If you’ve never been to Pittsburgh and don’t know much about it, you’ve probably never given much thought to traveling there. It wasn’t really on my list either, until I got a crazy idea to rent a car and make the 5-hour drive from Toronto to Pittsburgh. My weekend getaway was great and Pittsburgh really impressed me! In fact, Pittsburgh was recently named one of the “Best Places to Travel in 2016” by Travel + Leisure and named among the “Top Destinations on the Rise” by TripAdvisor.

Pittsburgh is the dominant city of southwestern Pennsylvania, a place that has successfully transformed from a polluted, working-class steel town into one of the most livable cities. Pittsburgh is no longer the coal and steel town of the past, but rather a metropolis with fine parks, gardens, rivers and cute houses on San Francisco-style hilly streets.The city is also home to several well-respected colleges and universities, and has gained a reputation as the ‘City of Champions’ through its three main professional franchises, including the Penguins (NHL), the Steelers (NFL), and the Pirates (NBL).

Must See & DO

1. Andy Warhol Museum:Opened in 1994, the Andy Warhol Museum is devoted to the life and work of Pittsburgh-born pop artist Andy Warhol. Housed in a restored warehouse, the museum displays paintings, drawings, prints, films and videos by Warhol.The museum contains a comprehensive collection of the city’s most famous artist and American Pop Art pioneer. I recommend that you start your visit by taking the elevator all the way to the 8th floor (yes, there are 8 floors!) and go down from there. It’s worth making a stop by the video room where you can see Warhol’s famous 4-minute Screen Test videos, which required subjects to be still and look at the camera. You can also make your own Screen Test video at the museum and will be emailed to you right after.
   

   Warhol’s Flowers paintings of 1964/5

2. Phipps Conservatory:

   Set in Schenley Park, the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers visitors a variety of experiences including Japanese, perennial, aquatic and children’s theme gardens, as well as a cafe and gift shop.

   

3. Carnegie Museum of Art:

   The Carnegie Museum is one of Pittsburgh’s most internationally recognized institutions. Here you can see extensive collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings, American and European paintings, sculpture, decorative art, and architecture.

4. Mount Washington:

   Must see for the best view of Pittsburgh. You can either drive up the mountain or take one of the ‘inclines’ to the top (there are 2). The Duquesne Incline, which offers the best views of State Point Park, Heinz Stadium, and downtown Pittsburgh, is a working museum, with the upper station providing photos and displays on the history of the incline. Regardless of which incline you take to the top, make sure to check out the shops and restaurants up there.

   

5. Point State Park / Fort Pitt Museum:

   The heart of Pittsburgh is the “Golden Triangle” at the junction of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. At the tip of the triangle is Point State Park, with one of the country’s largest fountains, symbolizing the birth of the Ohio. This was the site of Fort Pitt, of which there now remains only a blockhouse. The fort’s original appearance is shown in dioramas in the Fort Pitt Museum, a re-created eighteenth-century bastion of the famous British fort.

   

6. Toon Museum:

   The ToonSeum is a small boutique style museum dedicated to the comic and cartoon arts. While the museum itself is quite small, this is the art museum for fans of the comic and cartoon arts. Entrance is $8 per adult.

   

7. Cultural District:

   The Cultural District is home to Downtown Pittsburgh’s dynamic art and entertainment scene. You really have a multitude of choices for live entertainment – contemporary music, modern dance, visual art and thought-provoking theater, as well as classical music, opera, ballet, popular musical theater and more.

8. Strip District:

   This is one of my favourite neighbourhoods and a must-see! The Strip District, on the Allegheny River at the north-east corner of the Golden Triangle, was formerly occupied by warehouses and railroad installations but is now one of the city’s main tourist centers and a scene of lively activity throughout the day. The area is home to shopping, art, dining, and all kinds of markets to buy produce, meat, and a variety of other foods. I recommend Pamela’s Diner for breakfast/lunch or Casa Reyna for lunch/dinner, La Prima Espresso for gourmet coffee, and Pittsburgh Popcorn for a variety of fresh popcorn!

   

Driving Tips

If you’re visiting Pittsburgh, you may decide to drive or rent a car. It’s a great option if you want to see the surrounding neighbourhoods of the city, especially if you don’t have much time. Driving in Pittsburgh has many unique qualities. Be careful, especially when driving on highways. It’s not uncommon to have to do a complete stop as you get on the ramp before quickly speeding up and merging on the highway at high speed. A good GPS is also crucial — the highways often split into 3 or 4 exits and you really need to be quick about getting into the right lane and fast!

Shopping

If you’re driving to Pittsburgh and would like to stop for some shopping along the way, you have two really good outlet shopping options just outside of the city. The Grove City Premium Outlets are just an hour away north of the city on the I-79 (just south of Hwy 80). If you’re driving in from the south, there is a Tanger Outlets about 30 minutes away, also on I-79 near Washington, PA.

P.S. If you’re still not convinced that Pittsburgh is worth visiting, check out this official tourism video.