Albert Francis King, Late Night Snack (Detail), c. 1900, Carnegie Museum of Art, Purchase; gift of R. K. Mellon Family Foundation, 83.3.

A Yinzer's Guide to Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a city known for its quirks. Bridges, tunnels, traffic patterns not found elsewhere on the planet, and some rather wonderfully odd places and things to eat. So some of us yinzers (Pittsburghers) have put together a handy guide to help you find the true gems of our city. If yinz (yinz = you all, "y'all", you all over there, yies, etc.) need help, just ask!

General Stuff

If you're staying near downtown or the North Side/North Shore area, many of the things here will be within walking distance. If you're staying in Oakland or in the East End, walking to some of these things is possible, but not all of them (ie. things downtown). Pittsburgh's brand new bike share program can get you there, along with the standard Uber/Lyft options. Regular taxi service, like hailing a cab, generally doesn't work. Seriously, it's terrible.

If you're driving your own car, downloading the Pittsburgh Parking Authority's app ahead of time is advised. The app will let you pay for parking via your phone, and top up on parking without having to leave your event or meal. Beware the parking enforcement officers-parking in the city is tough, and they take their violations seriously. Don't get caught with an expired meter.

If you're wondering what Pittsburgh is all about, a great introduction to the city are the Rick Seback "It's Pittsburgh, and a Lot of Other Stuff" videos, which you can stream here via our local PBS affiliate, WQED. This guy is an institution. Or, you could just ask any Pittsburgher. Pittsburghers love to talk about Pittsburgh- it's part of living here.

If you've never been to Pittsburgh before, make it a priority to get to Mount Washington to see the city from Grandview Avenue. We have info on that below.

Strip District

The Strip would be an excellent place to walk around on the day after Web Design Day. It's where Pittsburgh goes to get…pretty much anything. Steelers shirt? Yep. Random imported Italian cheese? Got it. Cannoli? Boom. Mung bean pancakes? Got you covered. Come hungry.

Strip District Things:

Food:

Non-food:

  • Yinzers: yelp | directions | - Sports wear & Pittsburgh-themed memorabilia
  • Senator John Heinz History Center (museum): site | directions | 10 am - 5 pm daily | $15 (adults) / $6 (kids, ages 6-17) / FREE (kids, ages 5 & under)

Downtown (Cultural District)

Food:

North Side/North Shore

Food:

Non-food:

  • Andy Warhol Museum: site | 10 am - 10 pm, Friday / 10 am - 5 pm, Sat. & Sun. | $20 (Adults) / $10 (students & kids ages 3 - 18) / HALF PRICE ADMISSION ON FRIDAYS FROM 5 - 10 PM | directions
  • Mattress Factory (museum): site | 10 am - 5 pm, Tues. - Sat. / 1 pm - 5 pm Sun. | $20 (Adults) / FREE (kids, under age 6) | directions
  • Pittsburgh Children's Museum: site | 10 am - 5 pm, daily | $14 (adults) / $13 (kids, ages 2-18) / FREE (kids, under age 2) | directions
  • Heinz Field: directions
  • Randyland: site | 1 pm - 7 pm, daily | admission is free!
  • St. Anthony's Chapel (A unique and somewhat weird collection of relics off the beaten path): Open 1-4pm Saturday, with tours at 1, 2, and 3 | site | directions

South Side

Food:

Non-food:

  • South Side is known for clubs/nightlife/bar scene. West Carson Street (the main road) is lined with bars and a few music venues. It is not advised to drive and park on the South Side during a weekend night due to the crowds, narrow streets, and lack of parking- it's better to take an Uber/Lyft or a taxi and let them drive. Generally, South Side is more popular with the college crowd.

Mount Washington

Really, the best thing about Mount Washington is the amazing view of the city. Ride one of the two inclines to get to Grandview Avenue! | Duquesne Incline - Lower Station | Mon Incline - Lower Station

Lawrenceville

Food:

Non-Food:

East Liberty / Shadyside

Food:

  • Ace Hotel / The Whitfield (hotel + bar + restaurant): site | yelp
  • The Livermore (restaurant + bar): site | yelp
  • Dinette (pizza): site | yelp
  • Pizza Taglio (pizza): facebook | yelp
  • Kelly's (cocktail bar, get the mac & cheese): yelp
  • Mad Mex (Americanized Tex-Mex comfort food, good for groups): site | yelp
  • Social (bar so big that it's easily mistaken for an airplane hanger): site | yelp
  • Noodlehead (Noodles- when they say spicy, they mean it. Cash only.): site | zomato | yelp

Non-food:

  • East Liberty Presbyterian (huge historic church, worth wandering into): site

Oakland

Oakland is a student haven, and where you can find the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The main attractions here are some awesome museums, and great parks. Parking can be a challenge, so pay close attention to where you're parking and how much it will cost.

Non-Food

  • Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History (two museums in one building-admission gets you entry to both, and you can leave and re-enter all day if you retain your ticket): CMOA site // CMNH site | Fri. 10am-5pm, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 12-5 | Admission: Adults $19.95, Seniors $14.95, Students and Children 3-18 $11.95, Children under 3 FREE. Holders of ACCESS cards receive admission for $1 per person, up to four people. Other discounts here.

Food

(Thanks to @patrickfulton & other yinzers for providing much of the content this.)