IN THE
Burgh
Shadyside
Bounded roughly by Centre Avenue on the north and Fifth Avenue on the south , this eclectic area offers a diversion for any sunny spring weekend .
With warmer weather on the way , Shadyside is a unique day trip destination , with art and music festivals , unusual boutiques and a bohemian vibe in a walkable area — always a plus when parking is scarce .
The picturesque little area was inhabited by the prominent Aiken family , and was named “ Shadyside ” in honor of their estate . It quickly became a favorite neighborhood for the influential of the late 19th century . Their stately Victorian mansions coexist today with trendy coffeehouses and new age restaurants . The home of one former baron of Pittsburgh ’ s Golden Age has been converted into a boutique hotel , Mansions on Fifth . This early 1900s home is a luxury stay and the only hotel located within Shadyside proper for those who want to extend their day in the city to a weekend .
In May , Walnut Street becomes an outdoor art gallery with The Art Festival on Walnut Street . It will take place May 27-28 in the heart of Shadyside , with both local and national artists from every genre imaginable exhibiting . The street party atmosphere makes it one of the most popular events in Pittsburgh , and art will be available for purchase . If you can ’ t make the Art Festival that weekend , the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts has featured art exhibits through the year , and there are plenty of art galleries on Ellsworth Avenue and Walnut Street to browse .
June marks the start of Jam on Walnut , a summer concert series that features
local and regional bands outdoors , usually held in the vicinity of Walnut and Bellefonte streets . These monthly concerts run through September and benefit a variety of causes , including Animal Friends .
If crowds are not your thing , Shadyside can be a hip place to hang out on any given weekend . It ’ s a place where history is intermingled with new age , and mature couples happily lunch alongside college students . Historic Victorian homes serve as the backdrop for chic , urban eateries . Traditional stores like 130-year-old Henne Jewelers is right up the street from the Pittsburgh Tattoo Art Museum , which just opened a year ago . And while you ’ re there exploring the neighborhood , be sure to stop by Roslyn Place , a little cul de sac located just off of Ellsworth Avenue . It features what may be the only remaining wooden street in the country , which is over 100 years old .
If you need more of a reason to visit , maybe your best friend would like to get out of the house for a change . There are more than 50 establishments in Shadyside where your dog will be welcomed . n
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