Pittsburgh: Imagine What you can do Here!
by Joe McGrath

“If Pittsburgh were situated somewhere in the heart of Europe, tourists would eagerly journey hundreds of miles out of their way to visit it.” Brendan Gill, The New Yorker

With its breathtaking skyline, sparkling clean rivers and friendly people, it’s no wonder that Pittsburgh holds a special place in the hearts and in the minds of those who know it. From the magnificent views from atop Mt. Washington to the unique ethnic neighborhoods that form the fabric of the city, Pittsburgh is a city like no other.

In fact, the New York Times called Pittsburgh “the only city with an entrance.” And, visitors entering Pittsburgh through the Fort Pitt Tunnel will surely agree as they’re greeted by an urban vista that is second to none. It’s not surprising that the view from Mt. Washington ranked second on USA Weekend magazine’s list of the 10 most beautiful views in America.

And, the views aren’t the only things to love about Pittsburgh. Few cities of any size can match what Pittsburgh has to offer. Indeed, visitors to the region – more than ten million annually – will discover a wealth of attractions, culture, and history in Pittsburgh.

So Much To Do
Pittsburgh’s thriving Cultural District, the fourteen-square-block area in the forefront of the city's third Renaissance effort, offers performances by the world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Broadway Series, and Pittsburgh Opera. A new Cabaret at Theater Square features an intimate setting and year-round programming.

Throughout the city, other performance venues are packed with possibilities. From the South Side’s City Theatre, which has been described as Pittsburgh’s most adventurous theatre to Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, which has preserved the city’s jazz legacy, there is something for everyone.

Pittsburgh’s love affair with art doesn’t take a back seat either. Pittsburgh, in fact, is consistently ranked among the top arts Pittsburgh: Imagine What you can do Here! by Joe McGrath destinations in the world.

In Oakland, the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History are home to a fine collection of Impressionist, Post- Impressionist, and contemporary works, as well as one of the world’s largest dinosaur and finest gem collections. (The new Dinosaurs in their World exhibit is slated to open in 2007.)

On the North Shore, the Andy Warhol Museum, a seven-story museum featuring the work of pop artist and Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol, features an extensive permanent collection of art and archives showcasing one of the most influential American artists of the 20th Century. The renowned Mattress Factory, one of the few museums of its kind, is known throughout the world for its room-sized environments created by in-residence artists.

Art lovers will also enjoy Wood Street Galleries, which features multi-disciplinary artists from all over the world. And, the Society for Contemporary Craft presents high-quality exhibitions and educational programs showcasing work by nationally and internationally known artists.

Family Fun for Everyone
When it comes to family fun, Pittsburgh could be called “Kidsburgh” for all of the things there are to see and do!

A must for all visitors is a ride on the historic Duquesne or Monongahela Inclines to the top of Mt. Washington to get the perfect bird’s eye view of the city and rivers below. Kennywood Park, Pittsburgh’s national historic landmark amusement park is another tradition not to be missed.

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium features a new polar bear exhibit, complete with a bear den, waterfall, and pool that lets visitors get eyeball-to-eyeball to polar bears. And, the National Aviary is the nation’s premier bird park featuring more than 600 exotic birds in natural habitats.

If gardens are your thing, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is a delight any time of year. Phipps is always blooming with tropical plants, a butterfly garden, Bonsai, miniature orchids, and seasonal flower exhibits please the senses. A new 12,000-square-foot Tropical Forest immerses visitors in a tropical paradise of thriving plants and towering trees.

Winter blahs? Not in downtown Pittsburgh. During the winter months, PPG Plaza in downtown Pittsburgh is home to an ice skating rink that’s larger than the rink at Rockefeller Center. During the holiday season, look for the plaza’s traditional 60-foot tree which is replaced by a fountain during the warmer months – it makes for a great gathering place for people of all ages to cool off!

Young children get the hands-on green light at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, an award-winning museum, full of interactive exhibits. Carnegie Science Center boasts one of the world’s most sophisticated interactive planetariums, a four-story domed OMNIMAX Theater, and a WWII submarine. And science meets sports in real and virtual adventures at the UPMC SportsWorks.

