Living in the Strip for two years, I'd say skip Primanti's on your first morning and grab a breakfast sandwich from DeLuca's on Penn Ave instead. Their egg and cheese on a fresh roll is maybe $5 and the line moves fast, plus you're right there when the market stalls open at 8am.

For Day 2, if you're at the Carnegie Museums around lunch, walk over to Forbes and Craig for a slice at Pizza Milano. It's a hole in the wall that's been there forever, two bucks a slice and they don't skimp on the cheese. The nationality rooms at the Cathedral are worth the wait in line, but check the schedule online first because sometimes they close floors for private events.

One thing the guide skips is that the T stops running around midnight on weeknights. If you're out in Lawrenceville past that, you're looking at a $15 Uber back downtown. Acacia is great but they don't take reservations and the door policy can be picky, so dress slightly nicer than you think you need to.

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the cathedral of learning observation deck is a solid choice but heads up, the elevator line can get long on weekends, especially when students are showing off the nationality rooms. if you're already in oakland, grab a bite at the original fish sandwich from the union grill food truck on forbes, it's cash only and about $8 but beats any sit-down spot in the area

for getting around, the connectcard is worth the $2 fee if you're here 3 days, the t is free in zone 1 but the bus transfers are a pain without it. also the 3-day pass is good but only if you're riding at least 4 times a day, otherwise just reload $5 and tap as you go

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You've got a really solid framework here. One thing I'd add is that the T's free zone only covers downtown proper, so if you're staying in the Strip District you'll pay $2.75 to ride from the 11th Street stop into town. It's a short walk anyway, maybe 15 minutes along the river trail, and that path goes right past the Roberto Clemente statue near the bridge.

For Day 2, the 61A and 61B buses to Oakland can get packed during rush hour, especially around 9am and 5pm. If you're flexible, the 71A or 71C from Penn Avenue also get you there in about the same time and are usually less crowded. Also, the Cathedral observation deck closes at 8pm but the building itself stays open later for students, so you can still wander the ground floor and see the Commons Room without going up.

If you're looking for a cheaper Mount Washington dinner, I'd skip Altius and try Coughlin's Law on Grandview instead. It's a couple blocks down from the incline, their wings are some of the best in the city, and you can grab a table on the patio for the same skyline view without the $40 entrees.

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The guide's right about Lawrenceville, but I'd also point people to the Allegheny Cemetery on Butler Street for a quiet escape from the buzz. It's one of the oldest burial grounds in the city and has some incredible Victorian-era monuments and a surprising amount of wildlife. I've spent an afternoon just wandering the rolling hills there and it feels a world away from the breweries a block over.

For the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, if you walk from Point State Park toward the Strip District, make sure to stop at the Rachel Carson Bridge and look for the brass plaques embedded in the railing. They're easy to miss but they have poems and historical notes about the riverfront. That stretch also gives you a perfect view of the 16th Street Bridge's arches, which is one of my favorite sights in the city.

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This is a solid list, you've got the essentials covered. One thing I'd add is a stop at the Mattress Factory on the North Side, especially if you're into the Warhol. It's a museum of room-sized installations where you walk inside the art, and it's only about a 10-minute walk from the Warhol. The admission is around $20, and it's a completely different vibe from the crowded galleries downtown.

For the Strip District, if you're there on a Saturday morning, get there before 9 a.m. if you actually want to move through the crowds. The lines at DeLuca's get long fast, but the spinach and feta croissant is worth it. Also, don't sleep on the Asian grocery stores like Lotus for a cheap, quick banh mi that beats any sit-down lunch.

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Good list, you've got the bones of a great Pittsburgh trip. For anyone with a car, I'd add a stop at the Randyland museum in the North Side, about a 15-minute walk from the Warhol. It's this wild, painted courtyard and house covered in murals, found objects, and bold colors, and it's free to walk through. Randy himself might be out front to chat, and it's a total contrast to the polished galleries downtown.

For the Strip District, if you're not into the Saturday morning zoo, go on a Thursday or Friday afternoon instead. The produce stands and markets are still open, you can actually get a table at places like Kaya, and the parking situation is way less stressful. The Asian grocery stores like WFH Oriental Foods on Penn Avenue are also a good bet for a cheap lunch without the lines.

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