Pittsburgher here.

The incline is very cool and unique. Don’t miss it!

Depending on what he/she likes, the Carnegie science center OR the Warhol museum are both very good, top notch museums.

Strip Disrict is a lot of fun, as is Squirrel Hill and Shady Side.

Cathedral of Learning and Phipps are close to each other…as are squirrel hill and shady side.

People are VERY FRIENDLY!

I am from Pittsburgh - have so much fun!

The National Aviary is very cool. Warhol Museum, Heinz History Center, Science Center are all good Museums. There is cute shopping in Shady Side where Pamela's is located. I agree with the Mad Mex recommendation and you definitely should seek out Primanti's!

+ 1 on Mattress Factory (Pittsburgh native here).

These are awesome recs! Thank you!!

Do not miss the incline.

Rico's Restaurant for the best tableside Caesar Salad.

The Milk Shake Factory is Awesome.

Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop on the South Side.

Pittsburgher here - Pamela's is good but be prepared to wait. Lines get bonkers.

If you like Middle Eastern, check out Ali Baba in Oakland near museums, Pitt, etc.

https://www.alibabapgh.com/

Came here to suggest the Andy Warhol museum if your teen is into art at all. It's a more hip museum and there are ample opportunities for cool pictures if that is important to your teen. Phipps is good too since you'll already be near Pitt/CMU.

The Incline is cool but is far from Oakland (not really far, but not convenient). It might be cool to do though as you'll get a nice view of the city and of where the concert will be. That might be special. It's an iconic view.

And another +1 for Pamela's for breakfast. Gotta have those pancakes!

The Andy Warhol museum and Mattress Factory would be great for a teen. I also agree with walking around the Strip District, with a stop at Wholey's for a fish sandwich. If yinz like Indian food, Pittsburgh has a ton of amazing restaurants. Prince of India was my go-to when I was at Pitt (right in Oakland on the Pitt campus), but Taj Mahal (on McKnight Road) and Udipi Cafe (farther out in Monroeville - but great vegetarian South Indian food) are better. If you're already in Shadyside, Phipps Conservatory is worth stopping by, but I don't know if I'd drive out to the suburbs for the Pittsburgh Botanical Garden unless that's a special interest of yours.

My teens liked hanging out in the Strip District and there are lots of restaurants there, including Primantis and Pamela’s. Randyland and The Mattress Factory were also a big hit and very close together. I really liked the Heinz Museum.

If you have time on the way up or back, my kids like seeing Fallingwater.

Dave and Andy’s for ice cream while you’re in Oakland. Definitely Cathedral of Learning too.

Phipps Conservatory is absolutely worth visiting. The entire Schenley Park area is very nice. You should take your teen to Primanti Bros, it’s classic Pittsburgh. Pamela’s Diner has the best pancakes I’ve ever had in my life! We went to the one in Squirrel Hill but there’s a few throughout the city I believe. Randyland would be a good place for them to get some cute pictures, it’s very fun

Thanks! It looks like we have to try pancakes at Pamelas!

I would check out the Nationality Rooms, maybe do some shopping in Shadyside and have lunch at Mad Mex.

The Andy Warhol Museum is open late on Fridays, a teen might like that.

Take the Monongahela Incline for nice views of the city, and ice cream at the top.

Pamela's for breakfast is always good.

We will be in Pittsburgh for a long weekend to go to the Taylor Swift concert and to see the city. I’m looking for any recs for restaurants and/or sites.

We will check out the college area for part of the day. Is there any place we should check out for lunch? Is the botanical garden worth a visit?

For dinner, we’d probably like to stay downtown. We are open to various cuisines, but aren’t steak and potatoes diners. Vegetarian options are always a hit.

Thanks!