Everything You Need to Know About Pittsburgh (A City Guide)

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Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on September 17, 2024.

Disclaimer: Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions. Pricing, operating hours, or menus may have changed since our initial visit and may not be reflected in subsequent updates. Please confirm these directly with any business or attraction prior to visiting.

Since founding Discover the Burgh in 2015, we have made it our mission to visit every business, restaurant, attraction, and public space Pittsburgh has to offer. We do this not just through a Google search, but by the two of us personally trying out everything in this great city.

And what a journey it has been so far!

Pittsburgh is one of those places that has enough to keep you busy for years on end, and we've dedicated all of our free time to covering it here and on our social media channels. Even though we've been exploring for several years already, we truly have no end in sight.

As we have published hundreds of articles on Discover the Burgh about all there is to do in Pittsburgh, we wanted to give you a single resource to learn about the city and find your way around some of our favorite and most popular articles.

If you've ever wanted to learn what there is to see, do, eat, and experience in Pittsburgh, this guide is for you.

Navigate This Pittsburgh Guide

Pittsburgh

We wanted to make this one the biggest and best resource to the city, and we're well on our way to doing just that. But in doing so that means that this guide is long. Very long.

In fact, this guide is nearly 10,000 words and links out to hundreds of our most relevant articles.

To make things easier, we added this navigation feature which jumps to different sections of this guide. To jump to a specific section of interest, click the following links:

If you find something you want to read more of, click the link (generally the attraction or business name) to be taken to our full review. We add new articles to our site and this guide weekly as we find more awesome spots in the region!

Note: This guide is meant to be a starting point for those looking to find more information about Pittsburgh on Discover the Burgh. As our site is based on our personal quest to explore everything in the city, it is always to be considered a work in progress. If you have recommendations of things for us to add, please comment below or contact us!

A Brief Pittsburgh History

Pittsburgh from the West End Overlook

The area that is now Pittsburgh, like most of North America, was inhabited by Native Americans for centuries. Some of the earliest artifacts of human settlement are found at the Meadowcroft Rockshelter located about an hour west of the city and date back 16,000 years!

Fast forwarding to western settlements, we jump to the 1700s when European colonists came into the region. Battles between the French and British ensued and control of the region swapped hands a few times. The British ultimately won, and the area around Fort Pitt, now known as Pittsburgh, grew from there.

The Fort Pitt Blockhouse

Shortly after American Independence, Pittsburgh began carving its way into the history books through a number of events:

  • In the 1790s, the famous Whiskey Rebellion took place in which locals staged an uprising against taxation on whiskey production.
  • In the early 1800s, Lewis and Clark started their journey from Pittsburgh to explore the western land acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.
  • In the 1810s, the city's strategic location on the banks of three rivers, known as the gateway to the west, resulted in a manufacturing boom.

Pittsburgh’s geographic distinction was key its foundation and growth, and over the years that followed the city became one of the manufacturing hubs for river boats, whiskey, glass, iron, and, ultimately, steel.

Carrie Furnaces

By the end of the 1800s the greater Pittsburgh region was producing a significant percentage of the world's steel, which can now be found just about everywhere. This boom brought in workers from all over the world including many Eastern European countries. Steel was the city's major industry until its collapse in the latter half of the 1900s.

During its prime, Pittsburgh was known as a city of rich industrialists and a hardened working class who, in many cases, were exploited in the name of profit. The many steel mills along the rivers produced smoke so thick you could not see the sun; the city was aptly described as “hell with the lid off.”

Pittsburgh from the Sheraton Station Square

After the collapse of steel, Pittsburgh experienced a significant depression that displaced over 50% of its population who could no longer find work. The city has spent the last several decades reinventing itself and diversifying its economy with new and thriving industries like health care and tech.

Throw in a strong sports and tourism market, a nationally recognized up-and-coming dining scene, and the distinction of being one of the USA's most livable cities, and it should be no surprise that Pittsburgh is becoming a new force to be reckoned with- all without a single steel ingot.

