10 Things to do in Pittsburgh’s Strip District
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
While living in Pittsburgh, Mike and I frequently spent out weekends hanging out in The Strip District. This historic section of the city is always busting with some type of event, plus there are so many unique restaurants and shops to explore. I love the local coffee shops, eccentric artwork, the many sports stands, and the historic charm.
What once was a hub for produce distribution has transformed into a trendy place to dine, shop, and live. In the 19th century, prominent companies including Heinz and US Steel resided here. Old factories and warehouses today stand as office space, coffeehouses, and restaurants. In recent years, many tech companies have taken up office space here including Facebook.
Despite the modern transformation, the area retains much of its’ grittiness, uniqueness, and local flavor. In a world of strip malls, it’s nice to explore these old neighborhoods which offer a mix of old and new.
Learn more about the history of this neighborhood
The 5 block Pittsburgh Produce terminal (the former, Pennsylvania Fruit Auction & Sales Building) is now a mini hub for dining, shopping, and fitness.
We spend a lot of time exploring this area over the course of the last year. My guide will include a mix of great food and entertainment you can enjoy in The Strip” as local ‘Burgh residents call it.
1. Treat yourself to a great cup of joe
What I love most about this neighborhood are the many wonderful coffee options. No Starbucks anywhere in sight which is fine by me! While some of these shops focus more on to-go business, there are also a few cozy options if you prefer to relax, socialize with friends, or enjoy a few cups of joe in a nice setting.
My current favorites:
La Prima Espresso – La Prima opened in 1988 mainly as a place to sell coffee equipment. This is the original location although you will also find a larger cafe downtown. They roast their own beans (certified organic) in small batches. Over 20 types of coffee can be ordered at their store or online. I would say this is the top quality coffee in the ‘Burgh although I am not a big fan of the seating area. They allow smoking on the patio which is a bit of bummer for me as I hate the smell and indoor seating is limited.
I give them bonus points for the convenient location adjacent to a local bakery called Colangelo’s. They serve so many different pastries daily, all baked fresh ons-ite (I recommend the sfogliatelle).
Defer – This hipster coffeehouse (located in an old industrial building) offers a spacious and colorful space to enjoy your drink. In addition to serving great coffee, they serve the best treats in the city. I recommend the Matcha Green Tea cake. As a bonus, they offer many GF, vegan, and health conscious menu items, making it the best choice for those following special diets.
This is one of the shops we come back to most often because we love the eclectic setting and top notch coffee. The ambiance is always busy and bustling with all different types of people. We love kicking back and enjoy the lively vibe with a free refill.
Prestogeorge Coffee & Tea – This long-running local gem serves fresh roasted coffee and tea. I’ll say the coffee and tea here are great, but unfortunately only take-out is available. I like sitting down to drink my coffee so they lose a few points here. On the bright side, their selection of loose leaf tea and coffee is massive (over 500 varieties). I’ve purchased a lot of great tea blends here. I often end up browsing around for at least an hour.
2. Go back in time at a retro diner
Two of the city’s most iconic diners have locations right in the midst of the bustling action. On any given weekend morning, you will see crowds of hungry locals and tourists lining up at Pamela’s and DeLuca’s. Both diners are old-school to the core, relatively affordable, and feature funky retro decor.
One of the first cafes we tried after moving here was Pamela’s as we heard many great things about their rolled crepe style pancakes. The setting is pretty old-school and colorful which is a nice bonus in today’s chain world. On a side note, even Obama enjoys Pamela’s pancakes (he stopped by on many Pittsburgh campaign visits).
3. Explore the Heinz History Center
The Smithsonian affiliated museum features 6 floors of historical and interpretative exhibits. Highlights here include: a Heinz ketchup exhibit, an exhibit highlighting the diverse cultural groups who settled the area, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum which explores the region’s sports history via artifacts and interactive experiences. Although the vibe is a bit dark and dreary, the historical significance alone makes the Heinz worthy of a visit.
What I loved the most was seeing the set and props from Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. I never knew this show was filmed here until moving to the region. You can read more about the show’s filming history in my guide.
Take a look at the full list of Heinz exhibits.
Also, be sure to look into the RAD Summer Staycation program where locals can receive free admission to this museum and many others in the city including The Andy Warhol and The Carnegie.
4. Take a bike ride along the Three Rivers Heritage trail
This 33 mile long urban bike trail is by far my favorite recreational path in the city. A short 2 mile portion of the trail can be accessed from The Strip District (hop on the path near The Yards apartment complex). It’s an easy summer ride and a great way to do some sightseeing and enjoy city attractions all in one place. Plus, you can enjoy a nice breakfast before starting your ride. I love just parking once and then enjoying all the city amenities.
