Steel City Natives’ New Book Gives You 100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSSILYNNE CULGAN AND FRANCESA DABECCO | AUTHORS ROSSILYNNE CULGAN AND FRANCESA DABECCO AT THEIR BOOK LAUNCH IN JUNE.

In May of 2019, Rossilynne Culgan wrote the second edition of “100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die.” Pittsburgh is an everchanging city, and in the past seven years, it has transformed. With that, Culgan decided that it was time to write a third edition.   

“We thought it was time for something new. Some things had changed, some things no longer exist. I wanted the book to be as fresh and up to date as possible,” Culgan says. 

The book is meant to be a bucket list of 100 things to do in Pittsburgh for both native Pittsburghers and out-of-towners. Culgan and her coauthor — Francesa Dabecco — both grew up in Pittsburgh and have a deep appreciation for their hometown.   

“100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh Before You Die is an amalgamation of our experiences in the city that raised us — a catalog of moments that made us feel curious, delighted and inspired,” reads the preface of the book. 

On top of being Pittsburgh natives, both Culgan and Dabecco are journalists. Culgan currently works as the senior editor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, but has previously freelanced and worked as an editor in the Time Out Group. 

“I think being a journalist helped me learn how to ask questions, how to listen, how to keep your eyes open and always be looking for a story and always be looking for something new or different,” Culgan says. 

Dabecco currently works as the newsletter editor for City Cast, a daily local news podcast and newsletter. She said that her work as a journalist went hand in hand when writing the book. 

“I write about Pittsburgh everyday so I’m really tuned into what’s happening,” Dabecco says. “Writing this book came so naturally.” 

The book is divided into sections — food and drink, music and entertainment, sports and recreation, culture and history and shopping and fashion. Dabecco and Culgan made sure to personally experience each entry they include in the book. 

“There’s no substitute for actually being there in person; immersing yourself in the place, the sights, the sounds, the smells, and writing about it,” Culgan says. “The entry is short about each place, but I wanted them to be very tapped with visual language.”

Culgan explained that there are of course the classics — the Mount Washington Incline, Pamela’s Diner and Primanti Bros. But there are also some hidden gems that even those who have lived in the Steel City their whole life might not know about — The Pittsburgh Banjo Club, the steepest street in the continental U.S. and the Shanksville 9/11 memorial. 

“It’s my hope that even if you’re a long time resident, you’re gonna find something new in this book,” Culgan says.

In the back of the book, there are suggested itineraries as well as activities to do each season. Culgan says that with summer approaching, this is the perfect time for people to get outside and explore the city. 

“Hopefully our love can help people discover new things in Pittsburgh,” Culgan says. “There is just such an absolute treasure trove in Pittsburgh to explore.”