Yes, Pittsburgh is a city of sports champions (you have probably heard about the Steelers, the Pirates, or the Penguins), but Pittsburgh is also the city of resilient, hard-working people who helped bring the city back from adversity. Those are the real champions. Pittsburgh is now America's 3rd most livable city (2nd in the continental U.S.), where you can walk, bike, and kayak for miles with urban views, yet still be engulfed in nature.
Many visitors walk away (or stay!) astonished at the beauty of this green and innovative city, that offers an affordable standard of living, some of the best health care facilities in the world, and cultural destinations that rival the largest of urban cities.
You might also know Pittsburgh as The Steel City
Pittsburgh played a significant role in U.S. history, including the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the infamous Whiskey Rebellion, and the Civil War. With access to resource-filled waterways (the city has a confluence of three rivers!), it was natural for Pittsburgh to become an industrial center for the U.S. as it grew into the nation we know today. Coal mining and steel production were the backbone for the blue-collar city and, up through the mid-1950s, Pittsburgh's steel production accounted for nearly half of the national output.
The Pittsburgh of today plays a significant role with history-making discoveries through technology, education, medicine, and research. Some of the largest companies worldwide have found a home (or second home) in Pittsburgh and its higher education institutions (like the University of Pittsburgh) are world-renowned for their research, innovation, and exceptional graduates and fellows.
Accolades
1st |
Best city for football fans - 2021, WalletHub |
1st |
Best national amusement park (with best roller coasters) - 2020, National Amusement Park Historical Association |
3rd |
Best city for hockey fans - 2021, WalletHub |
3rd |
Best city for artists in America - 2020, Rent |
6th |
Best city for STEM jobs - 2021, WalletHub |
7th |
Most caring city in America - 2021, WalletHub |
7th |
Best U.S. city to launch your career - 2020, LinkedIn |
9th |
Best employer for new graduates, 89th overall among businesses with at least 1,000 employees - 2021, Forbes |
9th |
Best city for university students in the US - 2018, CEOWorld Magazine |
19th |
Top Public Schools in America, 58th in National Universities - 2021, US News & World Report |
29th |
Best city for jobs - 2021, WalletHubHighlight: Best Pittsburgh Neighborhoods for Young Professionals |
1st |
Most affordable city to buy a home in the world - 2022, WPXI |
30th |
Most liveable city in the United States, 25th most liveable city in the world - 2021, Economic Intelligence Unit |
32nd |
Best place to retire - 2020-21, US News & World Report |
43rd |
Best global university in the world - 2021, US News & World Report |
105th |
Coolest school in the United States - 2021, Sierra Magazine |
Pittsburgh also ranks among the best for galleries, green spaces, breweries, coffee shops, livability, education, health care, fitness, housing and more. View the full list of recent Pittsburgh accolades on Visit Pittsburgh's website.
We have so much to tell you about the food, culture, and fun in Pittsburgh
There is an extraordinary amount to learn, experience, and enjoy in Pittsburgh that it would be impossible to list everything here. To get you started, check out this Visitor's Guide to Pittsburgh.
Get a quick overview of what Pittsburgh is all about