Coming from a family of die hard Pittsburgh Steelers & Pirates fans, I have been to the city more times than I can count.
Some of my favorite things about the city are the friendly faces, and the cleanliness. I don’t think that we have ever encountered a mean spirited person there. The city is pretty clean in all of the parts I have been to, a thing that is sometimes hard to come by in large cities.
I also feel pretty safe walking all around town. My mom and I walked across town one night a few years ago after a concert and we both felt comfortable the whole time, which is sadly a feeling us woman do not always have while walking around at night in most places.
The great thing about Pittsburgh is that it doesn’t matter whether you’re a sports fan or not – there is something for everybody!
Here are my top things to do in Pittsburgh:
1. I had to go with the most obvious one first: See a Sports Game
Pittsburgh has a professional football, baseball, AND hockey team! There is pretty much an opportunity to see some professional sports game all year round. Even if you aren’t a fan of a Pittsburgh team, no worries! Pittsburgh fans are some of the friendliest and respectful fans out there.
Enjoy a warm summer day eating hotdogs and having ice-cold lemonade while singing take me out to the ball game, with the amazing view of the city skyline. They have specials almost every game, such as free t-shirt Friday, dollar hotdog night, and kids day. After baseball games, they will occasionally have a firework show, that is pretty spectacular.
Go check out the Steelers practice in Latrobe- only 1 hour away from downtown pittsburgh- and get a picture with your favorite players. This is a photo I got with Pittsburgh Steelers player Bud Dupree while at a training camp (don’t mind the jersey i’m wearing, this was from a few summers ago lol.)
Or when the regular season starts, tailgate in the crisp fall air with friends before a football game.
2. See the beautiful city of Pittsburgh in a full view panoramic: Mount Washington
To get there, head on up the Monongahela Incline. (It’s the oldest continuously operating funicular in the United States!)
The view of the city from the top is absolutely beautiful.
Up on Mt. Washington, enjoy the view while having dinner out on the terrace at one of the many restaurants it has to offer.
My parents had dinner one time on mount Washington while the University of Pittsburgh had a football game at Heinz field, and they said they could hear the cheers and feel the energy coming from the stadium. So cool!
3. Take a walk around town and relax at Point State Park.
Sit by the fountain that meets at the confluence of three rivers – The Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. There are numerous benches around the park, and it is ADA accessible.
There are also bike and hiking trails that lead from the park.
The Three Rivers Heritage Trail is a pedestrian trail and greenway system in the Pittsburgh area, covering 37 miles along both sides of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. It is a nearly complete route for cyclists, walkers, and runners, and in some places rollerbladers (dcnr.pa.gov).
You can also go kayaking around the river, by entering the water at point state park.
Motorboats are also welcome in the river, as I have seen a lot of them during the summer months. If you do want to have your boat in the water, you of course have to have a registration.
4. Carnegie Science Center
If you are traveling with children, or are just still that child deep down, the carnegie science center is the place to go. It has 4 floors with interactive exhibits, a planetarium, a giant cinema, and live shows. My personal favorite things are the miniature railroad and village of western Pennsylvania, and the high mark sports works section which is pretty much physical activities and games including a ropes challenge.
There are also a few other museums in Pittsburgh to check out. For example, the Andy Warhol museum, the Heinz History Center, the Mattress Factory Museum and the Clemente Museum.
5. Eat DELICIOUS FOOD
My all time favorite part of visiting different places – the food! Here are some of my favorite restaurants I have been to in Pittsburgh:
- Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 – Created by the one and only Pittsburgh Steelers legend, Jerome Bettis. This restaurant is at a great location if you plan on spending some of your time going to a baseball or football game, as it is located on the North Shore. I would say that it is a modern American cuisine, offering anything from a huge 36 oz ribeye (no lie, actually saw someone finish this before), to pasta, pierogis, wings, salads, and street tacos . It has a full bar as well, if you are just interested in having some drinks before a game.
- Sienna on the Square – A small modern Italian restaurant, with a cool modern brick wall vibe inside. I had a delicious spaghetti with large homemade noodles and homemade meatballs, so good! They also have a wide variety of wines to try.
- Primanti Bros. – is just a must if you ever find yourself in Pittsburgh. You can find one pretty much anywhere in the surrounding areas of the city, however I know of one in market square. They are famous for their large sandwiches that are topped with their famous coleslaw and french fries.
- Cherries Diner – A small little nook right off of market square, this breakfast spot is a favorite among locals. Because it is indeed a favorite, try arrive early before the line out the door! Get a regular breakfast with home fries, eggs and meat, or spice it up with very cherry french toast – italian bread stuffed with cream cheese and cherries! If you’re really hungry just eat the kitchen sink! – a huge omelet with just about everything in it.
I hope you’re able to one day go to the beautiful, and friendly city of Pittsburgh! Let me know if you’ve ever been there and what you enjoyed in the comments!
