Summer getaway to Pittsburgh offers history, heritage and hidden gems
For a stay that blends luxury with a rich history, along with an unbeatable location, there's no better home base than the Omni William Penn Hotel. From the beginning, when it was opened in 1916 by Pittsburgh industrialist Henry Clay Frick, the hotel was meant to be a showplace. Inside, the two-story lobby glows with opulence, with grand Austrian crystal chandeliers, velvet furnishings and gilded details. Over the decades, it has hosted presidents, celebrities, royalty, and countless special moments -- the experience feels just as special today.
One of the hotel's best-kept secrets is The Speakeasy on the basement level. Located behind an unmarked door, this restored Prohibition-style bar was once a hidden watering hole in the 1920s. Step back in time and try one of their classic cocktails, like the Bee's Knees.
Thanks to the William Penn's prime downtown location, great food options are within easy reach. In the Strip District, a vibrant area known for its food markets and indie retail shops, you'll find the original Primanti Bros, a 1933 sandwich shop famous for handcrafted sandwiches stacked with meat, cheese, slaw and a heap of seasoned fries -- all between thick slices house-made Italian bread. It's a rite of passage and a Pittsburgh tradition.
Beyond iconic eats, Pittsburgh's growing culinary scene is diverse. With 90 different food-filled neighborhoods, there's no shortage of delicious options. A few local go-tos: Con Alma, with Latin-inspired small plates and live jazz; James Beard-nominated Apteka, which reimagines Eastern European classics with a menu of modern, plant-based dishes; Spirit & Tales, a stylish brasserie inside The Oaklander Hotel where seasonal ingredients shine; and for sweeping skyline views paired with fresh seafood, take the incline to Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, perched on Mount Washington.
Pittsburgh wears its past with pride – and nowhere is that more evident than in its museums and cultural landmarks. Steel, coal and industrial innovation may have built the city, but its art, education and philanthropy continue to shape its soul. The influence of titans like Carnegie, Mellon and Frick is still visible in the many museums and public institutions they left behind.
One of my favorites is The Frick Pittsburgh Museum and Gardens. This serene 10-acre estate and museum complex is one of the city's cultural gems. Stroll through manicured gardens and explore the Frick Art Museum and Car and Carriage Museum. Don't miss the award-winning tour of Clayton, the former home of Henry Clay Frick, who was instrumental in making Pittsburgh one of the nation's greatest commercial centers. The home is the city's last fully preserved mansion of the Gilded Age. Afterwards, have a bite or a sip at the lovely garden café.
From masterpieces and pop art to the top dinosaur exhibits worldwide, be sure to visit the Carnegie Museums, which include the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum.
Nature lovers are sure to fall in love with the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. With a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens, Phipps blooms year-round, but during the summer, the outdoor gardens steal the show.
Whether you're a history buff, foodie, art-and-garden enthusiast, or are simply looking for something fresh and unexpected, the 'Burgh delivers in so many ways. For more info, visitpittsburgh.com
Thanks to new direct flights from Greenville via Breeze Airways, getting to Pittsburgh for a weekend getaway has never been easier. To plan your trip, visit gspairport.com
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Summer Getaway to Pittsburgh offers history, heritage and hidden gems
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
10 minutes ago
- Business Wire
Viking Opens Bookings for 2027–2028 Ocean and Expedition Voyages
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Viking® ( (NYSE: VIK) today announced that its 2027–2028 ocean and expedition voyages are now open for booking. With destination-focused journeys on all seven continents, additional departures are now available across Viking's award-winning ocean and expedition fleet, including the company's most popular itineraries. The new sailing dates include voyages on Viking's newest ocean ship, the Viking Lyra®, which is scheduled to join the fleet in 2028 and will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. As part of today's announcement, Viking also unveiled a new expedition itinerary, Into the Antarctic Circle, which will offer travelers the rare opportunity to cross the 66°33′ line of latitude, which marks the Antarctic Circle, while exploring the 'White Continent' – an honored milestone among polar explorers. 'Our guests are curious travelers who like to connect with the destinations they visit in a meaningful way,' said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. 