I am a yinzer through and through and cherish all the history that is Pittsburgh…read more Carrie Furnaces are no different. The tours are incredible and you learn so much. I come from a long line of steelworkers and thought I pretty much knew all there was to know. That was, until the tour. The tour guide was extremely informative. Most of the folks working (volunteering) at Carrie have some connection to the steel industry. In addition to the tour, I have had the privilege of attending events there as well. Yep, they rent out the space. Everything was well put together at the events and having the furances as backdrop took it to the next level. As far as the tours go, I feel so strongly that Pittsburgh natives and tourists alike take one. It's really incredible to learn how much of the country was built because of Carrie.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Keith! He had to do much first hand knowledge of the facility,…read morehaving worked there himself when he graduated the army. The tour lasted about 2.5 hours and was mostly outside in direct sunlight. There were a few opportunities for shade, but not many. If you come on a hot day, plan to arrive hydrated and grab a complimentary water bottle from the check in desk. You'll need it. Parking is plentiful, the history is intriguing, and the art scattered about the property is thoughtful and engaging. If you're lucky, you'll spot some wildlife who inhabit the surrounding area.

"Meet me under the Kaufmann's Clock." How many times have you uttered those words when making plans…read moreto meet up with friends or family? Countless times for Pittsburgh natives like myself! This has been a popular meeting spot for decades. In fact ever since it came into existence and though Kaufmann's is long gone (1887-2015-sold to the May Company in 1946), the iconic clock remains. Note-this actually isn't the original clock. The original was installed in the 1800s. This one has been around since 1913 and is an official entry on Atlas Obscura. Did you know it weighs over 2500 pounds and is made of pure bronze? Yep! This historic landmark is a legendary piece of downtown Pittsburgh history. It's something cherished and beloved by all. If you find yourself downtown, get over to the corner of Fifth & Smithfield to meet someone under the Kaufmann's Clock.

An ornate 2,500-pound bronze clock has hung at the corner of Smithfield Street and Fifth Avenue in…read moredowntown Pittsburgh since 1913. On the corner of the downtown Kaufmann's department store, central location in Downtown Pittsburgh made the clock a popular meeting place. The clock was declared a landmark in 1981. A wedding even took place under the clock in 1996. Today the building houses apartments, a hotel and hopefully soon, a Target.

4.5 stars. The Point State Park Fountain is located where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet…read moreto form the Ohio River. It was built in 1974 and renovated in recent years. Operational in warm seasons, the fountain water comes from pumps, and its height of up to 150 feet is adjusted by park staff depending on weather conditions. For many years, I have visited Point State Park to view this fountain. Most recently I visited on a hot day in June, and the wind blew a refreshing mist of fountain water onto me. The fountain looked beautiful, especially with the backdrop of the rivers, football stadium, and boats sailing by.

An iconic Pittsburgh landmark! The fountain is at the middle of the "point" part of Point State…read morePark. It is a really cool site to see and love that you can spot it from so many different vantage points and angles! It was recently renovated again (although I'm not even sure what they did or if there were any real changes). I think my favorite vantage point is trying to catch a glimpse coming out of the Fort Pitt Tunnel. Either that or if I'm lucky enough to be on a boat that makes a pass past the fountain. (like the Gateway Clipper). It is also great to visit up close which is where you get a real sense of just how high the fountain really shoots! (Although on windy or otherwise bad weather days they can adjust the height to prevent issues). The fountain is a great gathering space. You see all sorts of pictures being snapped here. Weddings, proposals, families, proms etc. It makes for some really great people watching.

There is really not a lot of information on this parklet out there. When I came by all that was…read morehere was the plaque I took a picture of. Doing a search of the man this is named for doesn't pull up much. But here is what I got from what I could find. Charles A Lewis was a dedicated firefighter and union activist. He loved what he did and was good at it and rose through the ranks at Pittsburgh Fire Department and eventually served as Chief. During his tenure he also served as President of Firefighters Local #1 before becoming Chief. Charles was instrumental is starting the Fill the Boot fundraising campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. It was a big success and went nationwide with other Locals. As far as the land that this parklet sits on, it was once a police station. Closed long ago and sitting there in disrepair. Charles suggested that the use the land to create this parklet for the people of Mt. Washington to enjoy. I will say, he was right. This little parklet has a grotto feel. The brick arch, the mural on the wall, seating and tons of plants everywhere. It's a nice little spot to tank break during a busy day. You almost forget you are at the corner of a busy intersection.

Once the site of the Mt Washington station of the Pittsburgh police, this is the classic reversal…read moreof Joni Mitchell's classic Big Yellow Taxi. "Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" So on the corner of Shiloh Street and Virginia Ave is Charles Lewis Parklet, where an ugly building once stood, a tiny parklet sits complete with foliage,benches, art, and ambiance. Charles Lewis was the Pittsburgh fire fighter who founded the fill the boot drive, that today, Pittsburgh Fire-fighters still do today. Beautiful architecture makes this a great and idea spot for picnics, killing some time on a warm summer day, or spending time with someone special. "They took all the trees and put 'em in a tree museum And then they charged all the people twenty-five bucks just to see 'em Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got till it's gone They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" Good to see that some smart people in the Mt Washington Developmental Community are thinking green.

