This is our wedding venue, but you can also go see the beautiful museum portion anytime over the weekend. We absolutely love it. This is a great option especially for those of you staying at the Oaklander or any other Oakland location. Guests to our wedding get half off admission.
This museum is one of the most dynamic major art institutions in America, and features a broad spectrum of visual arts. However, Anna not-so-secretly prefers the adjoining Carnegie Natural History Museum. It is about a half mile away from our venue and about a 10 minute walk away from the Oaklander. This is another fantastic option for those of you staying at the Oaklander or other Oakland location.
This is the cornerstone of University of Pittsburgh's campus. Standing at 535 feet (163 m), the 42-story Late Gothic Revival Cathedral is the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere. Go to the top to overlook the city of Pittsburgh, check out the nationality rooms, or wander through the first floor Common's Room. This is a short walk from the Oaklander and great option for anyone staying in any Oakland location.
If you're staying in Oakland and looking for breakfast, Pamela's is an affordable place with an American diner-feel to it. Legend has it, President Obama once had the chef visit the White House to make him Pamela's famous hotcakes. Beware, however, it's cash only and filled with undergraduate students. There are also locations in Shadyside and the Strip District. When we lived in Shadyside, for a special treat we used to get carryout and avoid the wait!
This is our favorite casual restaurant in Oakland. It's equipped with a menu that can serve all dietary preferences and a bar that even Paolo loves!
This is Paolo's favorite hipster coffee shop. Stop here for a delicious espresso if you are tired of your usual Starbucks cup!
This park has a 2 mile flat trail with gorgeous views of the city along the river. This is Anna's favorite place to run! The trail also brings you to a kayaking company which you can avail if you're interested in kayaking along the Allegheny River. We took Anna's mom kayaking there the first time she met Paolo! Needless to say, he made a decent first impression.
This little French bakery is well worth the short wait in line that usually tails out of the front door. Come at open for fresh croissants and other treats. A nice option for a breakfast-on-the-go!
Tiny little restaurant that packs a punch when it comes to brunch/dinner. Its just excellent. Thank us later.
Anna's favorite Italian restaurant (seriously, we've eaten here way more than anywhere else in the city). Pick your preference–pizza or pasta–both are made in house are are to DIE for. Its BYOB with corkage, but you can skip the fee if you pick up a bottle or a cocktail from the Grapperia around the corner.
Speakeasy-esque Japanese restaurant that serves big and small plates, has killer cocktails, and the best atmosphere of any bar around–you'll hang your hat and stay all evening.
There are lots of breweries about, but this cider house has a special place in our hearts. We have spent many warm summer days in their back garden drinking growlers of cider and eating a local pie (probably from Piccolo Forno). Bring a take-away and a picnic blanket and you'll be all set.
One of the many distilleries within a stone's throw from our home in Lawrenceville, but it's definitely nicer than some of the other "better known" Pittsburgh spirit makers. Check out their tours, or better yet, wander from here to some of the other local distilleries (Kingfly > Wigle) or breweries (Cinderlands, Eleventh Hour, Trace, Roundabout, Hop Farm) down in Lawrenceville or the Strip District.
We took Anna's mom to do this the first weekend she met Paolo. Luckily his kayaking skills were up to snuff
Anna's favorite casual dinner spot in the summer
Stop by at sunset for the best views of the city
Best place to go for a run or hike if you don't want to leave the city
If you have extra time to explore the surrounding areas, Fallingwater is a must. This house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The wealthy family who lived here also decked it out with original works of art, including some original Picassos, which are still conserved. Anna could spend a whole day here but Paolo was more interested in the gift shop tbh
If you're looking for real hiking (not just a walk in the woods) or water rafting, this is every pittsburgher's go-to. AND it's just a short drive away from Fallingwater