Pittsburgh from the North Shore River Trail

Yes, some people still think of Pittsburgh as the dirty and pollution-rich monstrosity it once was. But all those who decide to visit Pittsburgh leave with the same thought: “I had no idea about the real Pittsburgh!”

And thankfully for us, the city's best days are yet to come.

Our goal at Discover the Burgh is to enable you to experience this great city and the rest of southwestern Pennsylvania first hand. This guide is our way to help you dig deeper and find a new spot to explore!

  • To learn more about Pittsburgh's rich history, we recommend Pittsburgh: The Story of an American City. This is one of the most impressive books we've ever come across because it details local history from the frontier days all the way through the 1990s. At nearly 800 pages it provides a wealth of facts, photographs, and details we haven't seen anywhere else. But be warned- this one will take you months if not years to get through (it did for us)!
  • For other Pittsburgh books, click our previous link to read about the books found in our own home library!

Seasonal Information

Pittsburgh in Winter

Pittsburgh is the kind of city that has all four seasons in any given year, but also in any given week (and who are we kidding, many times in a single day, too).

Between October and April, one day might be a perfect 75°F and sunny, the next could be snowing with horrible road conditions, and the next could be 75°F again. It isn't unheard of to have weeks of below freezing temperatures then a string of gorgeous 60°F days right in the middle of February, followed up by a deep freeze with a foot of snow shortly thereafter.

Between May and September, temperatures and humidity rise, but so does the frequency of sunny days that helps encourage everyone to get out and explore. The height of summer can be hot and humid to the point of being uncomfortable (80°F+ and humid is normal), but the weather is not as extreme as you would find going just a few hours south.

It isn't unheard of for the city to experience extreme temperature swings like you'd find in the south (hot in the summer to the tune of 100°F+) or north (cold in the winter to below 0°F). But overall, Pittsburgh experiences these conditions on a limited number of days of the year and not for extended periods like you would find elsewhere. All good things in our book!

Pittsburgh in Spring at Raccoon Creek State Park

The only real downside when it comes to Pittsburgh weather? We have fewer sunny days than Seattle, so Pittsburghers soak it up whenever we can get it. A sunny day on a weekend is a cherished thing, and the city is abuzz with activity when mother nature smiles upon us.

If you are a visitor looking to explore Pittsburgh, the city presents several great opportunities year-round; however, it is worth noting that many people in Pittsburgh (especially those who don't ski) tend to hibernate in the winter months while being more active in the spring, summer, and fall due to the weather patterns outlined above.

Pittsburgh from the Ohio River

Personally, we find great things to do in the city any day of the year, but these are important things to consider when reading the rest of this guide.

Pittsburgh is home to 90 unique neighborhoods which can be found across all sides of the city's three rivers. Our neighborhood guides describe each neighborhood in the city while sharing our personal favorite attractions, restaurants, and businesses.

Some neighborhoods have been combined into larger guides for simplicity's sake as several neighborhoods are quite small and/or primarily residential.

The Mexican War Streets in Pittsburgh

Our current guides are outlined below:

It is our goal to publish guides that cover every one of the 90 neighborhoods in the city as well as the neighboring villages, boroughs, and townships.

Although we are not there yet, we will be soon so check back as we add more neighborhood guides onto this list! Current guides in the works are Oakland, Shadyside, and South Side.

Highland Park in Pittsburgh

Looking for the best thing to do in each of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods? Check out our Quest to Explore Pittsburgh's 90 Neighborhoods guide which features our attempt to find a cool spot to visit in each neighborhood of our city! We have just a few more to go to hit all 90!

Or if you're looking to enjoy Pittsburgh's skyline, click the previous link for our favorite public viewpoints! Can't go out and explore? Check out our Pittsburgh webcam which stream's our own view 24/7 or watch some of our favorite Pittsburgh time-lapse videos we've shot, too!

Attractions in Pittsburgh

The Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh may not be on the national radar for all of its museums, attractions, and other fun activities just yet, but we really think it should be as the city has far more to offer than just sporting events!

