Pittsburgh/Strip District-Lawrenceville
The Strip District and Lawrenceville are two prominent neighborhoods on the eastern side of Pittsburgh, in an area with many former industrial and warehouse districts where many immigrant workers lived. Today evidence of their cultures are prevalent throughout the area, and with the departure of much of Pittsburgh's industry many of the former factories and warehouses have been converted into restaurants, shops, offices, and residential units. The region also includes the restaurants and shops of rapidly gentrifying East Liberty, Bloomfield, and Garfield.
Understand
Lawrenceville, on the Allegheny River just north of the Strip District, is one of the oldest and largest neighborhoods in the city of Pittsburgh with approximately 11,000 residents and three business districts. Butler Street from 34th Street to 62nd Street contains most of the shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and neighborhood-serving businesses. Penn Avenue from 34th to Friendship Avenue contains some art studios, coffee shops, funky bars, and ethnic restaurants. Liberty Avenue from 33rd Street to the Bloomfield Street Bridge features some artisan studios and restaurants. Lawrenceville is the most notable example of gentrification in Pittsburgh, as the neighborhood has become known as one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city, with many young entrepreneurs having moved in. There is a large, vibrant art community in the neighborhood, and galleries and studios attract people to art openings and events.
Bloomfield is often referred to as Pittsburgh's "Little Italy." The area was occupied by German immigrants in the late 1700s. Irish immigrants later followed after the civil war. In the late 1800s, millworkers in nearby Lawrenceville constructed small row houses designed for single families and businesses in the style of their homeland. Prior to World War I, Liberty Avenue consisted mostly of German businesses. After the war, however, the neighborhood began to take on its Italian identity. Today, well-maintained rowhouses sit along quaint, narrow streets. Here homes are often passed down through families, and grandchildren usually live just a few blocks from grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Recently, the neighborhood has faced gentrification, as the Liberty Avenue business district now houses trendy bars, shops, and restaurants alongside a few Italian holdovers.
Other neighborhoods in the region include East Liberty, a neighborhood with a prominent business district which gentrified rapidly in the 2000s. This district, contiguous with the affluent Shadyside neighborhood, has become a haven for restaurants and stores (including the only Target and Trader Joe's locations in the city proper). Gentrification has spread west on Penn Ave. to Garfield, whose main business district (contiguous with Bloomfield and Friendship) features a row of art galleries, coffeehouses, and restaurants. Sandwiched between East Liberty, Garfield, Bloomfield, and Shadyside is the tiny, mostly residential neighborhood of Friendship.
Also in the area are Polish Hill, and the affluent Highland Park neighborhood, which surrounds the park of the same name.
Get in
By car
From downtown, simply take Liberty Avenue or Penn Avenue (they're parallel streets) east. You'll pass right through the Strip District. Stay on Liberty Avenue to get to Bloomfield. To get to Lawrenceville, get on Penn Avenue and continue east. Make a left on to Butler Street to get to Upper Lawrenceville, and continue on Butler to get to Highland Park and the Zoo. Staying on Penn Avenue will take you to Garfield and East Liberty.By public transit
The 86, 87, 88 and 91 Port Authority bus routes serve the Strip and Lawrenceville quite well. Further east, the East Busway routes (including the P1 or P2 to Downtown and the P3 to Oakland) serve East Liberty. The 71B serves East Liberty and the Highland Park area. The 54 connects the Strip to the North Side, Oakland and the South Side.See
The DoughboyBuilt by the Arsenal Board of Trade and dedicated May 31, 1921, stands at the intersection of Butler St and Penn Ave at 34th St. It serves as a memorial for the fallen U.S. soldiers of World War I.
East Liberty Presbyterian ChurchJust north of Shadyside in East Liberty, featuring ornate stonework, beautiful stained glass and woodwork. The church features a labyrinth, open Mondays 9AM-1:30PM and Saturdays 9AM-9PM. When walking the labyrinth, you are supposed to pray or meditate. In the past, they served as a substitute for the pilgrimage to Jerusalem. For Christians who have never walked a labyrinth, it's quite an interesting way to worship.
