Place in Pennsylvania, United States
Photo: Crazypaco at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Oakland is a bustling college neighborhood on the eastern side of Pittsburgh, home to Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. The surrounding area is made up of several distinct (and quieter) neighborhoods, including the pleasant districts of Squirrel Hill and Shadyside. Three other college campuses are located in the area: Carlow University is immediately west of the University of Pittsburgh's campus in Oakland, Chatham University's city campus is in the northernmost portion of Squirrel Hill, and Duquesne University is in Uptown, near Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle.
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Estate of the Mellon family, landscaped in part by the Olmsted Brothers (who landscaped Boston Common and New York's Central Park) with many different flowering trees - now part of the grounds of Chatham University.
A complex of museums and historic buildings including: Clayton (the home of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick), the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, and the Greenhouse.
A wonderful wooded park (and Pittsburgh's largest) with a network of trails ideal for walking the dog or bicycling. There are several entrances to the park, the main ones being at Reynolds St and Homewood Ave (across the street from the Frick Art & Historical Center) at the north end of the park, Beechwood Blvd just south of Forbes Ave and at Nicholson St on the west side of the park, and at Forbes and Braddock Avenues on the east side of the park. From any of the entrances you'll head down shady, wooded slopes to a small valley which runs south to the Nine Mile Run Watershed, where a small stream flows into the Monongahela River. The Frick Environmental Center, off of Beechwood Blvd just south of Forbes Avenue, hosts nature programs for children and has a small pond and a woodland area for wildlife viewing. There is also a pair of excellent playgrounds in the park, one at Beechwood Blvd and Nicholson St and the other at Forbes and Braddock Avenues, along with softball fields and tennis courts.
A large cemetery founded in the mid-1800s. While not a tourist attraction like the old cemeteries of New Orleans or Paris, Homewood houses many ornate mausoleums, statues and memorial edifices.
A Bible-themed garden on the grounds of a temple hosting Western Pennsylvania's oldest Jewish congregation. It features over 100 Biblical plants and representations of Biblical landscapes, such as deserts, the River Jordan, and the Dead Sea. It's the largest garden of its kind in North America. Because Biblical flora grow in Mediterranean and desert climates, most of the plants are removed during the cold months and returned when it's warm; therefore, the garden is only open during the summer.
Turn-of-the-century wood paved street built in 1914, lined with restored houses.
A 456-acre park that is a haven for exercisers, sunbathers, and anyone who appreciates beautiful green space. On Sunday and Wednesday nights during the summer, a free movie is shown on Flagstaff Hill in the park, next to the Carnegie Mellon campus. There is a network of trails running through the park, a couple of which run to Panther Hollow Lake, a small lake just south of Phipps Conservatory. A trail runs to the lake from the park visitor center across the street from the conservatory. There's also several playgrounds, a skating rink, a 400-meter track, a swimming pool, several playing fields, 13 tennis courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, and the public, 18-hole Bob O'Connor Golf Course.
A Victorian glass conservatory with gorgeous indoor and outdoor floral and botanical displays. Dating to 1893, expansion through the years has resulted in 14 indoor rooms and several outdoor gardens, each with unique garden designs and excellent assortments of plants. There's also quite a bit of colorful sculpture throughout, including multiple pieces by Dale Chihuly, that help to decorate the already lush indoor displays. Renovations have been undertaken to make Phipps one of the greenest buildings in the world.
A five acre plaza features features a restaurant, food kiosks, a tent, regular events, free wi-fi internet access, and the PNC Carousel.
A historic high school built in 1916 and noted for its unique triangular shape. The school is a on the National Registry of Historic Places and was the first school in the United States to cost more than a million dollars to construct.
Housed in a historic Beaux-Arts temple inspired by the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the museum explores the evolution of equipment and technology as well as the effects that military conflicts have had on society, honoring and educating about the sacrifices made during wartime.
This is the home where Andy Warhol lived for 15 years with his family, and where he developed much of his interest in the art that would later make him famous. The house was purchased by the Warhola Family in 2005 after decades of ownership by various other tenants. Since its purchase, it has undergone continuous restoration in order to preserve it as a historic site.
Andrew Carnegie funded 2,507 libraries all over the world. Today, his libraries here in Pittsburgh comprise the city's public library system. The welcoming Oakland branch is Pittsburgh's central library, with vast collections of not only printed matter, but also music, film, photographs, and more.