No matter where you go around the region there is always a new museum to check out- perfect for any day, in any season.

In fact, we’ve been exploring the region’s attractions nonstop for nearly three years and are just scratching the surface- there’s still so much more to see!

Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh

A list of the Pittsburgh museums we've featured to date are outlined below, starting with museums inside the city limits organized by relative popularity/name recognition. Most of the following charge admission, but some are free with recommended donations:

  • Phipps Conservatory – Oakland – A 100+ year-old botanical gardens featuring over a dozen rooms and many themed flower shows throughout the year.
  • Heinz History Center – Strip District – A large museum dedicated to the history of Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania.
  • Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium – Highland Park – A combination zoo and aquarium with a wide range of exhibits from around the world.
  • The Duquesne Incline – South Side / Mount Washington – A historic, 100+ year-old funicular that takes visitors and residents up and down Mount Washington to enjoy the stunning skyline view.
  • Carnegie Museum of Art – Oakland – A premier art museum that rivals some of the world's greatest museums.
  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Oakland – A natural history museum with many unique features. Housed in the same building as the art museum and included with the same ticket.
  • Carnegie Science Center – North Side – Pittsburgh's premier science center with many exhibits ranging from life sciences to sports, including a western PA's largest IMAX screen.
  • Andy Warhol Museum – North Side – One of the largest museums ever built for a single artist, celebrating Pittsburgh's famous son- Andy Warhol.
  • The National Aviary – North Side – Recognized by Congress as the National Aviary of the United States- featuring many themed rooms with birds from around the world.
  • Pittsburgh Children's Museum – North Side – A popular museum for children in the North Side.
  • Mattress Factory – North Side – A contemporary art museum spanning three buildings in the Mexican War Streets.
  • The Clayton (Henry Clay Frick House) – Point Breeze – One of the last remaining mansions from the steel industrialists; once home to Henry Clay Frick.
  • Fort Pitt Museum – Downtown – A smaller museum dedicated to the early settlement days in the region, located at Point State Park. (Go to Heinz History Center on the same day and show your ticket for a discount)!
  • Randyland – North Side – Often described as Pittsburgh's most colorful spot, Randyland is an art installation that features two houses and a courtyard that must be seen to be believed. Free but donation requested.
  • Allegheny Observatory – Perry North – A historic observatory open for seasonal tours in the summer and fall. Free with reservation.
  • Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning – Oakland – Internationally themed class rooms on Pitt's campus from different time periods.
  • Bicycle Heaven – North Side – The world's largest collection of bicycles (3,000+) in a two-story show room. Free with donation requested.
  • Roberto Clemente Museum – Lawrenceville – A by-appointment museum in Lawrenceville dedicated to the Pittsburgh Pirates legend, Roberto Clemente.
  • Johnny Angel's Ginchy Stuff – North Side – A music museum and storefront celebrating local musician Johnny Angel (run by the man himself). Located right next door to Bicycle Heaven. Free but donation requested.
  • Museum of Illusions – North Side – An international chain museum focusing on all things optical illusions.
  • Moonshot Museum – North Side – Did you know Pittsburgh is home to a space museum? The Moonshot Museum features Astrobotic's work towards taking us back to the moon and beyond!
  • Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens – Oakdale – An outdoor botanical garden with themed zones along many trails.
  • Soldiers and Sailors Memorial – Oakland – A museum dedicated to the soldiers and sailors who have given the ultimate sacrifice in this country's many wars. Emphasis on local participants and achievements.
  • Saint Anthony's Chapel – Troy Hill – A Catholic chapel that contains the second largest collection of relics in the world- just behind the Vatican!
  • The Photo Antiquities Museum – North Side – Dedicated to the history of photography, featuring many historical cameras, photographs, and more. A rotating exhibit is available for private tours on a separate ticket.
  • Pittsburgh Tattoo Art Museum – Shadyside – A small museum focusing on the early history of traditional American tattooing.
  • Center for PostNatural History – Garfield – An unusual, two-room museum that focuses on all things genetic engineering. Go down the rabbit hole here!
  • The Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology – East Liberty – Two-room museum located at the Pittsburgh Seminary focusing on the museum's many archaeological digs in the Holy Land as well as other themed exhibits.
  • Troy Hill Art Houses – Troy Hill – Three unique houses in Troy Hill that have been completely re-imagined on the inside and open for tours. What are they like? Well, you have to visit to see for yourself!
  • Gallery Closed – Troy Hill – A 24/7 closed, 24/7 open museum that can be enjoyed by looking in from the outside!
Fallingwater, located about an hour south of Pittsburgh

