Why Locals Love Pittsburgh (And You Will Too)

When Harper’s Bazaar named Pittsburgh one of the world’s best places to travel in 2017—going so far as to dub us “America’s Most Underrated City”—we ’Burghers weren’t surprised. Most travelers primarily think of our city as a great destination for sports fans. But while the Steelers and Penguins are a strong point of pride, Pittsburgh is also home to award-winning restaurants, great ethnic neighborhoods and a vibrant outdoor scene. Most importantly, it’s affordable! Here are some of my favorite places to go in Pittsburgh.

A culinary delight

At the award-winning Morcilla restaurant in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, executive chef Justin Severino serves up authentic Spanish cuisine on platters for the whole family to share

Casual family spots, upscale and romantic eateries, bakeries, late-night bites—my must-try list of places to eat in Pittsburgh could keep you munching for days. But if I had to narrow it down, I’d start with our cozy Spanish restaurant Morcilla, a semifinalist in the prestigious 26th annual James Beard Foundation Awards for “best new restaurant.” Here, the large plates—recommended for two to four people to share—include dishes like New York strip with fork-smashed potatoes, and cider-braised chicken. And of course, you must stop by the Strip District’s Primanti Brothers, where your sandwich is made up of your choice of meat, cheese, coleslaw and French fries stacked between two thick slices of fresh Italian bread.

A cultural smorgasbord

From robots and BodyWorks exhibits to a challenging ropes course, activities at the Carnegie Science Center help fun-seekers of all ages find their inner scientist.

Pittsburgh is divided into 90 different neighborhoods—each with its own distinct identity, history and rich traditions. In North Oakland, wander through the nationality rooms inside the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. On weekends and when school is not in session, you can take a free audio tour to learn more about the culture of various ethnic groups that settled in the region. When you’re ready for lunch, venture out to Pittsburgh’s South Hills neighborhoods, and stop by Las Palmas in Brookline. Its grocery store stocks a number of delicious specialty items, and the outdoor taco stand draws customers from around the region. In the North Shore, the Carnegie Science Center recently unveiled a new $33 million pavilion. The four-story space features a two-story exhibition gallery, nine STEM learning labs and is one of the top places to go in Pittsburgh for dramatic views of the downtown skyline and rivers.

Locally brewed and distilled

From thriving wineries and distilleries to hometown breweries, the area is home to an increasing number of businesses crafting tasty libations. One of my favorite places to go in Pittsburgh for a pint or to grab a to-go growler is Roundabout Brewery, located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Wigle Whiskey in the Strip has restored a Pennsylvania tradition championed by rebellious distillers such as Phillip Wigle, who unwittingly helped spark the Whiskey Rebellion. Using a copper pot and local ingredients, this whiskey distiller nods to the practices of Wigle and his friends, back when Pittsburgh was the center of American craft whiskey. If it’s wine you crave, the urban, family-owned R Wine Cellar produces premier wines from grape-growing regions in California, Pennsylvania and South America. Each wine they produce is handcrafted using minimal additives and preservatives.

Fresh air, year-round

The annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix at Schenley Park gives car enthusiasts a 10-day window to take in all the vintage motor sports they can handle.

Want to go outdoors? There’s no limit to what you can do around the city, regardless of the time of year. In the heart of Oakland, Schenley Park is one of the top places to go in Pittsburgh and a daily destination for nearby university students and businesspeople. With 456 acres of trails, woods and attractions, the park also hosts major annual events such as the Vintage Grand Prix. In the wintertime, head over to PPG Place in downtown, where the plaza between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue transforms into an outdoor ice skating rink. During the summer, rent a pontoon boat and soak up the sun, or go kayaking on one of our three rivers. Pittsburgh has embraced bicycling by adding protected bike lanes, bike share opportunities and easy-to-access bike parking

Written by Daniel Casciato

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