Oakland:
Home to prestigious museums, world-class hospitals and universities and international cuisine, Oakland is considered the cultural, academic and medical center of Pittsburgh.
As one of Pittsburgh’s liveliest neighborhoods, you’ll find cool coffee shops, multi-cultural eateries and interesting specialty shops alongside grand architecture. Oakland is the place to be whether you’re planning a picnic in the park, enjoying an evening of drama or seeking an art or history fix.
The Vibe
Intellectual, international and cultural. Where “eds and meds” intersect with culture and heritage.
The List
1. Study at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning, a 53-story gothic building that’s home to 30 Nationality Rooms.
2. Visit two world-class museums for just one admission price – Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.
3. Take in the heavenly scents and sights at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
4. Tap your toes at the Stephen Foster Memorial Museum, which contains one of Foster’s pianos and copies of more than 200 of his musical compositions.
5. Grab a bite at Spice Island Tea House, with its diverse menu featuring Thai, Burmese, Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines.
The Name
Oakland got its name from the abundance of oak trees found on the farm of William Eichenbaum, who settled there in 1840.
One More Thing
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum honors the various wars in which local soldiers participated and is home to a face casting taken directly from Abraham Lincoln the month he died.
Article provided by VisitPITTSBURGH, the official tourism promotion agency for Allegheny County. Learn more at VisitPITTSBURGH.com. Photo credit: Joshua Franzos / Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
