Pittsburgh’s Best Hotels & Areas (A Local’s Guide for First-Timers)

9 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh’s Downtown is located at the convergence of the three rivers: the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio. The neighborhoods radiate out from that central location.

Downtown

👉 Best Area for First-Time Visitors ✨ Best Downtown Hotels: Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh • The Industrialist Hotel • Fairfield by Marriott • EVEN Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown, an IHG Hotel

Downtown Pittsburgh is the best place to stay if you’re a first-time visitor. It is a central area, so you can explore other neighborhoods nearby. Many wonder if Pittsburgh is safe, especially in a busy place like Downtown. The answer is yes; overall, Pittsburgh is safe to live in and visit.

If you book a hotel Downtown, there are great restaurants and attractions nearby. Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh is my #1 hotel pick overall. The Courtyard by Marriott is another great option in a central location. 

Downtown is also close to the baseball and football stadiums as well as the hockey arena, so it’s a good place to stay if you’re coming to see a game or a concert.

While Downtown, you can see The Point, where the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers meet. During the summer, the rivers are a fun place for water sports like boating and kayaking.

Pros of Staying in Downtown:

• Central location for other neighborhoods
• Close to many attractions
• Has restaurants and attractions within walking distance

Cons of Staying in Downtown:

• There can be traffic, especially during weekdays
• Hotels can be pricey
• Some crime in the area

Shadyside

👉 Best Area for Shopping and Restaurants✨ Best Shadyside Accommodations: Hyatt House • Two-Bedroom House Rental • Mansions On Fifth Hotel

Shadyside is a chic and cozy Pittsburgh neighborhood. It is a more affluent area and is located close to Oakland, Downtown, and Squirrel Hill. Shadyside is mainly residential. 

Walnut Street in Shadyside is the main commercial area where you’ll find many bars, restaurants, and shops. Ellsworth Avenue also has restaurants and stores worth visiting. 

Check out Roslyn Place while you’re here. This is the last wooden street in Pittsburgh and one of the last wooden streets in the country. Shadyside is easily accessible via public transportation, but having a car to get from one neighborhood to the other is still a good idea.

There aren’t many hotel options in Shadyside, but this Two-Bedroom House Rental is just a few minutes from Walnut Street. 

The Mansions on Fifth Avenue is a luxury boutique hotel if you’re looking for more unique accommodations. The hotel often serves brunch for occasions and can also be an event venue for weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions.

Pros of Staying in Shadyside:

• Central location for other neighborhoods
• Close to popular attractions in town
• Many restaurants, bars, and shops in the neighborhood

Cons of Staying in Shadyside:

• It is a primarily residential neighborhood
• Hotels and restaurants can be pricey

Lawrenceville

👉 Best Area For Young People | ✨ Best Lawrenceville Accommodations: TRYP by Wyndham • Butler Street 1 Bedroom • Central Lawrenceville Rowhouse

Lawrenceville has been revitalized into one of the hippest neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. This neighborhood attracts many younger people with its nightlife, restaurants, and local stores. 

Industry Public House is a favorite gathering place. Rowhouse Cinemas is a cool, arthouse movie theater that often shows old and cult movies. This neighborhood even has bowling and an arcade, so there is plenty to do in Lawrenceville!

Most attractions are on Butler Street, which makes this one-bedroom apartment the perfect place to stay. TRYP by Wyndham is also a great hotel with a popular rooftop lounge that looks out over the neighborhood.

Lawrenceville is centrally located. You can easily reach the Strip District, East Liberty, Highland Park (the home of the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium), Shadyside, and more. 

Pros of Staying in Lawrenceville:

• Lawrenceville is in a central location
• It’s a walkable neighborhood

Cons of Staying in Lawrenceville:

• The neighborhood can have a lot of traffic
• Restaurants and bars can be crowded, especially on weekends

North Shore

👉 Best Area For Sports Fans | ✨ Best North Shore Hotels: Hyatt Place • Residence Inn • Kasa South Side Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is the City of Champions, so you have to see a sports game while you’re in town. If you are a sports fan, the North Shore is the best place to stay. This is the location of the city’s football stadium and baseball field. Hyatt Place is within walking distance of both.

