Now, don’t misunderstand. Pittsburghers are extremely proud of their reputation as The Steel City. So proud that they named their legendary football team The Steelers. Pittsburgh’s steel mills once supplied more than half the steel the U.S. needed to fuel the auto industry and others that relied on steel. Pittsburgh was founded in 1758 by General John Forbes. He named the city after William Pitt, a British statesman, member of Parliament, and later Prime Minister. Historians don’t think Pitt ever came to see the city bearing his name. If he had, though, he would have been impressed by its beauty. Later, when the steel mills were in full swing, the Smoky City was a fitting moniker for Pittsburgh. Orange, gray and black smoke from the mills lit up the sky and could be seen for miles out in the suburbs. When steel was no longer in demand, the mills closed, causing huge job losses and an economic downturn. But Pittsburghers are resilient. Their ancestors who settled The Burgh, as locals affectionately call it, came from all over Europe to make a new life for themselves and their families, and they weren’t afraid of hard work. So in the 1970s, the city’s visionaries saw opportunity in the old mills and gave Pittsburgh a makeover. The city embraced new ways to make a living, leaning on its strong roots to carve out a new direction to prosperity, but still proud to call themselves The Steel City.

You haven’t seen Pittsburgh until you visit Mt. Washington and see why USA Today Magazine named this one of the 10 most beautiful views in the U.S. This neighborhood is named for George Washington, of course, for this is where he stood to map the area when he was a young surveyor.

For an elegant, fine dining experience, reserve a table on Restaurant Row, where you can enjoy delectable meals with an unmatched view. Or duck into a casual shop for deli sandwiches, hot dogs, gourmet coffees and pastries.

Get another angle on the view in a breathtaking ride on the famous Duquesne and Monongahela inclines that have carried workers and visitors up and down the mountain for 140 years. Both have observation decks at the top, from which you can see many of the bridges (over 400!) that span the rivers, giving Pittsburgh the nickname City of Bridges.

Surprisingly, the Bloomfield neighborhood was also named because of George Washington. In his journal notes, he called the area a “field of many blooms.” Today, the neighborhood is abloom with eateries, shops and bars.

Known as “Pittsburgh’s Little Italy,” Bloomfield will satisfy your craving for authentic Italian food. But it also offers a smorgasbord including burgers, wings, Thai, Vietnamese, Central/Eastern European fare, Indian, Mexican, a green market and a farmers market in season.

Specialty shops also line the streets, selling gifts, desserts, breads, books, art and other treasures. If you’re lucky enough to visit during “Little Italy Days,” you’ll be treated to street vendors and live entertainment, too. Be sure to check out the bocce courts in the little park under the Bloomfield Bridge.