What To Do With One Day In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, like any major US city, has a unique list of things with which it is associated. Bridges, three rivers, steel mills, Super Bowls and confusing roadways are only a few of the things that are closely linked to Pittsburgh. For those that call Pittsburgh home, however, the list is much longer. One of the best things about Pittsburgh is there's always something new and unique to discover. Here are a few things to do with one day in Pittsburgh.
The Duquesne Incline
1197 W. Carson St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 381-1665
www.duquesneincline.org
The Duquesne Incline, a uniquely Pittsburgh attraction, blends history, sightseeing and also serves as a means of transportation. A day spent in Pittsburgh should include stops in both Station Square and Mount Washington and the best way to bridge the distance between these two locations is the incline. Climbing 400 feet from the banks of the Ohio River to scenic heights of Mount Washington, the incline has been delighting native Pittsburghers and visitors from all corners of the world since 1877. In fact, the Incline was designed and built with such precision that the original hoisting equipment is still operating the incline cars to this day.
The Strip District
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 201-4774
www.neighborsinthestrip.com
"The Strip" is one of those places you have to see firsthand to appreciate. The term refers to the string of shops, restaurants, wholesalers and street vendors that fill both sides of Penn Avenue in the northeast section of downtown. During the day, locals flock to The Strip for the freshest meats, fish and produce at places like Wholey's, The Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. and Enrico Biscotti, to name a few. Although only a half square mile in size, The Strip District experience alone could fill a full day of shopping and dining and still leave more than a few treasures to discover the next time.
Primanti Bros.
46 18th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 263-2142
www.primantibros.com/home
What started as a late-night spot for the drivers that made early morning deliveries to the city's Strip District has become so synonymous with the Steel Town that it's almost cliché. The "Almost Famous" sandwich began with a simple request. In a hurry, a delivery truck driver asked that the French fries and cole slaw "sides" be placed between two slices of Mancini bread along with the rest of his sandwich. The rest is Pittsburgh history. Today, Primanti sandwiches can be found in just about every part of the city including Heinz Field, PNC Park and the CONSOL Energy Center.
Related: Best Food Trucks in Pittsburgh
The Toonseum
945 Liberty Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 232-0199
www.toonseum.org
As you may havve already guessed, the Toonseum is all about the art of cartoons. Much more than just a showcase of superheroes and cartoon strip characters, the pop-art museum includes workshops, community outreach, cartoon-oriented educational programming, as well as the original cartoon art that is showcased year-round. It is one of only two museums in the United States that is dedicated to the cartoon and comic arts. Be sure to check out its website, Facebook and Tumblr pages for updates on all of the upcoming Halloween-themed exhibits.
The Cathedral of Learning
4200 5th Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 624-6000
www.tour.pitt.edu/tour/cathedral-learning
There are countless stories about the towering 42-story Cathedral and its place in local history. One of the first is from the early 1920s, during its construction. To help pay for the project, the University started a program that was called "buy a brick" for the Cathedral. For 10 cents a piece, area school children donated their pennies, nickels and dimes to the construction efforts that became arguably one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The view from the 42nd floor aside, some of the most fascinating areas to tour in the Cathedral are the Nationality Rooms. For more information on scheduling a tour of the second largest University Building in the world, go to www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/tours.
Related: Weirdest Museums in Pittsburgh
Marcel Tourdot is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
