Once known only for its steel mills and blast furnaces, western Pennsylvania’s Pittsburgh is now famed for its burgeoning arts scene, lively neighbourhoods and cool green spaces. Perched at the confluence of three rivers — the Ohio, the Monongahela and the Allegheny — this hilly metropolis has been dubbed ‘The City of Bridges’ for good reason. There are over 400! Accommodation options include everything from charming B&Bs to slick city hotels fit for a range of tastes and budgets. Many of the best places in Pittsburgh boast beautiful views — a welcome reward for all those hill walks.
Most visitors make a beeline for the city’s museums. Two of the star attractions — The Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Carnegie Museum of Art — are named after Scottish-born industrialist Andrew Carnegie who modernised steel production here. Head to the North Shore neighbourhood for another big-hitter, the six-storey Andy Warhol Museum, view avant-garde art at The Mattress Factory or admire Frank Lloyd Wright’s magnificent Fallingwater, just outside the city.
Venture to Point State Park for wonderful walks through the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, or to experience the Fort Pitt Museum, which commemorates the turbulent history of the city. Outdoorsy travellers will adore swimming, cycling, horse riding, hiking, golf and tennis amidst the 1700-acre Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. For stunning city views, look to the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines, Victorian funiculars which whizz up the slopes of Mt Washington.
Come evening, catch opera, dance and theatre shows, sip Prohibition-era cocktails in a trendy bar or savour fabulous food in a vast array of eateries. Our selection of the best places to stay in Pittsburgh promise a superb base to take in the city’s surprising range of attractions.