5 Things You Must Do In 3 Neighborhoods: Strip District

PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

The Terminal

Smallman Street between 16th and 21st streets

stripdistrictterminal.com

From its humble beginnings as a produce distribution hub to its current role as a dining and entertainment complex, The Terminal in the Strip District is an historical foodie destination. Shoppers can head to City Grows to purchase plants, get a mani-pedi at Envy Nail Spa, stock up on makeup and more at Sephora, tee off at Puttshack – Pittsburgh, peruse the stacks at Posman Books while enjoying a cone from Oddfellows Ice Cream and burn off the calories at [solidcore], StretchLab or Walk Run Lift Studio.

Food options include Aslin Beer Co., the massive Novo Asian Food Hall, BALVANERA and more — including one of the region’s few Shake Shack locations. — Kristy Graver 

The Heinz History Center

2010-2012 Penn Ave.

heinzhistorycenter.org 

The Heinz History Center is the oldest cultural institution in Western Pennsylvania, rooting back to its founders, the Old Residents of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, in 1879. It became the largest history museum in Pennsylvania in 2004 when it opened the Smithsonian wing, which houses the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, the Mueller Education Center, the Special Collections Gallery and the McGuinn Gallery for traveling exhibitions.

And, in 2025, for the second time in a row, the history museum was recognized by the readers of USA Today as the No. 1 history museum in America. Of particular note are displays on local sports heroics — including plenty of gridiron glory — in the Franco Harris Sports Museum, a chronicle of the region’s athletic feats and figures named for the Pittsburgh Steelers great. — Cassandra Harris  

Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.

1212 Smallman St. 

pennmac.com

If you enjoy taking long walks in search of gourmet cheese, lace up those sneakers and head to the Pennsylvania Macaroni Co. No stroll through the Strip District — the most-visited of Pittsburgh’s 90 neighborhoods — is complete without a stop at the store every local refers to as Penn Mac.

Founded in 1902 by brothers Augustino, Salvatore and Michael Sunseri, the Penn Avenue landmark is viewed as the city’s No. 1 purveyor of fine Italian foods and other global goods. It’s also a time capsule of our working- class roots and a one-stop shop for yinzer staples such as chipped ham, pierogies and Red Ribbon pop (not soda).

Even if you don’t say “cheese!” during your visit to Penn Mac, you’ll still be smiling, dear heart. — Kristy Graver  

THE CLEMENTE MUSEUM | PHOTO BY ROB LARSON/CLEMENTE MUSEUM

Clemente Museum

3339 Penn Ave.

clementemuseum.com 

The Roberto Clemente Museum celebrates both The Great One’s incredible baseball career and his humanitarian efforts.

The museum was founded in 2007 by photographer Duane Rieder, whose personal collection of memorabilia served as the foundation for the museum, supplemented by photos and artifacts donated by Clemente’s family.

Today, the collection includes thousands of items ranging from professional sports photographs and family snapshots to old uniforms and equipment — even seats from Forbes Field, where he played most of his career. While the Clemente Museum doesn’t offer walk-in hours, visitors can book a docent-led tour on the museum’s web- site. — Jess Simms 

PHOTO COURTESY OF WHOLEY’S FISH MARKET

Robert Wholey & Co.

1711 Penn Ave.

wholey.com

In 1912, Robert L. Wholey officially launched Wholey’s in McKees Rocks, selling live poultry, meats, sausages and coffees. His son, Robert C. Wholey, opened the Robert Wholey Company Poultry Market Downtown in 1948 before moving the operation to its current Strip site a decade later.

Much to the delight of local pescatarians, the family cast their nets wide and added fresh seafood to the business in 1960. Wholey’s has been making waves in the industry ever since — including the creation of a 111-pound fish sandwich for its 111th birthday in 2023. — Kristy Graver