This topic came up twice this week,
which is usually a sign that it’s something I should think about, write about, or do something about.
The only reason, to me, to live in Pittsburgh as opposed to oh, say some gorgeous setting with palm trees and frothy waves at my feet, is to enjoy the cultural activities we have.
What, you ask, does Pittsburgh have to offer in the way of culture?
Well, aside from the number of theaters at hand–Heinz Hall, Benedum Center, August Wilson, The O’Reilly, Byham Theatre, The Cabaret—all downtown in a few block radius, we also have other unique things to do:
Trails around the Pittsburgh
—the North Shore walk from Heinz field up the Allegheny River
—the Jail Trail along the Monongahela River to Point Park
—the South Side trail down the Mon to Station Square.
Station Square itself is nice with restaurants from casual to fancy, a dancing fountain which is such fun to watch the kids play in on a hot summer day, and a wonderful, river-level view of downtown.
Point Park, with a newly renovated fountain and Fort Pitt Museum and Blockhouse (affiliated with the Senator John Heinz History Center) is a delightful place to walk, have a picnic, or simply sit and enjoy the convergence of the rivers.
We have riverboats for Gateway Clipper tours and/or dinner cruises.
Do you like museums?
There’s the Carnegie Natural History Museum combined with the Fine Arts Museum; we have the Heinz History Center (love it so much we’re members); Soldiers and Sailors Memorial; The Frick and Clayton Mansion and many, many more.
We have multiple parks to walk in, including: North Park, South Park and two of our picks: Schenley Park and Frick Park. These huge expanses cover acres and acres of land and make country-child me feel like I’m glimpsing home again.
Combining chores and culture takes us to The Strip District.
This is one of our favorite Saturday morning stops to make in town. We go at least every six weeks to get our coffee fix from PrestoGeorge. We go more often for the fun of picking up fresh vegetables and fruit from the street vendors, having an espresso and latte at La Prima and breakfast at Enrico’s or one of the other tasty choices.
Yet I know people who have lived here their whole lives and never been to any of these places.
What about you? What do you need to do to be a tourist in or near your hometown?
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Read: Road Trips
You have some GREAT things to do in P-Burgh.
Have you discovered Sunday night dinners? I was looking up info on Jim Haynes, who started these weekly dinners in France almost 30 years ago (and they’re still going on) and that led me to other cities that have similar dinners, and Pittsburgh is one: http://www.sundaynightdinnerpgh.com/index.html!
I’ve never heard of Sunday night dinners, but it certainly sounds like fun. I always miss our Montana get-togethers which were so eclectic and often spur of the moment.
I need to try the above coffee places!
On Thursday, we visited Bravo Franco Ristorante and Heinz Hall for Led Zepplin. If you ever visit Bravo Franco, split an entree- one is more than enough for two people! And we recommend the fried cheese appetizer! We were bummed that we couldn’t get to-go bags, but we had nowhere to put them!
Thanks for the tip on Bravo Franco–haven’t been there yet, but it’s now on the list. I love Heinz Hall–don’t you always think you should be in a fancy ball gown and slippers? 🙂
I LOVE when friends/family come to Montana because I finally have the excuse to be a tourist. Aunt and Uncle have come the past several years and we have gotten to see some of the beauty right out my back door. Seems like when you live here you are too busy making a living to take the time. Red Lodge is the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park; getting there over the beautiful Beartooth Byway…it is breathtaking. I love going in the fall when the real tourists are heading back home and school has resumed….not so crowded. Not to mention… Read more »
Ah, Seester, how to describe my favorite place in the USA? Breathtaking, rich, friend-filled, charming, quaint, easy, views that make your life better for having seen them…So many things to see and do and people to know and love!
Oh and I have visitors coming in this summer and I always take folks up the incline and this time with an 8 yr old will also do a Just Ducky tour!! Been here 6 years and this will be a first….
Yep–I’ve not done the Ducky Tour either…It’s on the list!
Thanks Rose for highlighting some of the things that are so great about ‘the Burgh’ from nature, to food experiences, to cultural pursuits.
I especially like coming out of the Ft Pitt Tunnel and seeing the view of the city complete with the PPG ‘castle’ look to converging rivers and the Point. I’m with you on the Strip being really a fun place to shop, people watch, and get some good food. I’d like to explore Lawrenceville and Shadyside more – want to go with me??
That is a great view! Yes, Lawrenceville is making quite a comeback.