Disclaimer: This is a blog includes mention of my stay at The Hyatt House Bloomfield/Shadyside and my experience there. As such, this post contains links to the Hyatt House Bloomfield/Shadyside. These links are not affiliate links and are simply for informative purposes. The following review is a fair and honest assessment of my stay and experience. A huge thank you to Hyatt House for hosting! For more sponsored stays, visit this tag.
Headed to the Steel City? Here’s my list of the best places to visit while in town:
Best Place to Stay in Pittsburgh: Shadyside
If you’re anything like my husband and I, when you visit a new city it’s great to have a few key things: walkability, safety and diversity. When these three things are in harmony, you’re likely to find yourself in a sweet spot for exploring! The cool thing about Pittsburgh is that there are lots of neighborhoods that meet those qualifications – but our pick? Shadyside.
Our basecamp of choice is the Hyatt House at Bloomfield/Shadyside, for a number of reasons but most importantly: with several coffee shops, eateries and more within walking distance. Even in the dog days of summer (August,) the Hyatt House at Bloomfield/Shadyside put us in perfect proximity to our heart’s greatest desire: great food. Between Bloomfield, known as the ‘Little Italy’ of Pittsburgh, and Shadyside – a neighborhood where you can get a delicious authentic bowl of ramen or the most delicious grand slam at a local diner. The Hyatt House at Bloomfield/Shadyside puts you in reach of it all and their front desk staff is ready to give you their recommendations for the best food around.
If food isn’t a motivator for your visit then you’re still in luck – every room at the Hyatt House has a stellar kitchen for your use and a free grocery shopping service to help get you squared away. Plus, the market in the lobby has great snacks (can speak from experience.) All these amenities aside, the hotel staff is absolutely incredible and will make you feel like you’re staying at a 5-star hotel without the insane bill – rooms start around $150/night and are super stylish. Our studio had a massive, high-end shower and overall a very sophisticated vibe at a sweet price point. Learn more about the hotel, here:
Best Places to Eat in Pittsburgh:
During our stay we really didn’t hit up too many breakfast spots, the complimentary breakfast provided by Hyatt House with our stay was so yummy we took full advantage every day (and we even extended our stay an extra day!). But – we did manage to swing by Pamela’s Diner in Shadyside where we had the best hangover-style meal you could imagine. If you’re looking for a no-fuss spot with great food, check them out.
Two other spots we visited during our stay in Pittsburgh were Fujiya Ramen and Coop de Ville. Fujiya Ramen was a recommendation from one of the front desk employees and one we highly recommend now, too. We started our meal with takoyaki (octopus balls) and ended with delicious ramen that we literally cannot wait to get back and have more of.
Coop de Ville is a total vibe, this massive establishment is filled with arcade games, duckpin bowling, a full bar and of course – their delicious fried chicken.When we walked in it was a little overwhelming but once you figure our how things flow, we were incredibly impressed and agreed this would be an awesome spot to bring the whole family.
If you’re looking to try something totally different, I can’t recommend visiting Onion Maiden enough! This sweet asian-infused spot not only has super delicious food – it’s all vegan! From the horchata options to the out-of-this-world desserts, it won’t disappoint. Plus, the metal music and atmosphere make it the coolest vegan restaurant in my book.
Best Things to See in Pittsburgh:
Maybe you’re scrolling Trip Advisor or just browsing Google, there’s lots of things you can do in Pittsburgh that are worth checking out and we certainly haven’t done them all. Young or old, coupled or solo – all of these spots are worth checking out.
Phipps Conservatory
Phipps Conservatory is one of the most stunning indoor gardens I’ve ever visited. Each room that you walk through is a transformative experience. While all the flowers and lush green plants were to die for, I was obsessed with the desert room full of some incredible cacti and succulents.
Heinz Museum
When driving or riding around Pittsburgh you’ll eventually notice the big Heinz sign on one of the city’s many brick buildings. Yes, this is the Heinz famous for their condiments. In addition to nearly an entire floor devoted to the history of Heinz and its products, this multi-floor museum tells the history of Pittsburgh and how many of its iconic businesses and people got their start. While it is normally called the “Heinz Museum,” it’s actually the Senator John Heinz History Center and 7-floors of total fun.
Randyland
If you love art and you love free experiences, Randyland will be right up your alley. This iconic Pittsburgh spot was started by Randy Gilson and is an open-air courtyard filled with all kinds of found and made art. From the collection of kids toys and bikes, to the world’s biggest international greeting wall – it’s definitely worth checking out in your spare time.
Mt. Washington Overlook
There are loads of sweet spots around the city to catch a great view, but Mt. Washington Overlook is probably the most popular because of its specific vantage point. From the overlook, you can see the beautiful city of Pittsburgh as well as the Three Sisters. The Three Sisters, aka three of Pittsburgh’s most iconic bridges, stand out any time of day with their bright yellow look. Whether you visit at night or during the day, this spot is a great photo opp and an even better way to get a feel for the city.
That’s our round up of the best places to east, see and stay in Pittsburgh. Looking for other travel resources? Be sure to visit my blog.