Museums found in the greater Pittsburgh area that we've featured to date include the following:

  • The Bayernhof Museum – Formerly the residence of eccentric businessman Charles Brown, this museum features elaborate designs and secret passageways as well as a large collection of self-playing music machines.  Located in O'Hara Township about 10 minutes north of Pittsburgh.
  • Carrie Furnaces – The remaining blast furnaces from a steel mill that are preserved by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Foundation; open for tours in the summer months. Located in Rankin about 15 minutes east of Pittsburgh.
  • The Western PA Model Railroad Museum – A scale model railroad museum that features the journey from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland, as it was in the 1950s; opens only during the Christmas holiday season. Located in Gibsonia about 20 minutes north of Pittsburgh.
  • Fallingwater – Often considered to be Frank Lloyd Wright's crown jewel, Fallingwater is a beautiful house built on top of a waterfall and is open for tours year round. Located in the Laurel Highlands about an hour southeast of Pittsburgh.
  • Flight 93 Memorial – A somber memorial located at the crash site of Flight 93 where passengers sacrificed their lives by standing up to the 9/11 hijackers and preventing them from reaching their intended target. Located in Somerset County about 90 minutes southeast of Pittsburgh.
  • Trundle Manor – A private house curated by Mr. Arm and Velda von Minx that is a mix of just about everything goth, steampunk, taxidermy, oddities, and more. Located in Swissvale about 10 minutes east of Pittsburgh.
  • Pennsylvania Trolley Museum – Focusing on the history of trolley cars with a massive showroom featuring historic vehicles. You can even ride one during your visit!
  • Buffalo Bill's House – A restored house where scenes from The Silence of the Lambs was filmed. Periodic tours and private rental available. Located in Perryopolis.
  • The Living Dead Museum – A small museum and store dedicated to the cult classic Night of the Living Dead which was filmed just outside of the city. Located in the Monroeville Mall.
  • The Maxo Vanka Murals – Historical murals painted inside St. Nicholas Catholic Church by the acclaimed artist Maxo Vanka. Recently restored and looking stunning! Located in Millvale just across the Allegheny from Lawrenceville.
Bicycle Heaven- one of Pittsburgh's most unusual museums

As we visit more museums and attractions in and around southwestern Pennsylvania, we will update the above list. Our short-term goals have us expanding our museum list to the greater Pittsburgh region and we're really looking forward to it!

Pittsburgh also has quarterly gallery crawls in downtown Pittsburgh and First Friday events in many neighborhoods around the city (we love Garfield's First Fridays)! These events are great opportunities to explore lesser visited and independently operated galleries.

Parks and Nature in Pittsburgh

Fall Run Park is the closest waterfall to Pittsburgh

We are very fortunate to be home to numerous parks in Pittsburgh. There are hundreds of acres of parks within the city limits and over 12,000 acres of parks within Allegheny County alone. Drive just 10-20 minutes outside of the city and you can be completely surrounded by nature.

All these parks mean hundreds upon hundreds of miles of trails, such that you could go for a hike every weekend for years and not get close to hitting them all.

This is truly one of the best perks of living in southwestern Pennsylvania!

