Where to Stay in Pittsburgh

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Where to Stay in Pittsburgh

With a string of cultural attractions, a developing culinary scene, and a surprisingly scenic locale at the convergence of the Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio rivers, the β€œSteel City” is Pennsylvania’s less frequented gem. Positioned in the Allegheny Mountains in the southwest of the state, with a metro population of approximately 2.4 million, Pittsburgh thrived in the 19th century as the home of Carnegie Steel, but its grimy industrial past is long gone. These days it`s a modern, appealing, and relatively prosperous city, characterized by its distinct neighborhoods – some 90 in all – as well as the shiny skyscrapers downtown.

Known also as the β€œGolden Triangle”, the Downtown region is traditionally at the heart of the city and home to most hotels, while the adjacent Strip District is a major destination for nightlife and dining. The South Side includes the breezy Mount Washington area, most renowned for its historic cable car systems and spectacular perspectives back over the valley. The North Side houses the Andy Warhol Museum and an art gallery cluster, while the East End is anchored by Oakland, the university district of the city. It encompasses several notable museums and the stunning Cathedral of Learning, while the sprawling neighborhoods further east harbor some of the city’s top shops, bars, and restaurants.”

  • The Greek islands with the finest beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. But nearly every island has no less than a couple outstanding swimming beaches.

β€’ While arriving in central Pittsburgh by car via I-376 and I-279 proves fairly uncomplicated (thanks to I-376 and I-279), a vehicle is hardly necessary once here, especially Downtown, where the one-way road system and the β€œPittsburgh Left” can confound. The latter local custom refers to a driver proceeding straight slowing down or even pausing at an intersection to permit a left-turning motorist to proceed ahead of them (though the driver has no legal obligation to do so).
β€’ The PAT provides efficient bus transportation across the city with single rides costing $2.75 while the small β€œT” subway system connects the North Side and Downtown areas to the South Hills with the same $2.75 fare though free between First Avenue Station and Allegheny Station

Best Places to Stay in Pittsburgh

a tall building with a clock on it`s side

Best Areas in Pittsburgh for…

  • Premier area of town for initial visitors/sightseeing: Downtown
    Downtown Pittsburgh tops this category primarily because it is at the heart of the local transportation system and offers by far the biggest choice of accommodations. Note that even though there are restaurants and bars here (around Market Square and the Cultural District), there’s not much life in downtown itself after dark. The bars and restaurants of the Strip District are not far away, though. You’ll also be relatively close to one of the city’s chief delights, its riverside paths and parks, notably Point State Park at the tip of the β€œGolden Triangle”.
  • Most Romantic Quarter: Mount Washington
  • Best Santorini Honeymoon Hotels: Cosmopolitan Suites β€’ Katikies β€’ Charisma
  • Top neighborhoods for evening attractions: South Side Flats, Strip District, and Lawrenceville
    South Side Flats in Pittsburgh is known for its lively nightlife scene featuring many craft breweries, wine bars, karaoke venues, clubs, and live performance spaces along the primary street East Carson Street (just under 2 miles east of Downtown). A popular spot is the Acacia, with its speakeasy theme, along with local favorites like Jack’s Bar,Carmella’s Plates & Pints, and the Vault Taproom. Just north of Downtown is the Strip District where you can find dancing at Cavo Night Club, craft beers at Cinderlands Warehouse and Insurrection AleWorks, and Irish cuisine at Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle.With more time it’s worth exploring hip Lawrenceville, with the primary strip Butler Street prime property for bars and places like Thunderbird CafΓ© & Music Hall,Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive, and nearby Cattivo.

    Situated along the North Shore, Rivers Casino provides the standard amenities, like 2 bars and restaurants, plus the bonus of being open 24 hours daily. The Landing Hotel at Rivers Casino is slated to open by summer 2022 for guest lodging on site.

