I grew up in a suburban area about 25-minutes from Pittsburgh, a straight shot from the City of Bridges right to my front door. There are so many amazing things that I got to experience from living so close to Pittsburgh, such as trips down to the South Side and the Strip District, to Pens, Pirates and Steelers games, and just soaking in all the awesome culture that the city has to offer. Here are some of the things that make me love growing up near Pittsburgh.
1. Atmosphere.
The city is beautiful. On my way home from college, I pass through the tunnels and emerge to see one of the most beautiful cities in the world (I may be a little biased). All of the lights and bridges and skyscrapers make for an awesome view. No matter how many times I see it, the breathtaking view will never get old. I definitely recommend taking a trip to the West End overlook, which is the exact spot in which pictures like the one below are captured.
2. Food.
Primanti Bros sandwiches: legendary. If you've never had a Pittsburgher, you're missing out. Not to mention the fact that we put fries on our salads. Churches always make sure to have their homemade pierogis and fish frys during the Lenten season.
3. Sports.
They don't call Pittsburgh the "City of Champions" for nothing. The Penguins, Steelers and Pirates all hold not one, but multiple, titles in their respective leagues. Not only are the sports teams champions, but their loyal fans are also. It is not uncommon for fans to arrive hours before the games to tailgate and cookout in all sorts of weather, from snow to scorching heat. Plus, Pittsburgh fans keep it classy. With the Pittsburgh Penguins in the final round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, most of the city is abuzz with team spirit!
4. Culture.
Pittsburgh is known to be a cultural melting pot of ethnicity from all around the world. Ukrainian, Slovak, Polish, Italian and Greek are just a few of the nationalities that like to call Pittsburgh their own. Heck, we even have a Cultural District dedicated to all of the cultures that come together to form Pittsburgh. There, you can experience many different arts and cultures by seeing shows performed at theaters such as the Heinz Hall, The Benedum Center and The Byham Theater. But, make sure to stop at one of the 50 or more restaurants that are run through the Cultural District! If that isn't special, I don't know what is.
5. Language.
If you're from Pittsburgh, it is inevitable that you have used the self-dubbed
"language" Pittsburgh-ese at least once in you life, if not every day, whether yinz realized it or not (see what I did there). Words like "pop" (soda), "gum bands" (rubber bands) and emphasizing syllables that are typically not emphasized UM-brell-a versus um-BRELL-a, are more than just common, they're a way of life.
