Visiting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
By Rachel Puryear
Recently, I visited the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my husband, while he attended a web developers’ event there (his profession). We were there about a week, largely in the downtown area.
It’s a neat city with a friendly vibe, a diverse population, and plenty to do. It’s situated on three rivers, and is Appalachia’s largest city. The downtown area is also highly walkable, with lots of public transit available.
Here are some highlights to check out from this city:
Point State Park
This park nicely showcases the city’s surrounding rivers, with plenty of walks by the water. There are easy, flat, wide paths throughout the park, and with all the good views.
Three Rivers Heritage Trail
This is also a walk along the waterfront, with fewer people around than at Point State Park. There’s a ramp leading down to the walkway, which is also flat and spacious.
August Wilson African-American Cultural Center
The African-American cultural center downtown is currently featuring exhibits based upon the celebrated plays of playwright August Wilson, called the “theater’s poet of Black America”. Free guided tours are available, with donations appreciated.
Mount Washington and Duquesne Incline
Do you like to go up to where you can get a view of the whole city? You can get a great view of everything from up here. I always enjoy the perspective shift that comes from “zoomed out” views like this.
Note: Duquesne is pronounced “due-CANE”.
Cathedral of Learning at University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums
If you love grand old buildings, this one is for you. Though it’s only a century old, it has a look and feel like it’s from the middle ages. It’s a peaceful place to read and study, or to view its nationality rooms (check hours).
Locals nickname this place “Cathy”. 🙂
You can also visit the nearby Carnegie museums of natural history and art – allow several hours for each.
Mexican War Streets Neighborhood Museums and Art
This is a great neighborhood – it’s quiet, funky, and seems to attract a lot of artists – that’s always a good thing!
Here are a few local gems:
Randyland
Randy is a local artist who’s made a public art exhibit out of his own home and yard. It’s colorful, original, and invites a nostalgia that’s not about clinging to the past, but instead showcasing free use of bright, vibrant colors in a way that’s uncommon now.
Entry is free, but donations are of course appreciated. The entry and most of the display areas are flat.
Bicycle Heaven
If you’re a bike aficionado, you might think you’ve died and gone to heaven here – even if you’re more limited in your experience with bikes, it’s still a pretty cool place to visit. Bikes of all colors, shapes and sizes, and going back decades and even centuries are on display, with an array of dazzling accessories decorating and covering wall spaces everywhere.
Entry is free, but donations are of course appreciated. Some aisles are narrow, and part of the museum is up a flight of stairs.
Mattress Factory
We tried to stop at the Mattress Factory, but they were closed due to an event. However, it’s reputed to be an art museum well worth seeing – hopefully we’ll catch it another time. But stop by if you’re in the area.
Places to Eat
If you’re downtown and you’re hungry after seeing so many places, check out one of these spots:
Ritual House for Brunch and More
Plenty of delicious brunch choices – whether you want lemon meringue or red velvet pancakes (and more choices), candied bacon or smoked salmon, or omelets and waffles and other favorites galore.
Primanti Brothers for Trucker Sandwiches
The downtown location is in Market Square. The restaurant got started selling trucker-friendly sandwiches with the fries on them, so they could be easily held and eaten with just one hand while driving. Try one of their huge, deliciously stuffed sandwiches. As an appetizer, the fried pickles are also delicious!
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- Summer is here, and while that means adventure, there’s no reason you cannot also be comfortable. Here are a few things to keep you happier and enhance your enjoyment out there:
- If you’re a large or plus-sized outdoor lover, think of the last time you sat in a camping chair. Did it pinch you? Were you worried it wouldn’t hold your weight? Was it too low or small for you? Give your luscious bottom the space and support it needs, with these extra-large, portable outdoor folding chairs that are lightweight to carry, but hold up to 500 lbs/227 kg. But if you need more capacity than that, they also make one that holds up to 1,000 lbs/454 kg. You’re much safer in a chair that’s meant to hold you.
- For relaxing outdoors, you’ll need some shade from the sun. Of course, it needs to go up easily, you don’t want to screw around with it all day. Check out this easy-to-put-up, cute, portable folding canopy shelter that gives 36 square feet of shade.
- You’ll need a fan to keep you cool in bed on hot nights. However, while camping, electric ones are power-hungry – and loud. So try this battery-powered fan that’s lightweight and quiet, and rotates to cool off everyone. You can also plug it in if you’re hooked up to power. Rechargeable batteries can help with this, too.
Thank you, dear readers, for reading, following, and sharing. Here’s to great cities.
Check out my other blog, too – World Class Hugs, at https://worldclasshugs.com. It’s about celebrating empathic/HSP people, balanced versus toxic relationships, spirituality that comes from love and curiosity rather than rigid repression, and visiting gorgeous natural places.
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