It's the end of the year as we know it! As everyone's making plans to host or return home for the holidays, I have prepared an itinerary for you for 2018 if you just so happen to find yourself in "Steeler Country" for one reason or another.
But, before I get into the list, a little history lesson first!
-Pittsburgh was founded on November 27, 1758 by George Washington and General John Forbes
-Once a major producer of steel thus it's popular nickname "Steel City"
-Pittsburgh is the second largest city in PA
-According to "biggestuscities.com" Pittsburgh's nationwide rank is #63 as of 2016 (compared to Orlando, FL at #73)
-Pittsburgh's population as of 2016 is 303,625
-Tripsavvy.com highlights that more than 50 major movies have been filmed here during the past decade such as :
"The Dark Knight Rises", "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", "The Mothman Prophecies", "Boys on the Side", "Groundhog Day", and the Academy Award Winning Thriller "The Silence of the Lambs"
-And finally, Pittsburgh, is the birthplace of several influential icons including August Wilson, Andy Warhol, and Wiz Khalifa was a transplant from North Dakota who grew up in the "Steel City"
Pittsburgh is also my place of birth. Although I moved outside of the city after Third Grade to the City of Washington (just 45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh), my mom and I, would still visit continually. Another opportunity for me to visit the city were the beloved field trips with my drama class in high school where we would see play performances at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.
My hometown is a place filled with culture and history! It's not as overwhelming as New York City (my adopted hometown) can be for some, but it has the big city mindset yet a down-to-earth vibe that is welcoming to all who visit.
Which leads into my list of things for you to explore during your visit.
1. The Andy Warhol Museum:
A must-see when in the area!This abstract facility gives visitors an in-depth look at the mind of an eccentric artistic genius (in his own right).
https://www.warhol.org
2. Crazy Mocha:
You always need a recommendation for a legit coffeehouse with space for seating (and a decent bathroom) and when it comes to Pittsburgh, Crazy Mocha is it (outside of the now cliche "Starbucks")! They have a vast variety of drinks and goodies to satisfy every taste bud. My favorite part is that most of their locations close late just in case you need a late night coffee break or treat!
-801 Liberty Ave
-1001 Liberty Ave
-5 Station Square Dr.
https://crazymocha.com
3. SouthSide Works:
Now, this place use to be my favorite in all of Pittsburgh. It was like its own mini city with clothing stores, valet parking, restaurants, the works! Upon returning home to visit I've discovered that it isn't the same; with a lot of the stores gone yet the movie theater and restaurants keep the quaint social hub alive including such popular fixtures like The Cheesecake Factory. Another plus is that sometimes, especially during the summer season, live performances are held in the veranda space right in front of The Cheesecake Factory which always makes for a pleasant time.
https://southsideworks.com
4. "HERE WE GO, PITTSBURGH!":
I'm not a fan of football, hockey, or baseball, BUT even I represent the "Black and Gold" by owning a few cute tops and pajama shorts! Depending on when you're there to visit, you can purchase tickets, and catch a game which is guaranteed to be a night to remember.
www.mlb.com/pirates
www.nhl.com/penguins/
m.steelers.com
5. Pittsburgh Public Theater:
Opened in 1974, the Pittsburgh Public Theater, is a must-visit while in the area! In 2018 you can check out the following lineup:
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" by Stephen Sondheim, "Heisenberg" by Simon Stephens, and "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
https://www.ppt.org
6. August Wilson Center:
This landmark is at the heart of the city's Cultural District in honor of the legendary Playwright. The center obtains a plethora of exhibit galleries, an education center, and theater for the performing arts. Follow the link to see what's available while your in town!
https://www.trustarts.org/pct_home/visit/facilities/august-wilson-center/
7. Market Square:
At the intersection of Forbes Avenue and Market Street you have Pittsburgh's "Market Square", ranked #23 on Trip Advisor's list of attractions in Pittsburgh. This, in my opinion, would be the place to start your adventure. They have a complete list of performers slated to perform every year for the summer season as well as an overwhelming amount of vendors for you to choose from when you're deciding where to have lunch. Visit the link for more info!
https://marketsquarepgh.com
8. The Incline:
Make sure you have cash available for this outing that is a favorite of tourists and locals alike! Taking the Incline is the best way to experience Pittsburgh's beautiful skyline (especially at night). Be patient when you arrive to enjoy the ride to the top of Mt. Washington (where the fun continues) because this is such a popular site it's not uncommon to wait in line.
duquesneincline.org
9. Mt. Washington:
This beautiful neighborhood, which is a walker's dream, is what awaits you at the top of the Incline after you have taken in the gorgeous view. Walk around and admire the rich architecture then checkout the following restaurants which are just a few to mention out of the vast variety of food sources made available just in this neighborhood alone.
-Shiloh Grill (Tuesday's "Bacon Night")
123 Shiloh St.
-Micro Diner (Breakfast and Brunch)
221 Shiloh St.
-Casellula (American, wine and beer bar)
North Side, 40 W. N. Ave.
-The Summit (American and cocktail bar)
200 Shiloh St.
10. Diesel Club Lounge:
When it comes to nightlife and entertainment, this place gets a recommendation. There's always something happening at Diesel and it's one of the most popular places to catch a live performance and hang out. Follow the link to view their lineup.
dieselclublounge.com
11. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh:
Four museums consisting of The Carnegie Museum of Art, Natural History, The Science Center, and the aforementioned Andy Warhol Museum. Each museum is full of exhibits and archives that will keep you engaged for hours as you discover something new!
https://carnegiemuseums.org
Last, but certainly not least...
12. Tanger Outlets:
For the shopaholics, rent a car and drive to Washington, PA to Pittsburgh's Premier shopping source including popular retailers such as:
H&M, J. Crew, Coach, Michael Kors, Nine West, NY&CO
Pittsburgh use to host fashion shows downtown when it was packed with name brand retailers, but since a majority of the stores have closed or moved, Tanger, would be your best bet if you'd like to get any shopping action while you're visiting and with their discounts, it's worth the drive! And on your way to the outlets (or before driving back) you can b-line it to the Meadows Casino just a mile away where they host events constantly.
https://www.tangeroutlet.com/pittsburgh
Now, even I'm overwhelmed by this list, and it doesn't even cover everything that Pittsburgh has to offer, but it is a start. My hope is that it will help you navigate better if you just so happen to find yourself here in 2018.
P.S. Here are some links to websites that have more information on events going on in "The Burgh"!
pittsburgh.eventful.com
www.visitpittsburgh.com
downtownpittsburgh.com