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To commemorate my last week living in Pittsburgh, I wanted to do a post celebrating all the things this city has to offer. Some people seem to have the misconception that Pittsburgh is this grungy steel city in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. That it is full of industrial factories, coal miners and thick smog.
Pittsburgh does have a rich history of coal mining, but it has undergone quite a renaissance recently and is now such a vibrant, thriving place. I want to introduce you to the Pittsburgh I know and love: from its plentiful biking trails, city parks and outdoor activities, to festivals revolving around pickles and pirogies that would only be a thing in this crazy city.
This is a list of all my favorite Pittsburgh experiences and places, after a year and half of exploration. I hope reading it will help you get out there to enjoy and appreciate the city the way I have.
#1 Top Notch Park Scene
Slack lining in Schenley ParkThere is so much green space directly in the city limits. My two favorite city parks are Frick Park and Schenley Park. Frick park is slightly more remote, giving it that ‘welcome oasis from city life’ kinda vibe. I’m always impressed by how HUGE it is- I still always feel like I’m discovering a new trail each time I go. My favorite ways to spend time there include wandering around the hiking trails, attempting to socialize Champion in the off leash dog park and relaxing between two trees in my hammock.
Schenley Park is another gem of the Pittsburgh park system. Its one of those parks with big open fields that are perfect for lounging on picnic blankets or setting up a slack line. It is also home to Phipps Botanical Garden which has impressive rotating seasonal exhibits and has several different picnic areas/playgrounds for hosting group events.
North Park is a 20-30 minute drive from Downtown Pittsburgh totally worth the trek. It has a gorgeous 5 mile walking/running trail that loops around a scenic lake. If you get hungry after all that exercise you can hit up OTB at the North Park Boathouse and enjoy a burger and craft beer on the dock overlooking the lake. Their newest addition is Go Ape! which is a treetop ropes course, perfect for the adventure inclined folk.
#2 Pickles, Pirogies and Redbull- Oh My!
Is this the biggest pickle you’ve ever seen?
In the summertime, Pittsburgh has a whole host of quirky festivals including the Redbull sponsored Three Rivers Regatta- where people literally try to take flight into the Allegheny River on handmade air crafts, The Vintage Grand Prix, the nations largest vintage car street race, and the Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival where there are more than 40 vendors with every type of pierogi you could possibly imagine.
My personal favorite is Picklesburgh. It’s kind of a big dill in Pittsburgh. Pickle pun intended.
What better way to celebrate being the home of Heinz than shutting down a major bridge and blowing up a huge inflatable pickle balloon that could probably be seen from an airplane? This is seriously a celebration of all things pickle. There is a multi-round pickle juice drinking contest, pickle themed photo booths, and pickle inspired cocktails such as pickleback shots and picklejuice moscow mules.
And then there’s the food. All pickle everything. Chocolate covered pickles, pickles on a stick, fried pickles, pickled popcorn, even pickle flavored egg rolls. You get the picture. Its a disgusting and amazing way to experience Pittsburgh in all of its pickled glory.
#3 Thriving Yoga Community
Can I get an Om?
Wherever you live or work in Pittsburgh, I guarantee you there is a yoga studio within a 5 minute drive from you. There are so many types of yoga options for you to try: hot yoga, acro yoga, glow- yoga.
If you get bored of the traditional yoga studio vibe, in the summertime, you can get your “om” on all over the city. There are pop-up yoga communities everywhere usually with free or donation based classes: from Market Square, to the rooftop biergarten of the Monaco Hotel, to the overlooks on Mt. Washington, and even the Northshore Riverfront park.
#4 Bike Trails Galore
Biking the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
After living in Pittsburgh for a year, I realized I desperately needed a bike. Sometimes you can get places faster biking than by driving on the actual roads in pittsburgh. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is the main trail system. It essentially connects the entire city with 24 miles of paved trails on both sides of the three rivers. In addition almost all of the major bridges have a pedestrian/ biker friendly lane.
If you don’t own a bike, you can get by like I did renting Healthy Ride bikes which have convenient stations set up all over the city. The only problem with these bikes- is that they tend to be a little bulky.
The North Shore Trail is definitely the most scenic place to bike. It consists of 7 miles of trails which take you upstream along the Allegheny River, past Heinz field and PNC park all the way to Millvale Riverfront park. The trail perfectly dead ends in Millvale which is home to some of the city’s best breweries like Grist House and Strange Roots Experimental Ale.