The Cathedral of Learning as seen at Schenley Park

As such, Pittsburghers love to explore the great outdoors whenever the weather is nice, and in some cases even when it is not so nice. For some of our favorite spots, check out the following (organized regionally):

McConnells Mill State Park is located about 45 minutes north of Pittsburgh

All parks and green spaces featured above are located within an hour drive of downtown Pittsburgh. Most all can be explored in an easy day trip; however, spots like Ohiopyle State Park, McConnells Mill, Moraine State Park, and Raccoon Creek State Park are so large that multiple visits are required to even make a dent due to their sheer size.

Keep an eye out for the wildflower blooms at Raccoon Creek State Park's wildflower reserve (home to the most diverse collection of wildflowers in the state) as well as the Trillium Trail each spring- they are truly must-see events. The large wildflower bloom typically occurs in April, and Raccoon Creek State Park has a second, significantly smaller bloom each August.

Deer Lakes Park is one of the prettiest parks in Allegheny County

Don't forget your furry friend when exploring the great outdoors, too; be sure to check out some great Pittsburgh dog parks as well!

Food and Beverage in Pittsburgh

Pierogies at Apteka

Pittsburgh's food scene has evolved from two major objectives from the steel era:

  1. To feed hungry steel workers massive, easy-to-eat portions (mainly meat and carbs).
  2. To feed hungry steel workers food from their own heritage (often Eastern European).

The first objective gave the city the likes of Primanti Brothers (founded in 1933), the famous sandwich shop that is known for putting coleslaw and french fries on their rather large sandwiches. A hearty meal, easy to eat with one hand, and perfect for a steel worker coming off shift all hours of the day (the original location in the Strip District remains open 24 hours to this day).

Pittsburgh's famous Primanti Brothers

The second objective gave the city a love affair with pierogi, haluski, cabbage rolls, and other hearty dishes of Eastern European origin. Many of these can be found on menus all over the city, even if the establishments do not serve anything remotely European. Pierogi on burgers? Check. On pizza? Check. On hot dogs? Check. You name it, you can probably put a pierogi on it in Pittsburgh (and when you can’t, putting french fries on it will do the trick, too- thanks to the first case above).

But since the collapse of the steel industry, Pittsburgh's food scene has evolved far beyond sandwiches and French fries. Just as the city’s industries have diversified, the city’s chefs have diversified and innovated.

In recent years Pittsburgh has been fortunate enough to be called one of America's top food cities, and those who eat their way around the region are sure to tell you why we earned that distinction: the dining options are near endless, creative, and delicious.

Detroit style pizza is taking Pittsburgh by storm at Iron Born

We now have cuisine styles from countries all over the world, and just when you think you've gotten through the bulk of the city's restaurants dozens more have opened that are worth a try.

At Discover the Burgh, eating and drinking our way through every bar, restaurant, and street food vendor in the city is one of our most ambitious goals, and it’s one we're constantly working on thanks to many new establishments opening up each and every week. (As such, our list of places to go only gets longer- never shorter.)

The Kaya Burger is one of the best burgers in Pittsburgh

To help you tackle this, we've put together a few comprehensive guides to eating, drinking, and snacking around Pittsburgh:

Flights at Full Pint

We are also on a quest to find the best of specific food styles in the city. For more information on these, check out our guides to the best Reubens, tacos, and pizza in Pittsburgh. These posts rank all the spots we've visited to date as we try and find the city's very best of each cuisine style (and we have new quests coming soon)!

Pamela's is an institution in Pittsburgh

Please keep in mind the above links are considered works in progress, so if your favorite is not in any of the above articles, it is likely we have not visited yet but are planning to visit soon. Please comment below or contact us!

Pittsburgh Weekend Guides

Pitt's iconic Cathedral of Learning

Are you only visiting Pittsburgh for a weekend? We've got you covered with our Pittsburgh weekend guide series. This series covers in-depth weekend itineraries for those who want to fill up nearly every minute of the day from Friday evening until Sunday night.

Check them out at the following links:

Much like our neighborhood guides above, we have dozens of weekend guides in the works that we will be rolling out in the coming months. Check back for more soon!

Looking for more weekend recommendations but do not want to pack it all in on a full itinerary?

