The city of Pittsburgh is rich with culture and interesting artifacts that many outsiders may not know or realize. People who aren’t from this great city cannot understand how much this city truly has to offer, but those of us from here know exactly why we’re so great. Here are ten things that make Pittsburgh an iconic and wonderful city.

Sports

It is no secret that Pittsburgh is a huge sports city. We have sports fanatics all over the streets. If there is a home game of any sort, the city has a plethora of tailgates with fans laughing and enjoying food before the game. The Penguins are five-time Stanley Cup champions, including back-to-back runs in 2016 and 2017, and the Steelers have won six Super Bowls.

Primanti Brothers

You can’t say you’re a true Pittsburgher if you’ve never tried a famous Primanti’s sandwich. What makes these sandwiches so special, you may ask? French fries and coleslaw within the bread. The restaurant, which first opened during the Great Depression, did this so that workers and truck drivers could consume a full meal with just one hand. For the longest time, this sandwich shop was only located in the city’s Strip District, but now, it has expanded to different parts of the country. So go find your local Primanti Brothers—you certainly won’t regret it. 

The Bridges

Pittsburgh is known as the “City of Bridges” for its whopping four-hundred and forty-six bridges—more than any other city in the world. You may have seen the bridges featured in many pictures and films, as they’re very popular spots to represent the city. The most recognizable bridges are the only trio of identical bridges in the world—The Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson suspension bridges. Each and every one of the bridges contribute to the amazing skyline view of Pittsburgh. 

Mount Washington

If you are looking for a great view of the city and a perfect picture spot, Mount Washington is the place. Take a ride on either the Duquesne or the Monongahela Inclines to the top, where you can find many restaurants and bars. The Duquesne Incline lookout allows you to take in the view of the city and get great pictures from all different angles. The Monongahela Incline allows you to soak in the views of the city while facing downtown. 

Dance Moms

The Abby Lee Dance Company, which is located in Penn Hills, is the focal point in Lifetime’s hit reality series, Dance Moms. The show follows a group of child dancers and their moms, who compete at a new dance competition every week. Abby Lee Miller, the dance coach, is infamous for her harsh demeanor with the kids, causing chaos with the mothers. Not only is the show filled with incredible dancing but also with drama. Celebrities such as Maddie Ziegler, who has become the face of singer, Sia, popular performer, Jojo Siwa, and many others have found their starts on the show.

Heinz

I bet if you went into your fridge and looked at your ketchup bottle, it would most likely be Heinz. The founder of Heinz, Henry John Heinz, started his ketchup from Sharpsburg and expanded the company with more than 5,700 products to over 200 countries. The Heinz headquarters used to be located in the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh but have since moved to Chicago. The original building has now turned into some of the city’s nicest lofts. The Heinz History Center has a whole exhibit dedicated to the Heinz ketchup and the interesting history behind it. The exhibit even includes an eleven-foot ketchup bottle made up of over four hundred individual bottles. 

The Strip District

The Strip District is probably one of the most well-known neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. It is full of restaurants, international grocery stores, boutiques, and independent merchants. Located just outside of the city along the Allegheny River, the Strip is a cultural melting pot, offering cuisine and clothing from all over the planet.

Mr. Rogers

Fred Rogers was an influential man who lived in Squirrel Hill. He hosted his hit children’s TV show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, with 31 seasons airing and 895 episodes. Children everywhere loved Mr. Rogers, as he taught important lessons in kindness. He also worked to break racial barriers, which is still very relevant today, teaching kids to be kind. 

 Pittsburgh is such a special place, and there’s nowhere else like it. Some honorable mentions that didn’t make my list include the Point, our influence in the steel industry, Andy Warhol, The Carnegie Museums, The Mattress Factory, the three rivers, and so much more. I hope that many people realize truly just how amazing Pittsburgh is and can feel at home when they are visiting.