My trip to Pittsburgh

Wanda Haynes-Certified Sommelier

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is one of my favorite cities of all time! I love the big city urban elegance and modern vibe it offers. I recently stayed there in a short-term rental at the Cork Factory Apartment complex in the strip district. The apartments are renovated from an old cork factory and sit right on the Monongahela River.

The property is stunning with a swimming pool, gas grills, fitness center, pool tables, and sleek modern sitting areas inside and outdoors. An amazing experience with the river glistening and offering a cool vibe.

There is a new restaurant right across the street from the Cork Factory apartments called Artia’s. Serving delicious food, interesting cocktails, and a view of the city. The Bourbon Maple Glazed Pot Roast with smashed redskins, vegetable gravy was comforting and yummy. Paired with a California merlot, the perfect meal.

Pittsburgh is a walkable city, and the Pittsburgh Regional Transit is free to ride.

A five-minute walk from my short-term rental at the Cork Factory is a big fresh market. The fish mongers were wearing white coats and selling fish. A garden center is attached with fresh fruits, plants, herbs, and produce.

Across town is The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, a natural history museum. It was founded by Pittsburghindustrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1896. Housing some 22 million specimens and featuring vignettes with full sized polar bears, antelope, grizzly bears, and dinosaur exhibits.

There are several floors to visit and rock collections from all over the globe. I really liked the cafe on the main floor, wine by the glass, salads, unique sandwiches, and pastries at great prices. You can eat outside and watch the water falls that spring up from the ground.

Waterfalls are all over the exterior of the museum and along with a lifetime of memories.

I also went to the Bird Aviary, which is the largest in America. Very educational and bird shows indoors for the entire family. There are rare birds on exhibit and interactive events with a separate ticket price. There is a small cafe in the lobby of the Bird Aviary with sandwiches and soft drinks.

Absolutely no shortage of restaurants in downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. a mecca of bars, pubs, and fine dining establishments. With live bands on weekends and evenings, along with pop up fairs.

Rivers Casino is located in the North Shore district of Pittsburgh and features a 400,000-square-foot gaming and entertainment. Its beautiful and offers great restaurants with something for everyone as far as food choices. Another walkable property near museums and public transportation.

The city has turned old factories into museums and apartments; I truly admire this type of innovation and preservation.

The Monongahela River, sometimes referred to locally as the Mon, is a 130-mile-long river on the Allegheny Plateau in north-central West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania. Monongahela is a Native American term from the Unami (Lenape) language meaning "falling banks".