If I were to take you around Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers and more bridges than Venice, I would tell you, “This is a tour according to Barbara. It will lack substantial facts of the city, but it will be filled with giggles, heart-to-hearts, and silly voices.”
First, you and I would ditch whatever mode of transportation we entered the city in, whether car, train, or bus. To really see a city, you must take to the streets. Shoes tied snuggly, and purse wedged full of essentials (water bottle, apple, a book to read).
And it’s off to my favorite haunts (because isn’t that Pittsburgh, according to me?).
We’d stroll around the campus of the University of Pittsburgh, enjoying the diversity of age and student. We might duck into the Carnegie Library of Oakland where we can peek in at the dinosaurs of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and gawk at the people filing through the museum. Then, if you’re in the mood for a good view, up to the top of the Cathedral of Learning we’d go by elevator, pretending to be students but failing miserably.
I took my friend Marianne from Fresh Words through some of my favorite spots of Pittsburgh when she came into town for a writer’s conference. We had such fun, if I do say so myself!
But back to what you and I would do!
Then, we’d amble down South Craig Street, bopping in and out of shops on whatever whim we so fancy whether it be noodles, old books, harem pants, or frozen yogurt. I think a part of me believes that this little street secretly opens to another world.
And then, if you’re still up for adventure, we could kayak on the river to see the city from a whole other perspective. If wet isn’t something you like, then to the Strip District (don’t get any ideas, friend) we would allow our feet to wander—a modern day market district of a sort with quaint shops of all kinds, some beautiful and others solely practical. An experience for all your senses. And if you don’t mind a sidewalk trek, we would turn away from the main section and head into the quietness of the Strip District, looking for an ice cream parlor of yesterday. Just when we’d wonder if we would ever find it, we’d see it’s glowing window: Klavon’s.
These are a few of my favorite parts of Pittsburgh, but there are so many other things I could share. Fireworks on the 4th of July on top of Mt. Washington or from Schenley Park where you can see the fireworks of at least five communities. Shows in Heinz Hall. Baseball games at PNC Park. Smiley cookies from Eat ‘N Park.
What About You?
Have you ever visited Pittsburgh? Did you have a favorite sight or activity? Tell me in the comments below so I can check it out next time I’m there!
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