Pittsburgh was not on my original Pennsylvania road trip itinerary. However, as fervent Dance Mom fans, Jetlag & Mayhem would not let me get away without adding it to the list. Turns out I am ever grateful to their travel planning contribution and Pittsburgh turned out to be a real highlight. Pittsburgh was embedded in America’s industrial heartland, as a hub for coal mining and steel production. However in the 70s and 80s, the industrial downtown meant that Pittsburgh had to reinvent itself as a centre for education, medicine, smaller scale manufacturing and research. You can see remnants of the industrial legacy in the arts today, with the Heinz History Centre and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
We drove to Pittsburgh from the Lehigh Valley. At half the size of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh is a good size city to navigate for a long weekend. I chose an Airbnb on the North side, an old neighborhood with lots of activities within a short walk. Check what’s on, you’ll never know what interesting festival is being held. Our trip coincided with ‘Picklesburgh’, a Heinz sponsored festival dedicated to all things pickle.
Top 5 Activities In Pittsburgh
Heinz History Center
Housed in a former ice house, the Heinz History Center details the region’s history. We spent a good few hours in here and it’s very engaging for kids. There are six floors of interactive exhibitions ranging from the TV set from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” and the world’s oldest jeep. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is located on the second and third floor (a strong favourite of Mr Jetlag).
The Andy Warhol Museum
Andy Warhol was born and raised in Pittsburgh. So I was very excited to visit the largest museum in the USA dedicated to a single artist. The Andy Warhol Museum holds an extensive permanent collection of art and archives. Prepare to spend a few hours admiring the art and listening to old documentaries etc. Be sure to check out the Youth Open Studio where you can try your hand at screen printing. There’s also play area for kids in the basement level. In addition to the amazing Warhol art, there’s also a gallery showcasing other exciting artists.
Mooching Around The Strip
The Strip District is located just outside of downtown Pittsburgh on the banks of the Allegheny river. In Pittsburgh’s early years, the Strip District was an industrial neighborhood with foundaries, mills and other production shops. After the industrial decline, the area has been revived with eateries, grocery stores and boutiques. It’s a fun place to grab a bite to eat and shop. We had a delicious breakfast at Pamela’s Diner.
Views From Mount Washington
Running the length of the mount, Grandview Avenue provides unique vantage points of Pittsburgh’s beautiful skyline. You can either drive/walk up or much more fun is to take the Duquesne Incline funicular. After a stroll to enjoy the view, head to Shiloh street for some yummy baked goods.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater
A visit to this architectural gem was long on my bucket list. However it was a surprising hit for the kids who also enjoyed. Located approx. an hour from Pittsburgh, you must book tickets in advance for the tour. Fallingwater is a house designed in 1935 by Frank Lloyd Wright for the Kaufmann family, owners of Pittsburgh’s largest department store. This is one of his most widely acclaimed works and shows the marriage of art and nature in perfect harmony.
