Pittsburgh

Where three rivers meet, the former "Steel City" has reinvented itself as a cultural hub — ride the Duquesne Incline for city views, and don't miss the Andy Warhol Museum and Fallingwater.

Pittsburgh lies in western Pennsylvania, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join at the tip of downtown to form the Ohio River. With more than 400 bridges, it's known as the "City of Bridges." In the 19th and 20th centuries it was the center of the American steel industry, and tycoons such as Carnegie and Frick left behind museums, universities and parks; today the city has reinvented itself around healthcare, technology and higher education. Key areas: Downtown, Point State Park and PPG Place are easily explored on foot. Across the river on the South Side, ride the Duquesne or Monongahela Incline up Mount Washington, where Grandview Avenue offers the best skyline and night views. The North Shore is home to the Andy Warhol Museum, Carnegie Science Center, PNC Park, the National Aviary and the Mattress Factory. The Strip District is a market and food street. To the east, Oakland gathers the Carnegie Museums, the Cathedral of Learning and Phipps Conservatory — worth a full day. The classic day trip is the Laurel Highlands, about 1.5 hours' drive southeast: Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater (a World Heritage Site), Kentuck Knob and Ohiopyle State Park, with an optional stop at the Flight 93 National Memorial. The best time to visit is June–October, with autumn foliage at its finest; winters are cold and often overcast, and Fallingwater closes in January–February. Getting around: Pittsburgh International Airport is about 30 minutes' drive from downtown, served by the 28X airport bus. Downtown, the North Shore and the South Side can be covered on foot or by light rail (free within downtown); Oakland is about 20 minutes by bus. A car is needed for the Laurel Highlands. Allow 3 days.

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