The Newcomers Guide to Pittsburgh
Welcome to Pittsburgh! We know how overwhelming it can be moving to a new city, so we’re here to help. Click through the stories below and learn how to talk like a local, navigate your way around town, and take a tour of some of our favorite places in the city. • Pittsburghese Dictionary: How…
Pittsburghese Dictionary: How to translate the Yinzer vocabulary
You have probably noticed the T-shirts emblazoned with the word “yinz” being sold all over the city. Yes, it’s the Pittsburgh way to say “you all.” But please don’t start saying it. Please don’t say “yinz.” Pittsburghers are sometimes called Yinzers, and the word is unique to the region. But that doesn’t mean everyone says…
Newcomer Transit Guide: Tips for getting around Pittsburgh on public transit, bicycle, car, or foot
Getting around Pittsburgh can be intimidating for anybody, but for transplants, it can be a bewildering, anxiety-laden endeavor. Many streets have small road signs or none at all, and some intersections resemble deformed starfish instead of typical four-way stops with traffic signals. The hills don’t make anything easier. The confusion can lead newcomers to avoid…
Take a guided tour of Pittsburgh by land or river
It’s OK to play tourist for a day. Even locals do it from time to time. There are a lot of great options for exploring the city on a guided tour without having to navigate traffic. Here are a few of our favorites: Hitch a ride on one of the boats of the Gateway Clipper…
PGH FAQ: The important things newcomers need to know
How do I report a crime? For emergencies, you can call 9-1-1 within Allegheny County, and if you have a hearing/speech impairment, or feel unsafe to speak on the phone, you can send a text message to a 911 operator from a mobile phone. (Send text only, no photos or videos.) How do I report…
The Newcomers Guide to Bloomfield-Garfield
Old and new: That’s the simplest way to describe Bloomfield and Garfield. The two adjoining neighborhoods are home to a growing influx of younger residents, while still accommodating long timers. There are still smoker-friendly bars and old-school Italian joints, but also new gluten-free bakeries and hip spots with rotating cocktail menus. And, of course, places…
The Newcomers Guide to Oakland
Go Pitt! But also, go Carnegie Mellon! Additionally, go Carlow! Oakland is home to three urban college campuses and has the cultural amenities to show for it. There are museums, libraries, and concert venues — plus bars and restaurants with late-night specials to fit student budgets. It’s also widely known for its medical centers, including…
The Newcomers Guide to South Side
When the sun goes down on any given night of the week, South Side’s main drag turns into one massive bar crawl. You’ll find everything from old-school drinking holes like Dee’s Café (deescafe.com) with its cheap beer and pool tables, to Acacia (acaciacocktails.com), a cocktail bar designed in Prohibition-era style. But while this neighborhood stays…
The Newcomers Guide to Squirrel Hill
Squirrel Hill is one of the city’s largest neighborhoods and is widely known as the cultural center of Pittsburgh’s Jewish population. Besides the kosher grocery stores and delis, you’ll find the Jewish Community Center (jccpgh.org), which offers everything from gym and dance classes, to a small gallery and an exhibit space. There’s even more to…
The Newcomers Guide to the Strip District
This neighborhood is particularly popular for newcomers. The Strip District has served as a wholesale and warehouse hub for years, but over the last decade or so, it has been transitioning to a home for high-tech businesses with adjoining apartments and condos. But since the neighborhood wasn’t really residential before, most people residing in The…
The Newcomers Guide to North Side
The North Side might be best known as the place for watching two of Pittsburgh’s most iconic institutions. It’s true: The Pittsburgh Pirates (mlb.com/pirates) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (steelers.com) play their home games at PNC Park and Heinz Field, respectively, but that’s not all there is to this part of town. The North Side is…
The Newcomers Guide to Downtown Pittsburgh
Forget what you’ve heard about Pittsburgh being a steel town. Sure, we root for the Steelers and you can still find some steel mills on the outskirts of town, but the dark, smoke-filled streets of Downtown Pittsburgh’s past have been replaced with a thriving Cultural District, a project of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Head to a…
The Newcomers Guide to East Liberty
If you haven’t visited Pittsburgh for a few years, you’ll have a hard time recognizing East Liberty. Of all the neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, it has gone through one of the starkest transformations in recent years. With new condos and development come a complicated crossroads of its community’s history and the effect of gentrification on the…
The Newcomers Guide to Lawrenceville
If you are new to Pittsburgh, it’s likely you’ve spent time in Lawrenceville. The former industrial neighborhood has become the “it” place for people to stroll, drink, shop, and eat. During the weekends, Butler Street is hopping with visitors and locals enjoying the cavalcade of hip restaurants, trendy boutiques, and popular bars. Industry Public House…
The Newcomers Guide to Shadyside
If you want to buy some happiness, head to Shadyside. This neighborhood is best known for the shops lining Walnut Street. You’ll find a “see and be seen” kind of crowd here, carrying shopping bags from chain retail stores like Gap, Banana Republic, William Sonoma, Apple, and Sephora. Plus, local shops like Weisshouse Pittsburgh (weisshouse.com)…