Even if you don’t have tickets for a game, plenty of sports bars like Tequila Cowboy, will show all the action. The North Shore also has many restaurants that are great for a night out. 

North Shore is also home to the Children’s Museum and Science Center, which are great outings for families. You can walk along the river and get great views of the Point as well. The North Shore is right across the river from Downtown.

Pros of Staying in North Shore:

• Close to the stadiums
• Many bars and restaurants
• Near Downtown

Cons of Staying in North Shore:

• May need a car to get to other neighborhoods
• It can get rowdy on weekends and during game days

Mount Washington

👉 Best Area For Stunning Views  | ✨ Best Mount Washington Accommodations: Home with Yard • Two-Bedroom with View • Colorful Abode

Mount Washington has the best views of Pittsburgh. This neighborhood is just south of the city and it’s elevated on a mountain, so it overlooks Downtown and the Point. From here, you can see the skyline, the stadiums, and far out into the suburbs surrounding the city. Get good views from the overlook or from accommodations like this two-bedroom home.

This neighborhood is a great place for celebrations and special occasions. There are fancy restaurants that have unobstructed views of the city. Mount Washington is also a great place to watch fireworks when they’re set off at The Point.

When staying or visiting Mount Washington, I highly recommend that you ride the inclines. These trolleys are an iconic part of Pittsburgh’s history and a cool way to view the city. Although there aren’t any hotels in Mount Washington, there are places to rent.

Pros of Staying in Mount Washington:

• Great views of the city
• Luxury restaurants
• Close to Downtown

Cons of Staying in Mount Washington:

• You’ll need a car to get into the city and other neighborhoods
• It can be expensive, particularly around holidays and events

Squirrel Hill

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨Best Squirrel Hill Accommodations: Downtown Escape • Sunny Bunny House • Apartment on the Park

Squirrel Hill is a popular residential neighborhood in Pittsburgh. This is one of the most common areas that people settle down in. It is within city limits but still has a cozy, small-town feel. It’s more sparse when it comes to accommodations, but it’s a great neighborhood to settle down in.

The neighborhood has many locally-owned shops and restaurants. Forbes Avenue and Murray Avenue are the main thoroughfares through the neighborhood and the location of its business district.

Squirrel Hill is conveniently located near other popular neighborhoods, such as Downtown and Shadyside. This neighborhood is also home to Schenley Park and Frick Park, so there is plenty of green space to enjoy. 

If you’re looking for a quieter area but still close to many attractions, Squirrel Hill is the place to stay. I recommend accommodations like the Downtown Escape with 3 bedrooms. Squirrel Hill has apartments and homes that can be leased, so it’s a good option for family vacations.

Pros of Staying in Squirrel Hill:

• Squirrel Hill is in a convenient location
• The neighborhood is walkable
• Many restaurants and shops
• Public transportation through the bus system

Cons of Staying in Squirrel Hill:

• It can be an expensive area
• Will often need a car to get to other neighborhoods

Strip District

👉 Best Area For Local Atmosphere | ✨ Best Strip District Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites • AC Hotel by Marriott • Homewood Suites by Hilton

If there is one place that retains some of Pittsburgh’s historic character, it’s the Strip District. This neighborhood is home to many culturally diverse grocery shops and old marketplaces as well as contemporary restaurants and distilleries.

The Strip District is the place to shop and eat locally in Pittsburgh. Pamela’s is one of the most popular breakfast places in the city and I highly recommend going. You can get your Steelers and other sports gear from local retailers. Head to the Heinz History Center to learn about Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania history.

The Strip District is close to other neighborhoods such as Lawrenceville and Downtown. On its own, the Strip is also very walkable. The AC Hotel by Marriott and Homewood Suites by Hilton are located right in the action.

Pros of Staying in Strip District:

• Walkable neighborhood with many restaurants, breweries, and bars
• Conveniently located near other popular neighborhoods

Cons of Staying in Strip District:

• It can be a busy area
• Most businesses close in the early afternoon

Oakland

👉 Best Area for College Visits & Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Oakland Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place • Residence Inn by Marriott • Hotel Indigo

Oakland is often seen as Pittsburgh’s college town. The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) are both located in this neighborhood, so college students often walk, study, and live in the area.