Check out our Things to do in Pittsburgh guide which gives one recommendation of something to do every day of the year without repeats! Or, for other interests, check out our Pittsburgh day trips and weekend trip guides!

Pittsburgh Sports

Heinz Field

There are only a few cities in the country that can claim to be as strong of sports fans as Pittsburgh is, and as a spot known as the “City of Champions,” it doesn't take much to see why that is.

We have the Pittsburgh Steelers– six time Super Bowl winners that have been playing since 1933. We have the Pittsburgh Pirates– five time World Series winners that have been playing since 1881. We have the Pittsburgh Penguins– five time Stanley Cup winners that have been playing since 1967.

Going further, we also have the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (part of the USL and a staple for over 20 years), a plethroa of college sports, as well as many more sports teams in secondary leagues that play throughout the year.

In fact, we find that last bit to be most impressive because in Pittsburgh, even for just the four largest teams mentioned above, odds are good you can find a game going on any week of the year. That is why Pittsburgh is one of the best places for sports, and why we can't get enough of it.

Live Performances and Annual Events

Music at Mr. Small's Theater in Millvale

Pittsburgh has am outstanding performing arts scene, with many types of performances ranging from the opera, the symphony, the ballet, to live jazz, touring Broadway, or even your favorite mega-musician rolling through to play at one of our many arenas.

The venues, music experiences, and performances we've reviewed to date include the following:

The historic Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is also home to many annual and seasonal events that take place in and around the city. Whether you're looking to eat a great meal at Restaurant Week, drink a few beers at Beerfest, watch a load of fireworks shows, or meet a furry at Anthrocon, Pittsburgh has an event for you.

The Three Rivers Regatta in Pittsburgh

The following list is a collection of some of the most popular Pittsburgh events and seasonal activities (organized by month that they historically have taken place):

The Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh

Click the links above to read our full reviews (when applicable). New reviews are added as we check out the events above!

For upcoming events, check out our Pittsburgh events calendar!

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Transportation in Pittsburgh

Driving in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a driving city, there is no question about that. But the city is full of hills, rivers, tunnels, a triangular city center, highways built on top of highways, home to more bridges than Venice (and more staircases than any city in the world!), driving in the city is complicated at the best of times.

It takes years of driving here just to become familiar with the roads, and even longer to become an expert.

The nuances of why people slam on their brakes when entering tunnels, how the Pittsburgh left works (turning left into oncoming traffic at a light as soon as it turns green), why traffic jams occur because drivers are too polite, and how in the world you ended up on one road but you wanted to be on another road that is located directly below you takes years of experience to figure out.

We still get confused at times and we've driven on almost every road in the city.

As such, we recommend never leaving home without your phone's GPS ready to go- it will help in the long run because if one thing is certain, it will be that you'll get lost.

Driving in Pittsburgh

There are a few important things to know if you're exploring the city using your own car:

  • Public parking garages typically charge hourly rates during the week and flat rates on nights and weekends (often $8).
  • Meters vary in price based on the neighborhood you are in and are most often kiosk stations found once on every block.
  • If you are approaching a tunnel, do not be surprised if the person in front of you slams on their brakes for no reason, thus creating traffic out of nothing.
  • Finally, many residential streets are permit parking with limited free parking for visitors- generally 1-2 hours during enforcement periods (typically 7a-7p but can be as late as midnight in places like the South Side).
    • Keep an eye out for signs about street cleanings as they typically occur once per month on each side of the road.
Pittsburgh bike lanes

The city also has numerous public transportation options operated by the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (formerly the Port Authority), including the bus, light rail (known as the T), and two working funiculars (known as the Inclines). In addition, car sharing services like Uber are quite popular in the city as an alternative to public transit.

