All About My Experience in Pittsburgh

Way back when, five long years ago as I was applying to college, there was one critical factor to my decision that I refused to let go of: the college’s location. I know location isn’t everyone’s main concern, but look— when your hometown qualifies itself as a village (shoutout Wellington, Florida!), you grow an itch to go anywhere else where things actually happen. Living in a city was a tantalizing dream for me, and I’m glad to say it’s one that Pittsburgh has delivered on in my four years here.

Before I applied to Carnegie Mellon, I’ll be honest… I hardly knew what Pittsburgh was all about, especially as someone unfamiliar with the northeast United States. I expected a small city, and one that was maybe a little basic. But this city is full of so much history and charm! 

From the second you drive into Downtown, you’re hit with the most gorgeous sight: the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers intersecting to become the Ohio River, framing the city of Pittsburgh. Seriously, look up a picture of Point State Park — it’s a beautiful view as you take in some of the city’s natural beauty in addition to its striking skyline. 

Once you’re in the city, you’re met with a plethora of neighborhoods to experience. Carnegie Mellon is based a little further up in the neighborhood of Oakland, but there are also places like the Strip District and its markets, cozy Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, Mount Washington with its stunning views, the Mexican War Streets full of arts, South Side's lively restaurants… I could go on and on. Some of my favorite memories have been exploring these areas! 

There’s nothing like, after a long week, getting dinner with friends at Fujiya Ramen, tucked away in Shadyside, or riding up the Duquesne Incline to Mount Washington and staring down at the city below. I swear, there have been days where I’m tempted to take a bus and just ride around as much of the city as possible just to get to know every inch of this place. Honestly, it’s impossible to sit down and list all the things the city offers— but I’ll at least go on and list my favorites! 

With our CMU Arts Pass, CMU students can explore a variety of museums around the city at no cost. The Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History are only a ten minute walk away from campus, and they are underrated study spots (I mean, hello, there’s nothing like writing a paper while sitting directly under literal dinosaur fossils). Phipps Conservatory is also about ten minutes away and offers beautiful botanical gardens where students can relax, stop and sniff the roses. 
Beyond Oakland, we have even more options. The Heinz History Center in the Strip District tells the story of Pittsburgh and how the city became what it is today. There’s even more art to be found, both at the Andy Warhol Museum and the Mattress Factory on the North Side — While they’re a bit of a trek away, both are incredible and unique art collections with styles and interactivity that I haven’t seen replicated in many other places. Also on the North Side, we have the National Aviary, the biggest aviary in the nation, for all bird enthusiasts like myself. And that’s all free with our Arts Pass!

And there’s even more to the city beyond that. Pittsburgh practically begs you to indulge in the arts: the Cultural District in Downtown is a place that can be explored endlessly. It consists of a series of theaters that are constantly hosting a wide range of events. In my four years here, I’ve seen everything from film festivals, symphony orchestras and concerts to plays, puppet shows, operas and even Broadway musicals… Nothing makes me happier than running around Downtown trying to make it to the next event with my friends. 

Outside of the arts, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Kennywood! I’m a big theme park fan, and Kennywood definitely delivers. They have such a rotation of seasonal events: I’ll always think fondly of going to their holiday lights event and winning a bunch of plushies in their fair games, as well as going for their Halloween scare nights and running through their mazes. 

Honestly, some of my fondest memories are so intricately tied to Pittsburgh: going to a Pirates game with my RA staff, taking a night off and going stargazing at one of our local observatories, even something as simple as sledding down Flagstaff Hill with my friends on a snowy Sunday morning.

Yes, the city can be moody, but you learn to roll with the punches quickly. After all, it only takes one surprise rain storm to learn to carry around an umbrella at all times, and one cold front that teaches you how to layer appropriately. Despite the weather, Pittsburgh is a place that I have come to adore. Though my journey at Carnegie Mellon is coming to an end as I enter my final semester, I know this city will stick with me for the rest of my life. And I can’t wait for yinz to experience all of this, too!