Things to do in Pittsburgh
Art, pierogies, craft beer and the city locals actually live in.
This is Pittsburgh for people who want to eat where the neighbourhood eats, spend an afternoon in a genuinely great museum, and end each night with a well-made drink rather than a tourist bar crawl. The plan moves between the North Shore, the Strip, and the Garfield-Bloomfield corridor: three very different parts of the city, all easy to reach, none of them over-priced. It suits solo travellers, couples, and anyone who prefers character over comfort packages.
Day 1: North Shore and Andy Warhol Country
Start with espresso and Soup Cans, eat Thai with the neighbours, and finish with a vegetable-led dinner that earns its splurge.
- 9:30 AM
La Prima Espresso Company
An old-school Italian espresso bar in the Strip; stand at the counter for a cappuccino and a biscotti.
Map - 10:30 AM
The Andy Warhol Museum
Seven floors of Soup Cans, Marilyns and Silver Clouds, the whole reason to be in this part of town.
Map - 12:30 PM
Nicky's Thai Kitchen
Beloved local Thai spot in Allegheny-West, good value, casual, the kind of place neighbours actually eat.
Map - 2:00 PM
Randyland
Randy Gilson's painted corner of the Mexican War Streets, all mirrors and mannequins; free and joyful.
Map - 7:30 PM
EYV Restaurant
Vegetable-forward small plates in Deutschtown; share several and add one of the pastas.
Map - 9:15 PM
Rivers Casino bar scene
Casino bars on the North Shore with river views, easy walk back toward the hotel, social scene, last call well before midnight.
Map
Day 2: Strip District, Market to Museum
Graze the market corridor, hit Pamela's hotcakes, and close the night at DiAnoia's with a pint from Cinderlands down the street.
- 9:30 AM
Alihan's Coffee and Breakfast
A downtown breakfast counter for eggs and coffee before walking up to the Strip.
Map - 12:30 PM
Pamela's Diner
Crepe-thin hotcakes with crisp edges at the Strip diner famous enough to cook at the White House.
Map - 2:00 PM
Heinz History Center
Six floors of Pittsburgh history, steel, glass, Mister Rogers, and the immigrant experience; well worth two hours.
Map - 4:30 PM
Mellon Square
A 1950s modernist garden plaza built on top of a parking garage downtown; a calm pause between stops.
Map - 7:30 PM
DiAnoia's Eatery
Italian deli by day, candlelit trattoria by night; the fresh pasta is the order.
Map - 9:15 PM
Cinderlands Warehouse
Cinderlands Warehouse: neighborhood brewery bar a short walk away, solid craft pints to close the night well before midnight.
Map
Day 3: Garfield, Bloomfield and Lawrenceville
Glass art and gallery time in the East End, Thai noodles at lunch, then Fet-Fisk's seafood menu to send you home properly fed.
- 9:30 AM
Tazza D'oro
Highland Park's neighbourhood espresso bar; a cappuccino and a pastry before the day.
Map - 10:30 AM
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts
Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, rotating local and regional exhibitions, free to browse.
Map - 12:30 PM
Noodlehead
Cheap Thai street noodles on Highland Avenue in Shadyside; get the pad kee mao and bring cash.
Map - 2:30 PM
Pittsburgh Glass Center
Glass art museum, watch artists work live at the Pittsburgh Glass Center.
Map - 7:30 PM
FET-FISK restaurant + bar
Nordic-meets-Appalachian cooking in Bloomfield; the seafood dishes are the reason to go.
Map - 9:30 PM
The Church Brew Works
Beer brewed on the altar of a restored 1902 church; drink it under the stained glass.
Map
Where to stay
SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh North Shore
Sits directly on the North Shore, a short walk to the Warhol and the river, and keeps you honest on price.
The Priory Hotel
A converted 1880s monastery in Allegheny-West with real character, walking distance to Day 1's best stops and priced fairly for what it is.
Make Pittsburgh your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: a few days ahead
- Acrisure Stadium: weeks ahead
- Mystic Rock Golf Course: weeks ahead
- Shepherd's Rock Golf Course: weeks ahead
- Ohiopyle State Park: a few days ahead
- Fallingwater: weeks ahead
Skip these
- Judging Primanti's anywhere but the Strip original, chain and ballpark versions are a lesser sandwich.
- Grandview Avenue view restaurants other than Altius sell the skyline and plate average food at splurge prices.
- The Gateway Clipper cruise is slow and priced for tour groups, a kayak or the river trail gives the same water for less.
- Driving between neighbourhoods at face value distance, bridges and tunnels turn two miles into 25 minutes.
The full Pittsburgh travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around