11 ways to get to know Pittsburgh

Few who visit Pittsburgh don’t leave without falling in love with this character-filled American city.

Long on grit, the Steel City once was world-famous for its colossal riverfront steel mills. These plants, which powered the growth of the USA, have in recent decades become sports venues, educational campuses, bike paths and more – making Pittsburgh a poster child for post-industrial transformation among American cities. And a fabulous place to visit, whether for a weekend or a month.

Where to begin? Let us help, with our picks for the top things to do in Pittsburgh.

1. Get a history lesson at Point State Park

Located at the tip of Pittsburgh’s “golden triangle,” where three mighty rivers meet, Point State Park is where Pittsburgh began. At the Fort Pitt Museum, you can learn about the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the city’s earliest beginnings – a true microcosm of American history. The state park also houses the Fort Pitt Block House, a structure predating the American Revolution.

2. Immerse yourself in the comprehensive Carnegie Museums

 Two of the best institutions in Pennsylvania are housed in one complex in Oakland. The Carnegie Museum of Art showcases a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures and multimedia pieces, while the Carnegie Museum of Natural History contains dinosaur skeletons, geology exhibits and taxidermied dioramas. (Outside the museum stands a full-scale brontosaurus model, known to locals as “Dippy.”) 

3. Hop aboard an incline for a top-notch skyline view

Funiculars were all the rage in the late 1800s, when two incline railways were constructed along the steep slope of Pittsburgh’s Mt Washington. The Monongahela Incline and Duquesne Incline both offer beautiful views of downtown Pittsburgh and the confluence of the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers that defines the city. If you’re into catching as many views as you can, ascend up one line down on another, with a taxi in between: they’re only a mile apart.

4. Find great eats in the Strip District (hint: Primanti Bros)

Among the converted warehouses of the Strip District lie some of the city’s most acclaimed food spots, like S&D Polish Deli, Salem’s Market and the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. Yet you shouldn’t skip Primanti Bros, which has been a Pittsburgh staple since 1933. Famous for its hearty sandwiches loaded with meat, fries and coleslaw, this iconic eatery is a no-frills, only-in-Pittsburgh must.

5. Salute a local art-world legend at the Andy Warhol Museum

Pop art icon Andy Warhol was born and raised in Pittsburgh – which is why the incredible museum dedicated to his life and art is a highlight of any visit to the city. A converted factory building contains some 88,000 sq ft of gallery space devoted to the paintings, prints and installations that made Warhol synonymous with the 20th-century celebrity–art complex. 

6. Explore the massive furnaces that made Pittsburgh the industrial capital of the USA

Rivers of Steel offers a vivid way to encounter Pittsburgh’s brawny industrial history. The Carrie Blast Furnaces, a remnant of the former US Steel Homestead Steel Works, offers insight into a bygone era of American manufacturing. During the 2-hour tour, visitors hear stories about steel-making technology, steel workers and the incredible supply chain required to build the bones of 20th-century America.

7. Cheer for the home team in a sports-mad town

The NFL’s Steelers (at Acrisure Stadium), NHL’s Penguins (PPG Paints Arena) and MLB’s Pirates (PNC Park) give Pittsburgh a grand slam of professional sports franchises. Each has a loyal (some might say fanatic) following of locals, with all three teams sharing the city’s signature colors of black and gold. Whether you’re a sports fanatic or not, catching a home game is sure to put you in the midst of fervent locals eager to express their love for their hometown.

8. Get a contemporary-art fix at the Mattress Factory

On the Pittsburgh art scene, there’s no equivalent to the spectacle at the Mattress Factory. Founded in a converted industrial building by artist Barbara Luderowski in 1975, this sprawling complex of the avant garde houses numerous permanent installations and a rotating program of exhibits that bedazzle (and occasionally bewilder) visitors. Located opposite downtown on the Northside, the institution is often credited as one of the early catalysts for Pittsburgh’s current-day revitalization.

9. Wander through the exquisite Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Home to flower shows that change with the seasons, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a wonderland for lovers of botany and foliage. The stunning steel-and-glass architecture of the conservatory harkens to the height of the industrial age, when its greenhouses first displayed orchids, cacti, tropical fruits and other far-flung flora in often snowy Western Pennsylvania. Today, you can see some of the same rooms for yourself​​, including the massive Tropical Forest Conservatory, which will transport you into a lush rainforest.

10. Check out the world’s largest collection of bikes

The world’s largest bicycle museum and shop is located on Preble Ave, a block from the Ohio River. The museum began life as a bicycle-repair shop in 1996 before adding a massive museum collection in 2011. Today, Bicycle Heaven houses nearly 4000 specimens – from space-age fiberglass concepts to bicycles seen in movies and more. The best part? It’s free to take in this sprawling collection. And if you’re inspired, you can rent a bike here yourself and see Pittsburgh from two wheels.

11. Meet some cute critters at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a two-for-one adventure and home to more than 4000 animals. Wander through the lush habitats here, and you’ll see everything from majestic tigers to playful penguins. Interactive exhibits and educational programs will bring you up close with wildlife and allow you to learn about the institution’s important conservation efforts.

Detour: For even bigger thrills, take a ride on the historic – and utterly awesome – wooden roller coasters at Kennywood Amusement Park, 11 miles east of Downtown.