Highland ParkOne of the city's largest parks, Highland is home to 2 lakes, Lake Carnegie and Reservoir No. 1, both built for municipal water use and used for recreation. Also features gardens, overlooks, and a network of trails.
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Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
phone: +1 412 665-3640address: 7340 Butler St, Highland ParkA large zoo complex containing a wide variety of animals in big exhibits. There are lots of enclosures simulating natural spaces in Asia, Africa, rainforests, along with the PPG Aquarium. In the "Kid's Kingdom" area you can get up-close with animals like goats, deer, sea lions, bats, and meerkats. Busier on weekends; the zoo is laid out is a very linear fashion, with almost everything aligned along one loop, so expect crowds and viewing waits.
Senator John Heinz History Center
Do
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phone: +1 412 365-2145address: 5472 Penn Ave, East LibertyA nonprofit, public access glass studio and gallery dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting glass art. The more-than 16,000-square-foot building is one of the top glass art facilities in the country and houses state-of-the-art studios in hot glass, flameworking, coldworking, casting and kilnworking.
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phone: +1 412 362-1713address: 218 North Highland AvenueA local experimental theater company that puts on regular performances around Pittsburgh, particularly in the East Liberty area.
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phone: +1 412 281-3305address: 2425 Liberty AvenueA modern dance company that frequently incorporates original music and multimedia in their performances. They do performances across Pittsburgh, but most are held in their home in the Strip District.
Events
Art All NightA free, non-juried art exhibit held in April that runs 24 hours straight and features artwork from everyone who submits something.
Little Italy DaysHeld every September, it celebrates Bloomfield's Italian heritage. Liberty Avenue becomes filled with street vendors selling Italian food, art, and souvenirs. Live music is also performed, as well as contests and other activities.
Lawrenceville Artists’ Studio TourIn October the public is invited into the working studios of neighborhood artisans.
Halloween ParadeHeld annually, it is Bloomfield's largest nighttime parade.
The Joy of Cookies Cookie TourA shopping and cookie-tasting event that takes place in December in Lawrenceville and attracts people from all over the Pittsburgh area.
Buy
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address: Various locations from 16th Street to 62nd StreetStretching from the Strip District up to Lawrenceville, this arts and interior design district is the home of many antiques shops, art galleries, and specialty boutiques housed in restored turn-of-the-century storefronts or repurposed industrial buildings. Many businesses also include working studios, offering visitors the chance to see artists in action.
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Art of Steel
address: 2125 Penn AveFeatures unusual handcrafted metal and glass works.
Specialty foods and groceries
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Allegheny Coffee & Tea Exchange
phone: +1-866-569-5865address: 2005 Penn AveCoffees and teas, along with brewing supplies and accessories. -
Donatelli’s Italian Food Center
phone: +1 412 682-1406address: 4711 Liberty AveBloomfield Italian store. -
Euro Greetings
phone: +1 412 281-1808address: 2004 Smallman StEastern European foods. -
phone: +1 412 681-1227address: 237 Cedarville StBloomfield Italian store.
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Kim Do Oriental Grocery
phone: +1 412 338-6588address: 1808 Penn AveSells Vietnamese and other Asian goods. -
Labad's
phone: +1 412 261-0419address: 1727 Penn AveMiddle Eastern grocery with a small cafe. -
Lotus Food
phone: +1 412 281-3050address: 1649 Penn AveChinese market with a wide variety of foods and home goods. -
phone: +1 412 395-0022address: 2101 Penn AveGourmet chocolate importer. Some chocolate bars cost $20-30. Will pack your bag with ice in the summer.
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address: 2010 Penn AveOne of the staples of the Strip, a large Italian grocery with cheese counter, wide selection of olive oils, fresh bread and pasta.
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phone: +1 412-391-3737address: 1711 Penn AveHuge seafood selection with cafe.
Eat
Budget
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phone: +1 412 682-8611address: 4412 Liberty Ave"Welcome to Bloomfield" mural decorated with murals of famous Poles, as well as crests for major cities in Poland. On the inside expect to find Polish favorites such as halusky, pierogies, and duck soup. Live music throughout the week. Every Friday and Saturday is pierogie happy hour from 5-7PM. Pierogies are $.50 a piece.
