Why We Love Squirrel Hill

Squirrel Hill is a treasure trove of restaurants and beautiful landscapes. It is home to some of the most exquisite estates in Pittsburgh and is home to the area’s most prominent Jewish community. With all of the surrounding beauty of the area, it’s not hard to see why this section of the city is a crown jewel.

Pittsburgh is a smaller city and there’s no denying that. But what makes this community great is the amount of pride that radiates from its residents.  Squirrel Hill has held a longstanding reputation for it’s mix of culture and beautiful landscape.

Frick Park—It’s Frickin’ Beautiful (yeah, that just happened)

Frick Park is just one of the gems that can be found in this section of the city.

Upon his death in 1919, Henry Clay Frick entrusted 151 acres to the city and bequeathed $2 million towards maintenance. The original borders of the parked were maintained in Point Breeze but extended into Squirrel Hill and then eventually into East Liberty — making it one of Pittsburgh’s largest historical parks. Frick Park is an ideal location for runners, playground goers and nature fanatics.

Murray Avenue

Image via NakYouOut

One of Squirrel Hill’s star attributes is Murray Avenue — the home to several delicious restaurants, unique stores and other noteworthy businesses. Each business on this street is just a short walking distance to many of the other prime spots in the area. Restaurants such as The Green Pepper, Mineo’s, The Silk Elephant, Pamela’s Diner, Nu Modern Jewish Bistro and Tan Lac Vien line the street as testaments to the other fantastic eateries in the area. Coffee shops and bakeries adorn the street as well.

One of the oldest movie theaters in Pittsburgh, The Manor Theatre, is also located on Murray Avenue. While it is small, it’s famous for the unique experience it offers. Unlike theaters of larger size, The Manor showcases unique indie films from around the world and caters to an older audience. Their concession stand, M Bar!, serves a selection of snacks and refreshments including tasty alcoholic beverages.

Forbes

As you move over to Forbes Avenue, a vein that leads you into the heart of Oakland, varying types of unique businesses can be found. Commonplace Coffee and Co. is a great place to meet with friends after a jog in the park or a quick stop before you head out to the busy day that awaits.

Ramen Bar is a delicious Japanese restaurant that boasts some of the best noodles in town and they don’t disappoint. After a bite to eat, you may want to head over to Color Me Mine—a paint your own pottery studio that will leave you feeling like van Gough.

Squirrel Hill is a great neighborhood for a date night or a night out with friends. Whether you are walking along the streets towards your destination, strolling through Frick Park or spending an evening on the town, you won’t be disappointed by the amount of things to do.

Yinzer Tips

• We highly recommend grabbing a bite to eat at The Green Pepper and then walking to Dobra for a cup of tea and some deep conversation.
• There are two Starbucks in Squirrel Hill—if you’re planning on meeting someone at Starbucks in Squirrel Hill be sure to reference which one you mean!