  • Favored Neighborhood for Eating and Dining: Strip District
    One of the nation’s top destinations for foodies, Pittsburgh is home to plenty of award-winning chefs as well as local specialties such as Primanti Brothers sandwiches, Polish-style pierogis, Prantl’s burnt almond torte, Eat’n Park β€œSmiley Cookies”, and Beto’s Pizza. Hotspots are scattered all over the city, but the revitalized Strip District is always a good bet, crammed with Italian groceries, specialty stores, wholesalers, food carts, and restaurants. The Primanti Brothers opened here in 1933, and despite the hype, still knock out amazing sandwiches. Pamela’s Diner is justly famous for its breakfast and crepe-style hotcakes (cash only) – be prepared to wait. Jimmy & Nino’s is the place to sample take-out pepperoni rolls, a local favorite, while Peppi’s is home of the β€œ#7” aka the β€œRoethlisburger” and Pittsburgh-style salad, topped with French fries instead of croutons. Get your pierogi and haluszki (Polish egg noodles) fix at S&D Polish Deli, tacos at Edgar’s, and gourmet coffee at La Prima Espresso.
  • Top Neighborhoods for Shopping: Downtown and South Side
    Some bed and breakfast options in Houston include the Modern B&B,Sara’s Inn,Pelican’s Nest Bed & Breakfast,Clipper House Inn, and La Maison in MidtownStation Square is a huge entertainment complex just across the Monongahela River on the South Side, offering everything from Pittsburgh souvenirs to toys, fashion, jewelry, and wine. Further along South Side Flats, East Carson Street is lined with cafes, restaurants, galleries, and cool independent shops: Buffalo Exchange,Figleaf Boutique,Indigo Owl Culture Shop,Pittsburgh Guitars,Slacker, and many additional shops. At the eastern end of the strip, the SouthSide Works has transformed the former J&L Steel Works into a β€œcity lifestyle center”, featuring entertainment venues, restaurants, and stores like Urban Outfitters. You’ll also find plenty of intriguing independent boutiques in the Lawrenceville and East End neighborhoods like Shadyside and Squirrel Hill.

    When shopping in Pittsburgh, there are no sales taxes imposed on clothing or shoes.
    β€’ Look to the outer parts of the city for its major shopping malls: the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills,Ross Park Mall, and Grove City Premium Outlets.

  • Best Neighborhood for Shopping: Galleria/Uptown
    One of Lawrenceville`s most fashionable neighbourhoods lies around 3 miles northeast from Downtown Pittsburgh, on the right bank of the Allegheny River. Take a stroll down the main drag, Butler Street, to see the scene, composed of restaurants, bars, independent movie theaters, nightclubs, vintage stores, and trendy gift shops. There is no specific destination in mind, though at the southern end of the strip, the Clemente Museum honors former Pittsburgh Pirates baseball star Roberto Clemente. At the northern end, the historic Allegheny Cemetery serves as a memorial to many important figures from Pittsburgh`s early years.The only recommended hotel in the vicinity is the TRYP Lawrenceville boutique hotel.
  • Unsafe Areas of Pittsburgh
    Generally, central Pittsburgh is fairly safe though normal precautions should be taken at night. Neighborhoods in the North Side such as Northview Heights, California-Kirkbride, and Spring Hill City View as well as East End’s East Hills tend to report higher crime rates, but tourists are highly unlikely to find themselves in any of these areas. Late at night, the Strip District can feel uneasy – it`s best to stick to the main road. Lawrenceville, Oakwood, and East End neighborhoods like Squirrel Hill and Shadyside tend to be among the safer locales.

