The French were the first known Europeans to arrive in the area, formerly occupied by the Shawnee tribe and other groups of Native Americans. However, General John Forbes' colonial and British army drove them out in 1758. He named the area Pittsburgh after British statesman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham. In 1792, George Anschutz built a blast furnace here, launching a century-long iron and steel industry, hence dubbing Pittsburgh the "Iron City." In 1834, the Pennsylvania Canal and the Portage Railroad were completed. The wealth of natural resources and Pittsburgh's strategic location contributed to the city's rapid growth in the 19th century. Additionally, the post-Civil War influx of European immigrants established steel magnates like Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and Thomas Mellon in this city. Consequently, throughout World War II, growth continued almost unabated. During the economic and population boom, Pittsburgh became a rather polluted industrial city. Therefore, a massive redevelopment program focused on sewage disposal, flood prevention, and smoke pollution control was put in place. Furthermore, it was the country's first city to generate electricity by nuclear power, in 1957. When most cities were losing jobs during the late 2000s recession, Pittsburgh hired more workers. During this period, only a few U.S. cities saw land values rise. However, prices in Pittsburgh rose over 10% between 2006 and 2011, the highest among the top 25 MSAs, while 22 saw depreciation. If owning property here during the recession was beneficial, imagine how rewarding it would be to own land in Pittsburgh today.

Pittsburgh has been declared one of the best places to visit in the world repeatedly. There are so many interesting, family-friendly things to do that it will take you a long time to see them all. Some of them are:
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History, one of four Carnegie Foundation museums in Pittsburgh, is dedicated to educating and entertaining visitors to gain a better understanding of our natural world. Exhibits delve into the science behind the discovery and comprehension of the earth and its inhabitants, both past and present.

The main attraction here is a collection of genuine dinosaur fossils and reproductions, including a Tyrannosaurus rex and a Triceratops. In addition, it includes exhibits on earth sciences such as geology and gems, animal life from around the world, and cultural history such as Native American and Ancient Egypt.
Duquesne Incline
This funicular railway has served locals, tourists, and businesses of Pittsburgh's Duquesne Heights and Mount Washington neighborhoods since 1877. It is a working museum that uses two original 1877 cable cars, with the upper station providing photos and displays about the incline's history. You can also see the incline's inner workings.

Phipps Conservatory
Given to the city in 1893 by a real estate mogul named Henry Phipps, The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens found in Schenley Park is a great spectacle.

The 13-room Victorian glasshouse surrounding the main building is a big hit with tourists. It changes its displays of orchids, bonsai, and other delicate plants every few months. Thus, a trip here is enjoyable for both adults and children.

The Discovery Garden offers free, hands-on activities for children, and they can ride the Garden Railroad and explore the tropical Treasure Island as pirates.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
The Pittsburgh Zoo has five distinct habitats and an aquarium where you will find diverse kinds of animals. Among the many primate species in the Tropical Forest area are two-toed sloths, lemurs, poison dart frogs, and capuchin monkeys. Additionally, the Islands exhibit focuses on endangered tropical climate species, such as Galapagos turtles and clouded leopards.

On the other hand, the PPG Aquarium houses water dwellers ranging from seahorses to sharks and a flock of penguins who enjoy playing in the snow during the winter. Moreover, the Water's Edge area is home to sea otters and polar bears and is dedicated to education about coastal wildlife and environmental concerns.