'We have always crafted journeys that are designed to bring our guests closer to history, culture and nature in each destination—and we are pleased to offer an even wider selection of itineraries and departure dates in the years to come.' With a fleet of small, all-veranda sister ships designed specifically for ocean voyages and state-of-the-art Polar Class expedition ships, Viking offers more than 100 itineraries across all five oceans and on all seven continents. The 2027–2028 deployment expands the company's offerings on its most popular and new voyages, including: NEW for 2027 Into the Antarctic Circle (15 days; Buenos Aires – Ushuaia) – Enter the pristine world of the 'White Continent' and sail across the 66°33′ line of latitude into the Antarctic Circle. Venture into this untouched polar region that teems with remarkable wildlife and is visited by only a rare few. Navigate narrow channels by Zodiac, kayak ice-laden waters and participate in meaningful science with resident experts from partner organizations such as the University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute and UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography and J. Craig Venter Institute. A voyage of discoveries and sheer wonder awaits on this extended itinerary that goes beyond mere sightseeing. South America & the Chilean Fjords (18 days; Buenos Aires – Santiago) – Soak in the eclectic mix of Latin and European influences in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, the birthplace of tango. Visit Port Stanley, home to more than one million penguins, and explore the scenic surroundings of Ushuaia, the city at the 'End of the World.' Sail through the Strait of Magellan, passing rugged mountain peaks and blue-tinted icebergs and experience Chile's vibrant capital city, Santiago. Viking Homelands (15 days; Stockholm – Bergen) – Sail the clear waters of Scandinavia and the Baltic on this 15-day voyage. Delve deeper with overnight stays in the refined capital of Stockholm, the culturally rich city of Oslo and the picturesque coastal city of Bergen. Discover the charming historic center of Tallinn and marvel at the Gothic brick cathedrals in Gdańsk. Immerse yourself in Norwegian culture in Stavanger and Eidfjord and view breathtaking scenery from your ship as she glides through majestic fjords in the legendary homelands of the Vikings. Australia & New Zealand (15 days; Sydney – Auckland) – Gain a deep understanding of the native and European influences that shape Australia and New Zealand. Learn about Australia's penal past from a descendant of its first settlers. Admire the Victorian treasures of Dunedin, the fragrant English gardens of Christchurch and the art deco glories of Napier. Enjoy the sounds of the didgeridoo from Indigenous Australians and watch the captivating dances of the Māori. With Viking, every moment is designed to immerse you in the rich heritage of these southern lands. British Isles Explorer (15 days; Bergen—London) – Journey through the storied landscapes of the British Isles and explore Norway's charming city of Bergen. Discover the legendary Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland and its capital, Edinburgh. Visit the Shetland and Orkney Islands and contrast modern Belfast with traditional Dublin. Experience Welsh culture in Snowdonia. In England, visit Liverpool, home of the legendary Beatles and the 'World Capital of Pop,' see historic Dover and its dramatic white chalk cliffs and overnight in Greenwich, a borough of London and home to several iconic maritime institutions. Great Lakes Collection (15 days; Toronto – Duluth) – Join Viking for a unique voyage across the historic waterways of all five of the majestic Great Lakes. Sail scenic shorelines, explore storied cities and admire the awesome power of the thundering Niagara Falls. Navigate the granite islands and sheltered inlets of Georgian Bay and traverse the famous Soo Locks. Study the aquatic ecosystems of the lakes as you journey and venture into the dense boreal forests that line the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. Far Eastern Horizons (15 days; Hong Kong – Tokyo) – Unravel the mysteries of one of the most captivating corners of Asia. Browse the lively stalls at Hong Kong's renowned Stanley Market. Gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan through the perspective of a local guide. In Japan, hear firsthand accounts from residents of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Uncover the vibrant contrasts of Shimizu and Tokyo with insights from those who live there. With overnight stays in four ports, you will have the time to explore each destination in greater depth. Into the Northwest Passage (13 days; roundtrip Nuuk) – Discover the rugged landscapes and awe-inspiring nature of the Arctic Circle. Immerse yourself in Inuit customs and traditions while exploring towns dotted with colorful wooden houses. See the towering peaks of Greenland and the blue-tinged glaciers of