I really love the views on this path – Mike and I were out here several times per month during the summer season. You will get to take in vistas of the Three Sisters iconic yellow bridges, the beautiful river, and other city sights until reaching historic Point State Park. From here, you can enjoy some nice views of the city, the iconic fountain, and some historical markers and museums the city’s involvement in the French and Indian war.
Tip: Get here early so you can find free street parking. I usually have no problem before 10am or so.
5. Enjoy a tasty blast to the past at Grandpa Joe’s
Grandpa Joe’s candy company has you covered for all your sweet needs. If you have a sweet tooth, you will definitely want to pop in to explore the extravagant selection. This retro shop is a fun place to pick up nostalgic candy, unique gifts, and simply just stroll around and enjoy the old-time setting. Most notably, they offer a Candy Buffet where you can fill up a box for just 5 bucks.
It’s a very whimsical and colorful shop and I feel Willy Wonka vibes when I walk in (that’s where the name came from!).
6. Shop for Italian specialties at Pennsylvania Macaroni Company
At this long running local gem, you can order specialty Italian goods from an on-site deli, purchase fresh local produce and high quality cheeses, and browse through over 5000 imported products. It’s a beautiful place to just stroll around even if you do not intend to buy anything! Lots of delicious looking cookies, pastries, and fresh bread! I do not have a huge sweet tooth, but even I am tempted by the enticing display of cookies (they are so good!).
7. Load up on Steelers merchandise
This is the best place in the city to find bargain Steelers products. Many a stand will greet you as you walk around the district. Yinzers in the ‘Burgh carries just about anything you can think of – it’s a must stop for any Steelers fan! While I am a New England Patriots fan and Mike a Chicago Bears fan, we still appreciate the passionate sports pride!
8. Shop ethnic markets and groceries
If you are seeking specialty food products, this is definitely the place to shop. From Polish, to Italian, to Mediterranean, to Asian, you will find a bit of everything here. You can find so many rare ingredients for making specialty dishes here over your typical grocery store. Take a quick walk around and you will see many produce stands, vendors selling fresh baked goods, and fish markets. If you like to eat, you are in a good company!
9. Explore the food scene
Many of the most highly regarded restaurants reside in this neighborhood. Primanti’s, a long time favorite, is known for their humongous sandwiches topped with fries and coleslaw (it’s a Pittsburgh thing!). Although there are now many locations, the original Primantis began as a simple sandwich cart in the Strip back in 1933. I am a vegetarian so I passed on their iconic sandwich, but Mike said it was pretty unique!
A few more of my recommendations:
Cafe Raymond – Trendy breakfast joint known for their Blueberry Ricotta pancakes. I have to say these were absolutely delicious and their coffee is great too!
S &D Polish Deli – Feast on authentic pierogies and potato pancakes. These are the best I’ve tasted in the region thus far.
Bella Notte – Casual Italian joint serving great pizza and pasta. They offer a bit of something for everyone – pictured here is a delicious veggie marinara I ordered. I love sitting on their patio during the summer months, especially when a festival is taking place.
10. Take in the local vibe at annual events
The Strip is a popular destination for events year-round. From outdoor yoga, to food festivals, to special holiday themed festivals, there is something on the calendar no matter when your visit falls. Rarely have I visited on a summer weekend and not seen some sort of festival going on. These events add a lot of energy to the air so the people watching is pretty fun.
The Holiday Tree Lighting features live music from a local symphony orchestra plus plenty of vendors. The Original Taco festival, held in September, is another one to be on the lookout for. If you love tacos, then you will enjoy having over 20 vendors to choose amongst. Another popular event is the Monster Pumpkin Festival, a unique fall festival featuring 2500+ lb Atlantic Giant Pumpkins. Probably the most popular, the annual Open Streets festival, allows you to enjoy biking and walking in a rare car-free environment.
Parking info
Metered parking is available. Rates are $1.50 an hour. The best time to visit is Sunday as metered are only enforced Monday-Saturday. Be aware that parking fills up fast, especially on busy weekends, holiday periods, or during special events.
New additions: An Asian Food Hall called Novo opened in 2024.
Note: There is a lot more to do in this city. It’s actually so underrated in my opinion. I’ve never really heard many people say anything – positive or negative – about this city. You will want to check out my comprehensive guide on the best things to do. There are so many great museums, restaurants, parks, sporting events, and attractions that I recommend checking out while you are here.
