a guide to the steel city
if you know me, you know that pittsburgh is hands down one of my favorite cities (though i may be biased because i grew up around there & have family in the area). but what's not to love? three professional sports teams, a beautiful cityscape tucked between three rivers and all the best restaurants and nightlife. if you've got a weekend, you've got enough time to fall in love too.
if you love sports:
pittsburgh's home to a professional football, baseball & hockey team - making any weekend action-packed. the steelers, pirates & penguins are the heart of the city. & honestly the thing i love most about pittsburgh is the sense of pride. everyone is so proud to be from the steel city & you will feel that in any arena, field, restaurant or super market you walk into. and if you can’t make it to a game, head into a sports bar or pub in the area - i guarantee they’ll have it on. (i suggest the urban tap on east carson street. sit at the bar or in the dining area to catch the game - and a bite to eat. it’s the coolest gastropub in the city! this is also a really great brunch spot.)
if you love arts & culture:
pittsburgh also boasts a large arts scene with museums, galleries and theaters. the benedum center, right downtown, offers so many shows & concerts. earlier this year, my boyfriend took me to see hamilton! there wasn't a bad seat in the house. the lobby is the grandest thing you’ll ever see - crystal chandeliers, marble staircases & floor length mirrors.
did you know that american painter & icon, andy warhol, was from pittsburgh? the north shore has a seven story museum devoted to his work. it holds the largest collection of warhol’s artwork - including his infamous campbell’s soup cans. (fun fact: my great-grandmother & andy’s mother were from the same small town in modern day slovakia, before they both moved to pittsburgh.)
phipps conservatory is also another cool museum of sorts. with different greenhouses & buildings, you can spend hours in their maze of fresh flowers. they switch up their exhibits pretty frequently, too, so you can go back time & time again to see something new. earlier this summer, they had a vincent van gogh exhibit that blew my mind. works of watercolor were transformed into elaborate and exquisite flower arrangements. i was able to walk through his renowned starry night and imagine what van gogh’s life must have been like in 1880s france, while i smelled sweet violets in bloom.
if you’re a history buff:
pittsburgh is bursting with history - i mean, it’s over 260 years old!! this industrial hub was unique because of its location on the river (three, to be exact) - a key mode of transportation in the 19th and 20th century. pittsburgh’s steel accounted for nearly half of the nation’s steel output. the history is preserved through original buildings and new museums around the area. there’s the carnegie museum of natural history, heinz hall and soldiers & sailors memorial museum just to name a few.
pittsburgh-native henry clay frick was an industrialist icon at the turn of the century who played a major role in the steel industry in the united states. today, you can visit his esteemed home, the clayton mansion, and tour the grounds which include a garden and greenhouse, an art museum and a classic car collection. the frick is open tuesday through sunday, year round.
if you love food:
and honestly, who doesn’t? my favorite place to eat when i come to town is il pizzaiolo in mt. lebanon. it’s got the most delicious italian food i’ve ever had. when i’m on my deathbed i’m going to need someone to deliver me their gnocchi sorrentina so i can die in peace. (pro tip: the mt. lebanon location doesn’t take reservations but, if you don’t mind waiting, check out the wine bar in the back. i’ve been belly up there many times while waiting for a table.)
another favorite is in the strip district, at enrico's biscotti company & café. this little eatery has a super cozy vibe - tucked behind their bakery & down a small brick-covered alleyway. you can't go wrong with their quattro fromaggio. and while you're in the strip, stop by peace, love & little donuts for dessert. these tiny cake donuts are packed with flavor & loaded with toppings. maple bacon may sound weird but you can’t knock it until you try it! the first shop is still in the strip, although there are stores all over the country now.
finally, the best place to grab a late night cocktail is at the commoner at kimpton hotel monaco (see below). they specialize in technique and presentation, making their drinks super tasty + insta-worthy.
where to stay:
kimpton hotel monaco has a signature style and flair that’s almost indescribable. you’re amazed as soon as you walk in and see the chandelier made out of flowers. whimsical wallpaper adds bold color to the interior and makes you forget the bustling city that surrounds you. this boutique hotel is situated right downtown, in the heart of everything.
one of my friends surprised me with a night out in pittsburgh for my birthday, and booked us a stay at the mansions on fifth in shadyside. it was the family home of willis mccook, a prominent attorney to mr. henry clay frick. at the time the home was built in the early 1900’s it cost $300,000. after a few change of hands, a brief stint as a dormitory for university students, and a couple renovations, the old estate is now a luxury hotel.
we stayed in the guest house, adjacent to the main house, which was both quiet & comfortable, and probably the best night’s sleep i’ve gotten in a while. the hotel is located near a few colleges and is a short walk to walnut street for shopping and restaurants.
have suggestions on places i missed or things i should check out? drop them below!!