Nicknamed “The Strip” by locals, The Strip District is Pittsburgh’s quintessential neighborhood. If you are visiting, do not miss this neighborhood. If you live in Pittsburgh, there is more to this neighborhood to explore that you haven’t seen yet, guaranteed.
Although it’s a small section of town, this half-mile of land is packed with character, from dive bars to nightclubs, cafes, museums, and kitschy shops and markets.
Smallman Street and Penn Avenue make up the community’s walkable business district.
For the full Strip District experience, plan to spend an entire weekend day or more in this neighborhood.
An example itinerary
9 am – Start with breakfast at one of Pittsburgh’s two iconic greasy spoon restaurants – Pamela’s Diner or DeLuca’s Diner. Pamela’s pancakes are so delicious that even President Obama is a fan.
10:30 am – Have a coffee at La Prima Espresso Co., an authentic Italian coffee shop. Then, stroll through the street markets and check out the vendors selling everything from clothes to terrible towels, flowers, and cakes. Shop locally at Penn Avenue Pottery, Mon Aimee Chocolat, and many other specialty stores. Browse the many neighborhood markets including Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, WFH Oriental Food Market, Reyna Foods Mexican Grocery, Wholey’s Market, and Pittsburgh Public Market.
12:30 pm – After all that walking, take a break for lunch at Gaucho Parrilla Argentina, an Argentine restaurant so popular that there is often a line at the door. But it is worth the wait. The beef burger and the Camarones (shrimp with garlic, rosemary, lemon and olive oil) stand out. The restaurant is BYOB with no corkage fee. Note: Gaucho is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Some other lunch ideas: Marty’s Market for sandwiches and salads, S&D Polish Deli for pierogies, and Bella Notte for pizza.
1:30 pm – Located in the Strip district, Heinz History Center is Pittsburgh’s history museum. Affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, the Heinz History Center chronicles 250 years of regional history. Inside the History Center is the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a must-see for sports fans.
Or, for art buffs, check out the Society for Contemporary Craft, which features the work of local, national, and international artists. The gallery focuses on “cutting-edge exhibits focused on multicultural diversity and unconventional art.” The Society’s store has a wide range of eclectic items for purchase. Note: The Society for Contemporary Craft is closed on Sundays.
Or, for foodies, take a tour of Wigle Whiskey. Learn about the distillation process and the history of the Whiskey Rebellion, plus enjoy a cocktail and tasting along the way.
5:30 pm – It’s dinner time. Head to Bar Marco (make a reservation in advance) for a gourmet meal and artisan cocktails in modern surroundings. Bar Marco made national headlines recently when he instituted a no-tip policy, opting to pay workers a salaried wage.
Some other dinner ideas: Kaya for island cuisine, Roland’s for seafood, and Eleven for contemporary American cuisine.
7:30 pm: Save room for dessert at Klavon’s, a 1920s ice cream parlor that has kept its original look.
8:30 pm – For those looking for nightlife: try Lefty’s if you are looking for a dive bar, Mullaney’s Harp & Fiddle for an Irish pub, Cioppino for cigars and Cavo for a nightclub.
12 am – Stop by the original Primanti Bros. for the classic Pittsburgh sandwich, loaded with meat, cheese, coleslaw and French fries.
Then return to your hotel. The Hampton Inn and Suites is located within the Strip District. Downtown hotels are within walking distance of the Strip.
