Lindsay’s Pittsburgh
Greetings, city-lovers! Lindsay Welsh calls Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home, and she’s got heaps of advice on what to see and do in the city.
Want to see your city on IT? Copy and paste our list of fill-in-the-blank questions into an e-mail, fill in your answers, and send your responses to IntelligentTravel@ngs.org. And if you’re still waiting for us to feature yours, fear not! We’re going to keep posting as long as we keep getting them (please include photos and links!).
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is My City
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is The Strip
When I crave Middle Eastern cuisine I always go to Ali Baba’s in Oakland.
This place has been here for years and so has the decor but the food is great and service is quick. BYOB
To escape the hustle bustle I head for a walk in Frick Park
If I want to people watch I go to the Beehive Kiva Han
For complete quiet, I can hide away in Phipps Conservatory
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. It’s the second highest educational building in the world! And if you’re lucky snap a photo with a Steeler, they love the city as much as the locals!
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Pirmanti’s
The East End Co-op
Locals know to skip downtown and check out Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, The Strip, Bloomfield, Lawrenceville, Southside or the campuses of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.
When I’m feeling cash-strapped I go to Thai Me Up for yummy thai and big portions on a tight budget.
For a huge splurge on beer I go The Sharp Edge
Photo ops in my city include the skyline from the top of the Ft. Duquesne Incline
If my city were a celebrity it’d be Fred Rogers aka Mister Rogers.
The most random thing about my city is we’ve got the local Yinzers who’ve been the backbone of this city since the beginning and some of the worlds leading hospitals, universities and technology. Oh and we have our own dialect called Pittsburghese
My city has the most men who bleed Black & Gold.
My city has the most women who bleed Black & Gold.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves shopping for fresh and ethnic foods in the Strip and hiking through Frick Park (don’t forget the picnic basket).
My city’s best museum is …I have to pick just one? The Warhol
My favorite jogging/walking route is any trail through Schenley Park
For a night of live music, check out Club Cafe Southside
The Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland is the spot for late-night eats. Also a great place to laugh at drunk college students.
To find out what’s going on at night and on the weekends, read the CP or iheartpgh
You can tell a lot about my city from tailgates on a Sunday in fall at Heinz Field.
You can tell if someone is from my city if they are wearing a Steelers jersey to a fancy restaurant. Acceptable dress code to any restaurant, workplace or event. No questions asked.
In the spring you should put on your rain boots and never leave home without your umbrella.
In the summer you should savor it for all its worth and NEVER sit inside. Go to the parks, farmers markets, concerts, festival, baseball games and more.
In the fall you should put your rain boots back on and grab that umbrella.
In the winter you should go sledding on Flagstaff Hill and ice skating downtown.
A hidden gem in my city is Kelly’s Bar and Lounge in Penn Circle. Great cocktails and hip bartenders.
For a great breakfast joint you have a few choices: college freshmen would tell you in their hungover state Pamela’s
but I much prefer Cafe on the Strip in the Strip District.
Don’t miss the Three Rivers Arts Festiva
Just outside my city, you can visit Fallingwater Ohiopyle State Park
The best way to see my city is public transit to the many unique neighborhoods and walking the streets.
If my city were a pet it would be a big drooling English bulldog
If I didn’t live in Pittsburgh, I’d live in Seattle. What can I say we like our rain clouds but miss the ocean!
The best book about my city is The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon. Skip the movie.
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is “32 Flavors” by Ani Difranco.
If you have kids, you won’t want to miss the Carnegie Science Center
Six Super Bowl wins
My city should be featured on your cover or website because it gets a bad rap from its sterotypes of being a old industrial city but it is blossoming with culture and entertainment. It’s changing daily and has so much to offer. I love my city!
Photos: David Fulmer via Flickr
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Why Swedish children celebrate Easter by dressing up as witchesWhy Swedish children celebrate Easter by dressing up as witches
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- Why you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, GreeceWhy you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, Greece
- Mansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded AgeMansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded Age
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip