Carnegie Mellon

57 Varieties of the City

Pittsburgh is a city ripe for discovery. For decades, Pittsburgh made a name for itself as the leading city in Andrew Carnegie’s industrial empire, molding itself into the iconic American steel town. Pittsburgh has changed since those days of steel barons, oppressive smog and factories with towering smokestacks– a movement in the 1970s ushered in new vitality and it is now a city that is admirably striving to reform both itself and people’s perception of it.

Pittsburgh is still evolving and finding itself - the neighborhoods, and the demographic they attract, are still in a delightful flux. There exists in Pittsburgh a vibrancy that falls largely under the mainstream radar, and will continue to grow, but it’s dynamism will remain largely hidden if the new Pittsburgh contingent don’t strive to uncover it. For these reasons, if for no other, it is important to explore and discover the city for yourself.

This guide attempts to provide some sense of what Pittsburgh has to offer its visitors and residents – particularly students attending Carnegie Mellon University. Pittsburgh is made up of a series of neighborhoods that are geographically close, but atmospherically distinct. Each area has its own name and personality so navigating, negotiating and understanding all that the city encompasses can certainly be daunting for a newcomer. While by no means a comprehensive guide to everything in the city, this brochure creates a framework for what’s out there to experience and discover in Pittsburgh and will help you acclimate to what’s around you. A publication can only skim the surface of any city’s attractions, and finding out what Pittsburgh is all about is part of the Carnegie Mellon experience. Go, discover, poke your nose around, find what interests you, and embrace the city.