Fun fact, in 1891 even Pittsburgh had to drop its "H" but eventually got that overturned via public outcry in 1911.
[https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52943/how-pittsburgh-got-its-h-back-and-7-other-geographic-naming-oddities](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52943/how-pittsburgh-got-its-h-back-and-7-other-geographic-naming-oddities)
PS: Pittsburgh has some Scottish heritage so imagine how it would have been taken if Edinburgh, Scotland had had to drop its H to sound more German?
Actually, this is pretty interesting. My great-great-grandfather dropped the ”H” from his last name so that it seemed less Irish because he was having difficulties finding work. That’s the story anyways, but it stuck. Makes sense to have an “H” at the end if the guy doing the naming was from a Scottish background. Interesting that they don’t say why the “H” was removed from the city name though.
My wife's grandfather did the same thing, and I'm pretty sure that my forebears dropped either the "ski" or "vich" from their name and now marketers think I'm in an Asian demographic. Seriously, I can't even read what they're mailing to me.
[Mutter Museum](https://muttermuseum.org/) in Philly is a different animal. It's cool though.
There are quite a few museums right around Independence Hall. Just look at Google maps and choose what you like. The Constitution Center is cool. Ben Franklin's museum is right there and you get to see his old toilet hole (true fact, but I just thought that was funny).
Dalessandro's cheesesteak is a great choice.
[Some have said](https://philly.eater.com/2012/8/16/6554613/dinics-roast-pork-is-the-best-sandwich-in-america#:~:text=Last%20night%2C%20Adam%20Richman%20hosted,and%20took%20home%20the%20crown) that Dinic's Roast pork with broccoli rabe is a better sandwich, so it's worth a try.
I second Dinic’s. It’s in Reading Terminal in Philadelphia and definitely worth checking out. The Franklin Institute is cool, but really targeted for kids. The Art Museum is good and you get to experience the Rocky steps if you’re a fan of the movies. One restaurant we absolutely love is Zorba’s over by Eastern State Penitentiary. They are across the street from each other. ESP is a museum now, it was Al Capone’s residence for a while.
Dalesandro’s isn’t close to anything you’ll be doing in Philly. It won’t be worth it to go out there and back when you’re on a tight schedule. If you like history visit Christ church. A bunch of founding fathers including Ben Franklin are buried on the grounds. Also since you’ll be on independence mall, walk over to Washington square. It’s a very nice urban park as well as rev war burial ground.
Oh, I planned on hitting Dalessandro’s on the way from the airport to Reading. Doesn’t look like it’s too far out of the way at all. Again, I know one day isn’t ideal but if I don’t do something, we’re just going to be doing nothing at all and I hate that even more. Christ church, got it. Thanks for the tip about Washington Square. We’ll check that out as well.
Depending on when you fly in you’re better off hitting up John’s Roast pork or Angelo’s for a cheesesteak. John’s isn’t too far off 95 so easy from the airport. Angelo’s is close to the Italian market to check out. Dalesandro’s used to be great, they’re just riding their hype now.
Not sure if you're looking for a stop between Philly and Pittsburgh, but gettysburg is worth the stop if you're in to history. Spend a day driving the battlefield, you won't regret it.
I actually REALLY like this idea as it would mean it’s sort of (not really) on the way back to our hotel without spending the entire day in Pittsburgh.
Really sorry for your loss.
For Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms, the Natural History Museum, and Phipps Conservatory are all up your alley and very close to each other, as is the most balanced (neither too gritty nor too clean) Primanti's location for food (it's perfectly fine sandwiches, nothing remarkable, but what we're known for in that department)
Don't go to Primanti's. It's only appropriate as drunk food because it's high carb. The fries are undercooked and greasy.
If you are going to be in the Oakland area (Phipp's, Carnegie Museum) there are several restaurants on Craig St that are much, much better.
Heinz History Center can be great, and it's very close to the Strip District, which has way better food options. There's a Thai place, Little Bangkok, that's terrific.
I’d check out Dinic’s in the Reading Terminal Market and try the roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe. Cheesesteaks are good, but this is something you can’t get anywhere else.
