Living in the city of Pittsburgh affords me the opportunity for constant exploration. My friends and I try and plan trips to museums, malls and all the places in between, yet we rarely follow through with these plans. When we venture into the areas surrounding the campus, it's usually a spur of the moment trip, sparked by an artsy Instagram post. Although many places I visit in Pittsburgh are unique to the city, places like them can be found everywhere. So when you feel that you need an escape from the collegiate environment, here are the quick trips I suggest!
1. Find a museum.
This involves becoming more cultured and expanding your mind, which is a major plus. I went to the Andy Warhol museum with a very limited knowledge of who Andy Warhol was and what type of art he produced and I was amazed. Although going somewhere as basic as a museum is an obvious place to escape, many push it away because it may be boring to just walk around and read, but if you find the right museum, you’ll learn a lot and still feel refreshed. Plus, most museums near college campuses are free or offer discounted tickets with a student ID.
2. Go sit in a park or find a trail to walk.
Schenley and Point Park are two beautiful parks in Pittsburgh. Schenley Park is a quick walk from my dorm sitting outside with some friends and just hanging out and listening to music or playing Frisbee is pretty much the definition of college. Sometimes all you need is a group of friends, a blanket too small to fit all of you and a sunset to remind you that college makes up some of the best years of your life.
3. Find somewhere new to eat.
The food in Pittsburgh never fails to amaze me. One of my favorite places, The Yard, makes gourmet grilled cheese. Even if you are not the biggest fan of grilled cheese, how can you say no to buffalo mac and cheese on a grilled cheese sandwich? Another place my friends and I have found is Dobra Tea House, which is one of the most calming places I have ever been. You seat yourself on the floor and drink tea out of tiny beautiful glasses and any care you have disappears. Going out to eat will get you off campus and will help you explore the city and fill you up, so what could be better?
4. Find something touristy to do.
Even if you are in a small town, I am sure there is something there that will be cool to discover. Since I live in a city, I have an advantage with tourist attractions. My favorite one is the Mount Washington Overlook. From here, you can see all of Pittsburgh. Looking left to right you see Heinz Field, Point Park, then all of the downtown skyscrapers, and then all the way to the right is the Cathedral of Learning, which marks my campus. Seeing all of Pittsburgh in one place reminds me just how happy and lucky I am to live in such an amazing city. Visiting a local place that hosts tourists will help you gain a new perspective on the place you call home.
4. Go cheer on a local team.
Pittsburgh has the Penguins, Pirates and the Steelers in addition to the Panthers so finding a game to attend at any time of the year is not too hard of a task. Last year I attended a Pirates game for $10 and later on a Penguins game for about $25. Plus, most teams have student nights so going to the games is not too expensive, which your wallet will thank you for. Also keep in mind that no sporting event is complete without concession food like nachos, ice cream, and cotton candy making this trip off campus extra sweet.
Along with my Instagram game, my general well-being has improved because I often venture off campus. When I come back to campus after exploring my surroundings I feel less stressed and refreshed. If you ever feel stuck on a college campus and are in need of a refreshment, consider following my advice.
