMAX® Theater, and a World War II submarine. Science meets sports at SportsWorks in real and virtual adventures. Sports meets history at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum where the story of the region’s long, rich sports heritage is on exhibition.
Did we mention that Pittsburgh is a serious sports town? From the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, to a wealth of college sports, you can take in all of the action.
With so much to see, and even more to
do, Pittsburgh is a great place to revisit your
childhood and create your special getaway.
In this town, one word is synonymous with
fun—Kennywood. This traditional amusement
park is a summertime destination for
thrill seekers with five roller coasters,
including classic wooden structures, an
indoor coaster, and a steel monster.
Party animals love the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, where you can get noseto- nose with a tiger and see polar bears and sea otters in the new Water’s Edge exhibit. A colorful array of more than 600 exotic and endangered birds take flight at the National Aviary, the nation’s premier bird park.
For a bird’s-eye (and romantic) view of the magnificent rivers and skyline, ride the historical Duquesne or Monongahela Incline to the top of Mt. Washington. And when it comes to the rivers, you can’t get any closer than the Gateway Clipper Fleet riverboats that regularly cruise the mighty waters.
Pittsburgh is indeed a fabulous city. It’s a city that’s rich in culture and steeped in history. Pittsburgh is livable, affordable, and much more. We hope you enjoy your visit!
—Joseph McGrath is the president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh. www.visitpittsburgh.com
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