Pittsburgh is a big city with a small town feel. It is divided into several neighborhoods - CMU is between Oakland and Squirrel Hill. The area is characterized by 2 things: hills and rivers. Homes are built on steep slopes and the roads get icy and treacherous in the winter. There are 3 rivers that run through Pittsburgh - Allegheny, Ohio, Monongahela - which earns the city the nickname Three Rivers. (There are also more bridges here than in Venice, Italy.)

The city used to be a big industrial steel town; while that image is changing, Pittsburgh still retains much of the character and infrastructure (eg. large unionized workforce, smoke stacks). The local dialect is called 'Pittsburghese' (http://www.pittsburghese.com), and the locals who speak it are sometimes referred to as 'yinzers'. There is a strong hint of Eastern European culture in the city; another notable characteristic of Pittsburgh is the number of cathedrals. There is a distinct indie scene here for writing, crafts, and music.

Pittsburgh's downtown is a triangle - navigation can be tricky. There are many one-way streets and roads that run almost the entire length of the city. Examples of long streets: Forbes Ave, Fifth Ave, Penn Ave... So if you are looking up an address, be sure you know the neighborhood too.

SPORTS:
Pittsburghers are crazy about their sports - the colors are black and gold.
Football: Steelers (5-time Superbowl champion)
Ice Hockey: Penguins
Baseball: Pirates (or Buccaneers)

Places to catch views of Pittsburgh

1) Mount Washington/Duquesne Incline Voted top 10 most beautiful scenic view in N. America... good place to take your dates! Take a ride up the Incline There are 2 inclines and lookout points within walking distance of each other, Mt Washington and Duquesne. Access is from the station across Station Sq downtown. Since the incline is part of city transport (yes, ppl commute on them), rides should be free with your CMU bus pass. There are a few fancy $$$ restaurants along Grandview Ave if you want to dine while enjoying the view - see DiningGuide?.

What you see: The meeting point of the 3 rivers, the iconic fountain at Point State Park, Heinz Stadium, many bridges, prominent buildings such as PPG, Mellon, and the Cathedral of Learning (UPitt, national landmark, seen in Ghostbusters movie)

2) West End Overlook: Another famous place to see the city, located on the same side of the river (South) as Mt Washington.

NEIGHBORHOODS

• SOUTH SIDE

Southside Works (http://www.southsideworks.com/)
Shops, restaurants, bars, movie theater, apartments, offices
What you'll find: Cheesecake Factory, McCormick? & Schmick's (seafood), BCBG, Puma, Sur la Table...

East Carson Street
Bars, clubs, tattoo parlors, restaurants
What you'll find: Nightlife, a wild time, rowdy drunken yuppies and college kids

• HOMESTEAD/WEST MIFFLIN

Waterfront (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Waterfront)
Shops, restaurants, comedy club, dueling piano bar, huge movie theater
What you'll find: Barnes & Noble, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Gap, Old Navy, Best Buy (electronics), Ann Taylor Loft, Victoria's Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, Macy's, Aveda Salon & Spa, tons of restaurants... one-stop weekend hangout

Kennywood (http://www.kennywood.com/)
Amusement park

• DOWNTOWN

(It ain't nothing like Singapore's CBD)

Station Square
Shops, bars, restaurants, live music, offices
What you'll find: Hard Rock Cafe, Gateway Clipper (http://www.gatewayclipper.com/), Grand Concourse (http://www.muer.com/ - famous for brunch)

Cultural District (Penn Ave)
Pittsburgh Symphony concerts, musicals and Broadway shows, plays, ballets, chic restaurants
What you'll find: Heinz Hall, Benedum Center, convention center...

Point State Park
Public park with iconic Pittsburgh fountain where the rivers meet

• STRIP DISTRICT

Penn Ave. "The Strip" (http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com/)
Ethnic grocers, gourmet food, restaurants, farmer's market, clubs
What you'll find: Cheap imported food products from around the world, Wholey's Seafood, fresh produce, Sanctuary (church converted to nightclub), the Boardwalk (clubs)...

• OAKLAND

Univ. of Pittsburgh main campus, college dive bars, shops, cafes, museums, restaurants, hospitals and medical offices
What you'll find: Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Library, Carnegie Music Hall (not associated with the one in NY), Heinz Chapel, Cathedral of Learning, Phipps Conservatory (http://www.conservatory.org)...

• SHADYSIDE

Walnut Street and Ellsworth Ave
Boutiques, restaurants, bars, cafes, martini lounges
What you'll find: Gap, J. Crew, Coach, Kawaii gift shop, Apple store, Banana Republic...

East Liberty
Grocery stores, restaurants, shops
What you'll find: Trek bike store, Whole Foods (trendy organic supermarket), Trader Joe's (national chain supermarket), Border's, specialty liquor store, AAA (for car owners), Giant Eagle Market District (upscale version of GEagle)... Cathedral in the movie 'Dogma' can be found here. Generally not regarded as a safe area, but it is being rejuvenated.

• NORTH SIDE

Local attractions
What you'll find: Heinz Stadium, PNC Park, Carnegie Science Center, Children's Museum, National Aviary (bird park), Mexican War Streets, coming soon - Casino (like Marina Bay's IR)... also generally regarded as not the safest neighborhood

• ROBINSON (airport area)

Shops, restaurants
What you'll find: IKEA, Volkwein's (http://www.volkweins.com/ - the only good music store)

• SURROUNDING AREAS

Beautiful countryside, farms, state parks (hiking, biking), resorts, Frank Lloyd Wright creations, local wineries
What you'll find: Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, Seven Springs Mountain Resort (http://www.7springs.com/ - ski, horseback riding, golf), Simmons Farm (http://www.simmonsfarm.com/ - fruit picking)...

ANNUAL EVENTS AROUND TOWN:

Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival ((http://www.pgh-renfest.com/)
Handmade Arcade (http://www.handmadearcade.com/)
Three Rivers Arts Festival (http://www.artsfestival.net/)
Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival (http://www.pittsburghdragonboatfestival.org/)
Race for the Cure (http://www.pittsburghraceforthecure.org/)
Wings Over Pittsburgh (http://www.wingsoverpittsburgh.com/)
St. Patrick's Day Parade (http://www.pittsburghirish.org/parade/)