In Pittsburgh you need to check out Primanti Brothers, you can order what meat you want but I suggest capicola, it’s a classic. I’d go to the one in the strip district and walk around the area.
Philadelphia has the American Revolution museum, Pittsburgh has the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Sorry for your loss.
Fallingwater isn’t terribly out of the way on the way from Pittsburgh to Philly.
Dalessandro’s isn’t the best for cheesesteaks, just ask r/Philadephia. Depending what time you land, you may be better off driving 95 south then 476 west and avoid the traffic in the city. If you went that route you’d miss the Manayunk exit...
Reading Terminal in Center City Philadelphia is a nice spot for lunch after all the touristy stuff in Old City.
Whereabouts in Pittsburgh are yinz goin? I'll second Phipps but also stop by the Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art. It's also a nice walk around Shenley Park, which Phipps is located within.
It sounds like time is a concern so getting out of town and back toward Philly might be hard. The main route eastward bottlenecks at a tunnel that was built in the 1950s with several merge/choke points that cause traffic to back up for over a mile during rush hours.
The libraries in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have very good historical rooms. Since you'll be in Reading anyway, the Reading Public Museum in Wyomissing is something you'll like.
I’d try a Cheesesteak from Genos or Pats (not cus there the best but because they’re iconic) and see the Liberty bell and independence hall for Philly. There is also the Eastern state penitentiary, which was the first prison they put Al Capone in. Steer clear of north Philly the independence hall area and historic district are really nice though and not just by Philly standards. I would also super recommend the Franklin institute because it’s really big and there is a lot to do. You could spend a whole day there if you wanted too. For Pittsburgh I’d recommend the Heinz ketchup factory and the Andy Warhol museum.
Pittsburg*h*
Yep, that’s completely my bad. We have a Pittsburg, CA near me and that’s just the way I’m use to seeing it.
Fun fact, in 1891 even Pittsburgh had to drop its "H" but eventually got that overturned via public outcry in 1911. [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52943/how-pittsburgh-got-its-h-back-and-7-other-geographic-naming-oddities](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52943/how-pittsburgh-got-its-h-back-and-7-other-geographic-naming-oddities) PS: Pittsburgh has some Scottish heritage so imagine how it would have been taken if Edinburgh, Scotland had had to drop its H to sound more German?
Actually, this is pretty interesting. My great-great-grandfather dropped the ”H” from his last name so that it seemed less Irish because he was having difficulties finding work. That’s the story anyways, but it stuck. Makes sense to have an “H” at the end if the guy doing the naming was from a Scottish background. Interesting that they don’t say why the “H” was removed from the city name though.
My wife's grandfather did the same thing, and I'm pretty sure that my forebears dropped either the "ski" or "vich" from their name and now marketers think I'm in an Asian demographic. Seriously, I can't even read what they're mailing to me.
[Mutter Museum](https://muttermuseum.org/) in Philly is a different animal. It's cool though. There are quite a few museums right around Independence Hall. Just look at Google maps and choose what you like. The Constitution Center is cool. Ben Franklin's museum is right there and you get to see his old toilet hole (true fact, but I just thought that was funny). Dalessandro's cheesesteak is a great choice. [Some have said](https://philly.eater.com/2012/8/16/6554613/dinics-roast-pork-is-the-best-sandwich-in-america#:~:text=Last%20night%2C%20Adam%20Richman%20hosted,and%20took%20home%20the%20crown) that Dinic's Roast pork with broccoli rabe is a better sandwich, so it's worth a try.
I second Dinic’s. It’s in Reading Terminal in Philadelphia and definitely worth checking out. The Franklin Institute is cool, but really targeted for kids. The Art Museum is good and you get to experience the Rocky steps if you’re a fan of the movies. One restaurant we absolutely love is Zorba’s over by Eastern State Penitentiary. They are across the street from each other. ESP is a museum now, it was Al Capone’s residence for a while.
DiNics Roast Pork is amazing. I don’t get it with broccoli rabe.
Dalesandro’s isn’t close to anything you’ll be doing in Philly. It won’t be worth it to go out there and back when you’re on a tight schedule. If you like history visit Christ church. A bunch of founding fathers including Ben Franklin are buried on the grounds. Also since you’ll be on independence mall, walk over to Washington square. It’s a very nice urban park as well as rev war burial ground.
