Here's what caught our eye from Discover the Burgh this week. Jeremy and Angie have been writing about Pittsburgh for over a decade, and their recent posts run from dog swims to cocktail bars to the honest ups and downs of living in the Steel City. I don't know about you, but I love a roundup that makes me want to grab my keys and check something out. I've been following them for a while, and their posts always feel like a friend telling you about a cool find before it blows up. Their latest work has a little bit of everything: a Labor Day dog pool party, a space themed bar in Market Square, two honest lists about loving and not loving Pittsburgh, and a racing exhibit at the revamped science center. So let's get into it.
Take a Swim With Your Pup at Pooches in the Pool on Labor Day
I've got a soft spot for any event where the whole point is letting dogs be happy, and this one sounds like pure summer joy. Allegheny County Parks is sending the season off with a bang, or maybe a bark, at their annual Pooches in the Pool event on Labor Day. That's the day you and your dog can climb into a pool together and actually swim, not just stand on the sidelines. Jeremy and Angie are urging people to snag tickets, and I don't blame them because I've watched enough dog pool videos to know these things get chaotic and wonderful fast. The event is part of the county's September wind-down of summer festivities, so it's a last chance before the pools close for the year. I've been to a few dog friendly events around town, and they always have a great vibe. There's something about a bunch of dogs running around that makes everyone smile. I don't have a dog right now, but this post made me seriously consider finding a friend with a water loving pup. This is the kind of thing that sounds too good to be true, but it's real and it happens every year. I love that the county parks system does this instead of just closing everything down quietly. It's a celebration of summer, dogs, and the people who love them. If you're on the fence about taking your dog, just do it. Worst case, your pup gets wet and you get some great photos. Grab your favorite furry friend and make a day of it before the pools close for the season.
10 Reasons Why We Don't Love Living in Pittsburgh
When Jeremy and Angie published their list of reasons they love living in Pittsburgh, they braced for pushback. They got it. Now they've turned around and written the honest counterpart: ten reasons they don't love living here. This isn't a hit piece, it's the kind of real talk you have with friends who know a city can be both amazing and annoying at the same time. The article even points out that some of the things people love about Pittsburgh are the same things other people can't stand. That love/hate tension is exactly what makes this worth a read. I think any long time Pittsburgher will nod along and maybe wince a little. If you've ever grumbled about a local quirk and then defended it to an out-of-towner five minutes later, this one will feel very familiar. They get it, and they're not pretending otherwise. I respect a travel blog that will tell you the downsides, because too many only show the pretty stuff. Pittsburgh is a great city, but it's not perfect, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone. I won't spoil the list, but reading it felt like a therapy session for city frustrations. You know the ones: the things you complain about to coworkers but would never say to a visitor. Honestly, I'm glad they wrote this. The internet is full of Pittsburgh hype, and a little honesty goes a long way. This post gives you the full picture, not just the postcard. Go read it if you're considering a move or just need to feel seen about that one thing that drives you nuts.
Space Bar Review – Exploring the Cosmos with a Cocktail
Market Square just got a new resident that's out of this world, and I mean that literally. Space Bar is a molecular mixology cocktail lounge right in the heart of the square, and it leans all the way into the space city theme. Jeremy and Angie explain that the bar is the resident lounge of the SS Oasis ship, and the space is referred to as the holodeck when you're onboard. That detail alone is enough to make me want to walk through the door and order the most ridiculous drink they have. Molecular mixology means these aren't your average cocktails, they probably do things with foam, smoke, or some kind of science magic. I'm not saying you need to book a flight to space, but you can absolutely walk to Market Square and explore the cosmos with a tasty libation in hand. Pittsburgh really is becoming a space city, and this bar is proof you don't need a rocket to feel like you're among the stars. I'm a sucker for any bar that fully commits to a theme, and calling the lounge the holodeck is exactly my kind of nerd humor. The molecular part means you might get a drink that changes texture or fizzes in a way you didn't expect. That alone is worth the trip downtown. I don't know if I'd call it a hidden gem since it's in Market Square, but it's definitely a spot I'd walk past a hundred times without realizing how cool it is inside. And the fact that it's right in Market Square means you can make a whole night of it. This one jumped to the top of my list for the next time I'm in the area. If you like a theme bar with actual craft behind it, this review is a fun one.
10 Reasons Why We Love Living in Pittsburgh
This is the post that started the whole conversation. Jeremy and Angie have been running a destination blog for Pittsburgh for over a decade, and people who are thinking about moving to the Steel City keep asking them the same question: why do you love it here? So they finally wrote it all down in one place. I love that this isn't a generic list; it comes from two people who have personally explored every corner of the city for years. They point out that the post prompted some pushback, which makes sense because loving a city is personal. But if you're on the fence about Pittsburgh, or just need a reminder of why you stay, this is the post to read. It's the optimistic sibling to their don't love list, and the two together paint a pretty honest picture of life here. I don't always agree with every reason, but that's fine, it's their list and it's thoughtful. I think it's cool that they're the kind of bloggers who get contacted by future residents, that means people actually trust their take. After a decade of covering this city, they've earned that. The love list came first, and it's full of the stuff that makes Pittsburgh special to them. I bet there are a few things on there that you've never even thought about, which is the beauty of having locals run a blog like this. It's not just the greatest hits, it's the deep cuts. Some of my favorite Pittsburgh memories are tied to places they've written about, so I trust their judgment even when I don't agree. And this post is a good entry point if you're new to their site. It'll make you want to explore.
The Science of Speed Gives a First-Hand Look at Racing
The Carnegie Science Center just got a new name and a new jolt of energy. After a big donation from the Kamins, the museum is now the Kamin Science Center, and they've started refreshing exhibits. Jeremy and Angie were especially excited about this one because they love new and updated exhibits, and The Science of Speed delivers a first-hand look at racing. This is the kind of interactive stuff the Science Center does so well, mixing real physics with the thrill of going fast. I remember going to the Science Center as a kid and being blown away by the hands-on exhibits. Seeing them refresh things after the rebrand makes me feel like that kid again. A first-hand look at racing means you probably get to do more than just look at a car on a pedestal. I'm already imagining how they've set up the racing experience, and I want to see it for myself. The rebrand means more updates are coming, but this speed exhibit feels like the opening lap. If you've got a kid who's obsessed with cars, or you just want to nerd out about velocity, this one's on my list. I always liked that the Science Center isn't just for kids, it's for anyone who likes to poke at things and learn something. An exhibit about racing science sounds like a perfect mix of education and adrenaline. Plus, the fact that this is one of the first big refreshes after the rebrand makes me curious what else they've changed. If you haven't been to the Science Center since the name change, this might be the excuse you need to go back. I'm planning to check it out soon.
For the full reviews and more Pittsburgh finds, visit Discover the Burgh.