Welcome to 2020!
We hope you can take some time to reflect on the year and to dream about the new year ahead. Weâre working on the latter part today with this 2020 bucket list (you may have heard that our directorâs kinda into this whole Pittsburgh bucket list thing đ).
So, dream with us of plans to make and experiences to share in the 412. Weâll see you out there
A 2020 bucket list
This new year thing is really happening, and we can hardly believe it either. But thanks to you, we are all prepared. In late 2019, we asked you to share your ideas for a 2020 bucket list of great Pittsburgh to-doâs, and you really delivered.
So here are your top tips for making the most of Pittsburgh in 2020, broken out into three groups â things to do around town, things to enjoy in the great outdoors, and things to eat and drink. Plan to follow in one of your neighborâs footsteps? Let us know and weâll connect you two (if theyâre cool with it!) to say âthanks.â
Get out on the town
đ See an opera. This springâs âCarmenâ is the perfect opera for first-timers. âItâs a fun way to try something a little different. Youâll recognize all the music and songs. Itâs an awesome show. The singers are ridiculously good. Impress your significant other by taking them to the opera! Itâs a great date night or excursion with friends.â â Chris CoxÂ
đ Take a Class at Arcade Comedy Theater. âLearn a creative art. Learn to say yes. Learn to collaborate with others in a fun environment. Or learn to become a comedian on the side and join a growing community.â â John Feightner (echoed by Gabe Goldman âItâs something that you can do whether youâre 20 or 80 years old!â and Liz Labacz âItâs an amazing way to make new friends.â)
đ Listen to the Three Rivers Ringers. âTheyâre a fantastic hand-bell playing group. Their playing is captivating. The entire audience is absorbed and therefore silent and respectful.â â Bernadette Dwyer
đ¤ Rock out at the Deutschtown Music Festival. âListen to a vast array of Pittsburghâs musical talent â over 400 acts participate.â â Amanda Coffman
đ See a Quantum Theatre show. âQuantum uses the city of Pittsburgh as our theater and every experience is unique and amazing.â â Shannon Knapp
âŞď¸Â Visit the many beautiful historic churches in our city. âWish you could travel to Europe but it just isnât in the budget? Visit St. Stanislaus in the Strip, St. Adalbert in the Southside, and Immaculate Heart of Mary on Polish Hill. Be awed and reminded of the immigrants who helped build these amazing structures. Think about their priorities. They had little or nothing, but they made worship their priority and gave everything to their churches and community and provided stability for their families. A visit to see Maxo Vankaâs murals at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Millvale is a must-see as well.â â Barb Griffith
Give it a taste
âď¸Â Get fancy for high tea at the Frick. âThey have a high tea service with little sandwiches and desserts all served on a tiered tray. Itâs so much fun. My teenage daughter and I go a couple of times a year.â (Plus, learn about local history and cool cars and carriages). â Melissa JonesÂ
đľđąÂ Try Pittsburgh-style Polish food (and vegan-style Polish food) at Apteka in Bloomfield! âItâs all of the goodness of Mrs. Tâs pierogies, but authentic and vegan.â â Caedyn Busche
đšÂ Sip an aperol spritz at DiAnoiaâs in the summer with the windows open. âThere is nothing like being in Pittsburghâs Strip District on a weekend and feeling like youâre in Italy.â â Stephanie Laurenza
Get outside
đ˛Â Participate in Bike PGHâs Open Streets event. âItâs the best family-friendly event in Pittsburgh. The event is for everyone of all ages and fitness levels. You can bike, walk, skate, run, or rollerblade the route. Itâs also fun to support the local vendors, enjoy the weather, and meet new people, all while promoting a healthy lifestyle.â â Jacob Gnieski
đşÂ Bike from Pittsburgh to DC on the GAP. âStart at The Point!â â Samone Riddle
đŞÂ Challenge yourself at the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. âItâs 35 miles of equal parts Western PA beauty & torture on your knees. 35 miles in one day?!?! Youâll get all the steps, all the fresh air, and all the bragging rights.â â Danielle DâAndrea
Extra credit
â  And a few other suggestions from readers: âFollow Mister Rogersâ example of kindness and patienceâ (â¤ď¸), learn the proper way to merge (lol), and vote (couldnât agree more).