Pittsburgh is packed with attractions, restaurants and more
By Terry Troy
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is filled to the brim with unique attractions. So, if you’re making a visit, where do you start? Below are our recommendations for a fun-filled day in the City of Bridges.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Pamela’s Diner in the Strip District at 60 West 21st St., which has standard breakfast fare like omelets, eggs and hash browns. However, it is best known for its whisper thin, crepe-style pancakes with crispy edges. Make sure get them stuffed with strawberries and cream if you truly want the full Pittsburgh experience.
When you’re through, head south to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History has one of the best collections in the United States, second to only the American Museum of Natural Museum in New York and rivaling the Field Museum in Chicago. The museum consists of 115,000 square feet organized into more than 20 different galleries that hold over 22 million specimens, including the world’s first T. rex and a more recent oviraptorosaur.
With all that walking, there’s a good chance that you’ve also worked up an appetite. Head back down for lunch at Primanti Brothers Restaurant and Bar’s original location. At 46 18th St., you’ll find a sandwich like no other, stacked with luncheon meats, piled high with French fries and topped with creamy coleslaw. It’s a meal in and of itself and a Pittsburgh legend.
If you still have the time, head across the Allegheny River to PNC Park to catch a Pirates game. While the park is actually the fifth home of the Pirates, it exudes old park charm in steel and limestone, offering great views of downtown complete with bridges across the Allegheny painted in Pirate yellow. Despite being a double decker configuration, the highest seat is only 88 feet from the all-natural grass field.
Still have some energy? Head across the Monongahela River on the Smithfield Street Bridge or through the Liberty Tunnel. Here you’ll find two popular Mt. Washington inclines; the Duquesne and the Monongahela. Take your choice to the top. It only takes about five minutes and the observation deck is worth the stop.