The 42-story Charles Klauder designed Gothic Revival skyscraper, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, serves as the symbolic and physical heart of the University of Pittsburgh. Construction began in 1926 and took a decade to complete. Visible from almost anywhere in Pittsburgh, it is the tallest school building in the Western hemisphere, and has been described as the "culmination" of Late Gothic Revival architecture. While impressive on the outside, it can be even more spectacular on the inside. On the first and third floors, surrounding its immense Gothic-style Commons Room, are the 31 Nationality Rooms. These working classrooms are each designed, constructed, and decorated in the characteristic style of 29 different cultures which represent the diverse population of Pittsburgh. A self-guided tour of the Nationality Rooms is available for a small fee ($4 for adults, $2 for youth; +1 412 624-6000, M-Sa 9 AM-4 PM (last tour 2:30 PM), Su 11 AM-4 PM (last tour 2:30 PM), audiotape tours only on weekends), while guided tours can be reserved in advance that give in-depth explanations of each room and can allow access to areas normally inaccessible to the public, like the historic Croghan-Schenley Ballroom and Early American Room. The Nationality Rooms on the 3rd floor are sometimes freely open to explore, depending on time and class schedule. Much of the upper floors of the Cathedral are composed of offices and other university facilities, however a trip to the Honors College on the 35th and 36th floors, accessible by most of the elevators, provides marvelous views of the city.
Located on the grounds of the Cathedral of Learning, this chapel was built with funds left to the school by H.J. Heinz (of ketchup fame). The French Gothic Revival nondenominational chapel features 23 amazing stained-glass windows by Charles J. Connick, the largest single collection of his work. The windows total approximately 4,000 square feet (370 m2) and contain nearly 250,000 pieces of glass with 391 identifiable people from religion, history, science and the humanities, and the transept windows are reputedly the world's tallest such windows. Free tours may allow one sample the acoustics of the 3,770 pipe organ, and concerts and recitals are typically held on Sundays. See the website for calendar.
Serves as a memorial, museum, and archive of the works of American folk songwriter Stephen C. Foster ("Oh! Susanna", "My Old Kentucky Home"). The Gothic Revival building also houses the two primary theaters for the university's Department of Theatre Arts. A schedule of shows is available on their website.
Though it no longer stands, you can visit what remains of the former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1909–1970). Inside Pitt's brutalist-styled Posvar Hall, open to the public, you can see the old home plate in a glass case embedded in the floor near its original location. Of note, and hanging nearby on the ground floor of Posvar Hall, is one of two surviving Langley Aerodromes, Aerodrome No. 6, which in 1896 became one of the first heavier-than-air powered craft capable of sustained flight. Outside and just south of the building, you can see what remains of the left field wall and the stadium's flagpole, a replica of one of the stadium's gates and ticket windows, as well as a marker where Bill Mazeroski hit the 1960 World Series winning walk-off home run against the Yankees. Every year in October, Pirates faithful will come out to the wall to listen to a recording of the game.
Designed to reflect an Italian Renaissance villa, this building contains in its cloister a large collection of scale reproductions by Russian artist Nicholas Lochoff of 15th-century Italian Renaissance masterpieces, considered to be among the best copies in the world. The building is open to public and free to explore. It is also home to the University Art Gallery, which contains rotating exhibits and is free to the public. (M-F 10AM-4PM; +1 412 648-2423) There are also several sculptures on the grounds around the building, including the popular photo spot of the Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain, titled A Song to Nature, by Victor David Brenner.
Built as the Schenley Hotel in 1898, this historic beaux-arts building that was Pittsburgh's premier luxury hotel in its day. As a hotel, it hosted many dignitaries including four Presidents of the United States, a slew of Hollywood celebrities such as Lillian Russell and Katharine Hepburn, along with many of the visiting baseball teams that played across the street at Forbes Field. The turn-of-the-century grandeur of the main floor lobbies and ballrooms have been restored by the university and can be freely accessed by the public. The Millennium Panther statue outside the building serves as a popular photo spot.
