As a lot of you may already know, LGKG has opened up a new office in Pittsburgh, located at 500 Grant Street, Suite 2900! Lauren Kelly Gielarowski and Gianna Kelly practice out of our Pittsburgh office and, since they both live in downtown Pittsburgh, we talked to them about what some of the best things to do in Pittsburgh in the upcoming winter months are. Here is what they came up with!
#1: Try Out a New Restaurant
Pittsburgh is known for some of the best restaurants in the country and, in recent years, is solidifying its place on the list of best foodie towns. That said, Pittsburgh Restaurant Week takes place a couple of times each year and features over 25 participating restaurants with amazing menu specials.
The Winter Restaurant Week in Pittsburgh will be held January 9th through January 15th 2023. The Winter 2023 Restaurant List will be released on December 1, 2022, so keep an eye out for that and make a reservation well in advance!
In the meantime, here are some of Lauren and Gianna’s favorite restaurants in the city:
- Meat and Potatoes – A warm and inviting space, Meat & Potatoes features satiating comfort food and cocktails that honor the classics.
- Tako – A Japanese/Mexican fusion approach to street food, with a dark, moody vibe, and a locally unmatched selection of tequila and Mezcal.
- Sally Ann’s – A uniquely charming, casual dining experience. Sally Ann’s is a passion project from restauranteur Richard DeShantz – a concept named after and inspired by his mother, Sally Ann. Sally Ann’s offers a carefully curated menu with elevated twists on childhood favorites. Enjoy hearty creative sandwiches, fresh pastries, salads, soups, and a stunning brunch menu on the weekends. Sunday brunch is accompanied by a live DJ each week starting at 11am.
#2: Visit a Museum
Pittsburgh museums are often considered to be world-class and serve as a fun activity to stay warm and get out of the cold Pittsburgh winter weather. Below are some of Lauren and Gianna’s favorite museums in the city:
Andy Warhol Museum – A lot of you may already know that Andy Warhol was a native Pittsburgher who went on to make some of the most iconic works of art of his age. The Andy Warhol Museum, located at 117 Sandusky Street in the North Side, contains several floors full of Andy Warhol's work, from the soup cans you know to others you don't. This is a must-see museum dedicated to one of the most acclaimed artists to come out of Pittsburgh!
Carnegie Museum – The Carnegie Museum of Art and Carnegie Museum of Natural History sound like two separate museums on the surface, but they're actually located in the same space and are accessed via one ticket! This makes for a great museum outing as you will, quite literally, find yourself walking from European art to modern art to a dinosaur exhibit, and onward to the Hall of Gems and back. When we say this one is a world-class museum, we really mean it! The Carnegie Museums are located at 4400 Forbes Avenue in Oakland.
Mattress Factory – In the mood to check out contemporary art? The Mattress Factory on the North Side is the place to be. As contemporary art varies quite substantially, and the museum features an array of temporary exhibits, you'll never quite know what you're going to see here. As such, The Mattress Factory and its annex buildings are the kind of place you can return to again and again to check out art in Pittsburgh! The Mattress Factory is located at 500 Sampsonia Way in the North Side. Please note that exhibits can be adult-oriented at times.
The Roberto Clemente Museum – Are sports more your thing? A trip to the Clemente Museum in Lawrenceville is a must to learn about this Pittsburgh Pirates legend. This is a smaller museum but is packed full of memorabilia from Clemente's career and, as one of the best baseball players of all time, it is really a sight to see! The Clemente Museum is located at 3339 Penn Avenue in Lawrenceville. Note that all tours require reservation and have a minimum age requirement of 12+.
#3: Support a Good Cause!
Check out some of Lauren and Gianna’s favorite charities and click the links below to learn how to get involved!
TasteBuds – TasteBuds is a unique tasting event that features talented chefs from around the Greater Pittsburgh area serving signature dishes and demonstrating the power of friendship. Chefs are paired with individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD), who serve as sous chefs for the evening. Guests will sample an array of culinary delights and enjoy drinks at the open bar. Purchase tickets online for the December 5, 2022 event at: TasteBuds Pittsburgh - Best Buddies International.
Children’s Trust – The Children’s Trust is an exclusive group of rising philanthropists who are interested in supporting UPMC Children’s most promising researchers. By pooling charitable resources, members directly impact the lives of children here in Pittsburgh and beyond by advancing pediatric research. To join the children’s trust, please visit: Get Involved - Join a Giving Society - Children's Trust - Join - UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation.
ARYSE – ARYSE is a foundation dedicated to supporting immigrant and refugee youth in becoming engaged, confident, and celebrated members of our communities. To help support this cause, visit their website to learn what events ARYSE has!
Mental Miles Foundation – Western Pennsylvania native and former NHL defenseman, Stephen Johns, recently roller bladed across the United States for Mental Health awareness. After this trek, he started the Mental Miles Foundation. Visit #MentalMiles Donation | Dallas Stars Foundation to donate to this awesome cause! #MentalMiles donations and t-shirts will benefit Mental Health America of Greater Dallas (MHA Dallas). They are a non-profit organization working to promote mental wellness through community education and policy advocacy. MHA Dallas serves as a catalyst to identify, assess, and respond to mental health needs in the community.
#4: Have Fun Outdoors!
Skate around the Christmas Tree at PPG Place. Make unforgettable memories ice skating in a picturesque ice rink. Visit the Schenley Park Ice Rink surrounded by nature in Oakland or The Rink at PPG Place in downtown Pittsburgh. Visit Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and explore the beauty and wonder of nature at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The stunning Victorian glasshouse showcases seasonal flower shows, special exhibits and a nationally recognized orchid collection, making Phipps a must-see Pittsburgh attraction no matter the time of year.
#5: Cheer on a Sports Team!
One of the great things about Pittsburgh is the amazing sports teams! Check out a Steelers game while you still can or go to a Penguins game at PPG Arena to cheer on Sid the Kid in action!