Greetings From Pittsburgh

 

I just got back from an amazing trip to Pittsburgh and have to share all the exciting changes happening in the Steel City. The Steel City is transforming before our eyes into a vibrant, modern metropolis while still holding onto its unique character and history.

The Pittsburgh skyline looks better than ever, with new skyscrapers such as the Tower at PNC Plaza adding some flair. The parks along the riverfront, including the North Shore Riverfront Park, are beautiful places to spend a sunny day.

I visited the Andy Warhol Museum, which had to be a stop and must-see, featuring Andy Warhol’s pop art. Pittsburgh is Warhol’s place of birth, and Carnegie holds his largest collection of artworks and archival material. 

The Heinz family, famous for the Heinz ketchup, settled in Pittsburgh in 1840 as Henry Heinz emigrated from Bavaria to the south side of the city. His mother followed three years later. They have had a big presence since 1890 where they had the Heinz company factory. You must come out and see the Heinz History Center, a place to learn about Pittsburgh’s past as an industrial powerhouse and how it has changed through the years. The History Center features an eclectic collection of cultural artifacts ― and has a great mix of food vendors, shops, and street art.(25) Scott Sutherlin | LinkedIn

The food scene here is out of this world. I had an amazing meal at Spork in Bloomfield. Bloomfield, known as Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, is an eclectic neighborhood with a wide-ranging dining scene that includes pizzerias and old-school Italian spots, as well as global eateries, hip cafes and burger joints. Lively taverns host bands and DJs, and classic dive bars buzz after dark. 

Liberty Avenue has independent shops selling records, books and secondhand clothes. The Strip District, also known as the Strip is a square half-square-mile neighborhood that the locals come for the low, low prices and a vibrant mix of old-style grocery and gourmet food shops, street stands selling produce and t-shirts, plus upbeat bars, classic Italian eateries and sandwich places. 

I also decided to explore some of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods. Lawrenceville is a hipsters haven, with coffee shops and art galleries lining Butler Street. Squirrel Hill is a charming residential area with great restaurants along Forbes and Murray Avenues. I also went to Shadyside and had a perfect day of shopping; they were a bit pricey but with high-end stores and boutiques along Walnut Street it was worth it. Because of the variety and history. 

Of course, the highlight of my trip was attending the Steelers versus Ravens football game. The Ravens are the Steelers bitter rivals and here I was going to the game at Acrisure Stadium, formerly Heinz Field. Of course, I still call the stadium Three Rivers, home of the famed Steel Curtain defense, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann and of course “The Immaculate Reception" by Franco Harris. I  was trash talking with the Ravens fans, buying hot dogs and taking in this game in person. We and the Ravens fans were decked out in our colors – gold and black for the Steelers and black and purple on the other side. Terrible Towels were everywhere. The atmosphere was electric.

I got to the stadium early to take a tour and soak in everything I could with the pre-game excitement. Gate B is a must see, with tons of Steelers and Pitt football memorabilia and the history. I had to check out the newer Steelers Hall of Honor Museum, which has interactive exhibits chronicling 90 years of the franchise.

I headed to my seat as kickoff approached and the crowd noise was so loud it gave me goosebumps. The game itself was a close one, with both teams changing leads throughout. Go Steelers!

After the game I bought a few shirts and some gear from the team store and so many fans were all cheering and enjoying the victory. 

I wish I could have stayed longer in Pittsburgh and explored more things. I just can't wait to return and see Steel City once again. 

At A Glance 

Acrisure Stadium

100 Art Rooney Ave.

steelers.com

Carnegie Museum of Art

4400 Forbes Ave.

(412) 622-3131

The Andy Warhol Museum

117 Sandusky St.

(412) 237-8300

warhol.org

Heinz History Center

1212 Smallman St.

(412) 454-6000

heinzhistorycenter.org

North Shore Riverfront Park

100 Art Rooney Ave. 

Website: pittsburghparks.org/north-shore-riverfont-park