Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods are full of character

Until it stopped filming, the children’s show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” was filmed in the… Until it stopped filming, the children’s show “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” was filmed in the WQED building a few blocks up Fifth Avenue. Though watched nationally by millions of children who have now grown into adults, the show holds special significance for Pittsburghers. Much like their childhood role model, Pittsburghers love their neighborhoods, and each neighborhood of the city has a distinct personality.

Understanding each of the city’s neighborhoods will help anyone new to navigating Pittsburgh understand the city as a whole ? its transportation system, its social structure and its politics.

Oakland:

If you’re a freshman, you know about Oakland, even if you don’t know jack about any other part of the town. Three different colleges ? Pitt, Carnegie Mellon University and Carlow College ? supply the majority of the Oakland’s population during the school year. The shops in Oakland ? culture stores selling hippie gear, the Cricket store and Radio Shack ? cater to the needs of the tapestry-purchasing, cell phone-toting, techno-savvy 18-24 set.

The restaurants cater to the typical, broke college student, with many of them offering half-price menus starting around 11 p.m.

Even if you move off campus and out of Oakland, this part of town will still occupy a considerable portion of your life, because Pitt occupies so much of it.

Downtown:

Strangely, Downtown is one of the least vibrant districts in Pittsburgh. In the past few years, Mayor Tom Murphy has attempted to revitalize the Downtown area with several renovation programs. Downtown is home to the theater and cultural district, though, as well as many nice restaurants that cater to the theater crowd. All of the city’s department stores are also located Downtown. Downtown connects to the Hill District, the North Side, the South Side and the Strip District.

The Strip District:

The Strip is a hub of activity early in the morning and late at night. In the morning, markets and vendors noisily compete for shoppers’ attention. Here, wholesale markets supply Pittsburgh’s restaurants with fresh and diverse produce, meat and other cooking supplies. At night, the Strip bustles with the thumping activity of bars, clubs and music venues like M and Rosebud. The 54C bus line passes through 24 hours a day to let Pittsburghers safely party until last call.

The North Side:

The vibrant, yellow seats of Heinz Field make the North Side both highly recognizable and a beacon of athletic activity. Besides the new football stadium, which the Panthers share with the Steelers, the North Side is home to elegant PNC Park. The athletic and the cultural worlds live in harmony on the North Side, though. This part of town is also home to the cutting-edge installation space, The Mattress Factory, the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, the aviary and The Andy Warhol Museum.

The South Side:

East Carson Street runs the length of the South Side, from the Hot Metal Bridge near Oakland to the West End Bridge near the North Side. Along this route, the scenery changes. At the north of the street, remnants of industry still remain with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers building. In the middle, the heart of the South Side is marked with a distinct Pittsburgh feel ? art, culture, work and play mesh in an unpretentious and authentic mix. At the other end of the street, Station Square houses restaurants and boutiques. The amphitheater at Station Square hosts bands and festivals in the summer months. The South Side is also a lively night spot, with more than 40 bars along Carson, from the Birmingham Bridge down.

Bloomfield:

If you take the 54C from Oakland to the Strip or the North Side, you’ll ride down Liberty Avenue, through Bloomfield’s main drag. Quaint, family-owned restaurants and antique stores dot the streets of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy. The restaurants here could easily challenge those of Oakland. Check out the Boxheart art gallery for promising young local artists and don’t leave without stopping by Paul’s CDs, a hallmark of indie credibility ? when locals Boxstep or the Modey Lemon put out an album, you can find it here.

Shadyside:

Best known for its trendy stores and hip atmosphere, Shadyside has two main streets full of funky and artistic boutiques and eateries. Walnut Street is where you go if you need to stock up on Dolce and Gabbana’s fall line or to pick up a new pair of Prada wedges. For the more frugally minded, a two-story Gap caters to the college student’s clothing needs. Two streets down, Ellsworth Avenue runs parallel to Walnut. In addition to beautiful homes, vintage stores and antique shops, a few restaurants and bars line Ellsworth after it intersects South Negley.

Squirrel Hill:

Squirrel Hill is a largely residential area that is home to a traditionally large Jewish population. Located about a mile up Forbes Avenue away from Oakland, this community offers small businesses, shops and boutiques, small eateries, two movie theaters and a bowling alley. Squirrel Hill is a popular place for students to hang out on the weekend because of its entertainment opportunities. A typical night there could include dinner and bowling or a movie, followed by a stop at the ice cream parlor ? and it’s all within walking distance.

The Hill District:

A predominantly black neighborhood rich in culture and history, the Hill District has been home to many of Pittsburgh’s celebrities, including noted Pittsburgh Courier photographer Teenie Harris. The television series “Hill Street Blues” was inspired by the Hill District and written by CMU grad Steven Bochco. In the 1980s, the city tore down a substantial portion of the neighborhood to build Mellon Arena.

This survey of Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods is just that ? a mere survey. As Pittsburgh becomes your home, you, too, will learn the intricate secrets that each holds.