With the universities in Oakland, this is a good place to stay if you’re a parent visiting a student. But be warned that the area can be particularly busy on move-in weekends, homecoming, and graduation. Hotel Indigo and Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place are two conveniently located hotels.

Though Pitt and CMU are prominent features of the neighborhood, they’re not the only ones. Oakland is also home to the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History. The Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning display architecture and culture from around the world. The Phipps Conservatory has beautiful flowers and plants.

Pros of Staying in Oakland:

• Conveniently located to other neighborhoods 
• Many attractions and in a walkable neighborhood
• Inexpensive dining and shops
• Great for college students and young adults

Cons of Staying in Oakland:

• Traffic can be heavy
• College events can affect traffic, parking, and prices

South Side

👉 Best Area For Nightlife | ✨ Best South Side Hotels: SpringHill Suites • HYATT House

South Side is the neighborhood to head to if you’re looking to spend an evening out in Pittsburgh. The area is a hot spot because of its dense collection of bars and clubs on Carson Street. My boyfriend and I recently spent an evening at Club Cafe, seeing local musical acts.

The area can get a little rowdy on weekends, and many college students spend their nights out here. But bars aren’t the only thing the South Side has. There are also restaurants and coffee shops where you can spend the day and shops to explore.

South Side is also close to neighborhoods like Downtown and Mount Washington and across the river from areas like Squirrel Hill. Stay in the HYATT House or SpringHill Suites so you don’t have to go far after a night out.

Pros of Staying in South Side:

• Great restaurants, bars, and clubs for nightlife
• Walkable neighborhood
• Close to other areas of Pittsburgh

Cons of Staying in South Side:

• It can get rowdy on the weekends
• Some instances of petty crime

Tips for Staying in Pittsburgh

Stay Centrally

Pittsburgh has a lot of neighborhoods that each have their charm. It’s a good idea to stay in a central area that has easy access to other neighborhoods. Most neighborhoods in Pittsburgh take 10 to 20 minutes to travel between.

Bring a Car or Rent a Car

Pittsburgh is a fairly car-centric city. While it does have public transportation, such as a bus system, a car is usually the most reliable way to get around. A car is necessary to reach neighborhoods outside of city limits.

Venture Out Into the Neighborhoods

Although there is plenty to do within Downtown Pittsburgh, the city is so much more than that. There are plenty of things to do outside the city limits, so it’s worth exploring and venturing out into surrounding neighborhoods.

You’ll Need a Few Days

There is so much to do in Pittsburgh that you’ll need a few days to get a good grasp of the city. I recommend between three and five days minimum, but you’ll want to come back to see some more.

Keep an Eye on Events

Pittsburgh has tons of events including sports games, concerts, and festivals. These can be tons of fun but they bring a lot of traffic. Keep an eye on events that might affect your trip with higher hotel costs and more people out and about.

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Pittsburgh for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Pittsburgh for first-timers are Downtown, the Strip District, and Oakland. These areas are centrally located, have many attractions, and are close to many other neighborhoods.

What are safe areas to stay in Pittsburgh?

The safe areas to stay in Pittsburgh are Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and Lawrenceville. These areas generally have low instances of crime and can be very family-oriented.

What are the best parts of Pittsburgh to stay for a weekend? 

The best places to stay in Pittsburgh for a weekend are Downtown, the North Shore, the South Side, and Oakland. These neighborhoods are centrally located, and all have a main attraction. If you’re only in Pittsburgh for a few days, these are good places to stay that will allow you to see a lot.

How many days do you need to explore Pittsburgh?

You need at least three to five days to explore Pittsburgh. This will allow you to see a few different neighborhoods and visit some of the city’s best attractions. However, the more days you spend in Pittsburgh, the better.

Is Pittsburgh a walkable city?

Pittsburgh is a walkable city. You will be able to walk through many of the neighborhoods to restaurants, bars, and attractions. However, to get to different neighborhoods, you’ll often need to drive. 

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Pittsburgh is a great city with a rich history, fun sports, and a lively entertainment scene. If you’re looking for where to stay in Pittsburgh, you will have plenty of options. Doing more travel around Pennsylvania? Check out our guide on where to stay in Philadelphia next!