the Canadian High Arctic, as you kayak pristine fjords, or partake in a Zodiac shore landing. Join Viking on a once-in-lifetime voyage to remote territories and stunning natural wonders. Alaska & the Inside Passage (11 days; Vancouver – Seward) – Immerse yourself in Tlingit culture and experience the outpost atmosphere that prevails in charming, mountain-ringed seaside towns. Sail a pristine wilderness of misty fjords, lush forests and gleaming walls of ice, pan for gold like prospectors of old and hear tales of a region where a Wild West spirit still feels very much alive. Classic Panama Canal Passage (11 days; Ft. Lauderdale – Panama City) – Immerse yourself in nature and discover the colonial gems of Central America. Set sail and relax in the serene surroundings of Cozumel on the east coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Discover the ancient Mayan civilization in Belize and explore the lush rainforests of Costa Rica. Embark on a crossing of Panama's famed canal, an engineering marvel, and witness centuries-old tribal life as you experience the traditions of the Emberá people. Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice – Athens) – Ten days. Nine magnificent destinations. One epic journey. Sail the Adriatic and Aegean, taking in all the riches of this fabled region. On an exploration bookended by iconic Venice and Athens, discover the ancient ruins of Olympia and the Acropolis. Explore the medieval warrens of Zadar and Dubrovnik and admire the famed whitewashed villages of Santorini. Delight in the beauty of Corfu and be captivated by Koper, the gateway to picturesque Slovenia. Iceland's Natural Beauty (8 days; roundtrip Reykjavik) – Discover Iceland's majestic shores as you explore this northern isle's coastal towns. Encounter unparalleled natural beauty and see cascading waterfalls amid pristine fjords. Discover Viking heritage as you follow in the footsteps of intrepid Norse explorer Leif Eriksson, widely regarded as the first European to set foot in North America. Or observe the remarkable diversity of wildlife, from puffins and Arctic foxes to seals and whales. Join us for a truly immersive experience that brings you closer to nature and all her splendor. Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days; Barcelona – Rome) – France's famed southern coast and Italy's Renaissance treasures take center stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, call on historic Montpellier and picturesque Marseille and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco's glamorous city by the sea. Viking's Award-Winning Fleet Viking was rated #1 for Oceans, #1 for Rivers and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2024 Readers' Choice Awards for the second consecutive year. Viking was also named a 'World's Best' for oceans, rivers and expeditions in Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors from both publications. In the 2025 World's Best Awards, Viking was once again named #1 for Expeditions, a position it has maintained since its first year of eligibility in that category. Viking was named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Cruise Lines ranking for the fourth consecutive year. Viking's ocean ships have also been rated and 'Recommended' as part of the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, an annual independent evaluation for luxury travel brands. Additionally, Cruise Critic honored Viking with seven awards across the Luxury (Ocean), River and Expedition categories 2024 Best in Cruise Awards. One Viking Designed for curious travelers, Viking's river, ocean and expedition voyages bring guests to the heart of enriching destinations on all seven continents. From Europe's iconic waterways and the storied shores of the Mediterranean to the Canadian High Arctic and Antarctica, the Viking experience is singular. To learn more, visit Booking Details From now through August 31, 2025, Viking is offering North American travelers the Summer Sale, with reduced fares on all-inclusive voyages, with up to free international airfare and a $25 deposit. Call Viking toll free at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or contact a travel advisor for booking details. Media Assets For more information about Viking, or for images and b-roll, please contact vikingpr@ About Viking Viking (NYSE: VIK) was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes around the world. Designed for curious travelers with interests in science, history, culture and cuisine, Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences For The Thinking Person™. Viking has more than 450 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler in the 2023 and 2024 Readers' Choice Awards. Viking is also rated a 'World's Best' for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Travel + Leisure. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications. For additional information, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or visit For Viking's award-winning enrichment channel, visit
