Pittsburgh's Very Cool, National Geographic Traveller Says

PITTSBURGH, PA - Pittsburgh residents already know what a great city they live in, but it’s always nice to be recognized from afar. That has happened in National Geographic Traveller, which just named Pittsburgh as the world’s third-coolest place to visit in 2019.

The British version of the globe’s most popular travel magazine ranked Pittsburgh only behind Setouchi, Japan and Antarctica as must-see destinations in the coming year. That’s pretty impressive company.

Why Pittsburgh? National Geographic Traveller noted a host of reasons.

“While Pittsburgh is a blue-collar town at heart, it’s much more elegant than many visitors might expect. And there’s plenty for culture vultures, too,” the periodical stated.

“In 2019, the Heinz History Center plays host to an exhibition on the Apollo 11 Moon landings, while the Carnegie Museum of Art hosts the Carnegie International, the world’s oldest contemporary art exhibition, featuring the works of 30 artists from around the globe. The name most associated with Pittsburgh’s art scene, though, is local boy Andy Warhol, and the Warhol Museum features more than 8,000 works by the pop artist, plus an insight into his whirlwind life.”

The magazine’s can’t-miss destination might surprise some. “Don’t miss the giant gothic Cathedral of Learning, which contains gloriously kitsch nationality-themed rooms,” it advised.

The publication also noted to its English readership that traveling to Pittsburgh will be easier for them in the coming year “On 2 April, British Airways launches direct flights from Heathrow to Pittsburgh, making this underrated Pennsylvanian city much easier to visit.”

Curious about National Geographic Traveller’s other must-see destinations for next year? Here they are:

1. Setouchi
2 Antarctica
3. Pittsburgh
4.Corsica
5.Cambodia
6.San Miguel de Allende
7.West Yorkshire
8. Hong Kong
9. Zimbabwe
10.Guyana
11.Oslo
12.Eritrea
13. KwaZulu-Natal
14. Bhutan
15. Dundee
16. Uganda
17, Matera
18. Indonesia
19. Sibiu

Photo via Getty Images.

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