| Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Pittsburgh attractions, posted by real travelers and locals. Pittsburgh Map |
 | Pittsburgh Off the Beaten Path | Tips 1 - 10 of 69 |  |
 Fallingwater's brochure by starship
Wright designed the house named "Fallingwater" for EdgarJ. Kaufmann and family, owners of a Pittsburgh department store. One of the most significant features of the house, which was completed in 1939, is the fact that it was built over a waterfall. Built of sandstone quarried on the property, the house is cantilvered over the water.
The portion of Wright's work which has fascintated me the most, are his "built-ins" or furniture and amenities that are actually part of the architectural structure and not separate pieces. His work with wood, stone and particularly designed glass and ceramics hold a certain amount of appeal for me as well.
Fallingwater seems to look like sandstone trays holding glass compartments at different levels and intersected by beautiful stacked-stone walls and beautiful windows perched above the rocky waterfall and surrounded by curtains of leafy forest. My favorite time to visit would definitely be fall when the leaves are changing colors.
Hard to believe, but Fallingwater was only the Kaufmann's weekend home from 1937 til 1963 when Mr. Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. , "entrusted" the home to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Considered by some to be the most famous private home in American, it is said to be the only major work of Frank Lloyd Wright to "come to the public domain with its setting, original furnishing and artwork in tact." Fallingwater was named a Commonwealth treasure in 2000 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Several different tours are available from 1-hour (no photography permitted on this tour) to a more indepth 2-hour tour, or tours of the grounds only. Ultimate tours include brunch/lunch on a private terrace (must be quite special!!). To ensure admission, advance ticket purchases and reservations are required (they suggest 2 weeks in advance!). Purchase tickets online or call the reservations office. Ticket prices run from $16 for the 1-hour tour up to $100 for the "Sunset and Brunch" (you'd think it'd be sunset and dinner!). Children ages 6 - 12 are $10 (2008 prices).
The Visitor's Center has not only a shop but a cafe which serves soups, sandwiches, daily specials (entrees) and desserts.
Fallingwater is located on PA Route 381 between the villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle and driving directions are listed on the website. (We determined that Fallingwater had to be 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. from Pittsburgh. Leave a Comment Phone: 724-329-8501Website: %cgfallingwater.org
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Since most of our family live in the Pittsburgh area, we used to visit often from New Jersey, taking between 7 and 7 1/2 hours on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to complete the trip. This beautiful vista shows what lies between New Jersey and Southwest Pennsylvania.
The countryside is just gorgeous in this part of the state, so I determined to get a photo on our last trip home. The route travels up and over several mountains dotted with verdant patches of forest, where deer, groundhogs and other wildlife are often seen grazing on the hillsides. You might even see Punxatawney Phil's cousin wandering through the brush!
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 Clayton by flora1Leave a Comment
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The building is the oldest authenticated structure west of the mountains. Built in 1764, it was a retreat from invading forces. It is the only building left from the original 18 acre site that was the start of Pittsburgh.
Most people pass by it without ever noticing it. It's at Point State Park near where Fort Pitt once stood. Leave a Comment
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 by Parklife
The statue was made by Danial French (the same man who did the statue of Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial in DC) and was given to the people of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) by Andrew Carnegie. Mr. Carnegie was the benefactor of many libraries and museums throughout the North East and made his fortune in this city.
The Reading Blacksmith is outside the Allegheny Regional Library in the North Side. Leave a Comment
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 Andy Warhol by flora1
The museum of Natural History features 15 actual dinosaur skeletons - not casts - of 14 different species from the Jurassic period.,
The museum of Art contains one of the world's most prestigious permanent collections of traditional and contemporary art, featuring French impressionist and post-impressionist paintings from Van Gogh, Monet and Degas.
And for you pop culture fans, the Andy Warhol is on the North Shore. It is the most comprehensive single-artist museum in the world.
The Science Center presents science in an entertaining way. It is recognized as the foremost science education facility for students, teachers and the general public in southwestern Pennsylvania. Leave a Comment
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While walking around I picked up a brochure for Prabhupada's Palace of Gold" near Wheeling, West Virginia, which must be within a reasonable driving distance of Pittsburgh. I had never heard of THIS "Taj Mahal!" The brochure pictures an enormous-looking palace and other buildings surrounded by highly decorated stone walls.
Tours take you into the "palatial splendor" of 10 elaborately decorated rooms, 31 stained-glass windows, murals, antique crystal chandeliers, marble floors and walls (52 types of marble!!!), intricately painted ceilings and walls, paintings, carved teakwood furniture, and rich fabrics. The centerpiece MUST be the 4,200 piece crystal dome! Outside, the palace has its own exquisite gardens and fountains. (click on photos to see more detailed view.)
It's difficult to believe, but construction on the palace was begun only in 1973, and amazingly has be built entirely by "monastic volunteers!" The palace is considered a memorial to Srila Prabhupada "the world's most prolfic exponent of Eastern arts and culture." The brochure does not expound any further on the person or persons involved. It is a mystery worth exploring however!
Escorted tours are available year-round: April - August 10:00am to 8:00pm;
September - March: 10:00am to 5:00pm. A gift shop and cafe are available for guests.
Rd 1 NBU# 23, Moundsville, West Virginia Leave a Comment
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The Allegheny County Courthouse is probably downtown Pittsburgh's most unique building from an architectural perspective. When the county's previous courthouse was ruined by fire in 1882, Boston architect HH Richardson won the competition to construct the new facility. His building consisted of the main courthouse surrounding a large interior courtyard with a prison across the street and was completed in 1884. The prison and courthouse are connected with the "Bridge of Sighs" that was certainly inspired by Venice's 16th Century Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) which also connected that city's prison with the interrogation chambers in the palace.
The courthouse is located on Grant Street between Diamond Street and 5th Avenue. Leave a Comment
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One of the best things about Pittsburgh is it's sense of tradition and that line of thought of holding on to things from the past. (It's actually the cities greatest fault at the same time, but in this instance it works out as a good thing). Gus & Yaya's has been a Pittsburgh staple for years! And not just 4, 5, or 6. I am talking 40, 50...strike up a conversation and get the whole history yourself. ;-) (what...you want me to tell you EVERYTHING???)
Open only during spring and summer, Gus & Yaya's little stand is ready to serve anyone and everyone a nice cold snow cone with a wide variety of syrups. Anyone who is anyone knows about Gus & Yaya's...but not just everyone knows this secret. At any time you will find all sorts of people enjoying themselves out there...and once in a while...it has been rumored that certain Pittsburgh Steelers like to enjoy it as well.
Located on West Ohio Street in between Brighton Road and Ridge Avenue. Check the map out below...and just go where the star is. Leave a Comment
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1501 Penn Ave.
Wholey's is a locally popular place to buy mostly meat and seafood products. It has that old world sense to it. Butchers and all of that stuff you don't find too much anymore. Just another one of them Pittsburgh thangs baby. I have bought alligator and frog's legs here...just to name a few of the interesting things. They have a very wide selection of items. :-) Leave a Comment
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