Summer getaway to Pittsburgh offers history, heritage and hidden gems
Pittsburgh may not be at the top of your list for summer travel, but it should be. With walkable neighborhoods, iconic sports teams (Hello! Steelers, Penguins and Pirates), and virtually every street corner forged by an industrial past, this riverfront city also has a dynamic food and arts scene. It's no wonder Lonely Planet named Pittsburgh as one of its Best in Travel 2025 picks – the only U.S. city to make the list.
For a stay that blends luxury with a rich history, along with an unbeatable location, there's no better home base than the Omni William Penn Hotel. From the beginning, when it was opened in 1916 by Pittsburgh industrialist Henry Clay Frick, the hotel was meant to be a showplace. Inside, the two-story lobby glows with opulence, with grand Austrian crystal chandeliers, velvet furnishings and gilded details. Over the decades, it has hosted presidents, celebrities, royalty, and countless special moments -- the experience feels just as special today.
One of the hotel's best-kept secrets is The Speakeasy on the basement level. Located behind an unmarked door, this restored Prohibition-style bar was once a hidden watering hole in the 1920s. Step back in time and try one of their classic cocktails, like the Bee's Knees.
Thanks to the William Penn's prime downtown location, great food options are within easy reach. In the Strip District, a vibrant area known for its food markets and indie retail shops, you'll find the original Primanti Bros, a 1933 sandwich shop famous for handcrafted sandwiches stacked with meat, cheese, slaw and a heap of seasoned fries -- all between thick slices house-made Italian bread. It's a rite of passage and a Pittsburgh tradition.
Beyond iconic eats, Pittsburgh's growing culinary scene is diverse. With 90 different food-filled neighborhoods, there's no shortage of delicious options. A few local go-tos: Con Alma, with Latin-inspired small plates and live jazz; James Beard-nominated Apteka, which reimagines Eastern European classics with a menu of modern, plant-based dishes; Spirit & Tales, a stylish brasserie inside The Oaklander Hotel where seasonal ingredients shine; and for sweeping skyline views paired with fresh seafood, take the incline to Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, perched on Mount Washington.
Pittsburgh wears its past with pride – and nowhere is that more evident than in its museums and cultural landmarks. Steel, coal and industrial innovation may have built the city, but its art, education and philanthropy continue to shape its soul. The influence of titans like Carnegie, Mellon and Frick is still visible in the many museums and public institutions they left behind.
One of my favorites is The Frick Pittsburgh Museum and Gardens. This serene 10-acre estate and museum complex is one of the city's cultural gems. Stroll through manicured gardens and explore the Frick Art Museum and Car and Carriage Museum. Don't miss the award-winning tour of Clayton, the former home of Henry Clay Frick, who was instrumental in making Pittsburgh one of the nation's greatest commercial centers. The home is the city's last fully preserved mansion of the Gilded Age. Afterwards, have a bite or a sip at the lovely garden café.
From masterpieces and pop art to the top dinosaur exhibits worldwide, be sure to visit the Carnegie Museums, which include the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum.
Nature lovers are sure to fall in love with the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. With a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens, Phipps blooms year-round, but during the summer, the outdoor gardens steal the show.
Whether you're a history buff, foodie, art-and-garden enthusiast, or are simply looking for something fresh and unexpected, the 'Burgh delivers in so many ways. For more info, visitpittsburgh.com
Thanks to new direct flights from Greenville via Breeze Airways, getting to Pittsburgh for a weekend getaway has never been easier. To plan your trip, visit gspairport.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Summer Getaway to Pittsburgh offers history, heritage and hidden gems
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
20 hours ago
- Axios
Downtown San Antonio date night idea
If you're craving a no-fuss, elevated night out, head to Hotel Havana for a seamless dinner-and-drinks experience. State of play: The boutique hotel houses Ocho, a pan-Latin restaurant helmed by chef Jesse Kuykendall, and the sultry Havana Bar in the basement. The vibe: Ocho feels like dining in a dreamy glass greenhouse overlooking the River Walk with chandeliers, tufted couches — and yes, air conditioning. A few steps away, Havana Bar sets the mood with dim lighting and cozy corners for cocktails and conversation. What to try: At Ocho, start with the ceviche del día ($18) for a burst of brightness. For a main entree, try the Calle Ocho ($42). It's a standout dish — a juicy ribeye with spicy chimichurri, sweet tomato confit, crispy manchego yuca and a cool cilantro crema. Bonus: The rotating zodiac-themed cocktail list is a fun surprise.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Voyage Capital Group Closes Acquisition and Construction Loan for AC Hotel by Marriott at Denver Gateway Park
