Best University Building: Cathedral of Learning

The Cathedral, often referred to as Hogwarts, has been the centerpiece of our campus since its completion in 1937. An excellent place to play hide-and-seek, the iconic tower guides parents to campus from I-376 and students home after late weekend nights. Though experiencing the Cathedral can be inspiring, beware of having classes in the historic Nationality Rooms: Tourists often poke their heads in to see the beautiful furniture and decorations.  

Editors’ Pick: University Club

Best Hangout Spot: Schenley Plaza

Formerly a parking garage for Forbes Field, the former homefield of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Schenley Plaza is definitely a crowd favorite, especially in nice weather. Whether it’s sun bathing on the beautiful lawn, eating at one of the restaurants or studying, Schenley Plaza is the go-to spot to pass the time. 

Editors’ Pick: Schenley Plaza

Best Place to Study: Hillman Library

Need to write a paper? Want to pull an all-nighter? ULS has your back. Now open 24 hours Sunday through Thursday, Hillman Library has always been the go-to study spot for students at Pitt. During the semester, enjoy the new technologically enabled group study rooms on the second floor and the first-floor scanners that automatically compile and email PDFs. “Club Hillman” is a traditional finals week jaunt because of its free late-night coffee and tea. Students have been known to camp out here during finals week to take advantage of the study space. 

Editors’ Pick: Carnegie Library

Best Place to Do Laundry: Towers

With 53 available washers and dryers, there is rarely a moment when you won’t be able to do all of your laundry while living in Litchfield Towers. The convenience of using Panther Funds eliminates any need for quarters (the bane of students living off campus) and the online laundry monitoring system, LaundryView, lets you know which machines are in use and how many minutes are left in the cycle. Next to having laundry services in your bedroom, the Towers laundry system will be the best at Pitt throughout the entirety of your career.

Editors’ Pick: Dana’s Dunkin Duds

Best Place to Hook Up: Mi Ranchito

While we might spend countless hours on school work, the idea of hooking up is usually not too far out of our minds. At some point the urge gets to all of us. But it’s not something to be ashamed of — in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The urge needs to be celebrated. In that moment of celebration there is no better place to “go at it” with someone than the rambunctious south-of-the-border bar, located way north of the border, Mi Ranchito. Open until 2 a.m. on the weekends, this bar offers drink specials every day, ranging from margaritas to Panther’s Milk and everything in between. After a night of dancing on the usually packed dance floor, head outside for a delicious  taco to bring on your walk home.

Editors’ Pick: Mt. Washington

Best Place to Break Up: The Quad

The Quad is central on campus and surrounded by dorms full of students who are eager to see some drama unfold in the parking lot below. So when it comes time for a loud and tearful breakup, the Quad is the place to be to ensure that everyone knows about it before you can even say “Facebook status.” 

Editors’ Pick: Side of Posvar Hall

Best Place to Take a Walk: Schenley Park

Sometimes you just need to get away from campus and take part in some light exercise. When the urge to explore beyond the confines of South Oakland strikes, head over to Schenley Park and walk, bike or jog on trails that range from easy to difficult. Use your Pitt ID to go to Phipps Conservatory for free, or play Frisbee on Flagstaff Hill, located between Carnegie Mellon and Phipps. 

Editors’ Pick: Schenley Park

Best Residence Hall: Tower A

Although it is a tad shorter than Tower B, with 19 stories, what “Tower Awesome” lacks in size it makes up for in its ability to accommodate students. Never mind that, aesthetically speaking, the tower looks like a giant double A battery, Tower A is still the epitome of convenient living. With a gym on the ground floor, Market right below and your friends surrounding you on all sides, Tower A has all a student needs to survive without ever having to go outside in the arctic tundra that is the city of Pittsburgh. 

Editors’ Pick: Bouquet Gardens

Best Street to Live On: Atwood Street

When you shuffle outside to your porch on Sunday morning, you might feel overcome with  sheer satisfaction. You know that you are doing your part to uphold the rich tradition that’s associated with the good times had on Atwood Street. So along with paying rent, be prepared to respect this tradition because it’s what makes Atwood the most exciting street on campus and the most legendary place to live here. 

Editors’ Pick: Meyran Avenue

Best hotel for parents: The Hilton Garden Inn

When students’ parents come to visit, there is no doubt that the Hilton Garden Inn is the classiest place for them to stay. Located only several blocks from The Cathedral of Learning, this hotel features fully equipped fitness and 24-hour business centers. During your stay, if you’re not up for strolling to one of the many nearby restaurants, there are several options: the Hilton’s complimentary shuttle service that will take you anywhere in a three-mile radius of the hotel, not to mention a first-class restaurant is also available right inside. 

Editors’ Pick: Marriott Courtyard

Best Nationality Room: Austrian Room

Pittsburgh’s history is steeped in the rich traditions of the many immigrants who built this city into what was one of the largest industrial centers of the world. The Cathedral of Learning’s nationality rooms reflect this rich cultural variety, which still exists in the city today, yet no other room’s aesthetics can be compared to that of the elegant Austrian room. This room, designed by architects Franz Gerhard Schnogass and Gunther J. Kaier, exemplifies the intrinsic Baroque designs of the 18th-century Austrian Empire, with white lacquer furniture, dark-red curtains and Lobmeyr crystal chandeliers. Gold leaf borders the walls as well as the vivid painting on the room’s ceilings.

Editors’ Pick: Early American Room

Best museum: Andy Warhol Museum

If you missed the giant rubber duck, you can still satisfy your taste for eccentric pop art — and Campbell’s Soup — at this distinctly Pittsburghese collection. And don’t worry about your lack of artistic sophistication: Even if you can’t tell a Monet from a Manet, you can still appreciate the largest museum in the country dedicated to a specific artist. Housing the works of the city’s favorite artistic son, The Warhol admits Pitt students for free every day except Monday. Its location on the North Shore, conveniently adjacent to the Andy Warhol Bridge, is just a short bus ride from campus. 

Editors’ Pick: Carnegie Natural History

Best music venue: Stage AE

A recent addition to the Pittsburgh music scene, Stage AE has brought national names to the city in its young, three-year-long legacy. Its eclectic calendar for the coming year features recognizable names from the Dropkick Murphys, to MGMT and Slayer. Its accessible location across from the Allegheny River on the North Shore places it squarely in the company of PNC Park, Heinz Field and many bars and restaurants.

Editors’ Pick: Mr. Smalls

Best Spring Break destination: Florida

If your idea of Spring Break perfection involves warm sand and sun, hopping a plane to Florida might be the best choice for you. Florida is home to a number of college-friendly beaches and hotels perfect for spending a week relaxing before final exams begin. With many beaches to choose from, a successful vacation with friends is guaranteed. Try spending a week on the white sand of Panama City Beach for a welcome change of pace from college life.

Editors’ Pick: Home

Best Place to Study Abroad: Australia

With programs offered by Pitt, such as Pitt in Sydney, studying abroad in Australia is a solid choice. In addition to Pitt in Sydney, there are various other cooperative programs between Pitt and other colleges in the country to choose from. When not involved with schoolwork, seizing the opportunity to attend the opera or take a trip to the Great Barrier Reef makes the entire trip worth it. You’ll undoubtedly come home with hundreds of photos to show your family of experiences in the land down under.

Editors’ Pick: London