Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a city thoroughly loved by its locals, and it’s a must-see destination for others. It’s filled with great history, eateries, shopping centers, sporting events, and attractions. With friendly people and affordable accommodations, the city is easy to explore. If you’re planning a weekend trip to Pittsburgh, here are the top five attractions you should put on your itinerary.
1. The Duquesne Incline
Image via Flickr by Forsaken Fotos
This century-old incline, one of the few left in the country, takes you up to the top of Mount Washington for amazing panoramic views of downtown Pittsburgh. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you ride up in the original wooden cable cars. Don’t worry, the incline is safe, as it has been restored and kept in top shape since both tourists and locals frequently use it.
Once you get to the top, make sure to walk a bit further up the hill for an even better view. At the upper station, visit the museum to learn about Pittsburgh’s history. You’ll also find some other inclines here, as well as the cool gift shop to buy some unique souvenirs.
2. The Strip District
Image via Flickr by reynolds.james.e
The Strip District is a must-see neighborhood in Pittsburgh. Here, history is plainly visible in beautiful old structures like the Pittsburgh Opera building, which was originally built in 1869 to serve as George Westinghouse’s Air Brake Factory. In addition, there are amazing shops that sell goods from around the world, restaurants and cafés, museums and galleries, live music venues, and more! The Strip has everything.
3. The Andy Warhol Museum
Image via Flickr by Allie_Caulfield
The Andy Warhol Museum holds the largest collection of the Pittsburgh native’s artwork and archival materials. In addition to the seven floors of permanent and special exhibitions, there are daily film screens and art talks. On the underground level, there is The Factory, which is an education studio, along with the conservation lab. It’s a great place to immerse yourself in art for a day.
4. Phipps Conservatory
Image via Flickr by ASPatrick
Take a day to visit this indoor botanical garden, butterfly sanctuary, and themed conservatory. There are so many different gardens to explore, such as the Japanese Courtyard garden, the Medicinal Plant garden, the Herb garden, and the Aquatic garden. Don’t forget to keep your eye out for the wishing well! The Phipps Conservatory also has some advanced green innovation projects like the Center for Sustainable Landscape and the Production Greenhouse. You will learn so much and have a relaxing day filled with natural beauty.
5. Sporting Events
Image via Flickr by danxoneil
Let’s not forget about the sports scene in Pittsburgh. The city is so proud of its professional football, baseball, and hockey teams. You definitely have to experience a Steelers, Pirates, or Penguins game while you’re in town. You may find yourself joining the crowd and cheering like crazy for the home team. Traffic through the city is pretty insane on those days, so try to plan accordingly.
Enjoy your trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hopefully, these top five attractions gave you some idea of what to expect from your visit to the city!
