Why Pittsburgh?

Why Pittsburgh?

Whether you are a culture buff, sports enthusiast, foodie, out of doors lover or just looking for a wonderful place to call home, the Pittsburgh area has lots to offer. It’s frequently listed as one of the 10 Best cities in the US!  National Geographic rates it as a top place to visit in 2026, listing a wealth of ‘burgh places to visit, and Visit Pittsburgh posts another great list of places to see – as well as top place accolades for its Heinz History Museum, Children’s museum, Sports Arenas, Film Festival and more.

The region also offers many opportunities for both employment and volunteering as well as renowned universities including Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, La Roche University, Duquesne University, and Chatham University.

Here’s an interactive map of local points of interest and resources. Click the icon at the left of the top bar to customize your view or the square icon at the right of the bar to open full size in a new tab:

Nearby to Rachel Carson EcoVillage (RCE), the North Hills of Pittsburgh stands out for:

• Excellent Public Schools known for strong academics, high proficiency scores and excellent athletic and extracurricular programs, the North Allegheny School District was rated Best in Pittsburgh, Second in Pennsylvania and 25th Best District Nationally, according to Niche. 
• La Roche University, our next-door neighbor (5-minute walk), offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, 9 graduate degree programs. All RCE residents will be members of LRU’s Adventures in Lifelong Learning program.
• McCandless Crossing 10 minutes by foot, this center includes a Trader Joe’s, restaurants, a fitness center, a movie theater, 2 hotels and retail shops. Concerts throughout the summer.
• North Park, the largest park in the Allegheny County park system at 3000+ acres, is located 2 miles from RCE.  It features many hiking/biking trails, a swimming pool, playgrounds, picnic areas, a dog park, and a nature center, too!
• Northland Library, newly renovated and less than 2 miles from RCE; it’s the 2nd largest Library in Allegheny County.
• UPMC Passavant Hospital, our across–the-street neighbor (10-minute walk), a state-of-the-art hospital. 

Fresh, Local Food

check out the map above for dining and grocery options! Some places of note:

• Farmers Markets – several within a 10-20 minute drive, including the nearby Hampton Township Farmers Market, Northside Farmers Market, and Lawrenceville Farmers Market.
• Frankferd Farms bulk delivery of natural and organic foods
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) There are at least two CSAs within a 10-mile radius in Gibsonia and Valencia. Since many of our members are longtime supporters of CSAs we will work to become a drop off point for a local CSA(s)!
• East End Food Co-op Founded in 1972, it features high quality locally sourced and organic food. A great source for bulk items – both dry food and cleaning products.

Independent Bookstores

Pittsburgh has a wealth of independent bookstores ! To name a few, there’s Riverstone Books – with branches in Squirrel Hill and a second location, very close to our site.as well as the family-owned White Whale and City of Asylum – which provides “sanctuary for endangered literary artists.” Read some books, grab a coffee or attend a reading at these locales.

Some other places our Rachel Carson EcoVillage locals love include:

Cultural and Science Centers (all within a 20-30 minute drive from RCE):

• The Carnegie Museums – (Science, Art, Natural History and the Andy Warhol Museum) whose mission is “To preserve and expand the resources of art and science as agents of personal growth and social advancement in Pittsburgh and beyond.”
• The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (ranked #1 Best Children’s Museum in America). Lots of interactive and fun things to do.
• National Aviary – Located in Pittsburgh, it’s the largest indoor aviary in the United States.
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens has provided a world-class garden experience since 1893, encompassing 15 acres including a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens. 
• The Mattress Factory. Contemporary art museum specializing in site installations.
• Frick Museum –  Wonderful set of old paintings in the permanent collection. Interesting revolving exhibitions. 
• Heinz History Center –  Great coverage of Pittsburgh history. It’s part of the Smithsonian set of museums so receives exhibitions through them. Also shows large 4 floor-high mural by RCE founding member, Doug Cooper, on permanent exhibition
• Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is one of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the United States and is home to more than 8,000 animals representing over 600 species.

And only 90 minutes away by car:

• Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece

Sports/Events Arenas (all less than 25 minutes by car): 

• Acrisure Stadium. Home of the Pittsburgh Steelers National Football League team
• PNC Park. Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates National League baseball team
• PPG Paints Arena. Home of the Pittsburgh Penguins National Hockey League team

Public Transportation

• Local bus service with Pittsburgh Regional Transit – currently 2 lines connect to downtown and multiple routes from there to traverse Pittsburgh. Multiple options for discount fares; Over 65? Ride free!
• Amtrak with routes to New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington DC and points in between
• Greyhound  station is across from the Amtrak station; additional destinations
• Access transport  offers low-cost shared rides for individuals with disabilities and those 65 or older.