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Norwegian Cruise Line is making a huge Royal Caribbean-style move
Norwegian Cruise Line is making a huge Royal Caribbean-style move originally appeared on TravelHost. Norwegian Cruise Line may have been the first cruise line to offer a private island escape as part of its Bahamas and Caribbean cruises, but it wasn't the first to build out its private piece of paradise with resort-style amenities and attractions. Royal Caribbean made waves in the cruise industry when it turned a basic cruise line private island experience into a 'Perfect Day' in 2019. Whether you want the thrill of a waterpark, bliss of a beachside cabana, or exclusivity of an adults-only beach club, you can find your perfect Bahamas beach day experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay. And now, for even more choice in how you want to enjoy your cruise line private island escape, soon you'll be able to discover your greatest vacation day at Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay, addition to enhancing the 270-acre island in late 2025 with a new multi-ship pier, a huge heated pool, and a variety of new amenities, Norwegian Cruise Line is expanding the island's offerings in a big way in 2026. With the addition of a nearly six-acre waterpark and even more experiences, vacationers will find endless ways to enjoy 'The Great Life' at Great Stirrup Cay. To celebrate Great Stirrup Cay's great transformation, the cruise line is even giving away 250 cruises to the island for vacationers to 'Escape to the Great Life' and experience the all-new attractions next Cruise Line is adding a giant Great Stirrup Caywaterpark Slated to open in summer 2026, Great Stirrup Cay's new Great Tides Waterpark will feature 19 waterslides, a nearly 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot splash zone for kids, and the cruise industry's first cliffside jumps. Vacationers will be able to splash down eight exhilarating waterslides from the 170-foot Tidal Tower. The waterpark will also feature additional racing slides, tube slides with large spirals and spins, and thrilling body slides. Riders won't even need to carry their own rafts up the tower to ride certain slides thanks to convenient raft conveyer Cove, another section of Great Tides Waterpark, will offer more opportunities for families to find adventure with racer slides and two different cliff jumps standing at 10 and 15 feet tall (a cruise industry first) as well as the Caribbean's only family slide, where four guests can slide down simultaneously. Those who would rather relax and watch the action can chill in The Grotto Bar, a cave-like bar hidden under the family slide. Great Tides Waterpark will have huge kids splash zone, dynamic river A 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone at the center of Great Tides Waterpark will offer big splashes for little cruisers with an oversized tipping water bucket, eight mini slides, and interactive water features. The waterpark will also feature a new take on the lazy river — an 800-foot-long dynamic river with an accelerated current with several entry points, including a wading pool with a swim-up bar nearby. The river will offer a unique immersive experience with an illuminated grotto tunnel featuring a dreamlike bioluminescent scene. Cabanas will be conveniently located at the edge of the dynamic river and the kids splash zone. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Great Stirrup Cay will offer jet kart excursion, Great Life Lagoon Great Stirrup Cay shore excursions are also getting an upgrade with the addition of an all-new mini aquatic racecourse with jet karts, an experience that combines elements of go-karting and jet skiing. Later this year, Norwegian cruise passengers visiting Great Stirrup Cay will start experiencing the first of the island's enhancements as Norwegian opens a new heated pool, splash pad, multi-ship pier, welcome plaza, and island-wide tram Great Life Lagoon, the recently announced expansive 1.4-acre pool area, will offer private ocean and pool view cabanas and villas, complimentary loungers, and two swim-up bars. Each swim-up bar will have its own ambiance, but both will serve refreshing beverages including kid-friendly drinks and adult-favorite cocktails. The Reef Bar will feature a DJ while The Waves Bar on the opposite side of the pool will be a fun spot situated alongside a beach-style entrance and a splash area for kids. Steps away from the new pool, Splash Harbor, a 3,400-square-foot complimentary splash pad, will offer more family fun with interactive water fountains, aquatic features, and a shaded bar and lounge for parents to relax. Great Stirrup Cay will get new recreation area, adults-only beach club Great Stirrup Cay's enhancements also include a new complimentary recreational area, Horizon Park, featuring lawn style games, pickleball courts, a nine-hole mini golf