Guide to Pittsburgh: how to get there and where to stay, what to see and where to go in the evening. The highlights of Pittsburgh: fresh reviews and photos, places to see, branded entertainment and shopping.
According to toppharmacyschools, Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania is a fairly large city with a population of about 350 thousand people. It is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers, which, when combined, form the Ohio River here. The unique landscape gave rise to the specific layout of the city, in which many separate districts were formed – each with its own ethnic composition, culture and architecture. Little known to tourists today, Pittsburgh is a combination of bridges, steep slopes, and riverfronts that make the city one of the most naturally scenic in the country. The narrow and winding streets of Pittsburgh, despite its industrial and economic power, often create the feeling that you are not in the USA, but in Europe. And cheap food and beer reinforce this pleasant impression.
Rising above the campus is the imposing Cathedral of the Doctrine, a 42-story skyscraper built in the Gothic Revival style. This is the symbolic heart of the university, the tallest building of an educational institution in the Western Hemisphere.
A bit of history
The first European who found himself in these places was the French merchant and explorer La Salle, and this happened in 1669. The strategic importance of this place on three rivers aroused increased interest in the first settlement from the British, French and, in fact, the indigenous people – the Indians. Several forts were built during the French and Indian Wars, and the city was named after one of them – the British Fort Pitt. In the early 19th century, industry began to develop in Pittsburgh, and during the Civil War it was even called the “arms of the Union.” By the end of the 19th century, Pittsburgh gained a new nickname – “the city of steel.”
In 1892, Andrew Carnegie founded his steel company here, which became the largest corporation of its kind in the world and made the founder his richest man. Thanks to Carnegie, museums, a library, and a university came to Pittsburgh, and many other industrial companies that established their headquarters here contributed to further cultural and economic prosperity.
The inhabitants of the city speak a special dialect due to the historical abundance of immigrants. Some of his words are so specific that the New York Times once called the city “the Galapagos Islands of the American dialect.”
How to get to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh International Airport receives flights from many airlines, mostly North American. Nevertheless, you can fly here, for example, from Canada or Paris. There are also scheduled buses from several companies to Pittsburgh. By train, you can get from Chicago or Washington on the branch connecting them (daily express) or from New York via Philadelphia (also daily).
Find cheap flights to Pittsburgh
Districts of Pittsburgh
Of course, downtown has the greatest tourist attraction – a historical, economic, administrative and cultural area. This is where the three rivers meet.
In the south East End there is an area that is otherwise called the “second downtown”. This is college Oakland, which was once located on the very edge of the city and which Carnegie then turned into the cultural center of Pittsburgh. There are also many institutions, parks, quiet residential and commercial areas. An inquisitive tourist may enjoy walking along Shadyside or Squirrel Hill.
The North East End was once an industrial area that later became the ethnic center of Pittsburgh. Of course, there are enough restaurants of national cuisine and interesting shops here. The most attractive areas are the Strip District (historic place of market trading), Lawrenceville (the oldest district of Pittsburgh), Bloomfield (“Little Italy”, although German immigrants originally settled here) and East Liberty.
The North Side is home to some of the city’s finest museums and home to two of the city’s top sports teams. The area is located across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh and was once a separate city.
The South Side is a hilly area with great views of the city. The Southside Flats and Mount Washington are best suited for this. The South Side is famous for its bars.
According to statistics, Pittsburgh has the most bars per capita of all North American cities.
Entertainment and attractions in Pittsburgh
There are so many amazing architectural masterpieces to see in Pittsburgh that it can be difficult for a visitor to decide where to start. The lion’s share of them is located in downtown, but other areas are rich in old houses and churches. This, for example, is the majestic building of the district court and prison with a high rectangular tower, similar to a medieval castle. You can also admire the city’s skyscrapers – for example, the U. S. Steele Tower, the tallest building in Pittsburgh and One Mellon right in front of it (the second tallest). The Alcoa Building (also known as the Regional Enterprise Tower) on 6th Avenue was the first in the world to be built entirely of aluminum (1953). Older commercial buildings are also of interest – the richly decorated Freak Building on Grant Street, built in 1902, the Copper Tower building, made in the Art Deco style,
3 things to do in Pittsburgh:
- Be sure to take the funicular to the top of Mount Washington for a wonderful view of the city.
- Drive across the Fort Pitt Road Bridge for a great view of downtown.
- Go to the unusual Tunseum Museum on Liberty Avenue – one of the few in the country dedicated exclusively to the creation of cartoons.
After getting out of downtown, it is worth visiting the university district and seeing at least one campus of the University of Pittsburgh. Rising above the campus is the imposing Cathedral of the Doctrine, a 42-story skyscraper built in the Gothic Revival style. This is the symbolic heart of the university, the tallest building of an educational institution in the Western Hemisphere. It began to be built in 1926 and completed 10 years later, and today the cathedral is visible from almost everywhere in Pittsburgh. The Heinz memorial chapel, which is located on the territory of the cathedral, is also very beautiful. It was built with funds allocated by the same Heinz (ketchup magnate), in the French-Gothic style. The chapel is decorated with 23 amazing stained-glass windows.
Once in the North East End, it is worth paying attention to the East Liberty Presbyterian Church: in addition to beautiful stained glass windows and wood carvings, it is distinguished by a labyrinth on the territory. It is assumed that while wandering through it, visitors can pray or meditate. Beautiful and Protestant Church of St. Joseph, built in 1872 by the German community.
Pittsburgh has been ranked number one in the national rankings as the best city to live in countless times.
A special pride of Pittsburgh is the abundance of museums, including several world-class ones. In particular, the Carnegie Museum in Oakland is an absolute must-see. This is a natural history museum with extensive exhibitions on paleontology, geology and biology, as well as an art museum with classical and modern works. Nearby is the Frick Art and History Center, where the former magnate’s mansion, now a house museum, is also located. The Strip District is home to the Senator John Heinz Historical Center, the state’s largest history museum with six floors of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Less “classic” and more serious museums are located in the North Side. One of the most comprehensive museums in the world dedicated to the work of one artist is the Andy Warhol Museum. These are the Carnegie Science Center and the City’s Children’s Museum (actually, kids love both). The modern art space “Mattress Factory” demonstrates various installations, and a lot of exotic birds live in the national bird zoo.
Pittsburgh Events
The city hosts many art events and cultural festivals on an annual basis. The best of them are the Three Rivers Art Festival, the Folklore Festival, the Greek Cuisine Festival, the Three Rivers Regatta and the Little Italy Days. In addition, the Downtown Cultural District, with its five theaters, always has something interesting to offer for the evening, not to mention several more intimate theaters, including the Irish one.
