McKees Rocks, PA

Alexander McKee owned the land that would become McKees Rocks, named for both him and the rocks terrain. Incorporated in 1769, the area has undergone several changes in industry that have led to a major ebb and flow in population. The changes to the cultural framework adjusted as the railroads grew, the steel industry changed and surrounding boroughs began to offer additional amenities.

Learn about history and archeology at the McKee Rocks Indian Mound, the site that houses the oldest human bones in North America. Otherwise, explore history with the McKees Rocks Historical Society. To experience a piece of the local culture, residents enjoy the fine and performing arts at places like the Father Ryan Arts Center or the Sto-Rox annual Art Show. The annual FEASTival hosts food from all over the world and welcomes all ages.

Dining in McKees Rocks ensures that everyone finds something they like to eat at any time of the day. Many of the local and independently owned joints serve up breakfast and diner fare, but options for cuisines from around the world sit nestled in different parts of the area. Make sure you stumble across some of the locally grown options by driving down Steubenville Pike.

Start your day off like a true local with a hearty breakfast at Broadway Brunch. Hailed for the perfectly fried eggs and bacon and yummy biscuits and gravy, this diner offers a vast assortment of breakfast plates and a la carte items. Stop back by for lunch or dinner to enjoy a memorable, piled-high turkey club sandwich served on locally sourced, Italian-style toast.

Featuring a large selection of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian dishes, J Lynn's Cafe is the place to go for homemade, plant-based food in McKees Rocks. Offering refreshing, playful takes on salads, pretezel sandwiches, hoagies and wraps, J Lynn's is the perfect lunchtime pick-me-up. When you stop in to get a meatless breakfast to-go for a vegetarian coworker, pick up a fruit-based smoothie for yourself to enjoy on the way to work.

Every area should have a good pizza joint for a quick slice or a family meal, and Doughboy's Pizza fills that spot for McKees Rocks. If you're not in the mood for a pie, however, plenty of other options fill the big menu of Italian favorites. Order a huge pizza with meatballs on top for something standard yet still different, or try one of the hoagies, such as the steak and cheese or Italian. Calzones come in different sizes, the smallest of which still fill up a whole plate, and the wings make a perfect game-day treat. If you don't want to leave home, Doughboy's delivers.

The nightlife in McKees Rocks generally includes bars at local restaurants, but a few places feature live music and entertainment. Residents don't find many dance clubs, but venues such as The Dead Horse Cantina & Music Hall host local bands, a menu of more than bar food and a full bar to boot. For just about every kind of fun that you could imagine, Mickey's Place has bowling lanes, darts, two bars and a restaurant as well as DJs and karaoke to fill up your evenings.

Interstate 79 runs right past McKees Rocks and connects the borough to other communities throughout the city. Port Authority provides regular, scheduled transportation in McKees Rocks, and locals hop on a bus to connect to Pittsburgh and other areas throughout the surrounding counties.

Trails connect cyclists to different places in McKees Rocks and all the way into Pittsburgh, and the small area of the borough makes it possible to walk just about anywhere within the boundaries. For trips that go a little farther, taxi companies from Pittsburgh can be called in advance to go the distance to McKees Rocks, and rideshares like Uber provide a similar service for the metropolis. For those with their own vehicles, public and free parking surrounds most establishments in the area.

McKees Rocks only takes up 1 square mile, so the parks and recreation amenities tend to fall on other boroughs or the big city nearby. That being said, options do exist to welcome people of all ages to get active and play all kinds of sports. The parks in the area allow pets, but they should be kept on a leash.

Formerly a vacant piece of land designated as a park without being developed, the area has since been harnessed by the local government and turned into a park for people of all ages. The 3rd Street Park had been unused by the local school district until 2009. With the help of volunteers, the park transformed into a facility with playgrounds, picnic areas and plenty of room for expansion. The facilities come at no charge for residents, and they get used for birthday parties and events.

The cost of living runs about 7 percent less than the national average and 1 percent lower than nearby Pittsburgh. Residents expect to pay about $525 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.

Transportation through the Port Authority runs $2.50 per zone and travels throughout most of the surrounding counties, while filling up the gas tank costs vehicle owners about 15 percent more than the national average. For a night out, residents get a pint of domestic beer at a local watering hole for just $2.50.

The shopping options in McKees Rocks range from larger shopping malls to small, family-owned shops that have been in the area for decades. The independent stores are what fill the neighborhood with small-town charm. Take a trip down Steubenville Pike to explore some of the options for supporting local businesses.

One of the neighborhood's gems is Mancini's Bakery, established in 1926 and voted a having Pittsburgh's best bread as recently as 2013. The times may have changed, but the bread at Mancini's is still the great, same old recipe.

Locals buy their groceries from major chains like Aldi, but they also get fresh, locally grown produce from the farmers' market run by Focus on Renewal.