If you find yourself in Pittsburgh either stopping through as a tourist or staying a while as a student, there are certain places that you want to go see. I've only been a student in Pittsburgh for about a year, but I have found some places that have become my favorite spots to go to. The following are the places I've visited and loved (in no particular order).
1. The Mattress Factory
Don't be fooled by the name. It's not an actual factory of mattresses, though I did find a bed as a show piece. This place is awesome. It's a contemporary museum with a bunch of cool sights like a colorful room of spotted mannequins and lights to a webbed home. Highly recommend you check this place out when coming to Pittsburgh.
2. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
If you like outdoor gardens and butterflies and exotic plants and flowers, this is the place to go. It's beautiful at any time of the year, but I highly recommend early fall or spring/early summer. It makes for a great romantic date or a day out with family or friends.
3. Point State Park
Point State Park overlooks the water and has a huge fountain in the middle of it. I went to go see the fireworks there and it was beautiful. The deep red sunsets make it a place to go see in the early evening into nighttime.
4. Kayaking on the Allegheny River
So, this is more of an activity than a place, but I highly recommend it. You feel like you are in the heart of Pittsburgh when you're traveling in your little boat on the river. I am not a huge fan of bodies of water nor do I know how to paddle for my life, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly and enjoyed it very much. It builds pretty good arm strength too.
5. The Incline and Mount Washington
This is definitely something you hear about if you go to Pittsburgh. You take the incline all the way up from the bottom of the city to Mount Washington to get a breathtaking view of the entire city. It's stunning at night and makes for a good romantic date.
6. Milkshake Factory
This is not an actual factory. However, the milkshakes are pretty darn good. Highly recommend if visiting South Side in Pittsburgh.
7. The Cathedral of Learning
This is one of my favorite places of all time let alone in Pittsburgh. This Hogwarts-like building has many floors to explore and sights to see like the nationality rooms. It's a place to hang out with friends or study alone or come take part in the building's history. I got through my summer classes in Pittsburgh hanging out there and studying most nights.
8. Ramen Bar
This is located in Squirrel Hill and has the best noodle bowls I've ever tasted. Highly recommend to anyone who is feeling Asian food on a certain night. In addition, the other sights of Squirrel Hill are worth checking out.
9. Schenley Park
I love to lay out on the lawn or walk through this park on a good day in Pittsburgh. It's also close to some good food places like Asia Tea House and Conflict Kitchen. For a day where you want to just chill outside and enjoy good food, come here.
10. Heinz Memorial Chapel
This chapel feels like you're in Europe with its large ceilings and rows and rows of benches. It's also a very popular place for weekend weddings and a lot of University of Pittsburgh Alumni come to get married to their significant other they met while in college. It makes for a cute story in a breathtaking venue.
11. Carnegie Museum of Natural History
During my freshman year I visited the Carnegie Museum of Natural History as part of a Freshman Programs class. I highly recommend it for anyone who loves history and enjoys museums.