The 6 Best Neighborhoods in Pittsburgh for Tourists

1. Downtown

The central area of Pittsburgh known as the β€œGolden Triangle” is appropriately named, surrounded as it is by rivers and lush green hillsides extending beyond. It has traditionally served as the commercial center of the city but has also experienced a residential boom in recent years, boosted by the restaurants, 7 theaters, and entertainment venues in the burgeoning Cultural District. The early history of Pittsburgh is documented at the Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park. This scenic stretch of green space is where the 3 rivers converge at the iconic Point State Park Fountain (the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival,Three Rivers Regatta, and the Head of the Ohio rowing competition all take place here). Shops, bars, and restaurants encircle central Market Square and nearby Mellon Square, while the attractive Allegheny Riverfront Park lines the riverside to the north of the triangle. Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

2. South Side: Mount Washington & South Side Flats

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Take the Monongahela Incline or Duquesne Incline aerial tramways up to the Mount Washington neighborhood, where Grandview Avenue is lined with stunning scenic viewpoints and a β€œRestaurant Row” of upscale dining establishments like Monterey Bay Fish Grotto. Branching off the southern end of the avenue, Shiloh Street is the neighborhood’s main artery, lined with neighborhood bakeries, ice cream shops, and cafΓ©s.

Further to the east along the Monongahela, the South Side Flats neighborhood is anchored by East Carson Street, an indie browsing hotspot by day and bustling nightlife center in the evenings. The well-liked City Theatre Company is based here, while South Side Works is a growing entertainment complex holding a movie theater, eateries, and specialty shops.

    • Fine dining located inside of a converted monastery within Fira’s only 5 star hotel,

Katikies Garden.

3. Strip District

One of the primary attractions in the area known as β€œThe Strip” northeast of Downtown Pittsburgh is the exceptional food scene, ranging from traditional Italian grocers and produce vendors to high-quality dining establishments and artisanal coffee roasters. It is also a major nightlife hub with options varying from casual bars to nightclubs. In terms of notable sites, the Senator John Heinz History Center offers insight into the city’s intricate and momentous history.

4. North Shore & North Side

The North Shore lies just across the Allegheny River from downtown, primarily composed of modern constructions notable for athletic stadiums and museums. Stay here for ease of access to Heinz Field, home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, and PNC Park, residence of baseball’s Pirates; the entire locale becomes quite occupied on game days. The Andy Warhol Museum is also here, devoted to the iconic pop artist who grew up in Pittsburgh, while the Carnegie Science Center,National Aviary, and Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh will appeal to families. There are more artistic attractions further north in the North Side, where Mattress Factory highlights cutting-edge modern art, and Randyland is a display of the colorful work by folk artist Randy Gilson.

5. Oakland

Part of Pittsburgh’s East End, Oakland is the city’s university district, containing a day`s worth of sights and attractions at minimum. There are also various places to stay, making this an intriguing alternative to Downtown, though the hotels chiefly serve the universities: Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh (aka β€œPitt”). The primary attraction for visitors is the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, a 42-story Gothic building where tours experience 30 β€œNationality Classrooms” furnished with antiquities, arts, and crafts given by the city’s assorted ethnic groups. Nearby are 2 world-class museums: the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History. Other attractions involve the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, which commemorate local veterans and the wars they battled in.

6. East End

The rest of Pittsburgh’s East End is a broad area of several unique neighborhoods, each with their own attribute – some of the best eateries and bars can be found here. Check out at minimum one or two neighborhoods to get a sense of how locals experience the city – lodging in one of the hotels or B&Bs here isn’t very practical for touring the rest of the city, but will provide a much more authentic and intimate Pittsburgh experience.

Point Breeze is chiefly known for the world-renowned Frick Pittsburgh, a complex of historic mansions and art and transport exhibitions commemorating the renowned businessman Henry Clay Frick. Just over 2 miles north, along the Allegheny River, Highland Park features the enjoyable Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, while the trendy downtown neighborhoods of Squirrel Hill and Shadyside are best known for their variety of dining, drinking and shopping options. Bloomfield is Pittsburgh’s β€œLittle Italy”, an excellent place to dine as well as experience live musical performances at night. North of the Strip District, Lawrenceville has evolved into one of the most hip neighborhoods in the city, with Butler Street lined with independent boutiques, trendy shops, late-night cafes, eateries, and craft breweries.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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