PASSION PITT

Last month I found myself in Pittsburgh for a few nights. It was an odd trip. I was not there for pleasure. I ended up having some unexpected time on my hands and found fun ways to use it. My travel companions and I stopped over on our way from Cincinnati back to New York. We arrived just after dark, and I was feeling road weary. We crossed over one of the 446 bridges (Not exaggerating. Fact-check me.) over one of the Three Rivers. The sight of the city had me feeling optimistic that a good time was about to be had.

We stayed in an airbnb that boasted Pittsburgh Steeler Mason Rudolph as a former resident. It was a great location, just a mile away from Heinz Field. I made sure to send messages to my diehard Steelers fan friends to let them know I was having a moment of silence for them. Pennsylvania, not just Pittsburgh, breed some very devoted fans. According to this Forbes.Com article, in 2020 Pennsylvania teams boasted 3 out of 10 most passionate sports fans in America. I don't know about you, but I find that pretty impressive.

My companions took pity on my prior night’s lack of sleep and gave me a room to myself. I was most grateful for a comfortable bed with views of a brightly lit city. As I gazed out the window, premonitions of good times to be had grew stronger.

I have a friend who spent some time being a part of the Pittsburgh culture and community. As soon as we realized there was plenty to do, we sent a message for recommendations. We followed his suggestions and managed to do quite a lot in a short period of time.

Pamela’s P&G Diner

Pamela’s is a staple in Pittsburgh and boasts the best breakfast in the city. It has a great retro vibe- perfect to set your tone if you plan on visiting the Andy Warhol Museum later. I wish I had a picture for this location, but I was too busy eating and talking to the waiter to grab one. I am not a big breakfast eater and am not usually into diners, but this place was truly worth the long line and sugar high. Just commit to the pancakes and potatoes. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to walk it off.

The Duquesne Incline

Later in the afternoon, after finishing up some business matters, we ventured out again to the Duquesne Incline. We parked at the lower station lot, equipped with our $5 cash fare, and caught the century old cable car up in the daylight. If you have a fear of heights, you may not enjoy the rickety ride, but I think the views outweigh a little dose of butterflies in your stomach. When you reach the Upper Station, you are rewarded with an observation deck and access to the machine room where you can see the original hoisting equipment, a true delight for the mechanically inclined. We caught the cable car down the Incline after sunset. The city lights reflecting off the waters gave way to a moment of silence.

The Grandview Saloon

Right next door to The Duquesne Incline Upper Station is The Grandview Saloon. We stopped here for a drink and to continue enjoying the skyline as the saloon offers a birds eye view of Heinz Field from across the river. I imagine it would be a fun place to be on a game day. Our bartender was unpretentious, surprisingly not into football, and attentive. The snacks and drinks were good, but it was really the wall of windows and the companionship that took the cake. Come here for a low-key drink with a friend. You won’t regret it.

The Andy Warhol Museum

On Friday nights the museum is half price after 5 pm and is open until 10 pm. The seven floors of this building contain the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. My favorite exhibit to see was the time capsules. Andy Warhol made 612 time capsules out of brown cardboard boxes. He collected things that interested him, mostly of the mundane, everyday persuasion. I don’t know why, but I like that so much.

Max’s Allegheny Tavern

We ended our evening at Max’s Allegheny Tavern, an old-world German pub that really did feel like taking a step back in time. As someone who eats plant strong, this was not the best place I have ever eaten, though I did enjoy the sauerkraut. The best part about this experience was the two ladies sitting at the table next to us that struck up a friendly conversation. They explained what life in Pittsburgh was really like. It is a place that feels like home, where everyone knows one another, but with all the conveniences of a city. I think that sums up well what I had observed and had enjoyed about my day in Pittsburgh.

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The next morning, we visited a few other historical sites that pertained to our personal history. This was also unplanned. The idea was born from the fact that we kept seeing the name “Allegheny” everywhere and it finally dawned on us that “Allegheny” was annexed by Pittsburgh and therefore held personal meaning. A quick search produced a nice little tour sheet to guide our explorations. We do not come from a sentimental people. But we are a sentimental little group of friends that now have have several pictures of us standing on an empty spot, where something important use to be. It was still fun to go back mentally in time and imagine the people we have read about so often doing things that would have an impact on our lives over a hundred years later.

I look forward to another visit to Pittsburgh. I had a small taste of what the city has to offer and was pleasantly surprised. It is a great spot for a weekend getaway with friends. It is incredibly easy to get around. You can travel anywhere you want in the city within 15 minutes (thanks largely to all those bridges). Whether you are looking for sports, culture or natural beauty, there will be something for you to enjoy in this Steel City where the Three Rivers meet. Just be sure to bring along your best pals.