Freely accessible to the public, Alumni Hall is a restored former Masonic Greek Revival temple completed by Benno Janssen in 1915. The facility contains many of its original elements, the University's Legacy Gallery of electronic kiosks in its lobby, a gallery of portraits of the university chancellors stretching back 200 years on the Connolly Ballroom's balcony, and an exhibit of “365 Views of the Cathedral of Learning” by renowned Spanish artist Felix de la Concha on the 7th floor.
Now the home of the schools of pharmacy and dental medicine, this Art Deco building on the upper campus was home to Jonas Salk's lab which produced the world's first polio vaccine, considered to be one of the most significant accomplishments in medical history.
The campus' basketball and concert venue. On non-event days, the facility's 6,000 square foot, 90-ft-high lobby is open to the public and contains the McCarl Panthers Hall of Champions which showcases artifacts from some of the university's championship teams (free, M–F 9AM–5PM). Also inside are the Panthers Team Store and a food court. Pre-arranged tours of the center are available for groups of 10 or more.
A very nice and often intriguing contemporary art gallery with constantly changing exhibits.
A student-run art gallery featuring the work of Carnegie Mellon students.
Pitt Panthers
Oakland used to be home to all of Pittsburgh's major sports teams. Although their vintage stadiums have been demolished, and the University's football team now plays its games in Heinz Field on the city's North Shore, you can still cheer the remainder of the school's teams, including its nationally regarded basketball program, in its on-campus sports facilities. The Petersen Event Center is home to both the men's and women's basketball teams which play schedules against the nation's top collegiate competition and command a large fanbase in Western Pennsylvania. Adjacent to the Petersen is the Fitzgerald Field House and Trees Hall, home to the gymnastics, swimming, wrestling and volleyball teams. Behind Trees Hall is the Petersen Sports Complex, home to the baseball, softball, and soccer teams.
Throughout the year, "Pitt Stages" performs various productions and student laboratories ranging from classic revivals to cutting-edge contemporary pieces. Venues include the historic theaters located in the Stephen Foster Memorial, the department's primary facility, to the black-box Studio Theatre located in the basement of the Cathedral of Learning.
The University of Pittsburgh's Department of Music has multiple performance groups including the University of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, String Quartet, Carpathian Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, African Music and Dance Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, Women's Choral Ensemble, Chamber Music, and the renowned Men's Glee Club and Heinz Chapel Choir.
Performs innovative concerts, commissioning works of new music, collaborating with artists in a variety of disciplines, and exploring the boundaries between concert and popular music.
Home to The REP, a professional theatre company and three student companies of Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts.
An acclaimed theatre company, frequently ranked among the city's best, that regularly performs in the Stephen Foster Memorial.
Pittsburgh's longest-running theatrical/comedic production is also the city's only all-audience participation comedy improv show. Takes place, you guessed it, every Friday night during the school year.
Held in July, is a vintage car festival that includes parades, a vintage car show along Walnut Street in Shadyside and a road race through Schenley Park.
Held each fall for over 40 years, the four-day Annual Jazz Seminar and Concert combines the best in scholarship, performance, community involvement, cultural diversity, and musicianship with some of the nation's biggest names in jazz.
Their ice cream, made right on the premises, is continually ranked as the best in the city.
This local chain has been in Oakland for years. It is the place to go in the neighborhood for breakfast. They are famous for, well, many things, but particularly their crepe hotcakes, decadent waffles and pancakes, and omelets. Barack Obama was so impressed during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh, he had Pamela's cater at the Whitehouse. Be aware that the wait on weekends can get very long.
Classic American Food - burgers, desserts and other American food. This place can get really crowded at lunch time.
American bistro serving locally sourced food. Also has a walk-up window.
Further away from the campuses in an old Victorian house, specializing in south Indian fare. They offer a very good lunch buffet daily.
A local chain, Primantis offers the quintessential Pittsburgh sandwich. No trip to Pittsburgh is complete without experiencing one of their coleslaw and french fry topped extravaganzas. Profiled in numerous national programs and articles, if you only have time to eat at a Primantis once during your trip to Pittsburgh, than Oakland has this location ready for you.
Specializing in salads and burgers, but also has a breakfast menu of mostly scrambled eggs available all day.
For something different, this all you can eat breakfast lunch and dinner venue for students and the public gives you the chance to eat while looking over the Carnegie Mellon campus and dining with some of the brightest minds.
