1. You’ll Recognize The City In All Your Favorite Movies
Folks in Pittsburgh easily recognize the lay of their homeland and can spot it in movies and on television pretty quick. And the city’s been co-starring in a lot more films than you might realize. There have been more than 50 major films shot in Pittsburgh, including “The Silence of the Lambs,” “The Dark Knight Rises,” and “The Fault in Our Stars.”
2. Keep It On The Way Down-Low If You’re Not Into Pittsburgh Sports
Regardless of where you grew up or what team you formerly followed, if you presently live in Pittsburgh, then the Steelers, Penguins, and Panthers are your team now. Keep it a secret if you refuse to switch. It is safer that way. Oh yes, and one more thing; Chuck Knoll is king.
3. Most People Say “Steelers” Wrong
There’s a double “e” in the word “Steelers,” which is actually really misleading about how it’s pronounced. To correctly say the team name, say the short “e” sound instead—like “stellar.” That’s all you need to know.
4. Everyone Is Welcome In Steel Town
Pittsburgh is loaded with people from every walk of life, background, religion, creed and nationality. Generations of immigrants played a part in how the city has progressed to the melting pot that it is today. And Pittsburgh has many cultural events throughout the year that celebrate all those ethnicities and what they bring.
5. Weird Sandwiches Are Pittsburgh Delicacies
Live in Pittsburgh and you will soon become convinced that slapping an egg between two pieces of bread; piled high with turkey, salami or roast beef, with French fries sandwiched between Italian Bread, is the best tasting sandwich you’ve ever experienced. You will also learn that the number one place to order such a sandwich is Primanti Bros, while Danny’s is the best place to down a hoagie.
6. Don’t Dis Pittsburgh. Ever
You will not be embraced if you openly denigrate the fair city. Pittsburghers are proud of their town and want to show it off to the world. A few years ago an actress “hated” on the city, which she soon found quite regrettable, as the “Pittsburgh Post Gazette” returned the favor.
7. Pittsburghese Is (Kind Of) A Real Language
The language that outsiders know as Pittsburghese is really just a dialect of persons living in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Yinzers speak Pittsburghese and say, “pop”, not soda, gum bands, not rubber bands. If mom says to “red up your room”, she better find it picked up and clean when she returns to check.
8. Pittsburghers Tell It Like It Tis
If you really do not want to know, then don’t ask. However, if we feel you need to know, we may inform you regardless.
9. The Strip District Is The Place To Be On Weekends
It seems that most of Pittsburgh finds their way to the narrow strip of land at some point, considering it’s packed so tight with so many good things. The 21st Street Strip is a marketplace full of eclectic vendors and venues well worth visiting. Just going for the delicious aromas is worth the trip - that and, of course, all the samplings of delicious food. After your first trip you’ll quickly learn that you can’t go just once.
10. Where To Go For Free Food On Your Birthday
Pittsburgh business owners really know how to celebrate a birthday. You’ll quickly find that showing up on your birthday to many of the restaurants in the city like Casbah, Koba, Houlihan’s, Church Brew Works and more will get you more delicious free food than you can handle.
11. Chicken Wings Fly In Pittsburgh
Chicken wings are the ultimate party food/appetizer. That combined with the fact that Pittsburgh is a “football town” could explain why wings are supreme in the city. There are wing deals all over the city. But one of the best places to eat chicken wings is at The Library on Carson Street. Yes, The Library. This library is not the place to bone up on your books. But, there will be lots of bare bones left behind.
12. You’ve Got The Second Best View In The Country
The second best view in the United States (according to a non- Pittsburgher) is the view from Mt. Washington. However, the scene, provided from 400 feet above the city, is number one in the hearts of residents and is worth the ascent.
Pittsburgh's’ three rivers; Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio and the iron bridges that span them, are all visible from high above the city.
13. Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood Was Right Here
The late Fred Rogers, who loved children and arguably produced one of the best children’s programs ever made, lived and raised a family in Pittsburgh. He also produced the iconic, “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” from the local television station, WQED.
The city still honors the memory of Fred Rogers. A sculpture was erected in his honor on the North Side, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has a Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Exhibit.
14. The Warning Signs About Slowing On Curvy Roads Are Not Suggestions
Driving down steep inclines at 55 miles an hour, and accelerating through curves is a dangerous proposition in Pittsburgh. Don’t believe me? Check out the “wipe out” marks on various concrete walls that border the highways.
15. Once You Go Gold And Black You Never Go Back
Black and gold are not just the official colors of Pittsburgh’s major sports teams, but the city has also adopted the color combination. Bridges are a prime example of the city’s use of black and gold.
16. You’ll Have To Take The Stairs Everywhere
Pittsburgh holds the record for the most public stairways in a U.S. city.
There are hundreds of thousands of steps to climb in Pittsburgh. Some are even designated as streets on city maps. Residents and visitors to the city, utilize the 44,645 steps to navigate the steep hills.
17. It’s Pretty Easy Being Green In Pittsburgh
The Steel Town’s former reputation for being a clean city is not a good one. But, things have changed for the better in Pittsburgh. The city has cleaned up its act, eliminated the pollution that hung precariously over the city, and is now known for a much better reputation. There are more buildings “certified” green in the city of Pittsburgh than in any other U.S. city.
18. But It’s Not Easy To Pick The Best Pizza
Fiori’s or Minneo’s? That is the question. When all else fails, employ eenie, meenie, miney, moe or rock, paper, scissors...shoot, to help you decide.
19. You Can’t Get There From Here
The city has a Northside, Southside, East End, and West End. But, how do you get to any of these places? Apparently, not by going, north, south, east or west. Ask for directions in Pittsburgh, and invariably the person delivering instructions will tell you to travel “away from town” or “towards town”.
20. The Best Place To Get A Good Cup Of Coffee
21st Street Coffee and Tea is the best choice for a good and hot cup of coffee on a steely cold day. At 21st Street Coffee and Tea, espresso is an art form. But, if coffee is not your cup o’ thang, then a steaming mug of hot tea is just as good.
21. Desert: It’s What’s For Lunch
It may be slightly unorthodox, but the best place to splurge on an early dessert is Gullifty’s.
The Squirrel Hill restaurant serves decadent desserts at lunchtime that are to die for.
22. The Suburbs Have Some Pretty Weird Names
Squirrel Hill, Zelienople, Beltzhoover, Beaver Falls. I rest my case.
23. It’s Way More Fun To Skate Outdoors
Bundling up to skate outdoors is much more fun than bundling up to skate at an indoor rink. Winter would be so much more solemn without ice-skating. The magical place to skate in Pittsburgh is the Rink at PPG Place.
24. Embrace Your Tunnel Vision
Living in Pittsburgh, you absolutely may not have a fear of tunnels. But, if you do, the Fort Pitt Tunnel will heal you. Entering from the southwest end, the view is rather commonplace, but the exit is it’s own reward. A spectacular view of Pittsburgh emerges on the other side of the tunnel and is especially impressive when driving through at night. If you were not the driver of the car, you would swear you were flying above the city. The twinkling lights are breathtaking.
25. Pittsburghers Are Nice. End Of Story
Pittsburgh is a very friendly town. There just aren’t any better people on the face of the earth, than Pittsburghers. The residents make the city feel like a “little”- big town”, full of happy neighbors.
What’s something you learned living in Pittsburgh? Tell us in the comments below! 
