Attention, 2009 AG-ers:

Welcome to Pittsburgh,
“America’s Most Livable City”

by local Mensan Ron Koch
  

America’s most livable city? Says who? Places Rated Almanac, that’s who. And the city has earned that accolade twice, actually, most recently in 2007.

Why Pittsburgh? Well, a long list of reasons put Pittsburgh at the top, and Places Rated will surely be happy to enumerate — but, in a nutshell, it’s because Pittsburgh is “user friendly,” with lots to do. If you're interested in touring the area on your own, here are some recommendations about what to see.

For starters, Pittsburgh is very walkable. Not only is it easy to walk around the city, but there is a wide range of things to do and see within easy walking distance of the AG hotel, the historic Omni William Penn. For our purposes here, let’s call "easy walking distance" a mile. Most people can handle a mile. In fact we probably exceed that on a typical trip to the local mall. So, within that mile you can walk to:

• Point State Park. This is where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers meet to form the Ohio River. The large urban park is beautifully highlighted at the Point by a 200-foot-high fountain, with water supplied by an aquifer. This spot marks the location where Lewis and Clark started their historical expedition.
• The Fort Pitt Museum and Blockhouse at the confluence is also where the French, British and Indians battled for control of this early “Gateway to the West.”
• PNC Park — home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and widely regarded as America’s finest baseball park. The Pirates play at home on July 1, too.
• The Andy Warhol Museum, the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single artist.
• PPG Place — the world’s tallest glass building. You’ll be entertained by the fountain and amazed at the architecture of this stunning office tower. Be sure to visit the relaxing Wintergarden room, which is open to the public.
• Market Square — the historic center of “Old Pittsburgh.” You can visit several locally owned restaurants or toss back a few at the taverns.
• The Cultural District, which includes Heinz Hall (home of the World Class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra), The Byham, The O’Reilly Public Theater, The Cabaret Theater at Theater Square, and The Benedum Center For the Performing Arts. Enjoy a wide selection of wonderful restaurants, too.
• Station Square. The renovated P & LE train station and freight houses now feature specialty shops and dining of all types, plus historical artifacts from both the steel and rail industries. And the trains still rumble by.
• The Monongahela Incline. Take a beautiful ride on a 19th-century cable car to Grandview Avenue and perhaps the most startlingly beautiful cityscape in North America. There are four spectacular overlooks, so bring your camera.
  Then, visit historic Shilo Street for a meal or a snack; it’s right around the corner.
• Narrated tours. The Gateway Clipper Fleet offers everything from a one-hour river sightseeing tour aboard a sternwheeler to a four-hour dinner/dance cruise, plus lots of choices in between. Just Ducky Tours takes you in and out of the water, while Lenzner Trolley Tours and Molly’s Trolley offer half-day and full-day excursions.
• Senator John Heinz History Center. This Smithsonian-affiliated museum, the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, takes you through the rich history of the region and includes a museum within a museum with the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
• August Wilson Center For African American Culture — this entirely new facility in honor of our homegrown playwright is scheduled to open in early 2009.
• Fireworks. You’ll be here for the July 4 show, and it’s likely to be one of the best displays you’ll ever witness. Fireworks are launched from riverboat barges and bridges. The fireworks and the reflections on the rivers, the buildings atop Mt. Washington and those in the city, especially PPG Place, make for a truly awesome display.
• Bicycle, walk, hike. All three rivers have scenic trails located right next to the city. You can rent a bike or just stroll. Want to get a little wet? Rent a kayak.

There are some great places just outside our one-mile criteria — just a little farther but still walkable for most folks. Of course, public transportation is also available to reach those places, and it is free of charge within the downtown area. Here are a few:

• America’s only National Aviary, home to more than 600 feathered friends. The facility includes some hands-on opportunities plus free-flight shows twice a day.
• Children’s Museum. If you are bringing the kids, this is a must. Not only is it loads of fun, the kids will learn something, too.
• Mattress Factory — a museum of contemporary art by artists from around the world. The unique exhibits are ever-changing and engage all of your senses.
• The Strip District — one of the most eclectic shopping experiences you can find. You needn’t buy anything; just go and look. It’s roughly 10 blocks by two blocks of gritty old buildings filled with one-of-a-kind shops, cafes, ethnic foods, street vendors, and lots and lots of people. It's open every day, but Saturday is the busiest.
• Duquesne Incline. This 19th-century cable car is the most photographed of our two inclines because it overlooks our front yard, Point State Park. This incline takes you to the other half of the beautiful Grandview Avenue, lined with first-class restaurants offering magnificent views of the city. At the top there is also an observation deck and a free museum.
• Heinz Field — home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and The University of Pittsburgh Panthers, plus a venue for many summer concerts. The Steelers will not be playing, but you can still take in the Steelers Great Hall.
• Carnegie Science Museum — an entertaining and educational trip for all ages. Visit the new 6,000-square-foot robotics exhibit with its own hall of fame. And be sure to check out the submarine docked nearby; you can even go inside.

Also within easy reach (within 30 minutes) via public transport are:

• The South Side — this wonderful mixture of the old and the new includes restaurants, taverns, shops, clubs, trails and homes.
• Oakland. Almost a city in itself, this neighborhood is home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham College. On Pitt’s campus, visit the Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms and tour Heinz Chapel with its beautiful architecture and unique glass windows. The Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History houses one of the most extensive dinosaur exhibits in the world, one of the best gemstone exhibits anywhere and a superb art collection. Phipps Conservatory features 14 large rooms of seasonally changing floral splendor.
• Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. One ticket buys admission to both; baby elephants, baby tigers and baby chimpanzees compete for your attention against underwater views of polar bears, otters, stingrays and giant fish.
• Kennywood Park — America’s finest traditional amusement park. Besides the great rides (including five roller coasters) it is a National Landmark. Loads of fun!

In the surrounding countryside, you will find an abundance of things to do and see within a two-hour drive:

• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater is among the most popular.
• Take in an Amish community.
• Visit the Laurel Mountains.
• See historic sites like Fort Necessity and Fort Ligonier.
• Drive along the first National Road.
• Visit Meadowcroft, a 16,000-year-old human settlement.

And there is much, much more.

On a personal note...

A few years after I retired, I had the opportunity to join VisitPittsburgh, the official tourism promotional agency for Allegheny County, as a part-time employee. A few days a month I work at the Visitor Center downtown, and I love my job. I get to meet people from all over the country, and from around the world, and to help them enjoy our city and its environs.

My greatest joy is in hearing the comments from amazed visitors. “I can’t believe how beautiful Pittsburgh is.” "What a clean city.” “There’s so much to do.” “I’ve never seen a city with so many trees and flowers and all the beautiful bridges.” “Pittsburgh has a European atmosphere.” “I’m coming back.” And the biggest kicker: “Pittsburghers are the nicest people.”

As a member of Western Pennsylvania Mensa, I am registered for the AG. I’ll try to be around as much as possible and will attempt to make myself both visible and available to help you find your way around. Better than that, go to the Visitor Center at 420 Liberty Avenue. There is always a qualified person there each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they have all the brochures and maps.

So please enjoy what Pittsburgh and its countryside has to offer. You may want to consider extending your stay to be sure you experience it all. Look into our Web site at VisitPittsburgh.com for further information.

I look forward to seeing you here and welcoming you to America’s Most Livable City.

Ron Koch