A few details you should keep in mind include the following:

  • Fares for all public transit are $2.75 each way with cash and $2.50 for ConnectCard holders, regardless of distance traveled. Card holders who transfer are charged $1 while non-card holders are charged full price for a new ride. Credit cards are not accepted.
  • Bus service is the most widespread public transit option, but many routes end up at a hub in downtown Pittsburgh and require a transfer if you want to go elsewhere.
    • Payment is upon entry with cash (exact change).
    • The 28X Airport Flyer is a rapid bus to the Pittsburgh airport with a few stops in the city and costs the same as a base ticket. At this time there are no other public options to reach the airport from downtown Pittsburgh. Buses depart every 30 minutes throughout the day starting at 3:25 am going and 4:30 am returning.
    • Unlimited daily, weekly, monthly, and annual passes are available. For more information, check out information at the Pittsburgh Regional Transit website.
  • The light rail “T” travels between the North Shore, downtown Pittsburgh, and the South Hills. Transit within downtown and the North Shore is free; fares are charged for anyone traveling south of the Monongahela River (Station Square and beyond).
    • Due to the ease of walking in downtown Pittsburgh, we've ridden the T precisely once in the free zone when it was raining. Had we had an umbrella, we probably would've walked. The triangle shape of downtown really helps when it comes to walking around! Check out our five-mile walking tour of Pittsburgh route if you want to check it all out on foot!
  • The two funiculars, the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline, are used for transit up and down Mount Washington. The Monongahela Incline is closer to downtown Pittsburgh and is primarily used by commuters, while tourists and locals alike enjoy the Duquesne Incline with its beautiful views. Both inclines are owned by the Pittsburgh Regional Transit, but the Duquesne Incline is operated by an independent non-profit.
  • Pittsburgh is embracing bike culture, and the local rental company POGOH Bikes (formerly Healthy Ride) will have many stations in the city to get from A to B.
  • Ride sharing services like Uber are prevalent throughout the city and rates vary depending on time of day. To cross Pittsburgh in its entirety or to go to the airport, expect prices to be around $30 before surge pricing. To traverse one or two neighborhoods, $8-$10 is a typical rate outside of surge times.
    • Be on the lookout for Uber's self-driving cars!

For all transportation logistics while visiting the city, check out our Pittsburgh transportation guide here.

Hotels in Pittsburgh

The Embassy Suites Downtown Pittsburgh is one of our favorites

In addition to our quest to visit every local attraction and restaurant in the city, we've also set a goal of sleeping in every single hotel in the greater Pittsburgh area. This guide is expanding rapidly as we visit the remaining hotels on our list.

Our current selection of hotel reviews includes the following (organized by distance to downtown proper):

  • Embassy Suites Downtown (Book Here) – Downtown – A comfortable suite in downtown Pittsburgh located on the top floors of a skyscraper (~20-25th floors). Great views and one of our overall favorite hotels!
  • Westin Convention Center (Book Here) – Downtown – Connected to the convention center via a walkway, comfortable rooms, a great burger restaurant, and one of the largest fitness centers in the country.
  • Hilton Garden Inn Downtown (Book Here) – Downtown – Located just steps from Market Square; select rooms have stellar city views.
  • DoubleTree Downtown Pittsburgh (Book Here) – Downtown – A large hotel with modest rooms located a short walk from PPG Paints Arena.
  • Homewood Suites Downtown Pittsburgh (Book Here) – Downtown / Strip District –  A newer hotel located at the border of two neighborhoods; modern rooms and decent amenities.
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Pittsburgh (Book Here) – Downtown / Strip District – Located across the street from Homewood Suites; comfortable suites and free parking! One of our favorites as it is the only hotel to offer free parking in downtown Pittsburgh!
  • SpringHill Suites North Shore (Book Here) – North Shore – Large suites located right next door to PNC Park.
  • Holiday Inn North Shore (Book Here) – North Shore – Modest hotel rooms; located steps from of PNC Park. Select rooms have stunning city views!
  • Sheraton Station Square (Book Here) – South Side – Modest hotel rooms located in Station Square next to the docks of the Gateway Clipper fleet. Premium river view rooms have the best view (from a hotel) in the city!
  • Hampton Inn University (Book Here) – Oakland – A comfortable option near the universities with smaller than average rooms.
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Greentree (Book Here) – Greentree Hill – A standard Hampton Inn with plenty of space; dog friendly with free parking. Located just minutes from the city by car- pending tunnel traffic of course. A great option for those who want to save money yet still be close!
  • Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh Airport (Book Here) – Airport – The only hotel attached to the airport, allowing you to be at your gate within minutes- all without going outside. (No dedicated parking; only airport parking is available.)
  • Marriott Pittsburgh Airport (Book Here) – Airport – A comfortable Marriott with large rooms, a delicious hotel restaurant, and a park and fly option to leave your car at the hotel while you travel (extra charge).
  • Hilton Garden Inn Airport South (Book Here) – Airport – A fairly standard Hilton Garden Inn located in Robinson Township. Better suited for those doing business in the area as they do not offer an airport shuttle (the 28x has a stop about 5-10 minutes away by foot, however).
Pittsburgh from the Holiday Inn North Shore

