The Duquesne Incline cable car operates daily between Station Square and Mount Washington. Photo courtesy of Visit Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh has been my home for nearly a decade.
In that time, I’ve fallen in love with the city for its proximity to nature and its perfect combination of urban development and old-school charm. Its food scene is diverse and its concert venues span from crammed corner clubs to massive arenas. Yet, its housing has remained relatively affordable.
In addition to these somewhat general attributes, living in Pittsburgh unlocks some oddly-specific benefits.
I appreciate the Yinzer culture and its unique brand of blue-collar resilience. Pittsburgh feels like the largest small town you’ve ever been to. It’s parks, roads, and bridges were built around mountains and three converging rivers.
My neighbors are creative and down-to-earth. Our neighborhoods blend historic row houses and cable cars with craft breweries and trendy boutiques. I’ve explored every inch of this city and appreciate that, no matter how my interests evolve, there is always a specific place I can go for a good time.
This city is my forever home and, to honor it, I’ve compiled a long list of the most interesting and enjoyable ways to spend your time here.
Here are some specific situations and where you can go to indulge in them. This is my master list of activities, shopping, and dining recommendations that have brought me joy during my time in Pittsburgh.
Activities
For a creative date night, whether an in-person class or take-home kit: Pittsburgh Glass Center
When it’s the dead of winter and your craving some greenery: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
For a long morning of uninterrupted working / writing: Ineffable Cà Phê in Lawrenceville
When you want to freak out over cute penguins, smol birbs, and baby owls: The National Aviary
For the person who is equal parts coffee snob and a lover of vinyl: Pre Amp Coffee Studio
When you want to get dressed up, drink a fancy cocktail, and listen to live jazz: Con Alma
For an hour of claw games and capsule toy machines: Ebisu Japanese Life Store in Squirrel Hill (5846 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217)
When you want to have an hours-long, people-watching picnic: Observatory Hill in Riverview Park on the North Side or Schenley Park on the East Side near Oakland
For splitting pitchers of beer during a night of unlimited bowling: Arsenal Bowl (21+ after 8 pm)
When it’s a sunny Autumn day and you want to stroll along the waterfront with a lover and a latte: Three Rivers Heritage Trail
For trail runs that kick your ass: Frick Park
When you want to relive the prohibition: Acacia in South Side (2108 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203) and Unspeakable in Lawrenceville (3920 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224)
For jamming out to live music inside a former 18th-century church: Mr. Smalls
When you want a public dance party with a nostalgic theme: Bottlerocket Social Hall. They also host the In Bed By 10 series because sleep is important.
For standing shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers and eating fried food from a food truck: Millvale Music Fest
Shopping
When you want to explore modern stores inside a historic 1920s building: The Terminal
For when you want to be a block within teenage Sam’s two favorite stores (Urban Outfitters & REI): Southside Works
When you want to buy loose leaf tea and coffee beans by the pound: Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange
For restocking your Middle Eastern pantry staples: Pitaland or Salem Market & Grill
When you want fashionable, unique, and handmade Pittsburgh-themed clothes and gifts: Steel City Clothing
For trendy boutiques and vintage shopping: Butler Street in Lawrenceville. (The Urban Darling outlines multiple stores on her blog)
When you’re on the hunt for your next furniture flip: Construction Junction
For an open-air mall (with a Costco) that you can reach by the bike trail: The Waterfront
When you’re about to start a new craft and need supplies (or inspiration): Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse
For sifting through mountains of records across every genre of music in existence: Jerry’s Records
When you need a cute card to complete a gift: Wildcard
For when you get invited to a Pittsburgh sporting event and need to buy some game-day gear: PGH Sports in the Strip District (1808 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222)
When you want to buy dried flowers or make potpourri: Roxanne’s Dried Flowers
For antiquing followed by lunch at the winery next door: Hartwood Corners & The Wine Cave (3141 Harts Run Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101)
When you’re on the hunt for the vintage band tee of your dreams: B-sides Vintage in Millvale
Dining
For an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet in the middle of the day: People’s Indian Restaurant
When you have something to celebrate but also want Thai food: Pusadee’s Garden
For a great cup of coffee on your drive East to one of the state parks: Steel Cup Coffee Roasters
When you want to watch a soccer game at a neighborhood sports bar: The Bulldog Pub
For when you’re in a large, slightly-hangry group and everyone wants something different: The Federal Galley
When you want to eat outside on a summer evening: Walter’s BBQ Southern Kitchen or The Abbey on Butler Street
For authentic pierogis and kielbasa: S&D Polish Deli in the Strip District
When you’re craving literally any type of Asian cuisine: The corner of Forbes and Murray in Squirrel Hill
For sharing a dinner of small plates: Morcilla Tapas Bar
When you’re ready to try my favorite Italian spot in the city: Alla Famiglia in the East End
For beers and bratwurst while sitting in a church pew: The Church Brew Works
When you and your girfriends want to split a charcuterie platter on a rooftop with twinkle lights: Il Tetto Rooftop Beer Garden
For authentic french pastries (the Baguette Lardons is a household favorite): La Gourmandine
When you are craving carbs after the bars (or need to soothe your hangover the morning after): Ritter’s Diner
For some of the best vegan food in the city (with an Eastern European-spin): APTEKA
This post is inspired by Emilie Korm’s recent Substack article about New York City.
Enjoyed this post? There's a whole lot more waiting for you!
Subscribe to my Substack for travel tips, inspirational essays, ethical travel takes, and real talk about freelancing finances, all delivered straight to your inbox.
No spam. Just stories.