Get Moving With Our Early Spring Downtown Walking Guide
Written by Emma Schramm
March is here, and that means the weather is finally starting to turn around! With warmer temperatures and sunny days on the way, it’s a great time to get outside. Explore all the best nature and landmarks Downtown with this early-spring walking guide.
What To Wear
Pittsburghers know that the weather here can change quicker than you can say “Downtown Neighbors Alliance,” so be sure to wear layers; a light jacket over a short-sleeve shirt should keep you warm enough while you walk. If you’re looking for local stores that carry good walking clothes, there’s love, for women’s sweat sets. And while most known for their menswear, Larrimor’s also has men’s options, including performance shirts, T-shirts, and quarter-zips.
Downtown Landmarks
A walk around Downtown would not be complete without stopping at these iconic landmarks:
Point State Park Fountain: At the tip of the Golden Triangle, this fountain’s beautiful geysers and reflecting pool are a great place to marvel at the convergence of the three rivers and the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline.
Image Courtesy of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Courthouse: A beautiful piece of architecture, the courthouse was registered as a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
US Steel Tower: Found at 600 Grant St, this is the tallest building in Pittsburgh with 64 floors.
While Downtown may be known for its skyscrapers, there’s great green space too. Gateway Center Park has lush foliage and raised beds just right before Point State Park. A little further up is Mellon Square, a green space nestled around Sixth Ave.
Image courtesy of Pittsburgh Parks
Pro tip: If you’re coming from a nearby neighborhood across a river, don’t drive into Downtown to start your journey: walk across a bridge! My favorite for great views is the Andy Warhol Bridge.
Stops Along the Way
A walk Downtown isn’t complete without some sweet stops! Origin Story Coffee has all the classic coffee drinks plus many specials. The Coffee Village on Liberty Ave is also great at their craft, and will have you energized to walk the entire Downtown. If you get hungry on your trek, swing by Ruckus Cafe for bagels, wraps, salads, and smoothies until 3 PM. Or if you’re in the mood for Indian street food fare, go to Mild 2 Spicy for their grab n’ go snacks.
Image Courtesy of Ruckus Cafe Instagram
There’s a lot to explore Downtown this spring, so get walking!
