By Debbie Stone

Many years ago, if you had asked me if I wanted to go to Pittsburgh, I would have probably said “no.” My image of this Pennsylvania city had been formed from stories I had heard and pictures I had seen, painting it as a gritty steel mill town, devoid of culture. It lacked any real appeal for me, though I admit I never bothered to question whether my preconceived notions were accurate.

As time went on, I began to read about the metamorphosis of the ’Burgh, as it’s commonly called, and my curiosity was ignited. I decided I had to go and see for myself what the hype was all about.

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Museums abound in the city now and I could have spent many days visiting all of them. I started at the Heinz History Center, which has been voted the #1 History Museum in America by USA Today, as part of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Located within Pittsburgh’s historic and vibrant Strip District, this is the place for all things Western Pennsylvania. Allow plenty of time to explore the six floors of interactive exhibits.

The flagship exhibit, “Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation,” features the many innovations from this region, including the polio vaccine, Bantam Jeep, Big Mac, banana split, Ferris Wheel and the first movie theater. You’ll learn about famous Pittsburghers, from Andrew Carnegie and George Westinghouse to Henry Clay Frick, Nellie Bly, and others. I never knew the city was home to such an impressive slate of industry titans, scientists, engineers, artists, musicians, and the like.

Another highlight is “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in the “Special Collections” gallery. Fred Rogers was born and raised just forty miles from Pittsburgh, so to Pittsburghers, he is a native son. On display are the puppets and original set pieces from the beloved show, photos of Fred and a number of his personal items. Seeing this exhibit brought back memories of watching the show with my kids and recalling the positive effects that Mr. Rogers’ calm voice and demeanor had on them.

“Heinz,” a popular exhibit, explores the 150-year history of the H.J. Heinz company and all its varied products. You’ll discover how eight-year-old Henry John Heinz started his business by growing produce in his mother’s garden and selling it to local grocers. And you’ll learn the story behind the slogan “57” varieties and Heinz’s notable innovations in marketing, packaging and food safety.

Highlights include a larger-than-life, 11-foot ketchup bottle comprised of more than 400 individual bottles alongside a display of more than 100 historic bottles that shows the evolution of Heinz products and packaging, a display of iconic Heinz pickle pins, video segments of vintage Heinz TV ads from around the world, Heinz’s desk and ledger, a recipe book from 1869 and other memorabilia.

Across the way from “Heinz” is “From Slavery to Freedom,” a powerful exhibition detailing 250 years of African American history. The journey begins in 18^th century Africa, crosses the Atlantic Ocean and ends in 21^st century Western Pennsylvania. An entire section is devoted to Pittsburgh’s role in the Underground Railroad and the pursuit for civil rights. This is not an easy story to tell and it’s not a comfortable exhibit to explore. But the facts are presented in a compelling manner, meant to engage and hopefully encourage conversation.

Kids will enjoy the “Discovery Place Kids’ Zone,” a fun, hands-on area geared toward young would-be engineers and scientists. Stations encourage children to design, build and think creatively.

Within the building, on floors two and three, you’ll also find the Franco Harris Sports Museum, a museum-within-a-museum. If you’re not familiar with Pittsburgh, it’s important to understand that people here take their professional sports very seriously. This is the City of Champions, with its multiple Super Bowls, World Series titles, Stanley Cups and assortment of Olympic Medals.

The museum is dedicated to the history of professional sports in the ’Burgh and their players, as well as the athletes who were born or grew up in Western Pennsylvania. There are cases full of iconic artifacts and memorabilia, including Super Bowl rings, uniforms, trophies and photos, as well as videos of winning events and much more. Of course the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins figure prominently, but other sports are also represented, such as bocce, boating, racing and even marbles.

Up next was the Andy Warhol Museum. I was excited about seeing this museum, as Warhol’s work has always interested me, ever since I had seen his Campbell Soup pieces as a young girl. The idea that this was art intrigued me and opened my mind to the endless possibilities in the realm of artistic creativity.

The seven-story museum is the largest in the country dedicated to a single artist. It tells Warhol’s story and explores his legacy through the largest collection of his art and archives in the world. This collection includes works from the artist’s entire artistic output — from his 1940s student work and commercial art illustrations to his 1980s collaborations with other artists. There’s also a film and video gallery for viewing Warhol’s trove of films and videos.

It’s easy to spend several hours here going from floor to floor, learning everything you want to know and more about the Pittsburgh-born pop icon, while marveling over the extensive collection of his work. Some of the most notable pieces featured on display are Warhol’s 1960s pop art paintings of consumer products, including Campbell’s Soup cans and Coke; celebrity portraits of stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley; his 1960s series, “Death and Disaster,” and “Mao,” and his glitzy Shoe series.

I particularly enjoyed looking at photos of Warhol at different stages in his life and those of his family. His mother Julia Warhola features prominently. She was an important and beloved figure throughout the artist’s life. And drawings she made are also included, along with ones Warhol did of her.

I also loved seeing all the different items from the artist’s personal archive on display, like his black leather boots, black vest and silver wig. He wore the latter to initially disguise his hair loss, however, as time went on, the wig contributed to his “avant-garde mystery” and became a recognizable feature of his public persona.

And I had no idea Warhol was a noted collector of art and objects, amassing a vast collection that includes folk art, Native American objects, antique furniture, Art Deco fashion pieces, and works by other artists he admired such as Picasso, Degas and Man Ray. Selected items from his collection are on display, giving you an idea of its scope.