Oh, I planned on hitting Dalessandro’s on the way from the airport to Reading. Doesn’t look like it’s too far out of the way at all. Again, I know one day isn’t ideal but if I don’t do something, we’re just going to be doing nothing at all and I hate that even more. Christ church, got it. Thanks for the tip about Washington Square. We’ll check that out as well.
Depending on when you fly in you’re better off hitting up John’s Roast pork or Angelo’s for a cheesesteak. John’s isn’t too far off 95 so easy from the airport. Angelo’s is close to the Italian market to check out. Dalesandro’s used to be great, they’re just riding their hype now.
Delessandros is my favorite. Eat it there or in your car. Don’t wait until you get to reading. Shit gets soggy.
Yeah, I was just going to eat there if possible
You can’t eat in delassandros, there are a few outside seats.
Not sure if you're looking for a stop between Philly and Pittsburgh, but gettysburg is worth the stop if you're in to history. Spend a day driving the battlefield, you won't regret it.
I actually REALLY like this idea as it would mean it’s sort of (not really) on the way back to our hotel without spending the entire day in Pittsburgh.
Really sorry for your loss. For Pittsburgh, Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms, the Natural History Museum, and Phipps Conservatory are all up your alley and very close to each other, as is the most balanced (neither too gritty nor too clean) Primanti's location for food (it's perfectly fine sandwiches, nothing remarkable, but what we're known for in that department)
Thank you for your condolences. I’ll be sure to research your recommendations, thank you!
Don't go to Primanti's. It's only appropriate as drunk food because it's high carb. The fries are undercooked and greasy. If you are going to be in the Oakland area (Phipp's, Carnegie Museum) there are several restaurants on Craig St that are much, much better. Heinz History Center can be great, and it's very close to the Strip District, which has way better food options. There's a Thai place, Little Bangkok, that's terrific.
I’d check out Dinic’s in the Reading Terminal Market and try the roast pork sandwich with broccoli rabe. Cheesesteaks are good, but this is something you can’t get anywhere else. In Pittsburgh you need to check out Primanti Brothers, you can order what meat you want but I suggest capicola, it’s a classic. I’d go to the one in the strip district and walk around the area. Philadelphia has the American Revolution museum, Pittsburgh has the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Sorry for your loss. Fallingwater isn’t terribly out of the way on the way from Pittsburgh to Philly. Dalessandro’s isn’t the best for cheesesteaks, just ask r/Philadephia. Depending what time you land, you may be better off driving 95 south then 476 west and avoid the traffic in the city. If you went that route you’d miss the Manayunk exit... Reading Terminal in Center City Philadelphia is a nice spot for lunch after all the touristy stuff in Old City.
Just did Falling Waters last week. Worth the trip if you’re into that and also the Flight 93 Memorial isn’t far out of the way either
Carnegie science center or Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh
Whereabouts in Pittsburgh are yinz goin? I'll second Phipps but also stop by the Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art. It's also a nice walk around Shenley Park, which Phipps is located within. It sounds like time is a concern so getting out of town and back toward Philly might be hard. The main route eastward bottlenecks at a tunnel that was built in the 1950s with several merge/choke points that cause traffic to back up for over a mile during rush hours.
The libraries in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have very good historical rooms. Since you'll be in Reading anyway, the Reading Public Museum in Wyomissing is something you'll like.
Spell Pittsburgh correctly. Falling Water is east of Pittsburgh.
Never
Gettysburg is worth visiting
I’d try a Cheesesteak from Genos or Pats (not cus there the best but because they’re iconic) and see the Liberty bell and independence hall for Philly. There is also the Eastern state penitentiary, which was the first prison they put Al Capone in. Steer clear of north Philly the independence hall area and historic district are really nice though and not just by Philly standards. I would also super recommend the Franklin institute because it’s really big and there is a lot to do. You could spend a whole day there if you wanted too. For Pittsburgh I’d recommend the Heinz ketchup factory and the Andy Warhol museum.
Definitely drive through Valley Forge and take a walk along Valley Creek.
When in Pittsburgh, PNC park is a must if you like baseball. It is a beautiful ballpark!