Strip District - Pittsburgh, PA Area Guide

During the early 19th century the Strip District's location alongside the Allegheny River made the area a prime location for Pittsburgh factories and mills, acting as a major route for the transportation of raw materials. Big name companies such as U.S Steel, Westinghouse, and The H.J. Heinz Company were all early tenants in the once booming industrial playground.

Today, young professionals who want to be close to downtown Pittsburgh without breaking their budget look to the Strip District for their next home. Many of the abandoned warehouses, factories and mills have been renovated into apartments and lofts, specialty shops, restaurants and bars.

The largest history museum in the common wealth of Pennsylvania, The Heinz History Center, makes its home in Pittsburgh’s culturally rich Strip District. The History Center engages visitors with links to the past to help better understand the present, while preserving the cultural history of Western Pennsylvania.

A haven for foodies and night owls alike, The Strip is home to extremely diverse food, drink and entertainment options. The historic market district provides a wide variety of ways to experience Pittsburgh’s food scene. From wholesale produce warehouses, farmers markets, sidewalk food stands and trucks, to takeout and sit down restaurants, you can satiate your hunger in any type of way. A melting pot of cultures in the Strip district allows visitors to sample cuisines from all over the world.

Deluca’s, one of Pittsburgh’s treasured eateries, is famous for serving up mighty morning meals. Satisfying Pittsburgh’s big breakfast eaters, the storefront café serves up plates heaping with breakfast favorites like enormous omelets stuffed with fresh veggies and cheese or sweet hotcakes with sizzling sausage or bacon on the side. If you are visiting this breakfast fixture on the weekend, be prepared to wait - and when you do make it through the door, make sure to grab a counter spot that has the best view of Deluca’s adept short order cooks, flipping eggs and hotcakes at lightning speed.

For a taste of The Strip’s Italian influence, head to Lidia’s where the flavors of northern Italy take the spotlight. Owner Lidia Bastianich renovated one of the Strip District’s many warehouses and transformed it with a floor-to ceiling fireplace, warm earthy tones and brightly-colored chandeliers. Lidia’s cooks up all of the Italian mainstays, but also features dishes that are special to the northeastern region of Italy where Lidia’s family has its roots. Try the Frico (fried Montasio cheese with savory fillings) or a helping of ground meat-stuffed cabbage braised with sauerkraut tomatoes and garlic. Wash it all down with a red or white wine from their extensive Italian wine list. Visit Lidia's for an intimate Italian dining experience that is far more than your typical Italian cuisine.

The fastest, most convenient way to travel to and from The Strip is via the Port Authority, Pittsburgh’s reliable public transportation system. The area has plenty of parking if you are traveling by car and easy access to I-70 and I-76, two of Pittsburgh’s major highways. Hailing a taxi is fairly easy, and Uber is also a viable option.

As the compact Strip District only lies between 11th and 33rd Street, the neighborhood is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. There are ample bike lanes to accommodate Pittsburgh's ever growing population of cyclists in the city.

The closest park to the Strip District is Frank Curto Park. The sculpture-filled city park contains a collection of works by urban artists and also serves as a popular place to see flock of the wild turkeys that roam the area. Frank Curto Park boasts plenty of open, grassy space - enough to enjoy a picnic or get some exercise. Free and open to the public, the park provides an escape from the fast-paced hustle of the city and breathe some fresh air.

The Allegheny Riverfront Park is a free municipal park near The Strip District that runs along the south bank of the Allegheny River. The park consists of two immense promenades, one along each side of the river. The park has breathtaking views of downtown Pittsburgh that include the Three Sisters bridges: the Robert Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson Bridges, all of which intersect with Allegheny Riverfront Park. Spend a day with the kids or take your dog for a nice jog along Pittsburgh's beautiful Allegheny River.

The cost of living in the Strip District is 43 percent higher than the city average. When traveling by Port Authority bus or light rail, it will cost you no more than $2.50 to get to downtown Pittsburgh. The median rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment is $1658. A pint of beer at a local pub will run you between $3-$5 and gas costs 3 percent more than the national average.

The market district takes up a vast majority of The Strip, where ethnic foods of all types are available at grocers, side street grills, and sit down restaurants. Naturally the majority of the shops in the area are geared towards the culinary scene that saturates the buzzing neighborhood, but there are also independent specialty shops tucked away along the narrow, commercialized strip of land.

Known as Penn Mac to local Pittsburghers, the Pennsylvania Macaroni Company is a century-old Italian market, and one of many standout classic entities that the Strip District has to choose from. The specialty market sells all of the Italian goods that you could dream of including, imported olive oils, cheeses, olives, and Italian deli meats. With its old world feel, the market reeks with authenticity, and it is a great place to sample of Pittsburgh culture as well as bargain groceries.

Pop into Mahla & Co Antiques, once of Pittsburgh’s nicest antique shops, and explore the neatly arranged shop displaying such fine wares as antique furniture from old Pittsburgh Mansions, jewelry, clocks, ceramics, and much more. Mahla & Co. has something for everyone, and even though some of their items are pricey, the owner and staff are always willing to bargain and help you get the best price possible on your specialty item.

The Strip District is one big heaven for high quality foods. With its wholesale butchers, seafood market and sidewalk produce stands, a quick walk down Penn Avenue will take care of all of your grocery needs. The Strip is also home to the most popular farmers markets in Pittsburgh, the Farmers Firehouse Market. The market attracts hungry shoppers with fresh organic products, locally grown in the greater Pittsburgh area. More than likely, the people handing you your organic produce also planted it, grew it and harvested it themselves.