After Warhol, I went to the Mattress Factory Museum. Founded in 1977, this modern art museum was a pioneer in site-specific installation art. The installations are spread around in three buildings, all located on the same block, but not connected. To understand this museum is to know that it offers a space for artists to explore big projects. There are sound and light sculptures, dark rooms to walk into, mirrored displays, and other off-the-beaten-path pieces using unconventional media. Some made sense to me; others didn’t, but I appreciated each as forms of personal expression and discovery.

Just down the street is Randyland, a colorful public art landmark and local treasure that’s hard to miss. Credit Pittsburgh artist Randy Gibson for turning a blighted neighborhood corner into one of the most vivid spectacles in the city.

It all began back in 1995 when Gibson bought a few rundown buildings in the Mexican War Streets neighborhood on the city’s northside and began transforming it into a work of art. Over the years, he continued to add installations, and Randyland grew, eventually attracting the attention of curious locals and visitors from around the world.

The art is comprised of found objects and is eclectic and whimsical. There’s everything from plastic animals, yard sale finds, discarded construction materials, toys, dolls, and more. It’s a veritable sensory feast that you’re welcome to stroll through, touch and take as many pics as you wish.

I spent quite a while at Randyland and still felt like I didn’t see everything. It’s easy to overlook the countless small and subtle details, as well as all the angles allowing different perspectives.

Fort Pitt Museum, another notable attraction, introduced me to Western Pennsylvania’s critical role in the Revolutionary War and its impact on the founding of our country. Located within Point State Park, the museum takes visitors back in history to the 18^th century when Fort Pitt was a frontier stronghold and key British fortification. Exhibits also cover the French & Indian War and the Whiskey Rebellion, while offering insight into the lives of soldiers stationed at the fort.

Today, all that remains of Fort Pitt is the Block House, which has stood in its same location (across from the museum) for nearly 250 years — a “witness to Pittsburgh’s history as a frontier fort, large industrial center and leading modern city.”

Take time to stroll through Point State Park, downtown Pittsburgh’s hub for outdoor recreation, cultural events and festivals. This 36-acre green oasis is situated at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, forming the Ohio River. It’s known for scenic views and the Point State Park fountain, perhaps the most iconic landmark in the area. The fountain is the tallest in the U.S. with a spray reaching up to 150 feet high. It’s a magnet for locals and visitors, especially on a hot, summer day.

For more great views, I recommend taking the Duquesne or Monongahela Incline up Mount Washington. The former dates back to 1877, cost $47,000 to build and operated until 1962 by The Duquesne Inclined Plane Company. From 1964 until the present, the Incline has been operated by the Society for the Preservation of The Duquesne Heights Incline, and owned by the Port Authority of Allegheny County.

The Duquesne Incline has a track measuring 794 feet, climbs 400 feet in elevation at a speed of six miles per hour and has a max capacity of eighteen people per car. As you ascend, the city spreads out below in all its glory. When you reach the top, step out and gaze at the picturesque skyline panorama. Then check out the little onsite museum of Pittsburgh history, including photos and info on inclines from around the world. Nearby is the machine room, where original, wooden equipment from 1877 is still in operation.

The Monongahela Incline is Duquesne’s older sibling. The two are within a mile of one another. The “Mon,” as it’s called, has the distinction of being the first passenger funicular railway built in the U.S., as well as the oldest continuously operating funicular railway in the country. This Pittsburgh icon was constructed to take workers up and down “Coal Hill,” (Mount Washington), which was otherwise inaccessible from the city proper. Though only the “Mon” and the Duquesne have survived, Pittsburgh was once home to almost two dozen inclines.

To get another perspective of Pittsburgh’s skyline and its many bridges, I recommend taking a boat ride with Gateway Clipper. The company’s Three Rivers Sightseeing tour begins on the Monongahela River and continues on both the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. During the cruise, an onboard narrator relays a slew of facts, tales and river lore, along with information about almost every building and landmark in the city, including the stadiums for the Pirates and Steelers.

You’ll go under several bridges and hear why Pittsburgh has earned its name as the City of Bridges. With a whopping 446 of these engineering feats, it boasts more bridges than any other city or region in the world, even Venice.

During my visit to Pittsburgh, I stayed at the Drury Plaza Hotel. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, the property is an historic renovation of the 1931 Federal Reserve Bank building. This prominent Art Deco structure includes many of the bank’s original finishes, rooms and design features, such as the “main banking room,” complete with its marble wall covering and steel trim, and a pair of massive vaults, which have been converted to meeting rooms.

My room was spacious, had the necessary amenities and most importantly, a comfy bed. A hot breakfast is complimentary, as well as a happy hour buffet of dinnertime snacks and drinks. Plus, there’s a lobby bar and restaurant onsite, a fitness facility and indoor pool.

PLAN YOUR VISIT
www.visitpittsburgh.com

Debbie Stone is an established travel writer and columnist, and regular contributor for Big Blend Radio and Big Blend Magazines, who crosses the globe in search of unique destinations and experiences to share with her readers and listeners. She’s an avid explorer who welcomes new opportunities to increase awareness and enthusiasm for places, culture, food, history, nature, outdoor adventure, wellness, and more. Her travels have taken her to nearly 100 countries and all seven continents.

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