Pittsburgh will always have a special place in my heart because it is the city I spent my four years of undergrad.  The city is considered one of the most livable cities in America and I can most definitely vouch for that.  There is one metro line within the city but Uber and Lyft have definitely made getting around the city easier.  The city has different neighborhoods that have their own personalities.  Oakland is where the University of Pittsburgh is located and is a college neighborhood while Downtown is a bustling area like New York City.  There's so much to see and do in this city too.  You can check out a number of museums like the Andy Warhol Museum or the Carnegie Museum.  You can take a walk through Phipps Conservatory or see a spectacular view on Mt. Washington.  There are many concerts that take place in Stage AE or Heinz Field as well.  PNC Park and Heinz Field are also right on the water on the North Shore.  Check out the art scene in Lawrenceville and go to the Mattress Factory.  Whether you're here for school, work, or vacation, Pittsburgh has a number of things to offer any type of person.  

Accommodations

  • Since I attended college here, I stayed in dorms and then off-campus housing (#fratwood)
  • Since I lived on campus, I didn't need to go to a hotel or anything but when my family visits, they stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, the Quality Inn, or the Hampton Inn

Restaurants

  • Since I lived here for four years, I have so many food recommendations that I will divvy up by neighborhoods

Oakland
  • Try the famous sandwich with fries at Primanti Brother's
  • Down from my apartment a small dive restaurant call Spice Island Tea House with really good pad thai
  • Try the Bianca Pizza (fig, goat cheese, and arugula pizza) at The Porch**
  • Get banana nutella pancakes at Red Oak Cafe**
  • The best Chinese food is from Tong's
  • When you're hungover, go to Pamela's Diner**
  • Get anything at Fuel and Fuddle**
  • Enjoy a huge margarita at Mad Mex
  • Get tacos at Las Palmas or Indian food right next door at Bangal Kebab House & Restaurant
  • Satisfy your sweet tooth at Dave and Andy's
  • There are a lot of chain food restaurants on Forbes too

Shadyside
  • Get a yinzerita at Steel Cactus
  • Try a sandwich at Shady Grove
  • Order the sushi cupcake at Sushi Too
  • Eat all the sweets at Prantl's Bakery
  • Don't miss out on the many different grilled cheese sandwiches at The Yard**
  • For a great burger, go to Union Grill
  • If you're in the mood for Asian noodles, go to LuLu's Noodles

Downtown
  • Attack the three floors of Sienna Mercato
  • Get breakfast at Bluebird Kitchen
  • For some great owners, go to S&D's Cafe**. They also have daily desserts that are always changing and they are AMAZING. Get the homemade chips as well!

South Side
  • Get a beer and German food at Hofbrauhaus
  • Try the quiche at Bartram House Bakery**
  • Get a margarita at Emiliano's
  • The sandwiches are as big as yo face at Fat Head's
  • Enjoy amazing food at a cool restaurant at Local**
  • Make sure you only use cash at Waffles Incaffeinated**

Squirrel Hill
  • For good mediterranean food, go to Nala's
  • Get some matzoh ball soup or a sandwich at Smallman's Deli
  • Go to Té Café for great tea

The Strip
  • Another great brunch place is DeLuca's**
  • Down the road there's S&D Polish Deli. Edel loves the perogies there.

Waterfront
  • Build your own burger at Burgatory

Mt. Washington
  • If you have extra cash, splurge on a meal at Lemont
  • Or take it to DiFiore's Ice Cream Delite

**=Restaurants that have an amazing weekend brunch menu

Cultural Activities

  • Take a bus tour of the city to hit all the major attractions
  • Explore the tallest academic building the Cathedral of Learning
  • Go to the Andy Warhol Museum and John Heinz History Center
  • Watch a football game at Heinz Field, a hockey game at the Consol Center and a baseball game at PNC Park
  • Take a walk through Phipps Conservatory 
  • Take the Duquesne or Monongahela Incline to the top of Mt. Washington for spectacular view of the city
  •  Check out the art scene in Lawrenceville
  • Be amazed by the Mattress Factory
  • If you want to see animals then go to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium or the Aviary
  • Bring your children to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
  • Take a little trip to Kennywood
  • Lay out in Schenley Park or in the lawn of Soldiers and Sailors
  • Go kayaking down the Allegheny River
  • Go to PNC Plaza downtown 
  • Test your pole dancing skills at Fitness with a Twist
  • Get 20 of your friends and take a Bike Tour through one of the three different routes in Pittsburgh.  You must be 21!
  • Kayak along the river!

Clubs/Bars

  • My personal favorite bar is Garage Door.  They have karaoke on Tuesday nights
  • Other bars in Oakland include, AD's/H2P Cafe, Bootleggers, Gene's, Hemingway, and Peter's Pub
  • Carson Street is a street in South Side that has the second most amount of bars on one street in the United States right after Bourbon Street in New Orleans
  • Some personal favorites of mine are Mario's, Local, Archies, Tiki Bar, Carson City, and Jimmy D's
  • Go to Hofbrauhaus on Thursday night for discounted beer
  • SPIN is a fun gay bar in Shadyside with amazing mojitos
  • Catch some live music at Nola on the Square or at Howl at the Moon

Sneak Peek