Pittsburgh: What to See, Do, and Eat

I recently traveled to Pittsburgh for a work conference, and you can bet I made time for some sightseeing!

I can honestly say Pittsburgh was never on my travel radar. But once I knew the location of my conference I started doing research and found tons of great things to do in Steel City.

Then I was genuinely excited to explore this popular city in eastern Pennsylvania…and now I’m excited to tell you everything I saw, did, and ate in Pittsburgh!

What I Saw

I learned that Pittsburg is also referred to as the City of Bridges. Those bridges come in pretty handy given that three rivers intersect right in the heart of this sprawling city.

With a whopping 446 bridges, Pittsburgh has more bridges than any city in the world! Initially, I found it hard to believe this city has more bridges than my beloved Venice. (Even though it is true, I still love the charming walking bridges in Italy’s floating city!) 

I drove back and forth on many of those bridges and even walked across a few as I navigated around the city.

Driving in Pittsburgh can be a bit challenging as there are many different elevations and roads that split off in multiple directions. But with a good GPS it is fun to explore the many unique sections of this booming metropolis and the adjacent communities.

Seeing the amazing architecture is enough of a reason to drive around and explore Pittsburgh!

Randyland

One unique stop that is not to be missed is Randyland. Nestled in the middle of a standard Pittsburgh neighborhood is the most colorful dwelling you have ever seen!

This is the private home of Randy Gilson and he has opened his patio to all who want to visit (from 10am – 8pm, daily). Randy has created a whimsical public art display, proving that one man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure.

Randyland is something you truly have to explore in person to appreciate it…and it is free to visit!

Bicycle Heaven

Another free option in Pittsburgh and a must-see attraction is Bicycle Heaven. This museum is like no other with two stories and numerous rooms filled to the brim with bikes of every kind and from every era.

This unique museum also showcases several famous bikes from popular movies and TV shows.

It also offers plenty of nostalgia as you are sure to find bikes that remind you of your youth and simpler times, no matter how old you are.

Bicyle Heaven is actually the World’s Largest Bicyle Museum as well as a working bike shop…so if you are in the market for a new bike or any bike part, trust me, this place has it!

Heinz Memorial Chapel

Be sure to venture into the city center to explore the University of Pittsburgh. While there is plenty to discover on campus, I found the Heinz Chapel to be especially noteworthy.

The exterior of the chapel is gorgeous and reminded me of the cathedrals that are common in many European cities.

But the interior of the chapel is truly breathtaking!

Check to see when the chapel is open to visitors and spend a little time inside gazing up at the towering stained glass windows and marvel at the intricate woodwork.

Andy Warhol Museum

Another feast for the eyes in Pittsburgh can be found throughout the seven-story building that showcases the iconic art of Andy Warhol.

The Andy Warhol Museum contains the largest collection of the Pittsburgh native’s work. Throughout the museum, you also get glimpses into the bewildering and sometimes sordid life of Warhol and his cutting-edge process of creating art.

Many of Warhol’s pieces colorfully capture beloved pop culture icons from Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy to Elizabeth Taylor and Elvis Presley…with plenty of soup cans thrown in the mix!

If you are an art lover or a pop-culture enthusiast, the Andy Warhol Museum definitely needs to be on your Pittsburgh itinerary.

What I Did

There is much to look at in Pittsburgh, but there are also plenty of activities to keep you busy and entertained.

Duquesne Incline

Regardless of your age or fitness level, a visit to Pittsburgh should include a trip up (and down) the Duquesne Incline.

It will cost you $2.50 each way and they don’t take credit cards, so don’t forget your cash. You might as well spring for a round-trip ticket if you parked at either the bottom or top of the incline as I wouldn’t recommend trying to walk back to your parking spot!

Instead, enjoy riding the historic cable car both up and down the incline as you take in the amazing views of Steel City.  Plan to spend a little time at the top where you can see the inner workings of the cable car mechanism and get an unobstructed view of downtown Pittsburgh.

Then join the other visitors in snapping a ton of pictures of the three rivers intersecting at Point State Park and the plethora of bridges that make up the Pittsburgh skyline. Scroll back up to the top of the article to admire my photo from the top of the incline!

Strip District and The Terminal

Arguably the most noteworthy area in Pittsburgh for shopping and dining is the Strip District.

This one-half mile of shops, grocers, bakeries, bars, and restaurants has a gritty vintage Pittsburgh vibe. And if you are in the market for Pittsburgh Steelers garb, The Strip has got you covered.

