About Pittsburgh PA
Pittsburgh is a city in the state of Pennsylvania that serves as well as the county seat of Allegheny County. It is situated at the meeting point of the Ohio River, the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River. This city is nicknamed the ‘Steel City,’ due to its more than 300 steel associated business establishments. Pittsburgh is also commonly referred to as the ‘City of Bridges’ thanks to its possessing more than 400 bridges. Besides steel, this Pennsylvania city was a noted leader in the glass, petroleum, transport, computing and automobile industries. For a portion of the 20th century, Pittsburgh was only 2nd to New York and Chicago in the context of corporate headquarters employment. Nowadays well noted companies such as Google, Facebook, Uber, Microsoft and IBM are numbered among the 1,600 tech firms that maintain a presence in the City of Pittsburgh. It is as well home to over 60 universities and colleges. Some of the most notable include the Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Moreover, the US’ 8th biggest bank, a grand total of 8 Fortune 500 firms and 6 of the leading law firms have all established their global headquarters in Pittsburgh.
The city was named in honor of English statesman William Pitt who had the nobility title of the 1st Earl of Chatham. During the mid 18th century, the English constructed Fort Prince George in the area, prior to being driven out by much bigger French forces. The French then constructed Fort Duquesne. The French and Indian War, which was the North American version of the 7 Years War was fought with the future of Pittsburgh at its center. During this epoch, Edward Braddock was sent along with George Washington to seize Fort Duquesne. The British and the colonial army were ultimately defeated. However, later on John Forbes managed to seize the contested fort in 1958. He then initiated the building of Fort Pitt, and the subsequent settlement that grew was named Pittsborough. In 1785, Pittsburgh became a part of Pennsylvania’s territory.
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Top attractions
Pittsburgh has a rich arts and cultural heritage that can be traced back to the time when prominent 19th century industrialists commissioned and donated public works. This includes the construction of the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts and the Benedum Center to mention but a few. The last of which currently serves as the home base for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Opera. Pittsburgh was as well home to the National Negro Opera Company, which was established as the very first all Black American opera in the country. This Pennsylvania city is also home to the Pittsburgh Dance Council and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.
Pittsburgh boasts of numerous fine arts museums too. This includes the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Frick Art and Historical Center, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to name but a few. It also boasts of the Toonseum that has the distinction of been one of the only 3 museum in the nation, which are devoted to cartoons works of art. Pittsburgh is also home to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History that is ranked as the 4th best natural history museums in the United States. This particular museum showcases comprehensive dinosaur, animal, mineral and Egyptian exhibits. There is the Carnegie Science Center as well, which offers a wide range of interactive tech and science exhibits that attract many locals and visitors alike.
Duquesne Incline
The Duquesne Incline happens to be one of the 2 uphill trolleys that have being carting visitors to the City of Pittsburgh to the peak of Mount Washington. This exhilarating trip offers an ideal vantage point to glimpse at the spot where the 3 rivers in this Pennsylvania city converge. Duquesne Incline `comes complete with a big viewing platform, which offers panoramic views of Pittsburgh. This site also has a diminutive museum that puts show a wide variety of exhibits dwelling on the city’s rich and eventful history including photos.
Heinz History Center
This is yet another leading attraction of the City of Pittsburgh and is highly renowned for showcasing various curious artifacts that dwell on Pittsburgh role in the famous French and Indian War. Yet another key highlight of visiting this Pittsburgh museum is exploring the very popular Western Pennsylvania sports exhibit. This particular exhibit has been specifically designed to chronicle the City of Pittsburgh’s football and baseball legacy. There is as well an interesting exhibit that is dedicated to Heinz Ketchup together with other Heinz products.
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
Situated in the city’s Shadyside neighborhood, the Pittsburgh Zoo is another notable attraction in Pittsburgh. It is home to over 400 different species of wildlife including a good number of some which are threatened or endangered. The animals in this City of Pittsburgh zoo are housed in a wide variety of different natural habitats. This ranges from the African Savannah to the Asian Forest to mention but a few. It also comes complete with the PPG Aquarium that is home to sea creatures such as sharks, penguins and a wide range of colorful fish. Another popular attraction in the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium is the Water’s Edge habitat, which offers refuge to wild animals like polar bears and even sea otters.
Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center provides a wide variety of interactive exhibits that expound more on the fields of science and technology. It has the distinction of being one of the 4 Carnegie museums, which are located in the City of Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Science Center also boasts of a planetarium and an exploration station. The last of which features fascinating electricity and weather exhibits. This Pittsburgh museum as well has a sports venue, a robotic experience and even a naval submarine exhibit. Not to mention an IMAX theatre.
Andy Warhol Museum
Situated on a city block on the eastern end of the City of Pittsburgh PNC Park, the Andy Warhol Museum is yet another trendy attraction in the Pennsylvania city. It has the distinction of been the biggest fine arts museum in the country that is dedicated solely to a single artist. The Andy Warhol Museum is housed in a refurbished warehouse and consists of a very impressive 7 floors that showcase installations, reproductions and educational exhibits. All of which dwell on Andy Warhol who was one of the City of Pittsburgh leading contemporary artist. Some of the key highlights of paying a visit to the Andy Warhol Museum is viewing the original works of art by this great American artist. This includes the famous Brillo Boxes sculpture, the Elvis Presley painting to name just but a few.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Gardens
The Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Gardens is a very popular venue for Pittsburgh local events such as weddings. Still, it at the same time, offers a wide variety attractions that draw numerous visitors to it in droves. This includes its series of green rooms that are devoted to showcase the plant life of specific regions of the world and even an array of plant species. Some of the key highlights of visiting the City of Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanic Gardens is exploring its tropical forests, bonsai gardens, Joshua trees, orchid plants and even its interesting flower collections. This conservatory as well comes complete with a number of fascinating butterfly gardens. If you are a nature enthusiast, a trip to the City of Pittsburgh is never complete without exploring the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.