Aussie’s Guide to Pittsburgh, PA

You might have heard of Pittsburgh, PA—sometimes referred to as Steel City or the Paris of the Appalachians—and you probably didn’t think it would be worth a visit, but I am here to tell you that it is.

Home of Andy Warhol, the Big Mac, and the Heinz condiments, Pittsburgh sits on the western edge of Pennsylvania. It’s an easy flight from New York and has more than enough things to see, do, and eat to fill a long weekend.

I’m sharing some things I enjoyed to inspire you for your trip. Take a peek at this video for some highlights and scroll down for details and links.

Southside

Check out what’s playing at the City Theatre (yes, spelled the British English way!) With over four decades of bringing bold new plays and performances to Pittsburgh, City Theatre has a reputation for fostering emerging talent. I was lucky to catch a preview of Live From The Edge by UNIVERSES, a mix of spoken word and acapella performances with so much heart.
Quite possibly the best meal I had in Pittsburgh was the locally foraged funghi fettuccini at Dish Osteria in a cozy, romantic restaurant with impeccable service.

North Shore

Birdwatch at the National Aviary, home to over 500 birds from around the world, including some familiar faces like the Kookaburra, Rainbow Lorikeets, and the Shaft-tailed Finch! You can also time your visit to hand feed the Rainbow Lorikeets at 1 PM and 3 PM daily for $3. Add this experience to your visit when you arrive at the ticket counter.
Grab lunch at the Federal Gallery, a food incubator market with a variety of vendors and something for everyone’s taste.
See some of the best immersive installations and video art at the Mattress Factory, which encompasses three buildings. In addition to work from local and emerging artists, you can step into site-specific work from powerhouse artists James Turrell and Yayoi Kusama. While you are in this neighborhood, stroll the streets along Sampsonia Way to see a variety of houses-turned-art projects. You will see poetry and art on houses as part of the City of Asylum project.
Stop for dinner at farm-to-table restaurant Fig & Ash, which has a changing daily menu and a wood-fired stove in their kitchen. Ask for a seat at their Chef’s Counter Table for a peek at the preparations of your meal.

Rainbow Lorikeet feedings happen daily at the National Aviary. Photo credit: Gabriel Sepulveda / Unsplash

Strip District

Stop by Peace Love & Little Donuts if you are craving the hot cinnamon sugar donuts we grew up eating at Donut King in Aussie malls; you will love these little guys. You can also get them with your own design of flavored frosting and toppings too.
A great place to stop for lunch or dinner is Coop de Ville. Serving an array of fried chicken menu items (the Nashville hot is great!) and with a whole host of activities that will keep groups of all ages entertained. There is pinball, duck bowling, arcade games, pool, and more, plus plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.
Get a great espresso coffee to go with those donuts at De Fer Coffee and Tea.
For a sweet treat for later or a gift for a friend, stop by Mon Aimee Chocolat for the best bean-to-bar chocolate from around the world. We also spotted a selection of British treats, including some familiar faces: Curly Wurly’s, Turkish Delight, Aero, and even Vegemite.
Don’t leave without picking up decidedly chic Pittsburgh souvenirs from love, Pittsburgh. For decidedly yinzer Pittsburgh souvenirs, you will pass plenty of stands and stores along the strip selling Steelers jerseys, scarves, and other items.

The British/Aussie/Commonwealthian treats are available at Mon Aimee Chocolat, Pittsburgh, PA. Image credit: Tarley Jordan

Mount Washington

Walk to the bottom of the Duquesne Incline, just across the bridge from downtown Pittsburgh, and take it to the top. Have a go trying to pronounce Duquesne on your ride up (spoiler alert, it’s pronounced “doo-KANE”). If you want the most dramatic view of the steep ride and the city, you want to be in the bottom car. Not only can you view the city of Pittsburgh from the car itself, but there is a terrific viewing platform to the right of the exit at the top.
While on Mount Washington, Visit Pittsburgh has a great list of suggested things to do. I highly recommended having a wander around and stopping for a drink with the locals at one of the cute bars.

Downtown

Stop by the Wood Street Galleries, which always has something interesting on view if you like contemporary installation art.
Point State Park is a lovely place for a stroll or a picnic. Situated on the edge of downtown, the park has great views of the rivers and bridges that make Pittsburgh well-known. There is even a 1754 French fort to explore if you’re a history buff.
Wander through Market Square and soak up the European plaza vibe in what became Pittsburgh’s first historic district. The Market Square Merchants Association plans events and festivities for the square year-round, including a weekly farmers market on Thursdays (May-November).
After dinner downtown, see the many light art installations that add sparkle to Pittsburgh. I particularly enjoyed the following:
- Cell Phone Disco (at the intersection of Exchange Way and Tito Way), which visualizes the electromagnetic field of nearby active mobile phones (creepy!)
- Garrison Canal (at the intersection of Liberty Avenue and Exchange Way), where thousands of shimmering lights transform in response to local weather conditions (fun!)