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DeLuca's
phone: +1 412 566-2195address: 2015 Penn AveDeLuca's is another Pittsburgh favorite for down-home breakfasts. Come here for a good hearty breakfast of absurd proportions, but be prepared to wait. -
Frankie's Extra Long
phone: +1 412 687-5220address: 3535 Butler StFor classic Lawrenceville cuisine, this hot dog shop is one of your best bets. -
phone: +1 412 621-4477address: 4763 Liberty AveA neighborhood bakery with an excellent selection of cookies and cupcakes to go, or you can make larger orders as well.
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phone: +1 412 263-2142address: 46 18th StFounded in 1934 to serve the truckers that brought vegetables to the Strip, Primanti is famous for their sandwiches. There are various locations around town, but the one in the Strip is the original, open 24 hours. If you are in Pittsburgh, you need to eat here at least once; they serve sandwiches with the french fries and coleslaw right in the sandwich with whatever else you order: deli meat, hot sausage, and... you get the idea. They have a bar too, of course.
Mid-range
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phone: +1 412 621-5330address: 4766 Liberty AveWell-known pizzeria owned and operated by a first-generation Italian family. Caters to many hospitals and businesses in the area. Hefty portions, hoagies, hand-crafted pizzas with fresh toppings, and one of a kind homemade “mayonnaise”.
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phone: +1 412 281-2602address: 2022 Penn AveThis rustic cafe serves fresh pizzas made in their own wood-burning brick oven. Besides fresh pizza they serve beans and greens, home made soups, and big fat salads. Stop at the bakery for great biscotti, made by hand and served in an abundance of flavors. The bakery serves all sorts of Italian pastries so even if biscotti's not your cup of tea, you will be able to enjoy the place.
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phone: +1 412 622-0111address: 3801 Butler StAn Italian bistro with wood-fired pizzas, homemade pastas and desserts. BYOB.
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phone: +1 412 281-6366address: 60 21st StServing famous pancakes, Pamela's is a Pittsburgh breakfast favorite. There are a few other locations around town as well.
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phone: +1 412 682-6809address: 4601 Liberty AveYear in and out rated as the best place in town to get hamburgers.
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Tram's Kitchen
phone: +1 412 682-2688address: 4050 Penn AveHole-in-the-wall Vietnamese, owned and operated almost single-handedly by Mr. Tram.
Splurge
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phone: +1 412 687-8741address: 5104 Liberty AveFrequently rated as having the best Italian in Pittsburgh. Featuring both dining tables and a bar, the menu allows you to choose from various options to create your perfect pasta.
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Luke Wholey's Wild Alaskan Grill
phone: +1 412 721-9590address: 2106 Penn AveFeatures fresh seafood. $2 oysters. 'Wild' themed art. Young chef with fishing guide experience prepares traditional items with adventurous twist, e.g. grilled swordfish on bed of cabbage, bacon, and roasted potatoes. Grills out front in 'fair' weather.
Drink
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phone: +1 412 261-3401address: 1904 Penn Ave40 beers on tap, delicious seafood.
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phone: +1 412 661-3537address: 302 S Clair StFor a place that calls itself a "Beer Emporium", it certainly does not disappoint, with more than 20 Belgians on tap among its offerings. A cozy neighborhood establishment, with a pinball machine to boot.
Coffee
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address: 3811 Butler St, Lawrenceville
Crazy MochaLocal coffee chain.
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Crazy Mocha Bloomfield
phone: +1 412 681-5225address: 4525 Liberty Ave -
Crazy Mocha Lawrenceville
phone: +1 412 687-1445address: 4032 Butler St
Sleep
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Courtyard Pittsburgh Shadyside
phone: +1 412 683-3113address: 5308 Liberty Ave -
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
phone: +1 412 288-4350address: 1247 Smallman Street
Connect
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Carnegie Library - East Liberty
phone: +1 412 363-8232address: 130 S. Whitfield Street -
Carnegie Library - Lawrenceville
phone: +1 412 682-3668address: 279 Fisk Street