This 23-mile Road Trip Is the Best Way To Experience Pittsburgh In One Day
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
When is the last time you spent a day just exploring Pittsburgh? Maybe you discovered a new museum. Or, perhaps you strolled through downtown, peeking into store windows and checking out the newest restaurants. When we live in a city for a considerable time, we tend to get a bit, well, complacent. We don’t explore as much as we once did. This 23-mile road trip around Pittsburgh is a great way to see some of the city’s best spots. And, it’s ideal for bringing along out-of-towners, especially those with limited time in the city.
Click here for a map for this road trip.
Yep, the map above looks a bit, well, cluttered. But, don't worry. It looks much more complicated than it actually is. And, you can add or remove stops to tailor the road trip to your needs and interests. Ready? Off we go!
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Let's kick off our epic daylong road trip with breakfast at Deluca's Diner in the Strip District. (Make sure you bring cash to this cash-only diner.) The popular diner, which opened in 1950, has won awards for serving the best breakfast in the Burgh. Sit down to a hearty meal of such popular breakfast dishes as pancakes, French toast, omelettes, or a breakfast sandwich.
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Stuffed right about now? Don't worry. You'll work up an appetite again at our next stop, in Oakland, at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Start your visit with the dinosaur exhibit. Then, make your way through the museum that features exhibits on minerals and gems, Native Americans, North American wildlife, and geology.
A visit to Pittsburgh simply wouldn't be complete without a stop at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. So, that's our next stop. Spend a few peaceful hours strolling through the exhibits, including the tropical forest in Cuba, the palm court, and the tropical fruit and spice room.
Whew! Have you worked up an appetite for lunch yet? Of course, you can have a meal at Phipps. But, we're going to head to Market Square and a Pittsburgh staple - Primanti Brothers. The popular sandwich shop - which most people either love or hate - serves their famous sandwiches topped with coleslaw and fries. On warm days, you can sit outdoors and watch all the happenings at Market Square.
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How about a brisk walk now? (Or, you can drive.) Next up: Point State Park, where you can dip your feet in the famous fountain. And, drink in simply sensational views of downtown Pittsburgh, the North Shore, and Mount Washington. Does it get any better than this? Well, since you asked, let's head to our next stop.
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How does a ride on the Gateway Clipper sound right about now? Head over to Station Square, where you'll board one of the sightseeing cruises that will take you on a leisurely cruise along the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.
Then, we're heading up to Mount Washington. But, instead of driving up the mountain, we're going to climb aboard the Duquesne Incline. Enjoy the spectacular views of the city skylines as you slowly crawl up the mountain to your next destination (and dinner)...
Altius. Love the views from the incline? Then, you're really going to love the views from your seat at Altius, a fine dining restaurant that serves such delicious dishes as Ora King Salmon, vegan butternut squash ravioli, and veal tenderloin.
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Got a little room left for dessert? Sure, you do! Now we're headed to the South Side's Page Dairy Mart, which can get really crowded in the summer. Choose from such delicious treats as an ice cream cone, an old-fashioned ice cream sundae, or a thick milkshake.
Note: Page Dairy Mart is only open seasonally. So, if you're taking this road trip in the fall and winter, you'll have to skip it, and head straight to our final stop.
Note: Page Dairy Mart is only open seasonally. So, if you're taking this road trip in the fall and winter, you'll have to skip it, and head straight to our final stop.
If you've still got energy, head over to the Cultural District - home of Heinz Hall, the Benedum Center, and the Byham. Even if you don't have time or tickets for a show, simply enjoy a stroll around the vibrant cultural center of Pittsburgh.
What other stops would you add to this daylong road trip around Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments! And, if you’d rather road trip outside of the city, you’ll find plenty of picture-perfect destinations not too far from home. Click here to read more.
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