36 Hours in Pittsburgh

Steel City. The City of Bridges. The City of Champions (this title is debatable). Whatever you call it, Pittsburgh is a true gem of a city along the rust belt of America. It’s rich history and breathtaking natural landscape make it a great city to spend a quick weekend in. With dozens of unique neighborhoods, endless opportunities for photo ops, and cultural cuisine, Pittsburgh is any modern millennials ideal weekend getaway. Pack your best looks, charge up your phone, and get ready to have your IG popping for weeks.

First stop is lunch. Head to the Southside neighborhood and dine at Carmi Soul Food, an award-winning soul food restaurant that lives up to its reputation. If seeing nothing but black folk in a city that’s being gentrified faster than you can say, “Organic Free Range Chickens” doesn’t make you want to throw up a strong fist for black power, trust and believe me, the food at this restaurant will.

Order the Smothered Chops, fried to perfection then smothered with homemade gravy, peppers and onions served with two sides of your choice and piece of cornbread. Frying pork chops is a skillset reserved for the advanced culinary community and it was obvious that the chops I had were touched by the hands of a master fryer. I hate it when chicken or chops are fried horribly and the gravy is used to cover it up.

My only true complaint was, and this sadly should not be a surprise, was the service. It was slow, slow, slow. I root for everybody black. But I swear my people need to get it together. It’s a trademark of soul food places. The crappier the service, the tastier the food. Be prepared to have to wait for an indefinite amount of time to be seated and ask your server a million times just to bring you a glass of water. But all your frustration will melt away the minute you take a fork full of collard greens.

Next, head to the Duquesne Incline. For peak views of Downtown Pittsburgh head up to the observation deck, and get instaworthy shots of the Steel City. You can also ride a restored cable car down the incline and hear more about the history of Pittsburgh in the upper-level museum.

After you’re done taking sky-high views, make your way over to the Oakland neighborhood, home to the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Essential to any visit is a stop at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. A landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 535-foot-tall Cathedral is the second-tallest educational building in the world. From the ground floor all the up to the top, this architectural marvel is impressive all the way through. Ride a speedy elevator ride up to the top and take in views on all sides of Pittsburgh. On a clear day, you can see the peak and valley laden landscape of Pittsburgh for miles.

If you’re a movie buff, you can also snag a pic on the steps of CMU’s Mellon Institute, home to the iconic City Hall fight scene from “The Dark Knight Rises”.

Is your stomach grumbling? Head downtown to the Cultural District and catch a play and bite to eat afterward at Meat and Potatoes. True to its name, this place is not for vegans or those on a low carb diet. I would highly recommend the Lamb Shank. The meat was tender and fell right off the bone. The sauces, veggies, and grains all meshed together in such a tasty way, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in quite some time. Make a reservation as the place is usually packed and bustling.

Next, walk off your high-calorie meal by taking a stroll over to Point State Park. Where the Duquesne Incline gives you high-level views of the City of Bridges, the point will get you down low and close to the waterfront giving yet another opportunity for an impromptu photo shoot. From the point, you can see Heinz Field, several of the many bridges that connect the city, and, catch a beautiful sunset as it sets beyond the rolling hills and valleys of Pittsburgh.

Hopefully, you saved room for dessert. Drive over to Lawrenceville and grab a slice of pie or cake at the Butterwood Bake Consortium. All pastries are baked with organic daisy flour, wholesome sweeteners, organic evaporated Caine juice and local, organic eggs. I’m a sucker for a good slice of cake, but with cake names like, “Lavender Raspberry Buttercream and Rose Water Cake with Pistachio Cream” I was skeptical. Let. Me. Tell. You. They sold me instantly. One bite was all I needed to wolf down what was clearly several times the daily sugar intake.

What I love most is that this shop stays open late so if you’re looking for an alternative to getting drinks, you can end your night with a sugar sweet treat instead.

Finally, call it a night, recharge your phone and rest your achy feet. What makes Pittsburgh unique is it’s varying neighborhoods, each area offers a different culture and vibe. There are lots of great hotel options, so pick one in an area that matches your personality.

Refuel and hit the road. Grab brunch and head out! The city of bridges is also the city of brunches. Whether you’re in the mood for locally sourced breakfast options or a grand cuisine experience. Although I didn’t get to brunch myself, I have a shortlist of place to check out for my next visit.

Let me know what places you visit on your trip to Pitt and tell me your recommendations below.