Philadelphia - October 26, 2009

Industrial Revolution

Road Trip to Pittsburgh

Andy Warhol and Frank Lloyd Wright saw something in Pittsburgh that other artists (or, um, you) wouldn’t see for decades. Take a trip to this up-and-coming creative hub. Seriously. It’s the “other” Philadelphia.

STAY
The Priory, a turn-of-the-century, European-style boutique hotel housed in a former Benedictine monastery, is anything but ascetic. Freebie extras include parking, Wi-Fi, a fitness center, breakfast, and complimentary wine 5-7 p.m. Located in the historic nabe of East Allegheny, it’s walking distance from The Andy Warhol Museum.

EAT
Hit the North Side, a historic section that’s undergoing a youthful revitalization, for a game at the nearby stadiums or the eclectic mix of shops along East Ohio Street. Then nosh at recently opened Serendipity Bistro, drink classic cocktails in the Strip District at the chichi Eleven, and brunch on comfort food at the casual Bistro To-Go.

DRINK
In Lawrenceville, a blue collar hood that’s becoming a major artistic hangout, catch a live show, performance art, or dance party at Brillobox. Order craft and microbrews from the likes of East End Brewery and Church Brew Works (based just down the street) at this tavern-style bar and restaurant that also screens ’70s commercials, Wonder Woman episodes, Kenneth Anger films, and more.

SHOP
Head to the hip Lower Lawrenceville and drop in on Katie Bulger at Sugar Boutique. She stocks local and indie clothing designers like Preloved, AngelRox, and HappyArt. Zerrer’s Antiques, a storeroom chockablock with furniture, decorative objects, and art, is frequently tapped by prop houses to decorate movie sets.

SOAR
After such afternoon delights, take flight on The Duquesne Incline, a cable car that’s been running since 1877. It travels up the side of Mount Washington, overlooking the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers and is a prime spot to take your sweetie, pending no height fright.

See? It was time to steel away.

Keep on truckin’. For more road trip ideas, go to dailycandy.com/guides.

Photos: Courtesy of The Priory Hotel; Courtesy of Serendipity Bistro; Courtesy of Brillobox; Courtesy of Sugar Boutique; Courtesy of The Duquesne Incline

  Charmer, Road Trip