This made for one of my favorite ways to spend a summer afternoon, fondly known as “Bikes and Brews”.
#5 The Three Rivers
My fav way to see the city
There is something special about living in a city surrounded by water. It adds an extra dimension to your city experience and so many additional activities in the summertime.
The rivers come alive between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend and there are countless ways to get out and enjoy the water. Kayak Pittsburgh sets up multiple kayak rental concessions along the three rivers and in North Park lake. They even let you bring your furry friend along for the ride. SUP 3 Rivers offers epic stand up paddleboard adventures.
If you want a more relaxing way to get out on the rivers, you could opt for a riverboat tour aboard the Gateway Clipper. They offer sightseeing tours, dinner and sunset cruises at very reasonable prices.
One of the newest and most unique ways to get on the rivers are the infamous cruisin tikis.These are hilarious looking tiki hut boats that take you on a 2 hour party cruise and are a great option for birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties or just a fun weekend with 5 of your closest friends.
Obviously, making friends with someone who has a boat docked at one of the marinas along the river is an even better (and free) way to get out on the water and enjoy the city from a different angle.
#6 Steelers Nation
Views from PNC park
Nothing brings people together quite like the camaraderie of sports. Pittsburghers take their sports very seriously and have an almost cult like following and enthusiasm which is contagious.
One of the coolest parts about Pittsburgh sports is that most of their stadiums are along the water. I never made it to see the Steelers, but frequented several Pirates games, which are a super affordable way for the casual fan to take part in the sports scene. They even have Pirate pups night on Tuesdays where you can bring your furry friend.
#7 Chaos of E Carson Street
E Carson Street in the Southside neighborhood has an insanely high concentration of bars and is essentially Pittsburgh’s equivalent of Bourbon St in New Orleans. If you walk down the street on any given weekend night, you are likely to find college students and young professionals wandering around in a onesie or harry potter costume for some sort of themed bar crawl.
If you are ever in the mood to party like its 2009, E Carson street is the go to spot. Dance the night away at Scenario PGH , catch some live music at Club Cafe, spin the shot wheel at Mario’s Saloon, and rock candy necklaces and glow sticks at Bar 11. If you need a late night pick me up, Mike and Tony’s Gyros are the place to go.
#8 Views on Mt. Washington
The quintessential incline ride up to Mt. Washington
Arguably the quintessential pittsburgh experience is riding the Monongahela or Duquesne Incline up to Mt Washington to soak in views of the city skyline. If you do one thing during a trip to Pittsburgh- this is it. I especially recommend going around sunset or after dark because the buildings and bridges look even more spectacular all lit up.
Once you get to the top, you can walk up and down the main drag and take in the panoramic views of the steel city. It’s a perfect date night spot or place to bring your out of town friends/family. After soaking in the sights head on over to Coughlin’s Law for a casual dinner and drinks, or if your feeling fancy hit up Altius for some “elevated cusine” with killer views.
#9 Streets of the Strip District
The strip district has the feel of a much bigger cosmopolitan city. It is essentially like a huge farmers market that is open every day of the week, but it really comes to life on the weekends. It is my favorite place to buy cheap bouquets of fresh cut flowers for under $5.
It is also the go to spot for steelers paraphernalia, speciality and ethnic grocery stores, gourmet chocolate, coffee and bread and fresh produce and meats. If you like to cook or just appreciate good food, this will be your favorite place to frequent in the Burgh. It is also the home of the original Pamelas Diner, which essentially has the best breakfast in Pittsburgh.
#10 Hipster Vibes of Lawrenceville:
Lawrenceville is a neighborhood just east of Downtown and the Strip District that is a undergoing a serious gentrification and development with new restaurants and store fronts popping up every week.
My favorite place to hang out there is Row House Cinema which is a single screen independent movie theater that plays movies revolving around obscure weekly themes such as ‘silent films’ or ‘women directed horror films’. They also play more popular films including the Harry Potter series which they show once a year in a 24hr marathon style.
As an extra bonus, there is a microbrew shop called Bierport located next door with a vast beer selection. You can shop around and take your favorite craft beers into the theater with you for a truly unique experience.
If you want even more ideas for what to do in Pittsburgh check out my favorite local blog Discover the Burgh. They have explored an astonishing amount of the city and have amazing recommendations for things to do in every season.
What did I miss? What are your favorite things to do in Pittsburgh?
