I Run Like A Girl

Buckle up because this is a long one. 🙂 Last week, Joe and I flew to Pittsburgh to visit my brother and sister. My parents also drove in from New York, and it turned out to be the most wonderful family reunion! Our 5 days in Pittsburgh were jam-packed with fun activities and making new memories as a family. 

Day 1: Travel day + dinner with the siblings

Joe and I arrived in Pittsburgh on Wednesday evening. My older brother, Andrew, picked us up from the airport. Even though we were tired from the travel, we were excited to do something fun with the crew. 

We met up with my little sister, Christina, and her partner for dinner and drinks at Lorelai. They served wood-fired pizza and craft beers, and the place had a dimly lit hipster vibe. It was poppin’ for a Wednesday night! Andrew planned the itinerary for the whole week, and I knew he would nail the food. It was wonderful seeing each other and catching up since the holidays. Perfect activity to wind down from traveling on our first day.  

Day 2: Walk around downtown Pittsburgh + family dinner + improv night feat. my sister! 

The next morning, Joe and I met up with Andrew and his dog (Constantine) for our morning activity: a walk around downtown Pittsburgh. This was Joe’s first time in Pittsburgh; I visited in 2020 but did not do much because of COVID so we figured we’d see the touristy sights first.

First up, we crossed the Monongahela River to the Grandview Overlook where there was a beautiful view of downtown Pittsburgh. The city is pretty compact, and I could see a lot of the city from this point. It was gorgeous on this sunny, clear day.

As we drove through the city, the buildings had a rustic, industrial feel. The city was the industrial capital in the early-20th century, giving it the nickname “Steel City.” Now, plenty of the working class still live here while tech/healthcare/colleges have expanded, giving it a progressive, hipster vibe. Also, the people here were SO nice — culturally, it’s a cross between the Midwest and East Coast. Such a unique city in the U.S. 

Next up, a walk along the riverside, passing through Point State Park. Pittsburgh has a unique pizza-slice shape, and the park was located on the pizza point at the intersection of 3 rivers. It was a chilly sunny morning, and Constantine was having the best time walking with us. We got to see the newer part of Pittsburgh with modern architecture, office buildings, performing arts theaters, etc.

After a packed morning, we went back to Andrew’s house to rest. He had a lovely backyard where we lit a fire and relaxed. 

Finally, my parents made it! They drove 7 hours from our hometown in New York to see us. I was so happy we were all together for a few days as it can be hard to coordinate so many schedules across the country. My parents were in major vacation mode and excited for a change in scenery. I think Constantine was the happiest to see my parents as they spoiled him like crazy…. 😉 

Since my parents had just traveled, we decided to take it easy and stay in for dinner. Andrew cooked us an AMAZING Japanese-themed dinner with salmon two-ways, miso soup, and sides. He was such an amazing host and we were all so impressed with his cooking! Food is my family’s love language, and there’s nothing we love more than eating together as a family. It was also heartwarming to see my parents sit back and let Andrew cook for us, since they work hard to treat us whenever we visit home. This was the first time in years our family took a trip outside of our hometown, and I loved making new memories as adults. 🙂 

After dinner, we had something very special planned…seeing my sister perform in her improv group! Christina has been performing improv for a few years, and I’ve been dying to see her perform. We headed to the theater and sat front-and-center as Chrstina’s #1 fans. 

The show was phenomenal! I was so impressed with Christina and her whole group. We were all laughing so hard and in awe of Christina’s confidence and creativity on stage. She added a special touch to every scene she was in. Christina has always been the creative one of us – from a young age, she was composing music and performing in drama productions. Seeing her shine onstage and pursue her passion as an adult was inspiring. 

Day 3: dim sum + Phipps Botanical Garden + grill night + bonfire 

The next day was my favorite one of the trip, as it was our one full day as a family. We started off with brunch at Parlor Dim Sum. This was one of the few dim sum options in Pittsburgh, and it did not disappoint. When it comes to authentic Chinese food, our family can eat our weight! I think my family made the staff nervous — they sensed early on that we were serious eaters with high standards, ha. The meal totally hit the spot. 10/10 in food and service! 

Then onto the main activity for the day: Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. This activity had the greatest interest among the family members, so we saved it for today. My sister, mom, Joe, and I love gardens, and we were excited to see the Spring collection. My dad was on camera duty as he’s a sucker for a family photo-op. 🙂 

The Conservatory was absolutely amazing. It was HUGE and filled with curated displays. There were several rooms featuring different climates & regions around the world. This was one of the most impressive indoor gardens I’ve ever seen. 

There was an outdoor Japanese garden with cherry blossoms. We spent a few hours at the Conservatory, and we all agreed this was the perfect main activity for us.

Later, we headed back to Andrew’s house for some chill time. We hung out in the backyard, ate snacks, and enjoyed the warmer weather.  

For dinner, Andrew and my mom grilled for us. We had perfectly cooked steak and an assortment of vegetables. Just like yesterday, the dinner was delicious. I felt spoiled getting served amazing food throughout this trip. 

After dinner, we enjoyed the rest of the night outside by the fire. This felt like such a treat. Christina and her partner played some music, and we enjoyed the warm fire and dessert. I felt so incredibly blessed. What a perfect day with the ones I love most. ❤  

Day 4: Chill day 

The next day, my parents left early to drive back to New York as they had plans for Easter. Their visit was short, but it makes me happy knowing they have busy and full lives back home. 

For today, we were all feeling a chill day since the last few days were packed with activities. The 5 of us “kids” had drinks & lunch at Andrew’s favorite brewery, Trace Brewing. There was an Easter pop-up going on, and we checked out the different vendors. 

The rest of the day was spent being lazy — Netflix, ordering in, and hanging out. It was a recovery day we all needed. 

Day 5: The Mattress Factory + Randyland + last moments  

Our final day! Joe, my siblings, and I started off with Brunch at Wise County Biscuits, a popular spot known for their homemade biscuits. There was a line, but it was so worth it. The biscuit and gravy melted in my mouth. Have I mentioned how well we ate on this trip? 🙂

Then, we walked around the Mexican War Streets neighborhood, a historic neighborhood filled with restored row houses, community gardens, and tree-lined streets and alleyways. I loved the vibe here as it combined elements of history and modern cultural attractions. 

We opted for a museum day today, and we chose The Mattress Factory, a contemporary art museum and artist residency featuring installation art. Of all the modern art museums I’ve visited, this was the most unique. The art spanned across 3 buildings, each with an industrial, run-down vibe. The exhibits were poignant, eerie, and commented on difficult social topics. Some floors of the building were completely dark, and we had to feel our way around. I left feeling a bit unsettled — the fact that the art could evoke such intense emotions was very unique.  

After the museum, we walked down the street to another attraction…Randyland, the most colorful public art landmark in the U.S. It was basically a property owned by a man named Randy that he filled with eclectic, colorful items. I felt like I was in Willy Wonka’s junkyard. It was a fun spot to lighten the mood after the intense museum. 

After our outing, we had a few hours to kill, so I got some last quality time with my siblings and Constantine. Then, we headed to the airport and back to San Francisco. 

What an amazing trip. I’m leaving feeling grateful and exhausted from the fun. I think my whole family enjoyed this trip immensely, and I’m so glad we all made the effort. When I was younger, all I wanted to do was travel alone or with friends. Now, I cherish quality time with my family more than ever. It felt so special to make new memories together outside of our hometown, and I’m excited for more of these trips!