LIKE A LOCAL
CITY OF ASYLUM: This nonprofit, home
to the world’s largest writer residency
programme, is safe haven for writers living
in exile or threat of persecution, from as far
afield as Myanmar, El Salvador, Vietnam and
Turkey. Stop by its bookstore and 40 North Bar
& Restaurant house for a curated collection
of works and excellent brunch and dinner
offerings. cityofasylum.org 40northpgh.com
BICYCLE HEAVEN: A real local labour of
love, the world’s largest museum dedicated
to bicycles awaits beyond the unassuming
doors of Bicycle Heaven. The collection
— begun by owners Craig and Mindy Morrow
in 2011 — has grown into an astounding show
of steel and aluminium Americana, from
a 19th-century Boneshaker to The Beatles’
Yellow Submarine bike, horns, bells and
memorabilia. bicycleheaven.org
SCHENLEY PARK: Sweeping views of
Downtown, a public golf course, tennis courts,
lakes and a swimming pool... Schenley Park
has it all. Wedged between two university
campuses, its 300 acres comprise one of the
most beautiful public spaces in America, with
walking trails that offer scenic respite for those
keen to escape the city. pittsburghparks.orgEAT
£ PAMELA’S DINER: Ask Pittsburgh
natives where to grab breakfast, and
Pamela’s Diner inevitably comes up first.
With five locations around the city, this
casual, diner-style breakfast chain is a local
food franchise icon. Try the crepe-style
hotcakes — think airy, deep-fried pancakes
— and order a side of crispy potatoes for good
measure. pamelasdiner.com
££ FEDERAL GALLEY: A hip food hall
within walking distance of the Andy Warhol
Museum, Federal Galley serves as a testing
ground for startup restaurants, showcasing
cuisines from all corners of the globe beneath
its corrugated tin roof. With a changing roster
of restaurants, there’s something for every
appetite, from American breakfasts to burrata
pizza, short ribs, buffalo cauliflower, fancy
salads and much more. federalgalley.org
££ £ SPORK: Pittsburgh has no shortage
of creative, contemporary restaurants, and
Spork sits at the top of the list. This chef-
owned restaurant brings in fresh produce
from an adjacent vegetable farm to create New
American tapas-type fare. Go all in with rock
shrimp-stuffed jalapeño, seared scallops and
Wagyu tartare. sporkpittsburgh.com
BUY
THE PENNSYLVANIA MACARONI CO.:
An aura of reverence surrounds this historic,
Strip District grocery store. A few steps inside
reveal why: patrons are greeted with walls of
pasta and imported Italian goods, but the real
treat is further inside, where Pennsylvania
Macaroni Co. houses a gargantuan deli
selection: perfect ingredients for a riverside
picnic. pennmac.com
GRANDPA JOE’S CANDY SHOP: Pop
Rocks, Wacky Wafers, Peppermint Patties
and more. Live every child’s dream at this
brightly coloured shrine to sugar and sweet
treats on Penn Avenue. It’s home to hundreds
of varieties of US candy, vintage-style, glass-
bottled fizzy drinks and the blowout $5 (£3.80)
Candy Buffet. To add to the fun, there’s also
a range of quirky puzzles, badges and games.
grandpajoescandyshop.com
MARKET SQUARE: Summer sees night
markets return to Downtown’s Market Square.
Set beneath the glimmering, onyx glass of the
PPG Place complex, this pop-up market brings
creative, independent vendors from across
the state to sell artwork, furniture, clothing
and candles. Saturdays, June to October.
downtownpittsburgh.comRight: Iconic Strip District grocery
store, Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.
Opposite, clockwise from top
left: Phipps Conservatory and
Botanical Gardens; Randyland art
gallery; Carnegie Museum of Natural
History; Federal Galley, a startup
restaurant incubator
A bone to pick
The Carnegie
Museum of Natural
History is home to
the first T. rex fossil
ever discovered
— unearthed in
Hell Creek,
Montana in 1902