In contention for the best pizza in the Burgh, along with Mineo's next door. It's a local favorite, and is a common hang out for many nearby high school students. The pepperoni rolls are to die for, loaded with parm. It has a classic Italian pizzeria atmosphere with friendly and personable staff. They are open till 2AM so you can always grab a cut to go.
Another local favorite pizza place, rival of nearby Aiello's.
Pittsburgh has many Thai options; this, along with sister restaurant Silk Elephant (around the corner at 1712 Murray) is probably the best in this part of the city.
This vegetarian restaurant has an assortment of pizzas. They have many salads and make a great falafel. The best part about it is that it is kosher. For any people who keep religious eating habits, this would be the place to go.
A nondescript entry hides a hole-in-the-wall restaurant below the street level. The menu is predominately Lebanese, but contains a variety of foods in a range of prices. BYOB.
Excellent, authentic Sichuanese Chinese food. Always has lots of Chinese students.
This classic Pitt sub shop specializes in cheesesteaks. One of several Uncle Sam's city locations.
Outstanding gelateria. It serves delicious wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza and antipasto.
Excellent baked goods, low prices.
Part of the popular Big Burrito fine-dining empire, serving pan-Asian cuisine.
$1 Miller Lites, microbrew selection, combined with the food, great place to drink. A lot of girls. Usually so packed during the school year it's hard to order a drink...or even move. As with many places in the U.S. don't be fooled by the $1 draft drink specials as you're getting a small plastic cup of beer, not a pint. Pay attention to happy hour specials. Half of food (on a special menu) 11AM-11:45AM, appetizers 2-4PM, half of food (on a special menu) 9PM-midnight.
Really cheap drinks ($3 mixed, $2-3 22oz beers, $5.50 pitchers). Some microbrews. No food. College neighborhood bar. If you are looking to drink cheap, here is the place.
Very stew-themed.
Named for the bus of the same name that stops nearby. Pretty good coffee, friendly baristas - one of the hipper spots to hang out, usually full of grad students. Free Wi-Fi. There are only 2 outlets for laptops, and they are in high demand.
Situated on the west end of Oakland closest to and Carlow University and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Borders the Pitt campus and closest hotel to the University's Medical Center's Oakland hospitals.
In the heart of Pitt's campus and the closest hotel to the Cathedral of Learning and Carnegie Museums.
Buy, sell, and appraise books, autographs, photographs, printed material, and original art.
Offers a wide variety of knitwear, clothing, gifts and jewelry from all over Ireland and Scotland.
Located on the Pitt campus, Maggie & Stella's features an eclectic range of merchandise including jewelry, accessories, frames, kitchenware, bags, cards.
A selection of gift items imported from the countries represented in the Nationality Rooms of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning. The inventory constantly changes based on availability and includes seasonal merchandise.
As with any college or university, check out the university's Campus Bookstore and The Pitt Shop, near the Cathedral of Learning for t-shirts, hoodies, magnets, and other souvenirs. The Pitt Shop is well known for $2.99 Pitt t-shirts while the Bookstore prides itself as being one of the largest independent book stores in the city. On the upper campus, near the medical center, a different selection of merchandise can also be obtained at the Pittsburgh Panthers Team Store inside the lobby of the Petersen Events Center. The Team Store is the only place you'll find retro "Script Pitt" merchandise.
A gift shop selling Peruvian handicrafts, as part of the La Feria restaurant.
An unusual store which sells novelty books, stationary, toys, etc.
This little shop sells Japanese stuff. It has a lot of Choco-Cat and Totoro merchandise.
Much of the art is contemporary, but the collection is eclectic, including sports art, traditional oil paintings, and work by the finest national and international masters.
Great pharmacy with upscale bath products and cosmetic lines. Friendly staff.
Another variety store.
More vinyl of all genres than you've probably ever seen in one place.
A vast assortment of loose and bagged teas, over 400 at last count. A wonderful place to buy gifts mostly imported: teapots, chocolates, coffees, cookies, aprons, even cosmetics and corporate gift baskets. The best smelling store in Squirrel Hill.
By bus
The Port Authority has several bus routes heading east from downtown through Oakland, making it a very convenient place to take public transit to.
Oakland is heavily congested, especially during school hours, as many are traveling here to either attend class or work at one of the many universities in the area.
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