A mid-size city with a lively soul, Pittsburgh is western Pennsylvania’s star metropolis.
Venture here for business or pleasure to learn the history of Pittsburgh Steel – the origin of materials that constructed iconic US landmarks such as the Empire State Building. The local food scene is lively and, for a modest city, Pittsburgh’s artistic attractions are thriving.
Architecture from the Gilded Age
Pittsburgh has enjoyed an important role in the history of America and much of this heritage is still visible today in its ornate architecture. Take in the charms at Penn Station or visit the Paramount Film Exchange for a look at how charming buildings have been revitalized to create space for the entrepreneurial energy of Pittsburgh’s youthful economy.
Fifth Avenue winds through the college districts, past cathedrals and iconic museums. Take a stroll along this street to see Palladian mansions dating back more than a century.
Such mansions tell important stories of Pittsburgh’s thriving past, when business tycoons rode the waves of the steel and glass industries. The neighbourhoods of Shadyside and the Frick are great places to see the local opulence.
The city’s beautiful conservatories also form part of this trend. Visit the National Aviary to find colourful flowers and luscious greenery. This conservatory was built with City Beautiful philosophy in mind – a belief that exquisite urban centres would encourage cultivated behaviour among residents.
Today, this belief may have evaporated, but the local love for bright floral spaces remains. Phipps Conservatory is a hub for art and design programs, seasonal exhibits and modern-era environmental innovation.
International art and history
The Carnegie International is Pittsburgh’s star attraction, also founded by an important Pittsburgh industrialist at the height of the city’s growth in 1895. Here, you can see wonderful displays of contemporary art from biennial years.
The permanent collection is held at the Carnegie Museum of Art, where community and creativity come together. There are collections dedicated to film, photography and quirky modern sculpture, plus family events and seasonal parties. This is the cutting edge of 21st-century art, where no-frills displays connect ideas and people.
Other great galleries include the non-profit SPACE, where sculpture and photography are displayed in a bright and airy venue. Future Tenant is a roaming gallery, setting up in free spaces throughout the city. Keep an eye out for this nomadic exhibition while wandering the vibrant Downtown streets.
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is another top-tier attraction, where family fun gives way to after dark exhibits beneath the bones of a T-rex.
Thrills and spills Downtown
Downtown is the place where culture and business collide, creating a lively hub with many top sights.
The Fort Pitt Museum tells the story of the city from the French and Indian War through to the American Revolution. Take a journey through the centuries then emerge beneath PPG Place, home to one of America’s finest skyscrapers rising 193 meters above the city.
The Heinz Hall is a grand theatre and fantastic place to catch a show, sitting between old-world venues Byham Theatre and the Benedum Center. Stroll along the riverfront park and enjoy the bustle of city life.
With Pittsburgh car rental, you can savour every experience on your next grand US adventure.
