by Wendy
Jack and I recently took an overnight trip to Pittsburgh. Yeah, Pittsburgh! We had points from a hotel rewards program that needed to be redeemed, and recommendations from my cousin on what to see and where to eat (thanks, AJ). So instead of sleeping in on a Saturday we jumped in our car bright and early to drive up to Pennsylvania.
Jack and I love checking out new cities, and while an overnight trip barely scratches the surface, we always have a good time selecting an activity or two, taking walks and looking around whatever neighborhood we happen to be staying in. It’s a way to schedule a little change of scenery on a budget, when extensive travel or vacations seem a long way off. Pittsburgh was a perfect choice of destination.
We stayed at the Hyatt Place Pittsburgh North Shore. It was a comfortable room in a convenient location. We walked to The Andy Warhol Museum and spent the afternoon learning more about the life and times of this icon and influencer. It’s a cool space, with the top floors spanning Andy’s youth in Pittsburgh and work as a commercial artist in New York City, through his decades of pioneering pop art and experimental projects in almost every medium. Whatever you think you know about Andy Warhol, there always seems to be a new aspect to be considered, which makes for a fascinating person and museum.
Three rivers intersect in Pittsburgh: the Ohio, the Allegheny, and the Monongahela. There are yellow-painted bridges all over the place. We walked along the Andy Warhol bridge and the Roberto Clemente bridge, the latter which links major sports venues of the North Shore on one side, to the many theaters of the cultural district on the other side. Since we were in town for one night, we didn’t buy tickets for a game or play or concert, opting instead to wander around the evening scene.
We had an early snack at Stuff’d, a small restaurant specializing in pierogi – both traditional and outlandish recipes. They were slammed, with lines out the door, but we miraculously found seats at the bar within minutes. We ordered beer and the Rueben pierogies to share – a plate of dumplings filled with corned beef and topped with melted swiss cheese and sauerkraut. They alone might have been worth the 4 hour drive. We probably would have ordered more, but we wanted to walk around and try a few other places.
After a couple of martinis at the crowded Olive or Twist, we decided to walk back across the Clemente bridge toward the hotel. For several minutes we wondered if our only dinner option in this radius was either a sports bar or places with karaoke and strobe lights, then lucked out with a table at The Foundry. Delicious burgers, craft beer and cocktails, attentive service and appealing decor. The music playlist was upbeat, yet we could hear ourselves talk. Yes I know we sound old now – partying at The Factory this was not – but it was exactly what we had in mind.
An ice skating rink in Pittsburgh, near what looks like the Ministry of Magic.
Before we drove home the next day, we had one more item on our list, based on photos of a sandwich my cousin had once texted me years ago. Primanti Brothers, founded in the 1930s, now has several locations in Pittsburgh. We were eager to try the famous sandwiches – Jack chose roast beef while I opted for turkey – which are dressed with cheese, slaw, and French fries between Italian bread. Nice one, Pittsburgh. And thanks for your interesting mix of art and architecture and industry and sports legends, your friendliness (Mr. Rogers did live here, after all), your three rivers and hills and bridges, and of course, your comfort food that is especially on point in dreary cold February.
We like you, Pittsburgh! And we know there are many more neighborhoods and museums and arenas and restaurants to visit in your city, and we hope to see you again.