Pittsburgh Webcam – A Unique Skyline View

Do you love the Pittsburgh skyline as much as we do?  If so, you’re in luck! We recently installed a webcam at our own personal viewpoint high above Pittsburgh’s North Side. Enjoy the live feed below to watch the city 24/7!     Like the above feed? Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page … Read more

Strip District Neighborhood Guide – Attractions and Dining

The Strip District is one of our favorite neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for a number of reasons.  It is home to a large assortment of international grocery stores and retailers, boutique shops, independent merchants, and several of the best restaurants in Pittsburgh (many of which feature international cuisine as well).

Although we've been down to the Strip District hundreds of times over the years, it seems like every time we visit we discover a new business worth exploring and shopping at.

To share some of our own personal favorites, this guide to the Strip District was born!

It is worth noting that the following is not a collection of every business in the Strip District. 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 the Strip District, do yourself a favor and go inside!

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Taking in the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall

Pittsburgh is very fortunate to have a thriving arts scene. For those who are looking to take in a show or performance, odds are good you'll be heading to one of the many halls and theaters in Cultural District right in the heart of downtown to make it happen.

For a recent show we made our way to the historic Heinz Hall to check out the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as they put on yet another incredible performance worthy of their 100-year history.

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Harrison Hills Park – Easy River View Hike Near Pittsburgh

Harrison Hills Park is a 500 acre park on the edge of the Allegheny River in Natrona Heights. Thanks to its relatively close proximity to the city it is the perfect spot for those looking for a half-day out to explore nature.

On our recent visit we hiked the out-and-back Rachel Carson trail (one of approximately eight trails within the park) which is known for having stunning overlooks of the river and surrounding region.

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Oishii Bento Review – Japanese Takeaway in Oakland

One of the things I love about traveling around Japan is the odd assortment of restaurants and food vendors you can visit.   From the famed sushi masters, teppanyaki stalls, izakaya bars, to conveyor belt restaurants and vending machines galore, Japan really does have it all.

But in Pittsburgh, as is the case in most cities in the USA, we only have the opportunity to visit a small selection of these incredible establishments- most of which only focus on the sushi and noodle dishes that Japan is famous for. While these are delicious, they often completely ignore the other amazing meals the country offers.

One of the unique meals that Japan is known for is the bento box, and Oishii Bento in Oakland is working hard to bring this style out for all of Pittsburgh to enjoy.

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The Montour Trail – Where You Can Explore for Miles

Most hiking trails we visit around the city of Pittsburgh are often out-and-back loops that can be completed in just a few hours.  For those who want to see all of the Montour Trail, you may need to pack your bags and plan for an extended journey, as this 40-mile trail connects to the roughly 300-mile Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Trails which connects Pittsburgh to Washington DC!

Although we are planning on biking this trail in the future to see it all, in this one we wanted to discuss the sections of the Montour Trail from Coraopolis to Bethel Park (a roughly 30 mile stretch).

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Christmas in Pittsburgh – The City Comes Alive for Holidays

If you're looking to experience some holiday cheer this year, you should definitely plan a visit to downtown Pittsburgh where you'll find an incredible collection of Christmas displays, a European winter market, and so much more!

So what all can you expect to enjoy when heading downtown for the holidays?  The following are some of our favorites from our latest visit!

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Peppi’s Review – The Roethlisburger is a Must Try Sandwich

The 7, aka the Roethlisburger at Peppi's

If you've spent some time working your way through our meal and restaurant reviews on this site, you'll know that my general pattern for ordering items is if it sounds weird or is a flagship/namesake menu item, I must try it. At Peppi's Old Tyme Sandwich Shop, this came in the form of The 7, also known as the Roethlisburger.

With a sandwich named after Big Ben himself, there is no other that I would rather try- and now I can't order anything else from their menu.

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Tram’s Kitchen Review – Authentic Vietnamese in Bloomfield

Tram's Kitchen in Bloomfield

Tram's Kitchen isn't the kind of place you'd go for a gourmet, upscale dining experience.  In fact, you probably shouldn't expect much of this restaurant at all as the inside is, well, pretty basic.

But if you are looking for a dining experience you'd expect to find on the streets of Vietnam, all while being in our beloved Pittsburgh, Tram's Kitchen should definitely be on your radar (and if you are looking for authentic, the decor should be a good sign too!).

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Pittsburgh Weekend Guide – First Timer Edition

If there is one thing I hate more than poorly thought out city guides, it would be poorly thought out city guides that feature ridiculous suggestions that no one would actually do. Are you really going to drop $200 for that spa treatment, head out of town to an obscure restaurant, or go to a specialty museum on your first visit to a city?

Probably not.

In fact, you likely wouldn't do it on your second, third, or fourth visit either (although if we had our way, you may work in an obscure museum because Pittsburgh has some pretty awesome ones).

Our first-timer's weekend in Pittsburgh guide gives a good introduction to the city and is oriented for someone who has never been here before.

This list has been crafted from years of experience in showing friends and family around town while incorporating many of the city's highlights, skipping some of the common letdowns, and overall giving you a welcome that will make you want to return to this great American city many times in the future.

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