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Things to do / Travel Guide
Southwestern Pennsylvania Getaways
Carnegie, Frick, Heinz, Mellon, and others built Pittsburgh as an industrial center. Comedians like Groucho Marx loved to poke fun at it in the past. Today, the legacy these people left behind is an attractive and livable area blessed with art (Andy Warhol called Pittsburgh home), architecture (Frank Lloyd Wright masterpieces are abound), and cultural and educational gems (Carnegie Melon University is one of the best in the country). Nature has provided outdoor activities in the nearby canyons, hills, and whitewater rapids.
Pittsburgh Getaways
With no beaches or national parks, Pittsburgh is not often included on the popular tourist routes in the US. It is, however, a popular family getaway spot as it offers a compact region with loads of activities and attractions to suit family members of all ages. Pittsburgh's hilly landscape is traversed by three rivers, the Allegheny, the Ohio, and the Monongahela, offering guests with the perfect setting—both visually and activity-wise—for a prime outdoor vacation. Hiking, canoeing, fishing, and white water rafting are all extremely popular in and around Pittsburgh.
Downtown Pittsburgh (a.k.a. The Golden Triangle) is particularly walkable, making it a great hub for a Pittsburgh getaway. There's a lot to do in the city itself and downtown Pittsburgh offers easy-to-follow transportation options for leaving the city for day excursions as well. The Golden Triangle encompasses the 36-acre Point State Park, the meeting point of the three rivers, and backs up to the Allegheny River Park, another great spot to walk around, ride bikes, or park for an afternoon picnic. Make sure to add the silent “h” – spell it Pittsburg and you are in a different state altogether, and one where people don't really like the Pirates or the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Tourist Attractions
You would be remiss to visit Pittsburgh and not take in the breathtaking views from Pittsburgh's famous inclines. As mentioned before, Pittsburgh is a hilly city, and the Pittsburgh natives know how to take advantage of their magnificent heights! Ascend the Duquesne Incline to reach the Mount Washington Overlook and experience a ride that dates back to the 19th century. At the top of this incline, and at the top of the Monongahela Incline, you'll find restaurants, activities, and, of course, fantastic panorama views. The rides up are cheap and will provide a few hours of entertainment, history, and culture.
Another fun way to explore the city of Pittsburgh is to tour the attractions that memorialize famous Pittsburgh natives and residents. For example, it's impossible to spend a day, let alone a few hours, in Pittsburgh without seeing the name "Carnegie" splashed all over the place. Andrew Carnegie, one of the industrial founders of Pittsburgh, left behind huge endowments that now sponsor many of the city's cultural endeavors. Visit the Carnegie legacy by visiting the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Science Center, and other Carnegie museums and institutions.
Frank Lloyd Wright is another major figure you could follow around Pittsburgh for an interesting tour. There are a number of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings and homes that you can tour, but of particular interest are Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, which are both located in the Laurel Highlands, an area practically built for Wright lovers.
Southwestern Pennsylvania Tourist AttractionsSouthwestern Pennsylvania offers other tourist attractions as well, that is, outside of Pittsburgh and the Frank Lloyd Wright circuit. Plan a visit to Ohiopyle State Park, a popular spot for camping, hiking, biking, and fishing. Also, if you're into serious whitewater rapids, then you'll have to take a ride down the Youghiogheny River, known to locals as the "Yough" (pronounced ).
Southwestern Pennsylvania Road Trip Getaway Planner
It's quite a haul across Pennsylvania if you are planning a Pittsburgh to Philadelphia road trip and may be worth saving the eastern part of the state for a separate trip. Look at a map of Southwestern Pennsylvania and you will be amazed by how much there is to do in such a small area.
With plenty of urban activities in Pittsburgh, it's worth spending a couple days there. Take a few days to see the Laurel Highlands and to raft on the Youghiogheny River. And again, don't miss Fallingwater or Kentuck Knob!
Tourist Attractions and Highlights in Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania
Tourist-Attractions-Highlights
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