Pittsburgh

Built where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, this city on seven hills is filled with the warmth of its residents, many of whom have roots here spanning generations. There is plenty of life on the streets of Pittsburgh, where former warehouses have been turned into restaurants and many street fairs are held in trendy neighborhoods like the South Side, Shadyside, and the Strip. Rising above it all is the Duquesne Incline, a restored cable car that carries passengers up Mt. Washington for some fabulous views. And sports fans will especially enjoy the city's rich tradition of football, baseball, and hockey.

As for getting around, the Port Authority operates daily bus and trolley service. The T, the subway that runs within the central business district, is always free. Downtown bus service is free during the day.

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  • 1. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

    Library/Archive

    The the Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Music Hall, and the Carnegie Library, are all under one Beaux-Arts roof. Don't miss the 19th-century French and 20th-century American paintings, the Hall of Architecture, the Hall of Mammals, Egyptian collections, and one of the country's oldest dinosaur collections.

    4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA
    412-622–3131

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $10
  • 2. Fallingwater

    Historic Home

    About an hour and a half southeast of Pittsburgh is Frank Lloyd Wright's residential masterwork—a stone, concrete, and glass house dramatically cantilevered over a waterfall. In 1936, Edgar J. Kaufmann—who'd made a fortune as owner of Kaufmann's, Pittsburgh's premier department store—hired Wright to design a weekend retreat for his family on a piece of land in Mill Run. Wright's design incorporated much of what was already on the site, including rocks, trees, and a rushing creek. Battles of will between Kaufmann and Wright over the details of the house design became legendary. Wright wanted to cover the concrete parapets of the house with gold leaf; Kaufmann didn't. Kaufmann wanted a swimming pool on one of the balconies; Wright didn't. And so on. Despite their many differences, they produced an amazing house. The only way to see the house is on a guided tour; children under six cannot tour the house. Reservations are essential for the detailed tour.

    1491 Mill Run Rd., Mill Run, Pennsylvania, 15464, USA
    724-329–8501

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $16, includes a tour; detailed tours $55 (available early morning only)
  • 3. The Andy Warhol Museum

    Museum/Gallery

    The devotes seven floors to the work of the native Pittsburgher and pop-art icon. Set inside an old warehouse, the museum includes thousands of works in many media: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, film, and video. An enormous collection of source material—audiotape interviews with friends and associates, thousands of photographs, books, and magazines—sheds light on the artist, the man, his creative processes, and his legacy. Many of Warhol's seminal works, like his Brillo Box sculptures and Elvis paintings, are on display, as are rotating exhibits and programs.

    117 Sandusky St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, USA
    412-237–8300

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $12
  • 4. Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail

    Government Building

    The designed by the influential architect Henry Hobson Richardson and completed in 1888, is one of the country's outstanding Romanesque buildings. Once you get by courthouse security, don't miss the frescoes on the first floor, the grand staircase near the entrance to the old law library, or the "bridge of sighs" connecting the courthouse and former jail (now a court facility). There is a self-guided tour brochure available at the Mayor's Service Center near the Forbes Avenue side of the building.

    950 Second Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, USA
  • 5. Carnegie Science Center

    Museum/Gallery

    The has a planetarium, a World War II submarine, more than 250 hands-on science exhibits, and a four-story Omnimax theater.

    1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, USA
    412-237–3400

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $14, with Omnimax $19
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Duquesne Incline

    Transportation Site (Airport, Bus, Ferry, Train)

    A short walk or drive away is the Both 19th-century funiculars edge up ever-so-steep hillsides. The view at the top is well worth the $3.50 round-trip. Several restaurants at the top have great views.

    1197 W. Carson St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    412-381–1665
  • 7. Frick Art and Historical Center

    Museum/Gallery

    The includes Clayton, the turn-of-the-20th-century home of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, which preserves the original furnishings and art; a car and carriage museum; the Frick Art Museum, which possesses a small but choice collection of old master works; a Victorian greenhouse; and a café serving an excellent lunch. Reservations for tours of Clayton and café seating are recommended.

    7227 Reynolds St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15208, USA
    412-371–0600

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Museums free, tour of Clayton $12
  • 8. Gateway Clipper fleet

    Transportation Site (Airport, Bus, Ferry, Train)

    At an adjacent dock, the offers riverboat cruises and shuttles to PNC Park and Heinz Field (home of major league baseball's Pirates and the NFL's Steelers, respectively).

    , USA
    412-355–7980
  • 9. Kennywood

    Amusement Park/Water Park

    One of America's oldest amusement parks and a National Historic Landmark, contains water rides and several roller coasters—including three wooden coasters dating from the 1920s. The park is 10 mi southeast of Downtown.

    4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, 15122, USA
    412-461–0500

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $31
  • 10. Mattress Factory

    Museum/Gallery

    The in the North Side's historic Mexican War Streets District, is devoted to contemporary installation and experimental art, often with an environmental theme. The space gets its unusual name from its location, a former Stearns & Foster mattress factory warehouse. The rock garden outside, designed by Winifred Lutz, is breathtaking. Check for special events on the Web site.

    500 Sampsonia Way, , Mexican War Streets District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, USA
    412-231–3169

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $9, Thurs. $4.50
  • 11. National Aviary

    Zoo/Aquarium

    The has a wide variety of bird species, including parrots, bald eagles, and flamingos. Some of the raptors are in room-sized cages, but other species occupy tree-filled aviaries that visitors can walk through.

    Allegheny Commons W, 700 Arch St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15212, USA
    412-323–7235

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $8
  • 12. PPG Place

    Notable Building

    Philip Johnson's 1984 postmodern whose glass spires and towers were modeled after London's Houses of Parliament, exemplifies the Pittsburgh renaissance. The structure's exterior is made almost entirely of plate glass (19,750 pieces to be precise). At sunset, with orange light bouncing off so many panes of glass, the effect is magical. On hot summer days, kids (and adventurous grown-ups) can cool off by romping through the courtyard's fountains.

    Stanwix St. and 4th Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    412-281–0100
  • 13. Senator John Heinz History Center

    Museum/Gallery

    Housed in a former ice house, the celebrates and documents the region's history, from the French and Indian War to the city's ascent as America's premier industrial center. Located in the Strip District, the center features the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, as well as exhibits on the history of glass, Lewis & Clark, and Pittsburgh's diverse ethnic heritage.

    1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222, USA
    412-454–6000

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $7.50
  • 14. Station Square

    Notable Building

    on the Monongahela across the historic Smithfield Bridge, is a converted rail station from the early 20th century. Today, this is a development filled with shops and restaurants.The Grand Concourse Restaurant. The restaurant's pleasant interior is composed of brass, wood, marble, and a glass ceiling, and the kitchen turns out inventive cuisine. 1 Station Square. 412/261–1717.At an adjacent dock, the Gateway Clipper fleet offers riverboat cruises and shuttles to PNC Park and Heinz Field (home of major league baseball's Pirates and the NFL's Steelers, respectively). 412/355–7980. www.gatewayclipper.com.Across Carson Street is the Monongahela Incline, run by the Port Authority of Allegeny County. 412/442–2000.A short walk or drive away is the Duquesne Incline. Both 19th-century funiculars edge up ever-so-steep hillsides. The view at the top is well worth the $3.50 round-trip. Several restaurants at the top have great views. 1197 W. Carson St. 412/381–1665.

    Station Square Dr., 125 West Station Square Dr., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219, USA
    412-261–2811

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