The Terminal is a newly developed section of The Strip found on the adjacent block and it also houses numerous eateries, shops, and more. Formerly the Pennsylvania Railroad Fruit Auction & Sales Building, this space has been transformed into a hip mixed-use development that brings new life and vitality to this popular section of Pittsburgh.

Keep reading to find out which hotspots I visited in the Strip District and then make a plan to explore this iconic area of Pittsburgh yourself.

Puttshack

This is not your standard round of indoor mini-golf. At Puttshack (in The Terminal) miniature golf has progressed to the tech age and I am all for it!

Each player gets a digitized ball that tracks your score as you move through one of several different nine-hole courses. Each hole has a unique set of obstacles and challenges allowing you to earn extra points. Some holes even include trivia questions that help you rack up more points, even if your golf game is a bit off.

With this version of mini-golf the highest score wins and results are instantly posted on the big screen for either your glory or your shame to be seen by everyone.  But at least you don’t have to hassle with doing math and keeping score yourself!

Puttshack is a great activity for both kids and adults, a date night or guys/girls night out, or even a team-building activity for co-workers.

Courtyard Winery

Leave it to me to find a winery anywhere I travel! In the Strip District on one of the side streets is the Courtyard Winery tasting room.

After several hours of sightseeing, I thoroughly enjoyed resting my feet and partaking in a flight of sweet wines. With tons of varieties on the tasting menu and available for purchase, both sweet and dry wine drinkers will find plenty of suitable options at Courtyard Winery.

What I Ate

Time to pair that wine with some good eats! Pittsburgh is a foodie’s paradise with an eclectic option of restaurants to suit every palate and budget.

I could only eat so much during my five days in Pittsburgh, but I definitely filled my belly!

Primanti Bros

The most well-known eatery in the Pittsburgh food scene has got to be Primanti Bros! You haven’t really visited Pittsburgh unless you wander into one of its 16 Primanti Bros’ locations.

Part sports bar, part dive, what makes this restaurant unique is that the fries come ON the sandwiches. For an Indiana girl that seemed strange to me, but when in Pittsburgh, do as the Pittsburghians do!

Yes, it is a messy endeavor to eat these sandwiches and yes the waiter will give you a hard time (all in good fun) if you request to have the fries on the side!

Puttshack

Before taking my turn on the putting green, I enjoyed dinner and a glass of wine at Puttshack. They offer plenty of seating and a massive bar with a hip and trendy yet casual atmosphere.

Puttshack serves upscale bar food that any foodie would find appealing. Lots of shareables (appetizers) are on the menu, but I opted for The Pitmaster Flatbread…and ate the whole thing myself!

Peace, Love, and Little Donuts

Another gem in the Strip District is Peace, Love, and Little Donuts. These sugary treats may be tiny, but they are packed with flavor, and their minute size just means you can eat more!

Some tempting options include Buttafinga, Chocolate Chip Pancake, Banana Split, and Raspberry Truffle. But my favorite was the Salted Carmel.  Delish!

Novo Asian Food Hall

Also located in The Terminal is the Novo Asian Food Hall, which offers a variety of vendors selling Asian cuisine in a bright and hip communal dining area.

I thoroughly enjoyed this spicy chicken, which had just the right amount of kick, as well as an order of delectable crab rangoon.

Grandpa Joe’s

Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop is located in the Strip District and is a must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth and an affinity for nostalgia. Here you will find every kind of confection and sweet treat imaginable.

It was a difficult choice, but I opted for a scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream…and I was not disappointed!

During my time in Pittsburgh, I also dined at Tessaro’s and Stack’d and had the most delicious slice of chocolate cake at Butterwood Bake Consortium. In fact, the food was so good I forgot to take pictures before I gobbled it all up!

Pittsburgh also boasts tons of cute independent coffee shops and you can bet I visited a different one each day for a chai tea latte!

What I Missed

I feel like I packed a lot into my first trip to Pittsburgh…and I still managed to attend all three days of my conference!

But with so much to explore, there was a lot that I missed. I just might have to make a return trip to Steel City!

When I do, I plan to visit a few more museums, including the Mattress Factory with contemporary art.  I’d also love to check out the Heinz History Center, which focuses on notable people from Pennsylvania, including the beloved Mr. Rogers.

Taking a boat, bus, or ghost tour also sounds like a fun way to see and learn more about this fascinating city. And with the right weather, spending some time at Point State Park sounds like a great idea.  Depending on the season, it might be fun to take in the various sports scenes in Pittsburgh and cheer on the Steelers (football), Pirates (baseball), Penguins (hockey), or Riverhounds (soccer).

Are you ready to plan your trip to Pittsburgh?

I can’t wait to hear what you love most about Steel City!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

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