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Voyage Capital Group, a Dallas-based real estate investment and development firm, is pleased to announce the successful closing of an acquisition and construction completion loan for the AC Hotel by Marriott located at Denver Gateway Park in Denver, Colorado. Voyage Capital Group has closed financing for a 146-key AC Hotel by Marriott in Denver Gateway Park, with opening slated for late 2026. Share The financing was originated by Peachtree Group, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and includes a strategic capital stack that combines Senior Debt with Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing to support the development and completion of the hotel. Learn more at The project will feature a 146-key, seven-story, approximately 75,000-square-foot AC Hotel — part of Marriott International's rapidly expanding lifestyle portfolio. Construction is actively underway, with the property expected to open in late 2026. Accurate Builders, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has been selected as the general contractor for the project. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality hospitality projects across the country, Accurate Builders brings extensive expertise to ensure successful execution. Learn more at AC Hotels by Marriott, originally founded in Spain and incorporated into Marriott's global portfolio in 2011, is known for its modern, European-inspired design, sleek aesthetics, and curated guest experiences. The brand appeals to both business and leisure travelers seeking a sophisticated and efficient hotel stay, with a focus on purposeful design, locally inspired touches, and high-end amenities delivered with understated style. Jai Desai, President and CEO of Voyage Capital Group, commented: 'This was a highly complex project with many moving parts, but we were able to bring it to fruition thanks to the exceptional team at Peachtree Group. Their expertise and commitment were instrumental in getting this deal across the finish line. A special thank you to Michael Harper and Peter Laack — we look forward to many more successful transactions together in the future.' The AC Hotel at Denver Gateway Park is expected to be a prominent addition to the local hospitality landscape, offering guests elevated accommodations in a fast-growing submarket of Denver. About Voyage Capital Group Voyage Capital Group is a Dallas-based real estate investment and development firm focused on value-add and opportunistic projects, with a specialization in hospitality. The firm has a national footprint and an active pipeline of acquisitions, ground-up developments, and brand conversions within top-tier hotel markets.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business Insider
The luxury market is poised for a big slowdown, but there are some areas where people are still willing to splurge
It's been a rough year for luxury retailers, as economic headwinds have reduced consumer demand, but there are still a few places where people are willing to spend money. Luxury brands could be facing their biggest setback in 15 years, according to a report published by Bain & Company and Italian luxury goods industry association Altagamma on Thursday. In addition to a global trade war, the industry is struggling to adapt to social and cultural changes. Demand in the US and China, the two biggest markets for luxury products, has been slowing. Some legacy companies are facing financial difficulties with debt and restructuring. Another challenge for the luxury market is Gen Z, a demographic with growing skepticism toward luxury goods, according to Bain. This younger generation of consumers prioritizes self-expression and creativity, and the luxury industry will need to successfully adapt its messaging if it wants to woo more Gen Z customers. Bain estimates that spending on personal luxury goods could be on track for a "continued slip." In a worst-case scenario, Bain estimates the market for personal luxury goods could shrink by 5% to 9%. Consumers are still splurging selectively However, that doesn't mean consumers are pulling back everywhere. Luxury experiences outperformed personal goods in the first quarter of 2025, and companies are leaning hard into "beyond product" experiences such as vacations and gourmet restaurants. Luxury hospitality — think White Lotus -esque resorts — is taking off, with this year seeing rising hotel occupancy rates and longer stays. While traditional luxury markets in the US, China, and Europe are stagnating, the Middle East, Latin America, and other parts of Asia are seeing increased demand from consumers seeking high-end tourism experiences. The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are leading the charge in this new trend, according to Bain. Consumers are also eager for luxury cruises. Following the trend of increased personalization, they prefer slower, more immersive trips on smaller ships. Yachts and private jets are experiencing a backlog of demand. Fine dining and gourmet food rank high on consumers' radars, and they chase highly curated experiences. Some areas of personal luxury goods are also thriving. Demand for jewelry, apparel, and eyewear has been robust this year for both uber-luxury and aspirational offerings. Fragrances are a top-performing category due to their popularity with Gen Z and "premiumization." Luxury brands are elevating their perfume offerings by making them more exclusive, expensive, and experiential. Bain also identified some categories that haven't been doing so well: watches, leather goods, and footwear. Unless there's more innovation in these products, it's likely they'll continue to see declining demand. As luxury brands adapt to changing consumer preferences, Bain predicts the gap between the industry leaders and laggards will only become more pronounced. Luxury's winners will be the brands that offer the kind of personalization and novelty that convinces even cautious consumers to spend.
