Once renowned as the world center for steel production and related manufacturing, Pittsburgh is now a hub for medical research, higher education, tech startups, and unique treasures like the Andy Warhol Museum and August Wilson African American Cultural Center. It’s home to 446 bridges (more than any city in the world!), scores of hilly neighborhoods, dozens of craft beer breweries, three famous sports teams, and a burgeoning bicycling community. It’s a city proud of its working-class roots.
Downtown Pittsburgh abounds with fine dining, ethnic restaurants, hotels, galleries, theaters, public art, historic architecture, and a growing network of dedicated bike lanes. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail laces all three rivers and is popular for walking, biking, and strolling.
The GAP’s western terminus is within Point State Park, at the confluence of the Monongahela River and Allegheny River. Stop in at the Fort Pitt Museum to learn about Pittsburgh’s pivotal role during the French and Indian War. Gather at the park’s famous fountain to take in the entire downtown cityscape.
The GAP passes by the Smithfield Street Bridge, an 1883 lenticular truss bridge named a National Historic Civic Engineering Landmark, and across it, the historic Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad terminal, which now houses the Grand Concourse Hotel.
Nearby Market Square contains restaurants, farmers’ markets, and live entertainment. Ride the Penn Avenue bike lanes to the city’s Strip District neighborhood for fresh produce, art galleries, and quirky cafes.
Local Activities and Events
PedalPGH is an annual bicycle sojourn — a ride, not a race — around Downtown Pittsburgh and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Rent a watercraft and practice your paddling with KayakPittsburgh, part of Venture Outdoors.
The Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon is a nationally-renowned 26.2 mile race that winds through Downtown Pittsburgh and into various neighborhoods each May.
General Information
There is fee-based day-use and overnight parking close to the GAP at a garage on First Avenue, and fee-based day-use and overnight parking at the Grant Street Transportation Center on 11th Street. While there is additional metered parking throughout Downtown Pittsburgh, there is no parking at Point State Park.
Amtrak’s Floridian serves Pittsburgh with a regular train to Connellsville, Cumberland, and Washington, D.C. and one to Cleveland and Chicago. Its Pennsylvanian serves Philadelphia and New York City.
