By Robin Weaver

As Pittsburgh gets ready to host this month’s G-20 Economic Summit on September 24-25, the City has much to celebrate. In addition to the Super Bowl Champion Steelers and the Stanley Cup-winning Penquins, Pittsburgh boasts beautiful art and architecture, state-of-the-art healthcare, and top-notch universities. Recently voted the most livable city in North America by The Economist, the city has a vibrancy that is palpable. President Obama chose Pittsburgh to host the G-20 Summit as a “way of illustrating what success can look like.”

Thanks to the legacy and generosity of the Fricks, the Mellons, the Carnegies, and the Heinz families, cultural treasures abound. This month (through September 20), the Frick Art and Historical Center has on display “The Dutch Italianates: 17th Century Masterpieces from the Dulwich Picture Gallery” [London] and “Remembering President Roosevelt’s 1902 Visit,” which will run through Oct. 4.

The John Heinz History Center has two wonderful exhibits in commemoration of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln: “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War” and “Lincoln Slept Here.” Both exhibits are on display until January 2010. Pittsburgh’s premier art museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, has an impressive collection that includes Homers, Sargents and Pissaros and also includes The Heinz Architectural Center, dedicated to the collection, study, and exhibition of architectural drawings and models.

Pittsburgh’s great philanthropic families aside, one of its most famous native sons, Andy Warhol, has a museum in Pittsburgh dedicated to his art. Currently showing is “Warhol Live: Music and Dance in Andy Warhol’s Work.” As part of the G-20 festivities, Mrs. Obama plans to host a reception at the museum for the spouses of the world leaders meeting at the Summit.

In addition to sport and the arts, Pittsburgh has made great strides in the last decade to develop a robust culinary scene – ranging from French bistro to seafood. Le Pommier on the City’s southside is a French bistro that bakes its own bread, has a respectable wine list and from time- to- time hosts wine tastings. If views are as important as food, check out Mount Washington’s Monterrey Bay Fish Grotto or the Tin Angel. In 1994, British Prime Minister John Majors dined at the Tin Angel with President Bill Clinton. It was something of a homecoming for Majors whose father had spent time in Pittsburgh as a boy. The spectacular views alone are worth the ride on the Duquesne Incline to Mount Washington. Near the airport is Hyeholde, housed in a Tudoresque-mansion, and providing wonderful food in an enchanting, romantic atmosphere.

For those looking for casual, street-type food, try Pittsburgh’s Strip District, where food and produce – not clubs-are the attraction! The famous Primati Brothers’ sandwiches won’t break your budget but will certainly break your diet.

Anyone visiting Pittsburgh should consider a day trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece: Fallingwater (above) and his lesser known Kentuck Knob. Visitors from around the world travel to this part of western Pennsylvania to pay homage to Wright’s work. The drive from Pittsburgh is approximately 90 minutes.

A travel writer once commented that if Pittsburgh were in the middle of Europe visitors would travel thousands of miles to see it. For New Yorkers looking for a great fall weekend getaway—with culture, cuisine, amazing architecture, and foliage—Pittsburgh is just the ticket.

Museums:
Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Avenue (Oakland section of Pittsburgh)
412 622-3131

Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky Street
412 237-8300

The John Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman Street
412 454-6000

The Frick Art and Historical Center
7227 Reynolds Street (East End)
412 371-0800

Restaurants:
Hyeholde
1516 Coraopolis Heights Road
Moon Township (Near the Pittsburgh Airport)
412 264-3116

Le Pommier
2104 E. Carson Street (Southside)
412 431-1901

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
1411 Grandview Avenue (Mt. Washington)
412 481-4414

The Tin Angel
1200 Grandview Avenue (Mt. Washington)
412 381-1919

Hotels:

Pittsburgh:
Omni William Penn
530 William Penn Place
412 281-7100

The Priory
614 Pressley Street
412 231-3338

Near Fallingwater:
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
1001 Lafayette Drive
Farmington, PA
1-800 422-2736

Historic Summit Inn
101 Skyline Drive
Farmington, PA
1-800 433-8594