//
Pittsburgh, United States
Photo: Started by User:Ctoocheck, finished by User:PerryPlanet, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Strip District and Lawrenceville are two prominent neighborhoods on the eastern side of Pittsburgh, in an area with many former industrial and warehouse districts where many immigrant workers lived. Today evidence of their cultures are prevalent throughout the area, and with the departure of much of Pittsburgh's industry many of the former factories and warehouses have been converted into restaurants, shops, offices, and residential units. The region also includes the restaurants and shops of rapidly gentrifying East Liberty, Bloomfield, and Garfield.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built by the Arsenal Board of Trade and dedicated May 31, 1921, stands at the intersection of Butler St and Penn Ave at 34th St. It serves as a memorial for the fallen U.S. soldiers of World War I.
Just north of Shadyside in East Liberty, featuring ornate stonework, beautiful stained glass and woodwork. The church features a labyrinth, open Mondays 9AM-1:30PM and Saturdays 9AM-9PM. When walking the labyrinth, you are supposed to pray or meditate. In the past, they served as a substitute for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For Christians who have never walked a labyrinth, it's quite an interesting way to worship.
One of the city's largest parks, Highland is home to 2 lakes, Lake Carnegie and Reservoir No. 1, both built for municipal water use and used for recreation. Also features gardens, overlooks, and a network of trails.
A large zoo complex containing a wide variety of animals in big exhibits. There are lots of enclosures simulating natural spaces in Asia, Africa, rainforests, along with the PPG Aquarium. In the "Kid's Kingdom" area you can get up-close with animals like goats, deer, sea lions, bats, and meerkats. Busier on weekends; the zoo is laid out is a very linear fashion, with almost everything aligned along one loop, so expect crowds and viewing waits.
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. Featuring 6 floors of permanent and changing exhibitions, this museum gives a very detailed look at the past 250 years in Western Pennsylvania, with displays on Pittsburgh-area innovations, people, and industries. Notable exhibits include artifacts from the French & Indian War, a hall dedicated to the Heinz company, a room full of old vehicles, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum - a two-story exhibit dedicated to a wide variety of Pittsburgh-area sport legends.
A nonprofit, public access glass studio and gallery dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting glass art. The more-than 16,000-square-foot building is one of the top glass art facilities in the country and houses state-of-the-art studios in hot glass, flameworking, coldworking, casting and kilnworking.
A local experimental theater company that puts on regular performances around Pittsburgh, particularly in the East Liberty area.
A modern dance company that frequently incorporates original music and multimedia in their performances. They do performances across Pittsburgh, but most are held in their home in the Strip District.
A free, non-juried art exhibit held in April that runs 24 hours straight and features artwork from everyone who submits something.
Held in late summer, it is meant to celebrate Bloomfield's Italian heritage. Liberty Avenue becomes filled with street vendors selling carnival food, art, souvenirs, and alcoholic beverages (many of which can be legally consumed on-site). Live music is also performed, as well as contests and other activities. It has become substantially less "Italian", however, tilting towards a broader but also more generic mix of vendors. Controversial in the neighborhood, many local merchants shut down for part or all of the now-four-day festival.
In October the public is invited into the working studios of neighborhood artisans.
Held annually, it is Bloomfield's largest nighttime parade.
A shopping and cookie-tasting event that takes place in December in Lawrenceville and attracts people from all over the Pittsburgh area.
Unblurred
The first Friday of every month, especially from April to October, Penn Avenue between Allegheny Cemetery and Pacific Ave comes alive with galleries opening to the public from 6 to 10 and sometimes later. Eclectic art exhibitions, frequently with complimentary beer, wine, and light refreshments (bring small bills for the donation jar), open to the public. Especially notable are VaultArt Studio, featuring works by artists with disabilities (often at affordable prices for purchase) and LIKELIKE, a short block off the main drag, exhibiting experimental, independent video games. Be prepared to bump into temporary street booths promoting causes, selling homemade food, or selling their own artistic products.
DeLuca's is another Pittsburgh favorite for down-home breakfasts. Come here for a good hearty breakfast of absurd proportions, but be prepared to wait.
For classic Lawrenceville cuisine, this hot dog shop is one of your best bets.
An excellent bakery which does bread and rolls. Mancini's pizza rolls are surprisingly filling, making for an excellent lunch. There is no seating inside, but there's plenty just outside in Market Square, weather permitting.
A neighborhood bakery with an excellent selection of cookies and cupcakes to go, or you can make larger orders as well.
Founded in 1934 to serve the truckers that brought vegetables to the Strip, Primanti is famous for their sandwiches. There are various locations around town, but the one in the Strip is the original, open 24 hours. If you are in Pittsburgh, you need to eat here at least once; they serve sandwiches with the french fries and coleslaw right in the sandwich with whatever else you order: deli meat, hot sausage, and... you get the idea. They have a bar too, of course.
Well-known pizzeria owned and operated by a first-generation Italian family. Caters to many hospitals and businesses in the area. Hefty portions, hoagies, hand-crafted pizzas with fresh toppings, and one of a kind homemade “mayonnaise”.
This rustic cafe serves fresh pizzas made in their own wood-burning brick oven. Besides fresh pizza they serve beans and greens, home made soups, and big fat salads. Stop at the bakery for great biscotti, made by hand and served in an abundance of flavors. The bakery serves all sorts of Italian pastries so even if biscotti's not your cup of tea, you will be able to enjoy the place.
An Italian bistro with wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and desserts. BYOB.
Serving famous pancakes, Pamela's is a Pittsburgh breakfast favorite. There are a few other locations around town as well.
Year in and out rated as the best place in town to get hamburgers.
Hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese, owned and operated almost single-handedly by Mr. Tram.
Seasonal fare like ribs and salads and a full bar.
Features fresh seafood. $2 oysters. 'Wild' themed art. Young chef with fishing guide experience prepares traditional items with adventurous twist, e.g. grilled swordfish on bed of cabbage, bacon, and roasted potatoes. Grills out front in 'fair' weather.
40 beers on tap, delicious seafood.
For a place that calls itself a "Beer Emporium", it certainly does not disappoint, with more than 20 Belgians on tap among its offerings. A cozy neighborhood establishment, with a pinball machine to boot.
Serves some of the best espresso in Pittsburgh. The place is often filled with Italians.
Said to be some of the best coffee in Pittsburgh
Stretching from the Strip District up to Lawrenceville, this arts and interior design district is the home of many antiques shops, art galleries, and specialty boutiques housed in restored turn-of-the-century storefronts or repurposed industrial buildings. Many businesses also include working studios, offering visitors the chance to see artists in action.
Features unusual handcrafted metal and glass works.
Coffees and teas, along with brewing supplies and accessories.
Bloomfield Italian store.
Sells Vietnamese and other Asian goods.
Middle Eastern grocery with a small cafe.
Chinese market with a wide variety of foods and home goods.
Gourmet chocolate importer. Some chocolate bars cost $20-30. Will pack your bag with ice in the summer.
Penn Mac
One of the staples of the Strip, a large Italian grocery with cheese counter, wide selection of olive oils, fresh bread and pasta.
Huge seafood selection with cafe.
By public transit
The 86, 87, 88 and 91 Port Authority bus routes serve the Strip and Lawrenceville quite well.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Pittsburgh · International · PIT
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Strip District-Lawrenceville and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.