Pittsburgh: The Best of Bridge City
Pittsburgh is a legend unto itself, for more than one reason. With over 300 steel-related businesses bolstering the economy, Pittsburgh was first nicknamed “Steel City.” The presence of 446 intricately constructed bridges offering scenic views of Pittsburgh makes the title “Bridge City” just as apt. And more recently, Pittsburgh has become famous for its commitment to producing talented sports teams. Between the Pittsburgh Pirates, Panthers, Penguins, and Steelers, the city has achieved renown as a home to champion sports franchises.
For most of us, a vacation in Pittsburgh won’t be quite long enough to check out all 446 Pittsburgh bridges and 500+ delicious restaurants. With so much “cool” to choose from, how do you even decide what to hit in Steel City? Whether you’ve come to Pittsburgh for romance, history, family, or just to get away, these are the Pittsburgh attractions that you’ll be glad you took in.
Steal a Glance from The Steelers
The roar of the crowd. The wind in your hair. The anticipation of a hard hit. If you’re a sports fan in any capacity, then you simply have to book yourself a seat at Heinz Field. There’s nothing like the feeling of cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers with 50,000 other fans yelling their hearts out right alongside you. Heinz has plenty of tasty food and drink options for those fans who aren’t lucky enough to catch a hot dog shot out of a cannon at 30MPH.
If sports aren’t really your thing, no problem! Heinz Field frequently hosts nationally recognized artists for concerts of all musical varieties. If you like impressive architecture and huge open spaces but find large crowds intimidating, again, no problem! Heinz Field regularly offers public and private tours, so you can enjoy the field without feeling obligated to cheer anyone on or even make small talk.
Meet ‘n’ Greet with Gorillas
The Pittsburgh zoo is the place that we can guarantee will satisfy even the most hard-to-please vacation partners. If they aren’t interested in gawking at the zoo’s 4,000 animals spanning 475 species, then sign them up to actually meet the animals! You can interact with giraffes, gorillas, polar bears, seals, and more! Now, some people just don’t like animals. Pittsburgh zoo gets that, and they added a zip line just to ensure that there is truly something exciting for everyone on this 75-acre wonderland.
The Warhol Hall
It’s fair to say that the art world was irrevocably changed by Andy Warhol. For a peek inside that once-in-a-generation mind, your best bet is to head over to the Andy Warhol Museum. The museum has the world’s largest collection of Warhol’s work, in addition to several artifacts related to his life and legacy. If you’re familiar with Warhol’s work, you already know this museum will be worth your time. If you’re unfamiliar with the artist’s striking paintings, do yourself a favor and make stopping at the Andy Warhol Museum a top priority.
Of course, to prioritize anything in a city as big as Pittsburgh, you need a strong base of operations. To find the perfect place to stay, just take a look at these vacation rentals in Pittsburgh, PA. Once you’re settled in, it’s easier to get out!
The Three-in-One Park
Emerald View Park is a revitalized historical site with a magnificent view of Downtown Pittsburgh. Born from the combination of attractive wooded hills and three separate parks, Emerald View Park is now the premier outdoor visitation spot in Pittsburgh. Winding trails, shocking vista outlooks, and thousands and thousands of flowers and plants make it easy to see why Emerald View takes in well over a million visitors annually. The park also features traditional playground equipment, picnic areas, courts, fields, and large sections of Depression-era sandstone walls. Emerald View is 280 acres and has over 20 miles of hiking trails, so it’s easy to savor a whole day here. Not to mention there’s an off-leash dog park, so all of your furry friends can get their daily exercise in too. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
Gorgeous Indoor Gardens
It’s not uncommon to want to appreciate nature without actually getting caught in it. That opportunity is exactly what Phipp’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers. Enjoy the beauty and diversity of a rainforest, desert, and grasslands all concentrated in one convenient location. The conservatory consists of fourteen rooms and is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Each one of the fourteen display areas has a different theme, such as “Desert Room” or “Tropical Fruit and Spice Room.” Though the conservatory is the most popular part of Phipp’s, the gardens span an impressive 15 acres, so there’s still plenty to explore outside if you’re looking to soak up some vitamin D.
Pittsburgh has more to offer than almost anywhere else on Earth. You can’t go wrong with a Steel City bar or restaurant, so make sure you check those out at your leisure.
