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Your 2020 Pittsburgh bucket list

Welcome to 2020!

We hope you can take some time to reflect on the year and to dream about the new year ahead. We’re working on the latter part today with this 2020 bucket list (you may have heard that our director’s kinda into this whole Pittsburgh bucket list thing 😂).

So, dream with us of plans to make and experiences to share in the 412. We’ll 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-do’s, and you really delivered.

So here are your top tips for making the most of Pittsburgh in 2020, broken out into three groups — 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 neighbor’s footsteps? Let us know and we’ll connect you two (if they’re cool with it!) to say “thanks.”

Get out on the town

👀 See an opera. This spring’s “Carmen” is the perfect opera for first-timers. “It’s a fun way to try something a little different. You’ll recognize all the music and songs. It’s an awesome show. The singers are ridiculously good. Impress your significant other by taking them to the opera! It’s a great date night or excursion with friends.” — Chris Cox 

😂 Take a Class at Arcade Comedy Theater. “Learn 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.” — John Feightner (echoed by Gabe Goldman “It’s something that you can do whether you’re 20 or 80 years old!” and Liz Labacz “It’s an amazing way to make new friends.”)

🔔 Listen to the Three Rivers Ringers. “They’re a fantastic hand-bell playing group. Their playing is captivating. The entire audience is absorbed and therefore silent and respectful.” — Bernadette Dwyer

🤘 Rock out at the Deutschtown Music Festival. “Listen to a vast array of Pittsburgh’s musical talent — over 400 acts participate.” — Amanda Coffman

🎭 See a Quantum Theatre show. “Quantum uses the city of Pittsburgh as our theater and every experience is unique and amazing.” — Shannon Knapp

⛪️ Visit the many beautiful historic churches in our city. “Wish you could travel to Europe but it just isn’t 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 Vanka’s murals at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Millvale is a must-see as well.” — Barb Griffith

Give it a taste

☕️ Get fancy for high tea at the Frick. “They have a high tea service with little sandwiches and desserts all served on a tiered tray. It’s so much fun. My teenage daughter and I go a couple of times a year.” (Plus, learn about local history and cool cars and carriages). — Melissa Jones 

🇵🇱 Try Pittsburgh-style Polish food (and vegan-style Polish food) at Apteka in Bloomfield! “It’s all of the goodness of Mrs. T’s pierogies, but authentic and vegan.” — Caedyn Busche

🍹 Sip an aperol spritz at DiAnoia’s in the summer with the windows open. “There is nothing like being in Pittsburgh’s Strip District on a weekend and feeling like you’re in Italy.” — Stephanie Laurenza

Get outside

🚲 Participate in Bike PGH’s Open Streets event. “It’s 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. It’s also fun to support the local vendors, enjoy the weather, and meet new people, all while promoting a healthy lifestyle.” — Jacob Gnieski

🗺 Bike from Pittsburgh to DC on the GAP. “Start at The Point!” — Samone Riddle

💪 Challenge yourself at the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. “It’s 35 miles of equal parts Western PA beauty & torture on your knees. 35 miles in one day?!?! You’ll get all the steps, all the fresh air, and all the bragging rights.” — Danielle D’Andrea

Extra credit

✅ And a few other suggestions from readers: “Follow Mister Rogers’ example of kindness and patience” (❤️), learn the proper way to merge (lol), and vote (couldn’t agree more).