Welcome to Pittsburgh! We’re excited for you to explore our amazing city during #MCN2017. Since most city guides leave much to be desired in the areas of personality and authenticity, we yinzers (a.k.a. Pittsburghers) on the local host committee have created this handy guide for MCN 2017!

General Information

If you’re staying at/near the conference hotel downtown, many restaurants and attractions will be within walking distance. If you’re staying in another neighborhood, Pittsburgh’s bike share program can get you around, along with the standard Uber/Lyft options. Regular taxi service, like hailing a cab, generally doesn’t work.

A great introduction to the city is Rick Seback’s It’s Pittsburgh, and a Lot of Other Stuff video series, which you can stream here via our local PBS affiliate, WQED. This guy is a Pittsburgh treasure.

We like to put french fries on a bunch of things, ranging from salads to signature sandwiches. It’s OK. Just let it happen. There are many other things that make this city charming and special, some of which include the dialect, family traditions and affinity for the city’s official colors.

Pittsburgh is best described as a city that’s made up of distinct and vibrant neighborhoods, which are defined largely by the region’s prominent topography. A curated list of several of these neighborhoods and their respective attractions are highlighted below.

Downtown (Cultural District)

Downtown Pittsburgh, colloquially referred to as the Golden Triangle or Dahntahn in Pittsburghese, and officially the Central Business District, is the urban downtown center of Pittsburgh. It is located at the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River whose joining forms the Ohio River. The “triangle” is bounded by the two rivers.

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Strip District

The Strip is an excellent place to explore on foot. It’s where Pittsburgh goes to get…pretty much anything. Steelers shirt? Yep. Random imported Italian cheese? Got it. Cannoli? Boom. Mung bean pancakes? Got you covered. Come hungry.

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North Side

Pittsburgh’s North Side is located to the north of the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. The term “North Side” does not refer to a specific neighborhood, but rather to a disparate collection of contiguous neighborhoods. It’s the home many fantastic cultural destinations, eateries and sports venues.

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South Side

South Side is an area located along the Monongahela River across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes, and is well-connected with public transit.

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Mount Washington

Really, the best thing about Mount Washington is the amazing view of the city. Ride one of the two inclines to get to Grandview Avenue!

Polish Hill

Polish Hill is a working-class neighborhood, just above the Strip District. It’s home to artists and creatives, and there’s a nice mix of younger and O.G. yinzers to be found here.

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Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville is kind of like the Williamsburg (Brooklyn) of Pittsburgh. Lots of hipsters and young professionals, but some definite gems for eating, drinking and nightlife.

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East Liberty / Shadyside

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Oakland

Oakland is really a student haven, and where you can find the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The main attractions here are some awesome museums and great parks. Parking can be a challenge, so pay close attention to where you’re parking and how much it will cost.

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