What to Do on a Weekend in Pittsburgh
Chatham students pose for a photo during a group outing at PNC Park. (Kyle Ferreira)
Students living on Chatham University’s Shadyside campus know there are plenty of activities happening around Woodland Road, but the city of Pittsburgh, with its world-class amenities and neighborhood subcultures, always beckons to be explored.
We asked some Chatham students to give us some ideas to help plan your perfect weekend in Pittsburgh.
Neighborhood shops and restaurants
Shops and restaurants on Walnut Street in Shadyside. (Mick Stinelli)
Shadyside
Grab a bite and shop along the Walnut Street and Ellsworth Avenue commercial districts, just a short walk from Chatham’s campus on Woodland Road.
Top spots:
Noodlehead — Unpretentious and relatively affordable meals inspired by Thai street food.
Shady Grove — American food in a large space, including two floors of indoor seating and a patio area.
Prantl’s Bakery — This location is the flagship store of a popular local chain known for their burnt almond torte.
Mercurio’s — A family-owned gelato and pizza shop.
Squirrel Hill
Squirrel Hill is a largely residential neighborhood whose business district is home to a diverse selection of food, shops, and entertainment, all located just south of Chatham’s Shadyside campus.
Top spots:
Chengdu Gourmet — A mouthwatering array of traditional and American Chinese food prepared by a five-time James Beard Award-nominated chef.
Jerry’s Records — This used record store contains over one million LPs, making it a bucket list location for many collectors.
Taiwanese Bistro Cafe 33 — One of the best Thai spots in the city sits in a former laundromat.
Manor Theater — A small local cinema that shows new releases. It’s been a mainstay on Murray Avenue for over 90 years.
The Cathedral of Learning in Oakland is a Pittsburgh landmark. (Mick Stinelli)
Oakland
Thousands of students from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham, and other local colleges and universities converge here every year to socialize and have fun.
Top spots:
Two Carnegie museums — Access to both the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History are free with a Chatham student ID.
Hemingway’s Cafe — A popular pub in the heart of Oakland where students study over bar food and beer.
Redhawk Coffee Roasters — A small storefront serving some of the best coffee roasted in the Pittsburgh area.
Frenchi’s Deli & Market — Sometimes open until 4 a.m., this corner store and deli serves sandwiches and wraps that make it a frequent last stop for night owls.
Lawrenceville
If 1970s Shadyside was “Pittsburgh’s Greenwich Village,” then 2010s Lawrenceville was “Pittsburgh’s Williamsburg.” It takes just one stroll down Butler Street to see that the neighborhood, while changed, still has its own unique identity.
Arsenal Bowl — A retro bowling alley featuring 22 lanes, a swanky bar, and regular DJ nights.
Row House Cinema — An independent theater that regularly screens classic, foreign, and independent films, as well as small, themed festivals.
Spirit — This bar, restaurant, and event space is housed in a former private club once operated by the Loyal Order of the Moose. It’s as well known for its excellent pizza as it is for regular DJ nights and live bands.
The Parlor Dim Sum — Small-plate dim sum and other Cantonese inspired dishes are the main attraction at this restaurant, which opened in 2019.
Sports
Acrisure Stadium swells with tens of thousands of Steelers fans during home games. Large concerts and other events are also held at the stadium. (Mick Stinelli)
The fall, winter, and spring seasons offer plenty of opportunities to experience the fervor of Pittsburgh sports fandom.
Steelers games draw thousands of spectators and tailgaters, even as the weather turns frigid.
The Penguins play over 100 games in a season, and they sometimes offer student rush tickets at affordable prices.
Soccer fans are rabid for the Riverhounds SC, whose Highmark Stadium in Station Square offers a gorgeous view of the city skyline. Their season typically begins in March.
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ regular season goes through September. The 2024 season opens on March 28.
Outdoors, green spaces, and animals
The exterior of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland. (Mick Stinelli)
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium in Highland Park is just a short drive from campus.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Oakland has beautiful exhibits for every season.
Pittsburgh’s public parks, including Point State Park in Downtown, are great places to unwind and experience the outdoors.
The National Aviary in the North Side has more than 150 species of birds, many of which fly free or interact up-close with guests.
Shows
Stage AE’s programming and its location on Pittsburgh’s North Shore make it a favorite concert venue among college students. (Mick Stinelli)
Concerts
Stage AE in the North Shore boasts both an indoor and an outdoor stage. Plus, it’s in one of Pittsburgh’s most popular nightlife districts.
Mr. Small’s Theater in Millvale has featured countless bands and musical artists on its stage, which is located in an old church. The Funhouse upstairs (capacity 200) features smaller and local acts.
Club Cafe in Pittsburgh’s historic South Side is a great bar to see up-and-coming touring acts up close.
Con Alma in Downtown regularly hosts live jazz bands in a trendy restaurant space.
The Roxian in McKees Rocks is one of the region’s newest venues and hosts touring artists and special events.
Local and niche music
The Mr. Roboto Project in Bloomfield for DIY acts and other artists.
Elks Lodge #339 in the North Side for bluegrass and banjo music on Wednesday nights.
Trace Brewing in Bloomfield for Sunday disco parties, drag brunches, and other events.
Heinz Hall, located in Downtown’s Cultural District, is home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. (Mick Stinelli)
Plays, musicals, classical, and more
The Cultural District in Downtown has seven theaters, including Heinz Hall, where the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs.
City Theater in the South Side stages contemporary shows in engaging and unique ways.
Kelly Strayhorn Theater in East Liberty provides a home for programs centered around Black and LGBTQ+ voices.
Mick Stinelli is a Writer and Digital Content Specialist at Chatham University. His writing has previously appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and 90.5 WESA.