Rediscover Pittsburgh with Heather

Spending the perfect Saturday exploring the city with friends is high on my list when I think about what I want to do to Rediscover Pittsburgh.

The pandemic has been particularly hard on people like me, who are at higher risk – I’ve had to take staying at home very seriously. This means that for me, to protect my health, I’ll be staying at home a bit longer still. But it also means that I’ve had lots of time to think about what I’m most looking forward to when I can go out again! Spending the perfect Saturday exploring the city with friends is high on my list when I think about what I want to do to Rediscover Pittsburgh.

Dessert Time

These past few months have taught me how much I love just spending time with my friends – catching up with each other, sharing stories and laughs…. In person, rather than over a Zoom screen. And they’ve also taught me how much I crave spending time outside! So once we’ve had our fill at brunch, we’d head to my personal happy spot – Schenley Plaza in Oakland. It’s the place I go to relax, to read at one of the little tables set up – it’s the perfect meet up spot. Plus, you’re so close to so many Pittsburgh gems – the iconic Dave & Andy’s ice cream is just a few blocks away, as is the new Milkshake Factory (I recommend a chocolate peanut butter milkshake, classic but doesn’t disappoint.)

Green Spaces

If you’re like me, and constantly in search of more caffeine, Redhawk Coffee is also only a few minutes away. Their cold brew comes in bottles, which I think is so fun. They also have a portable wheelchair ramp, which means that I can actually get in – I always note places that are aware of accessibility. Flagstaff Hill in Schenley Park is another of my go-to green spaces in the city – as a CMU undergrad, it was basically my backyard for my four years on campus, and it holds a special place in my heart!

Live Music

The other thing that I’ve come to realize that I really miss is live music! I cannot wait to spend an evening at The Benedum, Heinz Hall, or Stage AE, catching a live show or concert with friends. There’s something about live music that just really makes you feel connected to the people that you’re with – it’s a shared experience, and always makes me feel like my night ends on such a high! I can’t wait to have that again.

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Heather T.

Author

Heather T.

Heather Tomko is a native Pittsburgher and passionate disability advocate. She is the Outreach Coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh’s National Center on Family Support, and the founder of Accessible YOUniverse, a disability advocacy organization. She shares her life, and what it’s like to live with a disability, at her blog The Heather Report. Heather was Ms. Wheelchair USA 2018.

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