On the surface it seems like February is the month where things quiet down in Pittsburgh. Winter is at its coldest, the month is short, and overall life moves at a slower pace than months in the more vibrant seasons of the year.
That being said, there are a number of things to enjoy in Pittsburgh throughout the month, and whether you want to get outdoors or stay warm inside we've got you covered in this one!
Della Terra in Zelienople is an Italian restaurant serving pizzas and pastas with equal prowess. One glance at the menu here and you'll likely want one of everything, which we highly encourage. From traditional and familiar Italian flavors to plates with a few twists, everything we tried was satisfying and delicious.
The delightful food was enhanced by excellent service and stunning mid-century decor.
The decor instantly caught our eye upon walking in the door. Several of the features from the building's history as a bank remain in place like the super tall ceilings and the bank vault door that leads from the dining room to the kitchen. But what I couldn't stop staring at the whole meal were the 1940s-style chandeliers – simply amazing!
Suffice it to say, Della Terra has quickly become a favorite of ours in our local Italian dining scene.
If there is any state park in the Laurel Highlands that we have had trouble exploring properly over the years, it would be Laurel Ridge State Park.
The reason for this is simple- the state park is sprawling. Instead of covering one (often round) area with nested hiking trails, Laurel Ridge State Park follows along Laurel Mountain through four counties.
Short of through-hiking on the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, getting to enjoy Laurel Ridge State Park often comes in small segments.
In the winter, one of our new favorite sections of the park is the groomed cross country ski and snowshoeing trails maintained by the Laurel Ridge Cross Country Ski Center. Seeing the beautiful of the state park in winter? Sign us up for this one!
Although this one offers rentals in addition to the paid entry to the groomed trails, we picked up our own snowshoes and went out for a day of winter fun in the Laurel Highlands!
As those involved in the alcohol space, it has been interesting watching both consumer demand and production shift towards non-alcoholic products.
While not going to take over the traditional markets for beer, wine, and liquors, non-alcoholic alternatives have been rising in popularity in recent years just about everywhere you look.
For those who are seeking out these products, there is a store in Pittsburgh you absolutely cannot miss- The Open Road in Allentown!
This store has just about everything you could want for all things NA beverages in the city!
The Museum of Illusions is an international museum chain that shares some of the world's best optical illusions for guests to experience in person.
Although we are not terribly fond of chain museums, we have to admit we were intrigued by this one because who doesn't love a good optical illusion?
While this one most certainly has its target market, particularly those new to optical illusions outright, there is a lot to see in this museum on the North Shore for all visitors!
Winter is in full gear in January in Pittsburgh, which means it is time to either embrace the season or rush to a museum or favorite libation spot to stay warm inside.
No matter which you pick, there are many great things to do in Pittsburgh in January- so check out the following options to get a few ideas on where to start!