After a hearty breakfast at the Hyatt, we set out on foot to explore the city. First, we headed south over the Allegheny River to Point State Park, where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River, America's original “Gateway to the West.”
The Point also marks the western terminus of the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) rail-trail, a 150-mile bike trail connecting Pittsburgh, PA, to Cumberland, Maryland. From Cumberland, you can ride another 185 miles on the C&O Canal Trail to Washington, D.C. We biked the C&O Trail in 2020. Perhaps one day we'll return to Pittsburgh and ride the GAP.
Tom at the Forks of the Ohio River
Western terminus of the GAP Trail
Fort Pitt Bridge
From Point Park, we then crossed over the Monongahela River to the lower Duquesne Incline station and rode the incline railway to the top of Mount Washington. A museum at the upper Duquesne station allows you to look at the inner workings of the incline – very old but still quite functional.
Mount Washington
Duquesne Incline
Going up the hill
Cogs of the machine
Now well above the city, we strolled about a mile down the aptly named Grandview Avenue, enjoying epic views of Pittsburgh and the three rivers all along the way. I had no idea Pittsburgh was so steep. How do people get around during the long, icy winters?
Downtown Pittsburgh
Tom brokers a peace deal
St. Mary of the Mount Catholic Church
At the end of our stroll, we rode the Monongahela Incline back down to river level. Having already walked over three miles, we caught an Uber back to our hotel to save our legs for more walking later.
Jana over Pittsburgh
Monongahela Incline
In the afternoon, we wandered north from our hotel into an artsy little area. First along the way was “(re)CARstruction,” a 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer that has been dissected and reassembled into a 9-foot sphere and is now on display in front of the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, because...art!
1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Fish Sticks
Our main destination on this exploration was Randyland, an eclectic outdoor art museum featuring upcycled materials displayed in vivid technicolor. You've gotta see it to believe it. Admission is free.
Randyland!
House of Hearts - No Brains Allowed
Mannequin garden
Jana and Randy
Plant heads
Leaving Randyland, we then came to the City of Asylum, a refuge for writers from across the world who face persecution in their home countries due to their controversial work. Several houses along Sampsonia Way are painted with murals unique to their resident authors.
Comma House
Pittsburgh-Burma House
Allegheny Commons Park, Lake Elizabeth
Later, we had dinner at The Foundry Table & Tap. The poutine and pierogies – two local faves – were delicious and filling and so unhealthy they should never be eaten by anyone, but since we walked over seven miles today, I'd say we earned it. Afterward, we stopped by Southern Tier Brewing for an Oktoberfest nightcap. It was another lively night, with both Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Pirates games in the neighborhood today.
Poutine and pierogies