Pittsburgh is one of the most underrated cities in the U.S. One visit made me realize how much the east coast has to offer. And to add to its accolades, it appears to be on the radar to become a big tech city now that Uber is testing self-driven cars there. Here’s a list of my tips on how to navigate and explore one of the best cities in the country…
Getting Around – Uber seems to be the only way to get from A to B across the city. A trip from the PIT to downtown will cost you around $25-$30.
Top Destination to See – Head to the south side to the Duquesne Incline, a historic inclined plane cable car railway. You will start from the top of Mt. Washington, which honestly may be one of top three skyline views of any city I’ve seen. From its top, you see a beautiful array of tall historic buildings, bridges, and Heinz Field – all essentially surrounded by a moat of three rivers. The incline costs only $3.00 and you can ride it to the bottom of the mountain. Although the ride only takes five to ten minutes, it sure is neat to see the panoramic views of the city. Once I got to the bottom, I decided to take a nice brisk walk through Point State Park and head in for some lunch.
Exploring the City – If you head to the city proper, you must try a signature sandwich topped with tart coleslaw and crisp french fires from Primanti Brothers. The restaurant had fantastic service and a very cool vibe.
I visited in early December, so I decided to explore the MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place. If you like ice skating, it’s definitely worth checking out. From what I understand, the Christmas tree in the middle is actually bigger than the one in New York, and the rink may be a little larger too.
To polish off my day trip, I headed to the Strip District to do a little window shopping. It’s a fun, easy-paced area where people go to walk around outside and enjoy arts, crafts and mini farmers markets.
The city also has an obsession with Pierogis, so check out S&D Polish Deli if you’re in the area.
I took an Uber back to the airport, and really enjoyed driving through the 446 bridges in the city, which have earned it the nickname ‘The City of Bridges.’
Pittsburgh is great if you are traveling through or on a long layover. I was only there for eight hours, but I definitely enjoyed my experience.
