Squirrel Hill North - Pittsburgh, PA Area Guide

As the city of Pittsburgh grew and prospered, Squirrel Hill North became a very affluent suburb. Willow Cottage, the oldest surviving piece of Millionaire's Row along Fifth Avenue, now serves as the Chatham College gatehouse. The partially rural nature of the area was made permanent by the donation of two large tracts of forest bracketing the neighborhood. These parcels now exist as Schenley Park to the West and Frick Park to the east.

Cultural activities in the neighborhood include the Chatham University Arboretum, landscaped in part by the Olmsted Brothers of Central Park fame, and the Phipps Conservatory, with its gorgeous indoor and outdoor floral displays. Museums in the area include the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum and the world-class Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

Various community organizations host annual events, including the Squirrel Hill Harvest Festival, trick-or-treating on Forbes Avenue, and the Chanukah menorah parade.

Murray Avenue, an ethnic food lover's paradise, features Asian, Italian, Mexican, and even Libyan cuisine. Nu, a modern Jewish bistro from the owners of Pamela's P&G Diner next door, lends a creative twist to traditional deli favorites. Named for the Yiddish word that translates to "So?," this establishment satisfies diverse tastes. Squirrel Hill residents come to Waffallonia for a meal or dessert. This tiny shop serves only Liege waffles, the most popular in Belgium, made from scratch from the finest ingredients, including authentic Pearl sugar. Choose one of the waffles listed on the airport departures-style menu board, or create your own combination from toppings that include ice cream, fresh fruit, and imported cookie butter spread. Take your waffle to go and explore all Squirrel Hill North has to offer.

Just off Murray on Forbes Avenue, the meals at Everyday Noodles come with a show. The tables in the restaurant sit positioned so diners can ooh and ah as a cook transforms balls of dough into noodles. To keep it authentic, owners Mike and Allen Chen work with the Taiwanese government and sponsor Chinese chefs who come for six-month stints to train the staff at Everyday Noodles.

Despite the fact two universities call Squirrel Hill North home, the nightlife doesn't prove as exciting as in nearby Oakland. However, the neighborhood has some popular hangouts, including the Squirrel Hill Cafe. Better known as "the Cage," a nickname given to the legendary establishment by Pittsburgh police because of the bars on the windows, this watering hole was a speakeasy back in the 1920s. Far from your typical bar, a jukebox plays tunes from classic rock to jazz and a craft IPA usually remains on tap for under $4. Independent Brewing Company on Shady Avenue serves local beers made by Western Pennsylvania breweries only. The laid-back tavern environment encourages good conversation as music plays on an old-school, vinyl record player.

Although nearly half of Squirrel Hill North's residents drive to work, the Port Authority of Allegheny County serves the area with eight bus routes to downtown Pittsburgh and nearby suburbs. Riders can expect the commute downtown to take anywhere from 18 to 26 minutes, depending upon the chosen route.

In this extremely walkable neighborhood, residents of Squirrel Hill North can easily accomplish most of their errands on foot. For those who prefer two-wheeled vehicles, the neighborhood has bike lanes and bike routes. The Squirrel Hill Tunnel, which opened to traffic in 1953, provides access to State Road 376/Eastern Parkway.

On-street parking has always been an issue in Squirrel Hill, but numerous lots for all-day parking lie sprinkled across the neighborhood. One garage in the area allows overnight parking. For those who prefer ride sharing to car ownership, a ride to downtown Pittsburgh via Uber costs between $11 and $14.

Squirrel Hill North's most valuable assets may be the two parks that sit along its eastern and western borders. To the east, the largest of Pittsburgh's regional parks, the 644-acre Frick Park opened in 1927 when Henry Clay Frick bequeathed the original 151 acres to the city. Today, known as Pittsburgh's woodland park for its extensive trails through steep valleys and wooded slopes, Frick Park provides a respite from busy city life. Well over 100 species of birds have been recorded at Clayton Hill. Children love to play at the famous Blue Slide playground and learn about nature at the Frick Environmental Center. The park allows dogs throughout the park, and you can let them run off-leash in either of two exercise areas. The park also features red clay tennis courts, baseball fields, and the only public lawn bowling green in Pennsylvania.

456-acre Schenley Park on the eastern side of town, a daily destination for university students and outdoor enthusiasts, hosts major annual events, including the Vintage Grand Prix and the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure. Visitors to the park enjoy spending time at the Phipps Conservatory or taking in a concert at the Schenley Park Cafe and Visitors Center. Bike trails and walking trails for all activity levels meander through the park. Residents looking for serious exercise can find it at the Schenley Oval, which features 13 tennis courts, a 400-meter running track and a turf soccer field. In addition to open skating sessions, the ice rink hosts special events during the winter.

The Bob O'Connor Golf Course, a 4,600-yard, 18-hole, par 67 public course opens year-round. Amenities include lessons, practice greens, and an indoor practice facility. The 18-hole disc golf course offers golf of a different nature. The swimming pool features programs for children and adults of all ages, and daily or seasonal passes remain available. The park has four children's playgrounds, including one that features a medieval castle-like play environment.

Living in Squirrel Hill North doesn't come cheaply. The cost of living runs 50 percent more than that of the city of Pittsburgh overall. Those looking for an apartment in one of the many buildings in the neighborhood can expect to pay $1,075 per month for a one-bedroom unit. A ride on the bus to downtown Pittsburgh costs $2.50, and gas prices sit nearly 15 percent higher than for the rest of the country. Local bars charge around $3.25 for a bottle of domestic beer and $3.75 for an import.

Locals call the commercial area along Forbes and Murray Avenues "upstreet," and businesses there give off a small-city downtown vibe. Voted one of the 17 coolest record stores in America by Paste magazine, Jerry's Records sells only recordings pressed on vinyl. The store stocks one million albums and 12-inch singles along with 45s, EPs, and 78s. This record lover's paradise has dealt in used records for over 20 years.

An iconic Squirrel Hill business, Little's Shoes has kept the community well shod for generations. Known as the "playground of shoes," the store carries footwear for infants, children, and adults. The impressive selection of shoes includes a wide variety of domestic and imported brands. A dedicated staff thrives on customer satisfaction to ensure patrons return time and again.

Knit One keeps local residents in stitches with an extensive selection of high-quality, unique yarns. Owners invite customers to bring a project, sit on the comfortable sofas, chat with friends and enjoy a cup of coffee. In addition to a broad selection of accessories, including needles, buttons, and patterns, Knit One has both group and private knitting and crocheting instructions for all skill levels. In addition to a fairly large full-service Giant Eagle supermarket on Murray Avenue, Squirrel Hill North residents can opt to shop at one of the smaller, independent grocers and ethnic markets. Murray Avenue Kosher, a well-stocked emporium, carries a wide range of products, including some delicious foods from Israel and Brooklyn. Visit Salim's Middle Eastern Food on Centre Avenue to grab a taste of authentic Mediterranean cooking or purchase supplies for your own meal at home.

The Squirrel Hill Farmers Market, open every Sunday morning from late May to early November, delights local residents with farm-fresh produce, high-end organic foods, and prepared foods. Stop by from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to savor the best selection from local farmers.