The Revitalized Bustling Downtown In America's One-Time Steel Capital Is 'Criminally Underrated'

Mention Pittsburgh, and "yinz" (Pittsburghese for "y'all") might think of the world's former industrial powerhouse or a city united by black and gold (the Pirates, Penguins, and Steelers all have the same colors). While both are true — Pittsburgh is known as both "The Steel City" and the "City of Champions" for its success in sports –– venture downtown and you'll peel back the reasoning for its third nickname, the lovely "City of Bridges." Pittsburghers claim their town is home to 446 bridges, the most in the world, with the city officially owning and managing 143.

Modern Pittsburgh began as Fort Duquesne and later Fort Pitt at modern-day Point State Park, located where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers form the Ohio River. As the U.S. expanded westward, Pittsburgh grew to become an industrial center due to its location, eventually taking its place as the heart of America's steel industry for nearly a century. During this time, many of the city's most iconic bridges were built downtown using locally made steel to connect the city's 90 neighborhoods. This also resulted in a one-of-a-kind backdrop for baseball games, morning commutes, and nearby treks where you can soak in the iconic, picturesque skyline — a skyline you'll catch your first sight of as you pass through the Fort Pitt Tunnel from Pittsburgh International Airport.

In recent years, the "criminally underrated" Pittsburgh has been cited as one of America's "most livable cities" and is undergoing a tremendous renaissance in the "Golden Triangle," or downtown area. However, the city is far from perfect. According to the results from the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's 2024 Satisfaction Survey, 61% of the 1,310 respondents largely felt safe downtown, and 54% believe the city is on the right track to revitalizing the area. But despite the city's efforts, panhandling and homelessness remain major issues.

Sports are always in season in Pittsburgh and have been instrumental to the region's rebirth, with the city's three pro teams generating over $6 billion in spending for the local economy between 2013 and 2017. Since the early 2000s, the city's North Shore neighborhood has been at the center of Pittsburgh's revitalized and electric sports scene as home to the Steelers and Pirates, with North Shore Drive, a street of party bars, located between both stadiums. The Pittsburgh Penguins take the ice downtown at the best stadium in hockey (per Lineups).

With plenty of establishments within walking distance, you'll be spoiled for choice at Market Square, from "almost famous" sandwiches at Primanti Bros, California-style Italian at Alta Via, or pierogies and toasty grilled cheese sandwiches and cold beer at The Yard, all less than a mile away. For a free ride across the river, hop on the Pittsburgh Light Rail (locally called the "T"), but be aware that it will likely be packed on game days. And when you're ready to wind down, the downtown area has hotels for every style, from minimalist modern designs to opulent and historic stays.

Foodies in search of a quirky festival shouldn't miss Picklesburgh, the number one-rated specialty food festival in the United States (per USA Today). This annual, three-day brine fest packs the downtown with more than a bread-and-butter festival in mid-July. Filled with dill-lightful puns and thousands of smiles, you'll find multiple kinds of pickle-flavored treats, from cotton candy to pickle pizza and beer. And once you're ready to burn off some of those calories, you can climb America's steepest street, Canton Avenue, hidden in the Allegheny foothills of Pittsburgh's Beechview neighborhood.

For better or for worse, you can't mention Pittsburgh without mentioning Andrew Carnegie, the Mellon family, and the Heinz family. During Pittsburgh's boom, the city's prominent industrialists transformed the Golden Triangle into what a 1914 article in the Saturday Morning Post described as some of "the most gilded land in the United States" and financed extravagant museums and libraries, including the "crown jewel" of the city's museums. Families and travelers interested in the history of Pittsburgh shouldn't miss the Heinz History Center, ranked as the best history museum in the country. The museum punches well above its weight, displaying works from the Smithsonian and including exhibits on Pittsburgh's storied sports history along with America's favorite neighbor, Fred Rogers.

In the past, Pittsburgh was at the forefront of exploration and development; now, the city stands in a similar position in the digital age and in exploring the final frontier. Visit the Carnegie Science Center's unique exhibits to climb aboard a Cold War submarine, experience what life on Mars may be like (possibly even leaving your mark in setting up a future space colony), or dive deep into the science of mental health (this exhibit runs through August 17, 2025). On a nice day, walk or bike across one of the "three sisters," Pittsburgh's iconic golden bridges that memorialize Andy Warhol, Roberto Clemente, and Rachel Carson between the North Shore and downtown. After all of that, if you've got the energy, don't miss exploring the Three Rivers Heritage Trail or the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), which cyclists claim belongs on your bike trip bucket list.