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Allegheny Observatory Shares Pittsburgh’s Astronomy History

I have to admit, I'm rather crazy about astronomy. I took several courses in astronomy in college and love getting out to observatories and dark sky locations all over the world just to be able to have a clear look out into the cosmos.

While Pittsburgh's skies aren't the best for stargazing, we do have a rich history of all things astronomy. For those who are interested in the field, a visit to the Allegheny Observatory in Riverview Park is a must to learn about notable local astronomers, their contributions to several scientific fields, see historic telescopes, and, if you're lucky, look through one on a clear summer or fall night!

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Walk the Burgh’s Beers in the Burgh Shares Brews and History

We love a good walking tour, especially one that revolves around a great brew.

With Walk the Burgh's Beers in the Burgh tour of Lawrenceville, you get just that as you explore several breweries and beer bars in this popular neighborhood in the heart of Pittsburgh.

We were fortunate enough to jump on this one as guests of Walk the Burgh, and we wanted to share a bit more about what the tour was like here!

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5 Famous Battlefield Sites Near Pittsburgh You Can Visit

Every battle that takes place has the capacity to change the history of the world as we know it. 

While Pittsburgh and southwest Pennsylvania has not experienced too many appreciable battles, the five major events that occurred have been some of the most consequential in early American history. 

From George Washington inadvertently kicking off the French and Indian War, to the British taking over the confluence from the French, and Pontiac's War shortly thereafter, the events that transpired between 1754 and 1763 had a profound impact on the region we know and love today.

So let's take a look at some of the major battlefield sites near Pittsburgh and share a bit more about their significance and what you can see when visiting today!

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10 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in June – Summer is Coming

June is always an interesting month in Pittsburgh. Spring is turning to summer, temperatures are rising (often rapidly), and many, many outdoor events take place throughout the month- including some of our very favorites.

So in this one we wanted to share a few June-focused events for you to check out if you decide to visit Pittsburgh this month!

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The Science Behind Pixar Takes a Deep Dive into Movie Making

Have you ever wondered how Pixar's popular animated movies are made? The touring show “The Science Behind Pixar,” running at the Carnegie Science Center from May 25th, 2024, to January 5th, 2025, takes a deep dive into this one.

With roughly 50 interactive exhibits, you'll be going down the rabbit hole of all things animated movie production from initial concepts to final renderings before release and everything in between, all while focusing on the science and technologies used along the way.

I was fortunate enough to get a preview of this one for the press conference before the show opened, and wanted to share more about what you can expect from this amazing experience!

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Escape USS Requin – Escape Room on a Submarine

When we heard that our resident submarine, the USS Requin at the Science Center, was getting an escape room, we knew we had to check this out immediately. Although we're not that big on escape rooms overall, we're all about the unique concept of one on a submarine and tried to get a booking right away.

The emphasis should be on tried because this one's limited operating hours meant that the initial tours sold out quickly- within minutes of posting for the first few dates.

It wasn't until the second season of Escape USS Requin that an appreciable number of timeslots were added, and we booked one right away to go with friends. As far as escape rooms are concerned, this one was a real treat!

Note: Photography is prohibited on board the USS Requin during the Escape Room experience. All on-board photos here are from a visit during the conventional tour outside of escape room season. Do not expect hints to escape room games in photos here, because there are none.

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Braddock’s Battlefield History Center Connects Early History

You are likely familiar with how the British and French fought for control of the confluence in what is now downtown Pittsburgh during the French and Indian War in the 1750s.

Many local battles took place during the war, including the Battle of Jumonville Glen at Fort Necessity (where George Washington is thought to have inadvertently been responsible for starting hostilities), the Braddock Campaign's devastating loss at the Battle of Monongahela, the subsequent victory of the Forbes Campaign taking the confluence for the British (giving us the Pittsburgh we know today from Fort Ligonier to Fort Pitt), and more.

The Battle of Monongahela is memorialized in the appropriately named Braddock and North Braddock, PA, and today you can visit the battlefield site at Braddock's Battlefield History Center at the site of where the battle took place.

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10 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in May – Enjoy that Weather

Pittsburgh in May is when we truly feel like it is spring. The frosts end, temperatures warm, and all we want to do is be outside as much as we can before the (sometimes oppressive) summer heat rolls in.

So for this one, we wanted to share several great activities that are coming up for the month that you can enjoy outdoors, as well as many festivals (often libation focused) that take place in May!

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10 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in April – Spring is Here

Although spring starts in March, Pittsburgh in April is when the season really starts to shine as the snow showers taper off and temperatures rise.

As such, this is the month where we start thinking of heading outdoors to enjoy the warming weather as best as possible.

In this one, we share several great things to do if you decide to visit Pittsburgh in April!

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