Bookmark this site: thinkshadyside.com
Arts + Culture
Whether you’re interested in seeing art or honing your artistic ability, you can do it at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (center.pfpca.org). In addition to art exhibits, this nonprofit organization has classes open to groups, families, individuals, and kids — perfect for pushing yourself creatively. If improv comedy tickles your funny bone, the Steel City Improv Theater (steelcityimprov.com) is a great place to be. Between the improv shows, classes, and corporate workshops, it’s easy to surrender to laughter.
Food+Drink
5801 Video & Lounge (5801videolounge.com) is an LGBTQ-focused spot with 15 big screens showing both sports and reality TV. There are also darts and poker leagues, a great food menu, and an upstairs bar for non-smokers.Breathe in the waffle-cone smell of Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream (millieshomemade.com) and get lost contemplating the seasonal ice-cream flavors.
Leave with a bag of broken waffle-cone bits for later. The dishes at Noodlehead (noodleheadpgh.com) are inspired by the street markets of Thailand, and they pack a major flavor punch. It’s hard not to get drawn in by the aromas while you’re walking past. Cash only!
People will tell you to try the burnt-almond torte at Prantl’s Bakery (prantlsbakery.com) if you haven’t already, but there are more than a hundred sweet options available, including fruit Danish, nut-filled coffeecakes, and an assortment of pies.
Shopping
Like vintage? Head to Ellsworth Avenue to two shops with bragging rights — celebrities have been known to shop at both. Eons Fashion Antique (search Facebook for “Eons”) is a vintage-clothing shop covering the 1930s through the 1980s; a few doors down is Hey Betty! (heybettyvintageclothing.com), a chic vintage clothing shop whose owners have been curating and selling vintage clothes for decades.In addition to an expansive selection of greeting cards, Kards Unlimited (kardsunlimited.com) offers an array of novelty gifts, toys, books, and much more.
If you have kids, stop by Picket Fence (picketfenceshadyside.com), a whimsical shop with gifts for babies and kids. If your kids (or you!) are into anime, don’t miss Kawaii Gifts (shopkawaii.com), a cute shop with tons of adorable Japanese imported goodies. If your kids are the four-legged kind, treat your fur baby right at Petagogy (petagogy.com), a pet store featuring natural food, treats, and toys.
Tokyo Japanese Food Store (tokyostorepgh.com) is a tiny supermarket beside a laundromat in a strip mall. In addition to a wide variety of Japanese snacks, treats, noodles, and freshly-made bento, you can also rent and buy Japanese dramas and variety shows here.