If you are new to Pittsburgh, the name can be a bit confusing, but it refers to being a literal…read morestrip of land between the river and steeper banks. Although some also say it is from the strip mills that were once in the area. Regardless of how it got its name, it is a wonderful place that anyone spending time in Pittsburgh should visit! There are restaurants of every variety. Polish, Vietnamese, seafood, Italian and the original Primanti Brothers location! There is a winery, butcher shop, places to buy kitchen items, a spice store, tons of Pittsburgh themed sports and souvenir shops. Candy stores, Pittsburgh popcorn. Maybe the most known entity is Wholey's Market with their amazing selection of fresh seafood. The strip is always busy during the day, especially on Saturday and Sunday. It is a little less crazy in the evenings because a lot of the retail stores are only open until 5, but there are still plenty of great spots to grab a bite. It is easily walkable and there are a wide variety of parking options (a municipal garage near one end, surface lots, metered spots and some businesses (like Wholey's) have their own lots. What is great is that anyone can enjoy the Strip District. You can enjoy time with your family, wander on your own, have a girls day our or have a date day. So many fun things to choose from. Definitely one of the top Pittsburgh "things to do"

Yes it's a must see strip. Lots of food places , something for everyone. Cafes to choose from …read more Shopping , road side vendors. We went to play mini golf, amazing place , it's huge, kids area is separate, restaurants is separate, people host birthdays, there is a bar, but lots of shops closes at 4 pm on a Sunday .

Such an impressive and massive piece of architecture. Opening in 1971 and to this day still the…read moretallest skyscraper in Pittsburgh with 64 floors and a rooftop that is home to a once functioning heliport. My office is in this building and though just on the 16th floor, the views are amazing. The hustle and bustle of this building which houses so many workers could easily be compared to similar skyscrapers in major cities.

Just because I know I could get more done if I got up earlier doesn't mean I have any intention of…read moreever trying it... Waked pass the U.S steel tower sooo many times...of cores i'm going to review this!! The US Steel building is the tallest building in Pittsburgh...It is the fourth tallest building in Pennsylvania (behind Comcast Center....One Liberty Place...and Two Liberty Place all in Philadelphia)....the 37th tallest building in the US.... and the 117th tallest in the world!!!!

Phipps is a must-visit spot if you ever come to Pittsburgh. This is our second visit and we really…read moreenjoy the current Alice-in-Wonderland theme. Definitely a perfect place for spending time with family and friends. Parking can be challenging if you go during holiday or weekend. We bought the tickets in advance online, but you can also purchase it at the entrance. Recommend bringing a water bottle since there are various water refilling station in the conservatory.

Absolutely incredible…read more I don't go to botanical gardens much so I don't really have qualifications to compare or rate any particular place but Phipps blew me away. I like plants. I have some. I thought seeing a bunch of plants might be fun but I wasn't expecting it to be such a wonderful experience! The place is quite large considering most of it is inside. It is organized for a few different environments and a little something for everyone depending on what your floral preferences might be. It took us about an hour and a half to go through the whole thing. Got a lot of pictures. Saw a lot of interesting and cool plants as well as beautiful flowers. Highly recommend this as a stop on any and every Pittsburgh trip.

The Union Trust Building in Pittsburgh is an architecture heaven. It's got a Gothic design with a…read morebeautiful grand rotunda dome and stained glass. Formerly known as the Union Arcade, it was commissioned by industrialist Henry Clay Frick and completed in 1916. It was designed by Frederick J. Osterling and the inspiration came from Cloth Hall in Ypres, Belgium. It was build for office space and shopping and that is its current use today.

A grand building that has been carefully restored. Built as the Union Arcade in 1915 by Henry Clay…read moreFrick, it was renamed the Union Trust in 1923. Unusual features include a theater, a huge bank vault plus 2 smaller vaults, and tunnels underneath that lead to surrounding buildings. New additions include a gym. The lobby is spectacular, and there is a central space where you can look all the way up to a beautiful glass dome. The rooftop reveals beautiful views of Downtown, and there are 2 chapel-like structures on top Urban Legend holds that because the original property was the site of Catholic cathedral, Frick agreed to a restrictive covenant that required him to build a church on top. A great story, however there was never any proof of that. The building's Gothic style continues the speculation, however false. One lovingly restored feature are the mosaic ceiling glass that you can still see in many of the arcades. In all, an amazing historical structure and a wonderful building.

I love the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Walking in feels more like entering a castle or historic…read morelandmark than a library. The building is beautiful, and every time I visit I notice something new. The staff are always welcoming, friendly, and willing to help, which makes the library feel comfortable and inviting. What I appreciate most is that there are so many activities and events that are free or very low cost. There are plenty of programs for teens, families, and adults, and everyone is welcome. It's definitely worth the drive from the suburbs if you're looking for a unique place to spend a few hours. Between the architecture, the helpful staff, and all the community events, it's one of the coolest libraries I've visited. I wish I would have known about this place when my boys were little, it would be a great stop after visiting the museum.

A beautiful library filled with tons of amazing resources and interesting and unique finds!…read moreOne of the things I loved was that this branch has a music library! I could spend all day just in that section. You can look at (and check out) all sorts of things from musical scores, concert programs, newspaper clippings and more. They even have instruments you can check out! I don't think there is any other library in the area that offers this sort of department. There is something for everyone here (and then some!). I've been here with my kids when they were babies and have taken them here for a variety of programs or even just to stop in when we are in the area. There are plenty of places to relax and enjoy your book (including a cafe) but lots of quiet nooks and seating areas as well. There is no parking lot specific to the library, but there is a ton of metered parking in the area. I highly recommend visiting this library, especially if you are looking for something unique. Or even just to enjoy some quiet time in a beautiful space.