Pittsburgh Travel Guide

Touted as America’s “most liveable city”, Pittsburgh is renowned for its origins in the steel industry, a fact most evident in its spectacular city skyline consisting of striking, contemporary skyscrapers.

Framing Pittsburgh’s urban edge are two sparkling rivers, the Monongahela in the southeast and the Allegheny in the northeast, which converge to form the Ohio River. Pittsburgh is a city of many neighbourhoods, with its rivers dividing the area into over 90 different districts surrounded by lush green hillsides.

Following in the footsteps of Pittsburgh’s early immigrant miners, take either the Duquesne Incline or Monongahela Incline, the city’s two funiculars, up to the peak of Mount Washington and feast your eyes on the stunning vistas that lie before you.

Continue your journey through the city's natural beauty and scenery with a trip to Point State Park, the confluence point of the three rivers and America’s only state park located smack bang in the middle of a city. Make your way to Schenley Park to marvel at the stunning botanical gardens and exotic plant species in the Phipps Conservatory, or take a stroll around the National Aviary and gaze at the colourful birds that flitter through the air.

Culture vultures won’t be disappointed as Pittsburgh offers the very best in history and art, thanks to the generous donation of four cultural institutions by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie. Located in Oakland, the aptly named Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carnegie Science Centre are not to be missed. Finally, discover more about the life of one of Pittsburgh’s very own at the fourth Carnegie cultural contribution, The Andy Warhol Museum, one of the world’s largest single-artist museums.

For those travelling with little ones in tow, Pittsburgh has plenty to keep the kids occupied. Visit the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh for a plethora of creative, fun and educational exhibits to get the little ones thinking outside the box or, if it's thrills and spills you’re after, make a beeline for Kennywood, the ultimate amusement park.

If you’re visiting Pittsburgh in the summertime, be sure to stop by the Three Rivers Art Festival which takes place in June or the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in July and soak up the festival atmosphere. With an excellent public bus service, the city is a breeze to discover!