What's Up, Bluff?

Downtown
Distance - .5 miles
Mode of transportation – Walk

 Your next door neighbor, Downtown (technically Duquesne is in Uptown) is home to the city’s business center and where many people commute in to work. Downtown is convenient, because of its close proximity to Duquesne’s campus, but if you do decide to take a trip here, make sure it’s before 6 p.m.; the city virtually shuts down after business hours. Restaurants are scattered throughout the area. With Pittsburgh staples in Market Square, such as Primanti Brothers and Winghart’s, to national chains of Dunkin Donuts, Jimmy Johns and Bruegger’s Bagels, something will satisfy your hunger. Downtown is not without its arts, however. The Cultural District, located on Penn Ave, near the three rivers, is home to many art galleries and theatres. The Benedum Center, Byham Theater and Heinz Hall feature performances, musicals and plays from around the world. Wood Streets Galleries, SPACE and 707 and 709 Galleries all display unique artwork in rotating exhibits. Whether you’re looking for a place to eat, some things to see or somewhere to stop to pick up a few things in between classes, Downtown has you covered.

South Side
Distance – 1.5 miles
Mode of Transportation – Walk

 Across the river is Pittsburgh’s South Side. Taking ye old South Side Steps and walk over the 10th Street Bridge will get you there in no time (well more like 15-20 minutes). Three types of establishments heavily populate South Side: bars, tattoo shops and pizza places. But East Carson Street also has its share of shops and restaurants as well. The South Side Works has a variety of stores, from hipsters’ havens Urban Outfitters and H & M, to the sporty Puma, to the outdoorsy REI and others, the Works is a great place to take care of your clothing needs. Vintage clothing stores, such as Highway Robbery and Yeterday’s News can also be found right on the main drag. Eating on East Carson is never an issue, as restaurants are found pretty much every block. Of course South Side has a Primanti’s, but why not try the faux garage eatery Double Wide Grill, soccer tavern Piper’s Pub or monster sandwiches and burgers of Fathead’s? South Side also has music venues such as The Rex Theater and The Smiling Moose and South Side Works Cinema, a movie theater in the Works, so you’re entertainment needs will be satisfied.  Explore East Carson Street; just be weary of the madness that is Friday and Saturday nights here.

The Strip
Distance - 1.3 Miles
Mode of Transportation – Walk

 Pittsburgh’s Strip District is a modern day marketplace. On Smallman Street and Penn Avenue, you’ll find vendors selling produce, flowers, an array of Pittsburgh-centric t-shirts and anything else you could imagine. The Strip is best visited on a Saturday morning/afternoon, the time when it’s the most busy and bustling. Start off your trip with a stop at either Pamela’s or Deluca’s. These two diners are at the top of the food chain in the Strip. Pamela’s boasts delicious hotcakes, while Deluca’s offers more of the standard breakfast, featuring omelets and the like. Start out with a good hearty meal and take to the streets of The Strip ready to barter.

Oakland
Distance – 2 miles
Mode of Transportation – Bus (any 61 or 71) or bike

 Our great neighbor to the north, Oakland, gets as much of a college crowd as South Side, if not more. Oakland is home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and Carlow University. Oakland offers options in dining, sight-seeing, as well as entertainment. Right off Forbes Avenue, you'll find Fuel and Fuddle, a great dining option that offers sophisticated food at reasonable prices. Go after 11 p.m. and most menu items are half off. Mad Mex, located on Atwood Street, offers the same half-off discount to students, and features tacos, burritos, and other Meixcan fare. But it’s worlds ahead of Taco Bell, so expect a quality meal every time. Lulu’s Noodles on S. Craig Street is also a great choice for eating out in Oakland. Their offerings of Asian fare and bubble teas with have you making frequent trips from the bluff.  While in Oakland, you should explore the Carnegie Musuems. Just down the street from Lulu’s, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art both display great collections of past cultures and their expressions. While museums might not seem exciting at first glance, these institutions should be on your Pittsburgh bucket list. Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning, just blocks away from the museums, is the second-tallest education building in the world, standing at 535 feet with 42 stories, and boasts a unique audio tour of its 30 nationality room. Oakland is not far from the Bluff, and should be visited by those looking to explore Pittsburgh.