Terrace Village - Pittsburgh, PA Area Guide

The Hill District began as an agricultural area owned by a former general of the Revolutionary War. In the 1840s, Thomas Mellon purchased a good deal of this land and subdivided it into city-sized plots. Those plots were sold to wealthy individuals.

As the city grew during the next few decades and the streetcar began to provide service in the area, more residents came in. During the 1930s and 1940s, jazz greats like Cannonball Adderly and Oscar Peterson would perform at the neighborhood Hurricane Lounge and Crawford's Grill.

Several museums are located near the universities, including the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Soldiers and Sailors Museum, and the Rodef American Jewish Museum.

The vast amount of nearby eateries can be found directly southeast of the University of Pittsburgh on Forbes Avenue, Atwood Street, and Oakland Avenue. Options range from Indian cuisine and sushi to retro American fare.

Old-school Pittsburgh institution Pamela's Diner serves up classic breakfasts and other dishes on Forbes Avenue. The decor transports you to a simpler time, with 1980s ephemera adhered to most available surfaces. After a long night on the town, try the filling and decadent crispy malted waffle, which comes with your choice of walnuts, chocolate chips, or bananas along with either blueberries or strawberries. Come early, because the restaurant fills up quickly with regulars.

Local gastropub Fuel and Fuddle specializes in upscale wood-fired dishes and ice-cold craft beers. Pizza fans should try the crispy thin-crust wood-oven-crafted pizzas with unique menu staples like the "Flying Buffalo" and the "Smashed Potato," made with apple-smoked bacon, mild cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion drizzled with buttermilk dressing. Vegetarians will love the Garden of Eat'n, a black bean and quinoa veggie burger with provolone, field greens, tomatoes, and basil pesto aioli.

Fun-loving residents gravitate toward Hemingway's Cafe, featuring a college bar atmosphere, 36 draft beers, karaoke, and DJs. For a more relaxed vibe, head over to the Sphinx Cafe, a hookah and tea bar housed in an old brick church.

Common ways to get around the Terrace Village neighborhood include walking, biking, public transit, and driving. Hailing a cab can be difficult, so try calling a local taxi company for pick-ups. Uber provides coverage in the area.

Public parking can be found easily in the residential areas but becomes scarce and costly surrounding the University of Pittsburgh. Close proximity to Interstate 396 provides easy access to downtown and points to the east and west. Walkability in the area scores high, and most errands can be accomplished on foot. Biking is more of a challenge here due to a small number of biking lanes. Despite this, biking remains popular on and near the University campus.

Parks in the Terrace Village neighborhood are abundant. Kennard Playground offers multiple basketball courts, playground equipment, and swings for kids, a tennis court, a football field, and a softball field in addition to open green space. Warren K. Branch park features a softball field and significant open green space as well as a small wooded area. Small Dunseith park features a pint-sized playground for toddlers and an open field area that's great for spur-of-the-moment games of soccer or football. Nearby Granville Parklet hosts a colorful play structure and a basketball court with bleachers.

The cost of living in Terrace Village falls lower than the city average. Passengers taking public transit pay $2.50 for a bus ride into the downtown area. The typical price of a beer at a local pub ranges from $2 to $5, depending on locality and degree of craftsmanship. Gas costs on average an additional 13 percent higher than the national rate.

Shopping options can be found near the twin academic centers of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Longtime favorite Caliban Books features used and rare books, art pieces, and much more behind a beautiful storefront. Check out the extensive collection of work by local authors, including magazines and independently published works. The local music store, Desolation Row, shares space with Caliban with a collection of jazz, folk, indie, Americana, and blues LPs and CDs. Stop in for a constantly-evolving catalogue of books and music.

For the budding artist or hobbyist, head over to Top Notch Art Supply near Carnegie Mellon University. The shop has an impressive selection of tools, materials, and books regarding painting, drawing, sculpture, printing, and other creative activities. Kids love the extensive selection of children's art supplies like crayons, tempera, and crafts. Make sure to check out the close-out section for great deals on all types of materials and tools.

For groceries, check out the small local markets like Merante Groceria, an Italian market-deli with produce and packaged items in addition to premade sandwiches. Kohli's Indian Imports stocks an assortment of Indian foods and spices in addition to American goods. For fresh produce and local vendors, head over to the nearby Oakland neighborhood farmers market in Shenley Plaza on Forbes Avenue.