History buffs can learn about the rich heritage of the Pittsburgh region at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, which houses six floors of permanent and changing exhibits, including artifacts from the Smithsonian Institution. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum celebrates the region’s rich sports tradition and captures the story of Pittsburgh sports through artifacts, hands-on interactive exhibits, and audiovisual programs.

Big Things Happening
Pittsburgh is getting ready to party like it’s 2008. Next year marks the 250th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh region and plans are underway for an elaborate, multiyear celebration. From the completion of the Great Allegheny Passage trail to the opening of the renovated Point State Park, from reunions to other special events, the Pittsburgh region is beginning to celebrate its 250th birthday in a big way.

Part of that celebration is the “Year of Glass” in 2007. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Pittsburgh Glass Center will join together for a citywide collaboration surrounding the much-hailed art form of glass. At Phipps, “Chihuly at the Conservatory: A Garden of Glass” is expected to be an incredible, one-of-a-kind exhibit that runs May 12, 2007 through November 2007 with hopes of extending the exhibit to February 2008.

And, Pittsburgh will be in the swing of things when Oakmont Country Club makes history as it hosts the U.S. Open Golf Championship June 11-17, 2007. This marks the first time that the U.S. Open has returned to a course eight times. Known for its deep, thick rough and fast, hard greens, the course at prestigious Oakmont Country Club is regarded as one of the most challenging in the country.

Pittsburgh has always been an avid sports town, and both football and baseball are played in newer ballparks on the North Shore. PNC Park, a 38,000-seat classic baseball park which was designed with a center field that presents a dramatic view of Pittsburgh’s skyline, was ranked best ballpark in baseball by ESPN.com. Nearby Heinz Field is a 65,000-seat stadium that provides another breathtaking view of the river and city, and sets the scene for Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers football. A ‘hockey night’ with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the “Igloo” – otherwise known as Mellon Arena – is another way for sports fans to get their game on!

Into the Neighborhoods
Located at the confluence of three rivers and banked on all sides by green hills, Pittsburgh is ripe for discovery.

Pittsburgh’s 88 distinct neighborhoods offer unique treasures and experiences. Hospitality abounds in these diverse ethnic neighborhoods, offering visitors a sampling of food, culture, festivals, and celebrations inspired and influenced by the city’s history and ethnic heritage. In the city’s neighborhoods, get to know the character – and characters – that make us proud to call Pittsburgh home.

Coffee houses, book stores, and numerous art galleries are nestled along East Carson Street in the distinctive South Side neighborhood. The new SouthSide Works, is a 340-acre lifestyle development that includes a unique mix of shopping, entertainment, and restaurant options.

In the Strip District at night, the clubs are hot, the food is spicy, and the dance floors pulse to the sounds of rock, blues, jazz, and swing. By day, the Strip is alive with street vendors and shoppers buying the freshest breads, pastries, cheeses, coffees, and ethnic specialties.

Just beyond the Strip is the 16:62 Design Zone, Pittsburgh’s growing arts and interior design district. This unique destination, which extends from the 16th Street Bridge in the Strip to the 62nd Street Bridge in Lawrenceville, includes an eclectic range of shops, art galleries, and cafes.

The East End neighborhoods of Shadyside, Oakland, and Squirrel Hill make for a fabulous day of shopping – whether the goal is to find a designer dress, gourmet kitchen gadget, kosher deli, or import store.

Getting Around
One of America’s safest and “most livable” cities, downtown restaurants, theaters, and shops are easily accessed on foot or on the “T,” an underground rail system that is free within the downtown area.

Off shore, visitors can experience the city’s breathtaking skyline and beauteous architecture on a river cruise. Pittsburgh’s three rivers provide 38 miles of downtown shoreline for recreation. Riverfront trails lead visitors on a scenic path that connects the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with the Cultural District, Point State Park, PNC Park, Heinz Field, and the Strip District.

And, it’s worth noting that J.D. Power & Associates rated Pittsburgh International Airport number one in the United States and number two in the world.

Visitors can escape to Pittsburgh and its countryside to uncover Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, located less than 90 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.

There is so much to see and do in Pittsburgh, just imagine what you can do here!

—Joseph McGrath is president and CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Convention

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