Celebrating Pittsburgh

This New York Times Sunday Travel piece celebrates the Pittsburgh I know and love.  Writer, Jeff Schlegel hones in some of the city's true gems.

Pittsburgh has undergone a striking renaissance from a down-and-out smokestack to a gleaming cultural oasis. But old stereotypes die hard, and Pittsburgh probably doesn’t make many people’s short list for a cosmopolitan getaway. Too bad, because this city of 89 distinct neighborhoods is a cool and — dare I say, hip—city. There are great restaurants, excellent shopping, breakthrough galleries and prestigious museums. The convergence of three rivers and surrounding green hills also make it a surprisingly pretty urban setting. And if the Pirates are in town, head over to PNC Park. Besides the game, the ballpark offers a great excuse to explore downtown Pittsburgh and the river views.

The slide show is terrific. (Image of the Mattress Factory from the NY Times).

Comments

[David]

I went to highschool near the 'Burgh and will always be exceedingly fond of this city for many, many reasons. Shame about the eats, though. How can a city in the same state as food-rich Philadelphia (near where I live now) not know how to eat? Say what you want about the "great restaurants" but we all know that Pittsburgh is still stuck in the dark ages. Great bars, though. Great people, great lots of other stuff.

[john trenouth]

While attending grad school at CMU I didn't really see Pittsburgh as I should have, and so didn't fully appreciate they city. Since graduating I've been back to the city every year for a visit, and like it a bit more every time.

It is a great little gem of a town, with dozens of little neighborhoods, each with their own very distinct vibe, great old buildings and some of the most fantastically unpretentious people you'll ever meet.

Despite the Times’ claim, food in Pittsburgh is mostly terrible-I’ll never forget the pink vaguely ketchup flavoured pad thai on Walnut street, or the omelets smothered beneath utterly inorganic processed cheese. And though it sounds trivial, food is one of those things that can really affect one’s estimation of a city. It was a big reason why I didn’t appreciate Pittsburgh as much as it deserved.

[Chris]

So basically you left becuase you did not like the Mark brothers?