14 Reasons Why Pittsburgh Is Every College Student's Dream

Sports, food, nature, music, art — it's all here. And that's just the tip of the 'Burgh.

1. From the Strip District to Shadyside, its neighborhoods are perfect for exploring.

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Quaint reminders of blue collar "Steel City," the industrial chic of the Strip District, or the high-end shopping of Walnut Street in Shadyside, every one of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods has its own distinct personality and charm. Discovering each of them is one of the great pleasures of living in Pittsburgh.

2. The North Shore has all the sports.

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They don't call it the "City of Champions" for nothing. On the collegiate and pro levels, Pittsburgh has big-time sports traditions (and fan bases) to rival any city in America. The hub of Pittsburgh sports, the North Shore district, boasts two of the country's most scenic professional sports stadiums.

3. Pitt's campus in Oakland is truly breathtaking.

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The Cathedral of Learning alone — Pitt's 535-foot, 42-story center of campus — leaves a lasting impression on visitors. But it's just the beginning. Another example of the campus's unique character is the William Pitt Union, a renovated luxury hotel constructed in 1898 that has hosted presidents and silent-era movie stars.

4. Pittsburgh's history stretches back to before the founding of America.

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Pittsburgh is hallowed ground for American history buffs. The British built Fort Pitt, from which the city takes its name, in 1759 on the site of the burned French Fort Duquesne. Many local landmarks still bear their names. Pittsburgh was extremely important in the French & Indian War and the American Revolution.

5. The Downtown skyline views appear to be custom-made for your Insta feed.

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Whether you're snapping pics from the top of Mount Washington, from a cable car on the Duquesne Incline, or out at the West End Overlook, there's just something about those soaring skyscrapers nestled between the three rivers that's pure social media magic.

6. The city hosts a super-vibrant music scene.

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You may not think "music town" when you think Pittsburgh, but you'd be wrong. Pittsburgh's PPG Paints Arena hosts chart-topping headliners and was voted Best New Major Concert Venue when it opened back in 2010, while local mainstay clubs like Mr. Smalls in Millvale bill up-and-coming acts that will pack the stadiums of tomorrow.

7. There's a museum for almost everything...

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Carnegie Museums alone cover natural history, science, and classic and modern art (with an special focus on Pittsburgh-born pop art icon Andy Warhol). That's before we even get to the Children's Museum, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum, or the famous Nationality Rooms in Pitt's Cathedral of Learning.

8. ...and scenic outdoor activities all year round.

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Pittsburghers make the most of every season. You can kayak down the Allegheny River in the summer, check out exotic blooms at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in the spring, hike through the lush foliage of Frick Park in the fall, and ice skate in Market Square's outdoor rink during the winter!

9. The local food is distinctive and delicious (and topped with fries).

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Pittsburgh's Polish roots run deep, so delicacies like kielbasa and pierogies are always on the menu, but the culinary scene hits every note from heaping portions of gastropub fare to linen-napkin fine dining. And no Pittsburgh food discussion is complete without the famous Primanti Bros., where fries and coleslaw come standard on every sandwich.

10. Pittsburgh is one of America's "greenest" cities.

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Pittsburgh's legacy as a smog-covered industrial city is fading fast. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center was the world's first convention center certified "green" by the US Green Building Council, and the city has bet big on sustainable infrastructure. The 'Burgh's sustainability commitment extends to a plan to power the city with 100% renewable energy by 2035.

11. It's easy and affordable to get around on the Port Authority's public transit system.

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Commuters have it easy in Pittsburgh where city busses are ubiquitous, a light rail system affectionately called "The T" connects city to suburb, and lots of Pittsburghers ride the cable cars on the city's two historic inclines to work or school. Pitt students ride public transit free with their Panther card!

12. Pittsburgh is a crucial hub for national politics.

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Welcome to the battleground. Pennsylvania is a hugely important swing state in presidential elections, which makes Pittsburgh a "can't miss" stop for big-name candidates. And if you're interested in politics as a career, it's a great place to get your start by volunteering on a campaign!

13. The campus in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood has a "college town" feel — but with all the opportunities of a big city.

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Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, home to Pitt's flagship campus, has all the charms of a picturesque Midwest college town, with bustling bookstores, cozy coffee shops, and dive bars filled with hoodied coeds. But most quaint college towns aren't surrounded by skyscrapers, pro sports arenas, and a thriving urban jobs market.

14. There's a diverse job market waiting for college grads.

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In recent years, Pittsburgh has found itself near the top of lists ranking US cities by the health of their job markets. With a modern "eds and meds" economy and investment in fast-growing job sectors like clean energy, the former "Steel City" looks to stay on top of those lists for a while.

With all this going for it, who wouldn't want to spend their college years in Pittsburgh? Start the process by talking to one of Pitt's Admissions Experts and learn how to "Explore More."