Dan Eldridge - Moon Pittsburgh

DAN ELDRIDGE

Although the Steel City is world-renowned for its industrial past, almost no vestiges of that era remain today. At the beginning of the 21st century, Pittsburgh is nothing less than a remarkable model of Rustbelt Renewal. Visitors are often astonished to discover not only acres of green parkland and miles of biking and jogging trails, but also fresh air.

The renewed and revitalized Pittsburgh is about much more than just greener flora and healthier fauna. During your exploration of the citys distinct neighborhoods, you can expect to encounter contemporary art galleries, high-end eateries, and million-dollar sports stadiums.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is famous for its Dinosaurs in Their Time exhibit. The Andy Warhol Museum is a fascinating tribute to one of the citys most famous sons and the largest single-artist museum in the United States. And the citys historical funiculars, the Monongahela and the Duquesne Inclines, continue to shuttle tourists and local commuters up and down Mount Washington.

Whether its ancient history or postmodern culture youve come to explore, youll find what youre looking for in todays Pittsburgh. This is a city that honors its blue-collar history and yet keeps an eye on the future. It continues to be one of Americas most tenacious and unusual urban landscapes.

Also known as the Golden Triangle, Pittsburghs Downtown is where youll find the Cultural District, which offers Broadway-style entertainment and the occasional concert. Downtown is also home to its fair share of highly regarded eateries, contemporary art galleries, and a few museums, the largest by far being the August Wilson Center for African American Culture. Following a massive renovation, the grandeur of Downtowns Point State Park has grown even more awe-inspiring. Downtown is also where youll find the bus and train stations, the Welcome Pittsburgh visitors center, and probably your hotel.

A formerly industrial area filled with warehouses and loft buildings, the Strip District plays two separate but important roles in the life of the city. During the day, the area is visited largely for its produce dealers and ethnic restaurants, which line the parallel thoroughfares of Penn Avenue and Smallman Street. But once night falls, clubgoers fill the districts bars and dance clubs in full force. Saturday morning is the time to see the Strip at its best.

Situated just across the Allegheny River from Downtown, the majority of the North Sides main attractions can be found in the area known as the North Shore, which is spread out alongside the river. The Pirates and the Steelers have been battling it out on their respective fields for years, although the North Shore is also home to the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center, and Rivers Casino. Head a bit farther into the heart of the North Side to visit cant-miss attractions like the National Aviary, the Childrens Museum of Pittsburgh, and the Mattress Factory.

the National Aviary

Oakland

Sometimes referred to as Pennsylvanias third-largest downtown, Oakland is the citys university district. Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh are the best known of Oaklands institutions of higher learning. The main branch of the Carnegie Library