course, half a sports court, and more. Those looking for beachside relaxation will find 'The Great Life' at Hammock Bay, featuring more than 50 hammocks and a dedicated bar conveniently located near the passenger-favorite BBQ the purchase of a day pass, visitors can also elevate their Great Stirrup Cay beach day with greater luxury at Vibe Shore Club, a sophisticated adults-only area featuring a private bar, hanging day beds, and premium loungers and umbrellas. Villas will also be available to rent at Vibe Shore Club. As it unveils Great Stirrup Cay's transformation, Norwegian Cruise Line expects to welcome one million guests to the island across 15 of its ships in 2026. Ships sailing to Great Stirrup Cay in 2026 include the cruise line's newest ship Norwegian Aqua, which offers a variety of seven-day Caribbean voyages from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., and Norwegian Luna, the cruise line's upcoming vessel debuting in March 2026, which will sail seven-day Caribbean itineraries from April 2026 to October 2026. Norwegian Cruise Line launches limited-time Great Life sale and sweepstakes For a limited time, Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating Great Stirrup Cay's transformation by offering up to $1,500 off all Caribbean and Bahamas sailings with 'The Great Life Sale' and giving away 250 cruises to the island. Open to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec), the 'Escape to the Great Life' sweepstakes offers vacationers the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a four-day voyage in August 2026 for two in a balcony stateroom inclusive of NCL's popular More At Sea package. The 'Escape to the Great Life' sweepstakes runs from July 29 to Aug. 31, 2025. Additionally, the cruise line is bringing the island life to New York City from July 29 to 31, 2025, and to Miami throughout the month of August, with 'Escape to the Great Life' consumer activations.'Escape to the Great Life' escape hatches to pop open in NYC, Miami In New York City, Great Stirrup Cay will come to SoHo with a limited-time engagement experience. Beginning at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, a custom 'escape hatch' at 104 Grand Street, New York City, will open to the public and those who pass by will instantly be transported to the island paradise, complete with tropical sights and sounds of what awaits at Great Stirrup Cay. The experience will feature immersive LED graphic island visuals, live steel drums, beach-ready NCL merchandise, and opportunities to enter to win the 'Escape to the Great Life' sweepstakes. The pop-up activation is open to the public on July 29, 2025 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST on July 30 and 31, coincide with the consumer activation, the cruise line also hid seven custom 'escape hatches' across Manhattan in the popular areas of Hudson Yards, Gansevoort Plaza, 54th Street in Times Square, Broadway and Broome, Grand Central Station, State Street in the Financial District, and on the Highline Sundeck on 14th Street, providing additional opportunities for people to open the door and to enter to win one of the 250 cruise giveaways. Throughout the month of August, three 'escape hatches' will also be hidden throughout Miami, inviting residents and visitors in Norwegian Cruise Line's hometown to open the doors to enter to win an escape to 'The Great Life' at Great Stirrup Cay. Those escape hatches will be located in Wynwood, on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, and at Bayside Marketplace in downtown Miami. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Hypebeast
7 hours ago
- Hypebeast
American Express Redefines Travel with Go With AMEX
Travel / Presented by AMEX / 2 Hrs ago / 261 'La Dolce Vita' is the rail hospitality company's latest offering, imbued with elegant Italian design sensibilities crafted by the Milan-based design firm. From layered wool blends to waxed twills, the new range delivers a restrained yet powerful expression of design. Introducing a Flexible Cabinbag and Flex Gaming console. Presented by Theory With a packed daily schedule, Walker also makes use of pieces from Theory's Motion Wool collection. A collaborative speaker that synthesizes technology and art, redefining how we connect with music and the visual world around it. Releasing this winter. The White House has issued an executive order imposing a 39% tariff on all Swiss imports. Trained on 300 plus people for broad compatibility and personalization. Featuring a regal midnight purple with tassel details and chakra symbolism. The rapper's raw, rollout-less reckoning of his spot at the top, complete with contributions from FKA twigs, Don Toliver, and more. Celebrating 50 years since Queen's first visit to Japan. The latest installment emphasizes Monstie companionship as players face ancient threats and political unrest. Emphasizing AI's role in unlocking human creativity and goals. The GEL-QUANTUM 360 I gets a makeover. More ▾
