We are always on the lookout for unique places to shop in Pittsburgh, and the seasonal Neighborhood Flea marketplace is definitely one such spot. With local vendors selling vintage and handmade goods, the Neighborhood Flea reminds us of a hybrid of the Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer and Handmade Arcade, two other fantastic events for shopping and supporting local businesses.
Seasonal
7 Great Experiences to Try During Summer in Pittsburgh
If spring in Pittsburgh is when things come to life, summer is when the city shines.
Long, hot sunny days in Pittsburgh are in short commodity, and even if the weather during the summer can borderline on the absurd with regards to heat and humidity, there are still a number of great things to do in Pittsburgh this season.
Today we want to share seven of our favorite activities to do during summer in Pittsburgh. To learn more about each spot, click the links below!
Carnegie Museum of Art 21+ Night – Adults Only Museum Exploration
Sometimes you just want to be alone in a museum. Other times, you want to party at a museum.
At the Carnegie Museums, this means heading to one of the periodic 21+ Nights where you and other like-minded adults can experience the museum with a beer and participate in themed activities- 100% kid free!
We were invited to check out a recent 21+ Night, and in this one wanted to share what the experience is like for those looking to attend a future event.
Meadowcroft Rockshelter – 19,000 Years of Human History
The Meadowcroft Rockshelter is located in Avella, PA, about an hour southwest of Pittsburgh.
Although this one is a bit of a drive, it is worth the trip during their seasonal hours in order to check out the 19,000 years of human history found on the property!
The Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer – A Bi-Annual Event Full of Nostalgia
The Pittsburgh Vintage Mixer is a bi-annual event that showcases local and regional vendors selling vintage home goods, furniture, clothes, and other collectibles.
Started in 2011, this event typically takes place in the spring and fall and combines dozens of vintage vendors, DJs, drinks, and food to make one memorable and fun event.
Attending a Modern Opera at CAPA Theater by the Pittsburgh Opera
When you think of the Pittsburgh Opera in general, you may think of classic operas by the likes of Mozart, Verdi, and Rossini. But did you know that the Pittsburgh Opera is also dedicated to the performance and even debut of modern American operas?
We were invited to take in the contemporary opera “The Long Walk” at the CAPA Theater which was an outstanding introduction to the great work that the Pittsburgh Opera does in this performance genre.
Overly’s Country Christmas Offers a Modest Display
When it comes to Christmas displays in Pittsburgh, we're used to over the top and extravagant. It is just what we do during the holidays in southwestern Pennsylvania.
We visited Overly's Country Christmas in Greensburg with a great deal of excitement because of this, and ended up being a bit underwhelmed!
International Christmas at the Cathedral of Learning
The Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning are one of Pittsburgh's true gems. These rooms function as classrooms for the University of Pittsburgh, but they are much more than that- they are also designed in the style of classrooms from various countries around the world.
Although we always love taking out of town visitors to these rooms, perhaps the best time of year to do so is the Christmas season.
From late November to early January every year, these classrooms come alive with Christmas trees and other holiday decorations that are representative of decorations from their respective countries. And if that wasn't enough, the common area of the cathedral is also decked out with even more Christmas trees and decorations as well!
Miracle Bar Pop-Up Review – Wall to Wall Christmas
If there is any Christmas popup bar that we try to visit at least once every December, it would be Miracle Bar.
To call this holiday pop-up bar popular would be an understatement, as seemingly everyone wants a piece of the action- Miracle Bar is routinely the most popular and can have lines to match.
Thankfully, in subsequent years the bar has moved into larger and larger spaces to accommodate guests, and has truly grown to be the premier holiday bar in the city!
Note: Photos in this article may be from past Miracle pop-up iterations and may not be fully reflective of this year's popup design.
The Lawrenceville Cookie Tour – A Holiday Treat
In 2022, the Joy of Cookies tour was rebranded as The Lawrenceville Cookie Tour. We visited in a prior year with the previous name; however, we expect the format to be the same. In 2023, the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour will take place on December 9th and 10th.
The Lawrenceville Cookie Tour (formerly the Joy of Cookies Tour) has been an annual tradition for almost two decades.
This event takes place the first weekend in December and is basically an open house for Lawrenceville businesses and restaurants complete with free cookies at each stop.
If you want to support local businesses with your holiday shopping, or if there are shops you've always wanted to check out but always seem to pass by, The Lawrenceville Cookie Tour is a perfect event for you to explore this buzzing neighborhood.