Delta Sky Magazine
Local Time & Weather

Pittsburghmore than steel

  • Bookmark and Share

One Cool Neighborhood: The Strip District

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Pittsburgh Public Market
This weekend must is your one-stop shop to find locally made everything. Every Friday through Sunday, people flock to The Strip’s historic Produce Terminal Building to find fresh-baked goods, handcrafted treasures, produce and more from dozens of local vendors. Open year round, the Pittsburgh Public Market is always filled with unique and seasonal treasures. Smallman St. between 16th and 17th streets, 412-281-4505
Wholey’s Fish Market
Small family-owned and local businesses line the streets of The Strip, offering an array of regional and global fare for the choosing. On Penn Avenue, you’ll find fresh seafood, fish, meat and poultry from Strip staple Wholey’s Fish Market. Visitors can also purchase Icelandic codfish sandwiches, soups, chicken and side dishes in the on-site kitchen—the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. 1711 Penn. Ave, 412-391-3737
Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.
Another Penn Avenue highlight is Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. The shelves are stocked with more than 5,000 specialty products from around the world, including pastas, sauces and olives. The impressive cheese section is backed by a helpful, knowledgeable staff and sells 200,000 pounds each week! 2010-2012 Penn Ave., 412-471-8330
Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor
Art Deco ambiance is at its finest at Klavon’s Ice Cream Parlor, a family-operated establishment originally opened in 1923 as a drugstore. Many of the fixtures and furnishings remain the same, adding charm and character to the parlor: The inlaid terrazzo floor, 16-foot marble soda fountain, fountain stools and even the banana split dishes are all original pieces. Along with a brief lunch menu, penny candies and old-fashioned sodas, Klavon’s also serves a variety of delectable ice cream creations. 2801 Penn Ave., 412-434-0451
Enrico Biscotti Café
If the charming appearance of this quaint bakery and café doesn’t draw you in, its enticing scents certainly will. Enrico Biscotti Café is known for its perfectly crafted Italian pastries; each loaf of biscotti is shaped by hand, baked in-house and individually sliced. The café also serves salads, pizzas from its wood burning brick oven, homemade soups and desserts. 2022 Penn Ave., 412-281-2602
Senator John Heinz History Center
This popular Strip attraction holds more than 250 years of Pittsburgh history within its walls ready for exploring. Boasting 275,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Senator John Heinz History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. Visitors can also learn about some of the best moments in Pittsburgh sports at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum (pictured), which is also housed in the center. 1212 Smallman St., 412-454-6000
Street Vendors
On the weekends, street vendors offering a vast array of goodies line Penn Ave. Peruse through Pittsburgh-themed accessories, Peruvian imports, ethnically diverse food options and hard-to-find items from around the world.
P&G; Pamela’s Diner
With hotcakes that even caught the attention of President Barack Obama, breakfast in The Strip is a must at P&G Pamela’s Diner. While in Pennsylvania for the primary elections in 2008, President Obama and his wife, Michelle, dined at Pamela’s for breakfast and were so impressed, they invited the owners to the White House to prepare a special Memorial Day breakfast. Some of the menu’s standouts include the crepe-style hotcakes and strawberry hotcakes: a crepe hotcake stuffed with strawberries, brown sugar and sour cream all topped with whipped cream. 60 21st St., 412-281-6366
Other Notable Strip District Stops

More Food: Enjoy a sandwich at the original Primanti Bros. location, delectable Italian fare at Lidia’s Pittsburgh or a fine dining experience at Eleven.

More Specialty Shops: Find the best Italian meats at Parma Sausage, eclectic jewelry, accessories and home décor at Collage, seafood at Benkovitz Seafood and dozens of meat options at Strip District Meats.

Nightlife: Firehouse Lounge/Embury boast some of the best cocktails in the city and Mullaney’s Harp and Fiddle has the perfect Irish pub vibe.

Arts and Entertainment: Hear the Pittsburgh Opera, watch the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre or view galleries filled with local, national and international pieces at the Society for Contemporary Craft.

Less than one mile northeast of downtown Pittsburgh, the streets of The Strip District are lined with industrial architecture from the 19th century and filled with people embracing the variety of retailers. True to its name, the district consists of a narrow strip of land running parallel to the adjacent Allegheny River. While visiting this historic market district, experience the many cultures celebrated in the unique shops, vendors and restaurants. Click through to see some highlights from The Strip.—Kristina Anderson
Previous Next

Spill It: Tell Us What You Think!

Leave message
Name:
Your URL:
Your e-mail:
Message:
 
Enter security code: