16 Undeniable Reasons Why Pittsburgh Will Always Be Home

Most people are proud of their hometowns and rightly so. But, Pittsburghers, in some ways, are a special breed. Wherever in the world we travel, we're likely to run into someone from back home or someone who loves something about our beautiful city, guaranteeing an instant conversation. Here are 16 undeniable reasons why Pittsburgh, whether you're still here or you moved away long ago, will always be home.

1. Pittsburgh promises breathtaking views from just about every angle…

Stand atop Mount Washington. Drive through the Fort Pitt Tunnels toward town. Hang out at the fountain at the Point. Shoot photos from the West End Overlook. Just about anywhere you go in Pittsburgh, you'll find amazing views.

2. ...an abundance of outdoor activities at the many city and county parks...

Whether you're a city slicker or a small town kid at heart, you can find just about every outdoor activity imaginable – hiking, biking, skating, swimming, and picnicking – at the many parks in Pittsburgh, in the nearby suburbs, and throughout Allegheny County.

3. ...boating and kayaking on the Three Rivers…

Pittsburgh offers a plethora of advantages to those who call it home. At the top of the list of advantages are the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio Rivers. The Three Rivers attract outdoor enthusiasts who love to go boating, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, and simply enjoy lounging on a motor boat, watching the scenery pass by.

4. ...biking and hiking on the many trails that crisscross the city…

Hiking and biking trails abound in Pittsburgh. The Great Allegheny Passage, a 150 mile trail, leads straight out of Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland. For shorter hikes, try the Rachel Carson Trail or the Eliza Furnace Trail.

5. ...and adrenaline pumping amusement parks that will turn you into a kid again.

Kennywood Park, Sandcastle Water Park, and Idlewild & Soak Zone will help you recapture the magic of childhood, whether you prefer heart stopping rides on roller coasters like the Thunderbolt and the Racer or you gravitate toward a calmer experience, floating down at lazy river at Sandcastle, or choosing your favorite horse on Idlewild's carousel.

6. Pittsburgh is known as the City of Bridges…

Bridges, bridges everywhere. The City of Bridges, our very own Burgh, claims 446 bridges as its own. That makes it the city with the most bridges in the world, beating out Venice, Italy, which currently has an estimated 409 bridges.

7. ...the City of Champions (thank you Steelers, Pirates and Penguins!)…

Six Super Bowl rings. The 2016 Stanley Cup Champions. What more really needs to be said?

8. ...and the Steel City.

Our beloved Steel City earned its moniker because it was the steel capital of the United States.

9. Pittsburgh has its own unique language…

Yinz goin' dahntahn this weekend or you heading to Ahia? Go red/rid up your room. Yes, Pittsburgh truly has a unique language that only Pittsburghers can completely understand.

10. ...delivers mouthwatering favorite foods, some sold from food trucks…

We Pittsburghers know good food. Pierogies. Sandwiches with fries. Pizza. Countless restaurants call Pittsburgh home and, if you're in a hurry, you can always find a food truck that will provide you with a delicious meal on the go.

11. ...and has earned worldwide attention for its many firsts.

Take a bow, Pittsburgh, for you have won worldwide acclaim for your many distinguished firsts: The first Ferris Wheel (invented by George Ferris in 1893), the first World Series Game (Pittsburgh versus Boston in 1902), and the first theater that showed films (the Nickelodean in 1905.) And...the list goes on and on...

12. Pittsburgh is filled with diverse communities…

Our communities are as diverse as the people who call Pittsburgh home. From Bloomfield (Pittsburgh's Little Italy) to Polish Hill and beyond, Pittsburgh lays claim to a rich cultural heritage.

13. ...friendly people who always offer a helping hand…

Pittsburghers always have a friendly smile to those they meet and, when it comes to helping, those same Pittsburghers will lend a hand or donate their funds, time, or talents to help make a difference in the city.

14. …some of the country's best museums…

Science, art, natural history, Pittsburgh history, and sports come alive at the Pittsburgh museums – the Carnegie Science Center, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Heinz History Center, and the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, for example – that draw visitors from around the country.

15. ...and a rich past.

Pittsburgh has played a pivotal role in our nation's history since its earliest days in 1758.

16. Wherever life takes you and wherever you roam, Pittsburgh will always be here to welcome you home.

Lift up your glass (or give us a like) and toast the beautiful city we all call home.

Of course, these are but 16 of the many, many undeniable reasons Pittsburgh will always be home. And, Pittsburghers always know that, if they leave for a few weeks or years at a time, they'll always find loved ones waiting back home with welcoming arms.