Where is your favorite place to shop in Pittsburgh? Is it a lively downtown district, or is it a convenient shopping mall? Do you like to linger between the boutiques of a small town street or delve into artists' studios, flea markets and antique stores? Or, perhaps factory outlets are your thing? You can find it all in the greater Pittsburgh area. As an added perk, Pennsylvania has no sales tax on clothing or shoes.
Shopping in Downtown Pittsburgh
Whether you shop the classic elegance of Saks Fifth Avenue or browse the pop art memorabilia at The Andy Warhol Museum Store, Pittsburgh's compact, walkable downtown means that shops are conveniently located within easy distance of hotels and the convention center.
Shops at Station Square
Hop on the "T" (subway) in Downtown and head across the river to Station Square, a restored 19th-century railroad building that houses more than 40 specialty shops and more than a dozen outstanding restaurants. Purchase contemporary gifts of handcrafted glass or steel at the Occasion Station or indulge in a luxurious sweater from St. Brendan's Crossing.
Strip District and Lawrenceville
All the flavors of Pittsburgh come together in the bustling Strip District at the edge of Downtown. Find fresh meats, seafood, pastas, and pasteries along the Strip, along with antiques and kitchen gadgets; unique Pittsburgh gifts at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center; and one-of-a-kind home furnishings and accessories in the 16:62 Design Zone, a collection of more than 100 businesses in a 56-block stretch running from The Strip District through Lawrenceville.
South Side Shops
Just minutes from Downtown, Pittsburgh's South Side offers a treasure trove of unique and novel gift shops, galleries, bookstores, antique stores and jewelry stores. When you need a break from shopping, there are plenty of restaurants and sidewalk cafes to tempt your tastebuds and tired feet. While on the South Side, check out the new retail development area of the South Side Works, featuring chic upscale boutiques.
Shadyside
A Pittsburgh shopping adventure is not complete without a trip to Shadyside, located 15 minutes from Downtown, near Oakland. The short drive is well worth it, for along Ellsworth Avenue, Walnut Street and the area's cozy side streets you will find many of the finest and most upscale shops in the Pittsburgh region. Be sure to allow time in your schedule to browse through music and bookstores, sip a cappuccino, and have dinner at one of the Shadyside shopping district's numerous restaurants.
Shop the 'Burbs
- Heading East out of downtown, make your first stop The Waterfront in Homestead. Built on the site of a former steel mill, The Waterfront provides shopping, entertainment and dining options aplenty. Then it's further East and through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel, to Monroeville for Pittsburgh's Miracle Mile, a shopper's mecca that includes Monroeville Mall and countless other shopping plazas.
- Travel out the Parkway West and discover plenty of great shopping between the airport and downtown Pittsburgh. The Mall at Robinson, Robinson Town Centre and The Pointe at North Fayette offer a wide variety of shops, restaurants and home furnishing stores, including IKEA.
- Head North out of Downtown and you'll find wonderful suburban shopping in the North Hills, where national chains and discount department stores offer values at North Hills Village, Northway Mall and all along McKnight Road. Trendy, upscale boutiques and department store branches make Ross Park Mall a one-stop-shopping destination. If you're a power shopper, then be sure to check out the new Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills in Frazer Township, 16 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Over 1.1 million square feet is home to over 175 stores, from trendy boutiques, to major national and regional retail establishments.
- In the South Hills, shoppers can indulge in designer fashions and home furnishings for adults and kids at the Galleria, or enjoy a great selection of stores at South Hills Village, Village Square Mall and along Mount Lebanon's Washington Road business district.
- Quail Acres in Washington is worth seeking out for quaint shops such as Artemis Botanicals, Cattail Coffee & Tea Co., Country Confections, Dogs Rule Barkery, Flowering Fields and The Quail House Emporium, a co-op of twelve shops in the main house of Quail Homestead.
- The Prime Outlets at Grove City, one hour north of Pittsburgh, is rated one of the Top 10 Best Outlet Centers in the country and offers more than 140 outlets. The bargains are definitely worth the trip!
Don't Miss the Award-Winning Airmall
The fun begins when you touch down at the award-winning Pittsburgh Airmall. Yes, the Pittsburgh International Airport, ranked the best airport in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler, has some of the most exciting shopping around. The Airmall offers everything from sportswear, toys, and fine jewelry to cappuccino and sunglasses, all at street-level prices.
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