Pittsburgh Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania. The metro area is also the largest in Appalachia, the Ohio Valley and one of the most populous in the country. It known colloquially as "Steel City" due to its mainstay as a leader in manufacturing steel and other important materials like glass and aluminum. Pittsburgh also holds an important place in the history of the United States.

The city was incorporated in 1794, though it had been established long before that time. Native Americas, particularly the Shawnee, had inhabited the area long before the first European settlers arrived in 1669. Nearly 100 years later, after the French and Indian War, the settlement was given the name Pittsburgh in honor of William Pitt.

Over the years, Pittsburgh became well known for manufacturing. It was the home of Andrew Carnegie's Carnegie Steel Company, later US Steel, and Heinz, which is now the Kraft Heinz Company. The large influx of manufacturing brought with it investments in the culture and architecture of the region. The city was home to the world's first nickelodeon theatre, the world's first commercial radio station and the first public radio station in the U.S. The city was also home to the polio vaccine and the invention of the internet emoticon.

Visitors to the city can now see such places as Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts, the site of the world's first nickelodeon theatre, Fort Pitt Blockhouse in the Point State Park and other interesting attractions. This self guided walking tour takes you to see the most important historical and cultural sights in the downtown Pittsburgh. Grab a bottle of water and explore!