Pittsburgh Overview

VisitPittsburgh

Located at the confluence of three sparkling rivers and banked on all sides by green hills, Pittsburgh has earned its reputation as one of America’s “most livable” cities. Long a center for the production of steel, iron, glass, Pittsburgh’s economy is now driven by technology, medicine, finance and tourism.

Home to several Fortune 500 companies, Pittsburgh offers big city amenities and boundless hospitality in an atmosphere that is small-town friendly. Travelers arriving by plane can enjoy the first-class service and impeccable facilities of the Pittsburgh International Airport, voted one of the Best U.S Airports by Conde Nast Traveler.

The Pittsburgh International Airport is home to the Airmall®, a unique selection of shops, services and restaurants, all at guaranteed street-level pricing. Voted the best overall shopping and concession experience by World Airport Retail News, the Airmall offers everything from Nine West, Clinque, Godiva Chocolates, Victoria’s Secret and The Gap, to unique boutiques and Pittsburgh souvenirs.

Head downtown through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and you emerge to a spectacular view of three rivers and a city skyline spiked with architectural masterpieces.

Hospitality abounds in Pittsburgh’s diverse ethnic neighborhoods, offering visitors a sampling of food, culture, festivals and celebrations inspired and influenced by the city’s history and ethnic heritage. Downtown, a thriving Cultural District offers performances by the world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Broadway Series and Pittsburgh Opera, while the city’s jazz legacy is preserved and enhanced at Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild and various clubs throughout the area.

One of America’s safest cities, Pittsburgh’s downtown restaurants, theaters and shops are easily accessed on foot or on the “T,” an underground rail system that is free within the city. Off shore, visitors can experience the city’s breathtaking skyline on board the Gateway Clipper Fleet. Additional spectacular views can be had from one of the  fine restaurants overlooking the city at the top of Mt. Washington. Or try dinner along the waterfront at Station Square, a restored 19th-century railroad station. Restaurants vary from upscale to casual, and there is a menu to suit every taste.

A wide variety of stores are located within easy walking distance of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and downtown hotels, allowing plenty of opportunities for taking advantage of the fact that there is no sales tax on clothing, shoes or necessities in Pennsylvania. Downtown department stores include Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s.

Nights come alive in the Cultural District, home to seven theaters within walking distance of hotels and the convention center. The Cultural District also affords a selection of up-scale and mid-range dining, from French to Italian, Tex Mex to Thai.

In the Strip District, the clubs are hot, the food is spicy, and dance floors pulse to the sounds of rock, blues, jazz and swing. While the Strip is home to a plethora of fine dining, classic Pittsburgh fare is featured at numerous diners. By day, the Strip is alive with street vendors and shoppers buying the freshest breads, pastries, cheeses, coffees and ethnic specialties.

Coffee houses, bookstores and numerous art galleries can be found tucked between towering skyscrapers downtown and along East Carson Street on the South Side.

From downtown, a short walk across one of Pittsburgh’s many bridges takes you to the North Side, where visitors can experience the work of the pop art prince and Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol at The Andy Warhol Museum, the most comprehensive single-artist museum in the world.

Located just 10 minutes from downtown, Oakland affords a number of attractions and experiences. Enjoy one of the finest dinosaur exhibits in the world at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, or visit an outstanding collection of Impressionist and post Impressionist works at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

A few minutes away, the Frick Art & Historical Center brings visitors back to turn-of-the century life.  The Frick includes Clayton, the Victorian home of Henry Clay Frick, and the Car & Carriage Museum. Nearby, the sensual delights of flowers and butterflies at the 106-year-old Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens surprise and delight visitors from around the world.

Three hundred years of Pittsburgh history come alive at the Senator John Heinz Regional History Center in the Strip District. Located in what was formerly the Chautauque Lake Ice House, this museum offers a variety of exhibits that tell the story of the people who built and influenced Pittsburgh’s evolution from industrial megaforce to a center for technology, medicine, robotics and tourism. In addition, a new wing features the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

For the sports minded, PNC Park, a 38,000-seat classic baseball stadium, designed with masonry arches, a terra cotta front, and a center field that opens to a dramatic view of Pittsburgh’s skyline, is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. A pedestrian walkway opens from the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers, features 65,000 seats, 6,600 spaces of club seating and 1,500 luxury seats in 129 suites. Heinz Field follows a horseshoe shape, with the southern end opened to Point State Park.

The David L. Lawrence Convention Center lies at the energy hub of downtown Pittsburgh activity. Located along the Allegheny River, the Center is ideally situated between the Cultural District and the bustling Strip District.

For more on Pittsburgh, check out VisitPittsburgh’s website.