Dish Osteria in South Side is a cozy, traditional Italian restaurant that initially opened way back in 2000. While we had never made a visit before they closed in 2017, the spot had long been on our list of places to try. When they re-opened in the spring of 2019 we knew we had to make it a priority to hit up this much-loved Pittsburgh institution.
Year: 2019
Devil’s Hollow Conservation Area in Sewickley – A Silent Green Space
Devil's Hollow Conservation Area is a 76-acre green space just outside of Sewickley that was acquired by the Allegheny Land Trust in 2016.
While small, this is just one of many great hiking opportunities in the Sewickley area that we just love!
Millvale Food Truck Roundup is the Rally Pittsburgh Needs
If there is one thing that Pittsburgh certainly lacks, it is food truck rallies.
We have amazing food trucks in Pittsburgh, and apart from finding them at breweries and periodic events, getting to enjoy an assortment of food trucks can be tricky at times.
There was the brief attempt at a food truck park, but when that did not return after its first season it seemed like we were back to the drawing board. Enter the Millvale Food Truck Roundup, a periodic food truck rally that takes place at Grist House and Strange Roots on select weekends throughout the year.
It may be our favorite food truck rally yet.
Churchview Farm’s Happy Hour Series Offers a Serene Hilltop Experience
Churchview Farm is an urban hilltop in Baldwin, just south of Pittsburgh, that is popular for their frequent dinner and happy hour pop-ups.
But when we say popular, we really mean it- tickets to these events often sell out within minutes!
We were fortunate enough to snag two tickets to a happy hour at Churchview Farm, and wanted to share what the experience was like in this one!
Alta Via Review – Big Burrito Goes Italian in Pittsburgh
Alta Via is the newest concept from the Big Burrito restaurant group that brings house-made pastas and other Italian fare to the Fox Chapel/Aspinwall area. As Big Burrito has been around Pittsburgh for decades and was part of the initial reawakening of the Pittsburgh restaurant scene, we are excited to see the introduction of a new concept from them.
As this one grew, they later expanded to open Alta Via Pizzeria in Bakery Square, and in 2023 added a Market Square location for Alta Via, too!
Italian in Pittsburgh gets better by the year.
Grove City Outlets is a Massive Shopping Mall Near Pittsburgh
I'll be honest- in our quest to support local we often overlook some of the more commercial and national entities that are available in the city. Shopping is no different.
As such, I never expected to find myself stopping at Grove City Outlets. But on my way home from a trip to Erie and Presque Isle State Park, I saw the outlets coming up and decided to pull over.
While the outlet is still a commercial retail space for national brands, I have to say that the collection of shops is rather impressive all the same.
Rafting the Lower Youghiogheny with White Water Adventurers
Ohiopyle State Park is Pittsburgh's nature hub. There are so many options to get out and explore, be it for hiking, outdoor adventure activities, and more. But of those, there is none that we love more than white water rafting in the Laurel Highlands.
We're no stranger to rafting the Middle Youghiogheny's Class I and II rapids (an easy trip out on the water), but what we really love is getting out on the Lower Youghiogheny's Class III and IV rapids for some excellent white water!
Recently, I was invited back down to the Laurel Highlands to be a guest of White Water Adventurers, Inc. in order to check out their new Taste of the Yough tour and catch some white water in a day trip from Pittsburgh. In this one, I wanted to share a bit more about what the experience is like.
Note: Select photos and video clips in this article were provided courtesy of White Water Adventurers, Inc. I was joined on the outing with I've Been Bit travel blog and the Laurel Highland's Visitor Bureau. (Angie sadly missed this one.)
VegFest Serves Up Vegan Fare and Themed Products at This Festival
Sometimes we visit festivals after doing minimal research, if only because we want to take things in without any preconceived thoughts on what it should be like.
We can safely say we did this for the Pittsburgh VegFest (which takes place in the North Side each August) because we only learned of one very interesting point just before arriving- this one is a vegan festival.
This little detail only made the event better.
5 of the Best Hotels Near Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh
As it comes to all of our guides about hotels near the stadiums, it would be easy for us to list the five hotels close to Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) and be done with it. Unfortunately, that is a bit boring (and a bit impractical even) as the Pittsburgh hotel scene offers a number of options for those coming in for a Steelers game.
So if you are looking for hotels near Acrisure Stadium, we have a few options for you, both in terms of their location, amenities, and practicality!
Note: A few hotels featured in this guide are found in the North Shore right next to Acrisure Stadium. Traffic becomes pretty crazy on game days, so if you are coming in just before the start of a game or departing shortly thereafter, plan for significant delays.
Camp Life at Bear Run Campground Near Moraine State Park
Camp life near Pittsburgh is a cherished thing. Everyone knows someone with a camper, and virtually every camp is about an hour away from home (at least, every camp we've ever heard of through friends and acquaintances).
We, unfortunately, never got to experience camp life until only recently, and our first outing brought us to Bear Run Campground near Moraine State Park as guests of the Butler County Visitor's Bureau. After spending two days at the property, we now fully understand why camp life is so popular!