One thing I love about Pittsburgh's hotel scene is that it seems like the best years are still to come thanks to the boom of new hotels opening in the city. One of the newest on the scene, Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh, recently opened in early 2016. We decided to pay a visit to this one just a few weeks after it opened to see if it would be worth your time when visiting the city.
Year: 2016
Frick Park – An Enduring Legacy in Pittsburgh’s East End
Frick Park is the youngest and largest of Pittsburgh's four city parks, opened in 1927 and coming in at 644 acres.
Miles upon miles of hilly, wooded trails snake through the park, making it a perfect escape from the city time and time again. There are also basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, and even an off-leash dog area.
The Original Oyster House Review – Pittsburgh’s Oldest
There is something to be said about an over 150-year-old restaurant in any city, as being able to survive the test of time is something only a few businesses ever accomplish.
In Pittsburgh, this distinction falls on the Original Oyster House, which is the oldest bar and restaurant in the city and is also recognized historic landmark. With such a reputation preceding it, we went in with great expectations.
Beto’s Pizza Review – Cold Toppings on a Pizza in Beechview
For most native Pittsburgher's, you say the name Beto's and a wide range of emotions come up. This local Pittsburgh pizza joint is considered by many to be an institution, on par with the likes of Primanti Brothers. And just like Primanti Brothers, this pizza shop has its own way of doing things which, thankfully, does not include putting french fries on top of their pies.
At Beto's the toppings are served cold, ensuring that this will be the most unusual pizza you'll ever try.
Over the decades the community has divided into a “love-it, hate-it” mentality, and for a pizza as unusual as this there is really no middle ground to stand on. After much prodding from the “love-it” half of our readers, we made a visit to try the pizza for ourselves.
Max’s Allegheny Tavern Review – Traditional German Fare
Stepping into Max's Allegheny Tavern is a bit like stepping back in time. Or maybe it's more like stepping into your grandmother's house- if your grandmother was German, that is.
Max's is one of those places where the decor seemingly hasn't been updated since the day the restaurant opened, which usually means the food is either homestyle and delicious, or terrible.
Luckily for us Pittsburghers, Max's falls into the former category. This homey restaurant serves up comforting, traditional German food and beer. When it comes down to that, could you ask for anything more?
Mount Washington Neighborhood Guide – Attractions and Dining
Mount Washington holds a special place in the hearts of many Pittsburghers as it is home to what is often considered to be the billion dollar view of the city. For us, we have many fond memories of Mount Washington as it was also the neighborhood we called home for many years.
Although we may not live there anymore, we find ourselves visiting this neighborhood quite often to take in its many parks, good selection of restaurants, and to photograph the iconic viewpoint. To share all of the wonderful things to experience on Mount Washington, including the viewpoints and beyond, this neighborhood guide was born!
It is worth noting that the following is not a collection of every business on Mount Washington. This article only features businesses that we personally visit when we explore the neighborhood. As such, it should only be taken as a starting point and is certainly not a list of every establishment.
If you see an interesting store while walking around Mount Washington, do yourself a favor and go inside!
The Roberto Clemente Museum – More Than Baseball
Although you might not expect it, the Roberto Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville is about much more than the Pirates' baseball legend; this museum has something for everyone.
Even if you don't necessarily love baseball or know much about Clemente, you're bound to find something here that appeals to you. Whether it's the beautiful old firehouse in which the museum is housed, the amazing photography on display, or even the classy wine bar, this museum is sure to keep you surprised and interested.
El Burro Review – Mexican Takeout in the North Side
El Burro is a tiny little Mexican joint on Federal Street in Pittsburgh's North Side neighborhood. While not necessarily a dining destination in its own right, if you find yourself in the neighborhood visiting the Mattress Factory, Randyland, or the Aviary, for example, it's a great place to grab some quick grub.
Although they have a small amount of counter-type seating, this place is really more suited to takeout- making it especially suited for residents of the North Side like us!
Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Full of World Wonders
When it comes to learning about the history of the natural world around us, there is certainly a lot to take in.
For those who are interested in the animal kingdom especially, Pittsburgh has no better place to visit than the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Oakland- home to a wonderful selection of exhibits featuring dinosaurs all the way to modern day animals, and everything in between.
Toss in a few more unique exhibits from the natural world, and you have the makings of an incredible day out in the city.
Carnegie Museum of Art – Pittsburgh’s World Class Art Museum
One of the things I love about Pittsburgh is that many of the city's famous innovators have given back in incredible ways.
As perhaps the most famous of all Pittsburghers, Andrew Carnegie spent the later years of his life giving back to the city in many philanthropic ways, converting his fortune into such city staples as the Carnegie Library system, the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh- to name a few.
As with all items carrying the Carnegie name and legacy, you can expect great things from these places as Carnegie had a track record of doing things bigger and better than anyone else.
When it comes to his legacy at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, notably the Museum of Art, you notice this as soon as you arrive. This art museum is one of the country's best.