We love how many festivals we have in southwest PA focusing on our regional libations.
For those who like wine and spirits and want to check out a festival with a relaxed vibe, don't overlook the Allegheny County Wine & Spirits Festival each July. This one brings roughly two dozen local producers to the stunning grounds of Hartwood Manor, and was quite the fun event.
We were invited to check this one out by Allegheny County Parks, and share more about what you can expect in this review!
Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, PA, is an artist oasis in the heart of the Laurel Highlands, about 90 minutes outside of downtown Pittsburgh
After many years hearing about this one, we made our way down for a Friday Date Night ceramics class as guests of the center, and truly regret waiting so long to get to this stunning facility!
Did you know Pittsburgh is home to a professional Ultimate Frisbee team?
The Pittsburgh Thunderbirds are part of the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) and play their home games at Highmark Stadium throughout the season, typically running from May to July.
So, what is Ultimate Frisbee all about, and what can you expect from a game? We were guests of the Pittsburgh Thunderbirds at the home opener in the 2025 season and share more in this one!
ASCEND is a new show at the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University downtown that reimagines what theater can (and we may even go as far as argue, should) be like.
If you like immersive art, impressive set pieces, and equally stunning choreography, this show is for you and runs on select dates through May 18th, 2025.
We got a chance to check out the show on its preview night as guests of the Pittsburgh Playhouse and want to share more in this one!
Spirits and Tales is a modern brasserie-style restaurant on the top floor of The Oaklander hotel. The restaurant holds it own, though, and is more than just a place to eat while staying at the hotel. With craft cocktails, seasonal house made pasta and entrees, and stunning views, it's a destination in its own right for some solid upscale dining in the Oakland neighborhood.
We have dined at Spirits and Tales a few times, but most recently when we were staying at the hotel as guests of the property. On a week night during the Christmas holiday season it was packed full, so we ended up sitting at the bar. A reservation is a good idea here, especially on the weekend and during the holidays.
We are lucky to have many hotel options available in Pittsburgh, with several neighborhoods offering great accommodations for visitors.
Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, home to college campuses like the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon, is one such neighborhood. For those looking for a high-end experience with luxury at every corner, a stay at The Oaklander is a must as it offers lovely amenities all while being steps away from the highlights of the neighborhood that gives the hotel its name.
We got the chance to stay at this one overnight as guests of the hotel and had what may go down as arguably one of the best experiences we have had at any Pittsburgh hotel to date!
The Pittsburgh Glass Center has been a hub for all things glass art and glassmaking in Friendship for several decades now, and in 2024 the facility recently upgraded its facilities in a beautiful expansion.
While you may be familiar with this one for its numerous glassmaking classes on offer, this one has come together to be a facility that is three spaces in one. One part museum, one part artist space, and, of course, one part for glass classes for the public!
So be sure to plan an afternoon visiting this one to check out their museum-caliber exhibits, tour the facility, and take a class!
We've often wanted more local options at Pittsburgh International Airport, and whenever a business with a local connection gets announced, we visit it as soon as we can the next time we're at the airport.
Beercode was no different, and this gastropub took over the former Bar Symon space right in the heart of the airside terminal.
True to the name, this one is focused on all things beer and has a rather impressive lineup of local brewers alongside some national favorites.
As avid travelers, we've done our fair share of overnight stays in hostels and boutique hotels- from $3 hole-in-the-walls in central China to high-end lodge-esque accommodations dedicated to hikers in Patagonia. Whenever we need to travel economically, we look toward shared dorms and private rooms in order to meet our travel goals.
One thing that always bothered me about the Pittsburgh hotel scene is that our budget and boutique hotel offerings are much more limited compared to higher-priced chains.
Traveler's Rest is one boutique hotel that opened up in South Side near Station Square and it certainly fills a need!
I was invited to the hotel for an overnight stay and wanted to share a bit more about this hidden gem in the South Side.
Note: I was a guest of Traveler's Rest Hotel for this review and have since returned for a tour after the property was upgraded to take updated photos and see the changes first-hand. As always, all opinions are my own.
We are big fans of all things mini golf in Pittsburgh, and always get excited when more courses open in the city.
The Strip District is becoming a hub for modern mini golf, with two companies offering unique, themed experiences indoors right in the heart of the city.
Puttshack inside The Terminal building is one such golf company, and this one introduced some fun and smart technology into the mini golf experience to really make for a unique round. We were invited by Puttshack to check out their facility for their anniversary party, and we wanted to share more in this review!