Would you rather search the best hotels around different areas of the city? We've got you covered with our hotel guide series that includes the following:

We also have a selection of other hotel related articles you may enjoy:

  • For a brief summary of every hotel we've stayed at in the city, check out our Pittsburgh hotels guide here.
  • To learn more about the local Airbnbs in Pittsburgh, check out our Airbnb in Pittsburgh guide.

Or, if you want to look for hotels directly, head over to Booking.com to find the best deal today!

Moving to and Living in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Skyline from our office

Thinking of moving to Pittsburgh? We're a bit biased in our opinion, but we really think you should just do it.

If the above list of spots to explore hasn't convinced you yet, you probably need a few more details about the practicalities. Check out our guide to moving to Pittsburgh at the previous link and more about local Pittsburgh laws and taxes here.

While Discover the Burgh is primarily oriented as a Pittsburgh travel blog, we just can't help ourselves and we periodically write more focused articles targeting people who live here, such as our posts about Pittsburgh birthday discounts, pick-your-own fruit farms in Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh farmer's markets and artisan pop-ups, and short term rentals in Pittsburgh to name a few.

We're always happy to answer questions from potential new residents as well, so please contact us!

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Discover the Burgh's quest is to do everything in Pittsburgh!

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Light Up Night in Pittsburgh

Have a question, comment, or recommendation about something to see and do in Pittsburgh? Please comment below or contact us!

6 thoughts on “Everything You Need to Know About Pittsburgh (A City Guide)”

  1. Hi! I recently started following you guys on Instagram and I think what you’re doing is awesome! Your account has helped my husband and I rediscover all that Pittsburgh has to offer, and has certainly peaked our interest in some restaurants we have been talking about trying. That being said, I have a recommendation for you! There is a takeout only BBQ place in Oakmont called Burk’s BBQ. It opened at the beginning of December 2018 and it is so delicious and it absolutely worth the trip. They have a Facebook page as well as an Instagram account. And while you’re there, you have to stop at Brr-Kee’s ice cream which is less than a block away from Burk’s. Unreal homemade ice cream with always changing flavors. They too have a Facebook and Instagram account. Happy eating and exploring!

    Reply
    • There is but it isn’t convenient and may require a transfer. I would recommend using their hotel shuttle or Uber if staying there. The Hampton Inn on McKnight Road north of the city has a more convenient bus option I believe.

      Reply
  2. My daughter is in 3rd grade here in Washington, they had to draw names of major cities to write a report on. In the report it had to list things to do major attractions and whatnot. I google several things before coming across your article, it saved my butt. We relocated here 5 years ago, and I knew some information but didn’t know that half of the stuff existed. We are going to check out some of the parks next weekend. Great article well written, thank you!

    Reply
  3. Thank you for a very comprehensive info about Pittsburgh. So much to see and so many things to do and enjoy indeed!

    Reply
  4. I from michigan I traveled on bike to pittsburgh 1 time just to pittsburgh 2nd time went all the way to cumberland md did the great american passage pittsburgh is so beautiful and I like what you’ve done so much to do in this city thank you

    Reply

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