When attendees of the American Counseling Association Annual Conference & Exposition head to Pittsburgh next March, they’ll be in for a treat. Whether in town just for the conference or an extended stay, they’ll find themselves in the middle of the most livable city in the United States, an honor bestowed on Pittsburgh by The Economist earlier this year. The ACA Conference, to be held March 18-22 and cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, will offer attendees the perfect chance to see just how much the Steel City has changed.

Speak with almost any ACA member who hails from Pittsburgh, and they’ll easily rattle off a list of things that make the city great. Chelsea Howe, an ACA member who’s called the city home all her life, says the old steel town image is long gone. “It is a vibrant city with culture, nightlife and beauty,” says Howe, who works at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in addition to running a private practice. “Pittsburgh offers many things that you find in a bigger city, but people are very friendly at the same time. It is like a big city with a small-town feel.”

Counseling Today checked in with a few other hometown members to get their lists of recommendations. So grab a highlighter and let these ACA-member tour guides show you the best of what Pittsburgh has to offer.

Megan Carbaugh

Carbaugh is a student member of ACA who grew up in Pittsburgh. She’s earning her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chatham University as well as working full time as a program supervisor for Best Buddies Pennsylvania.

Must-see list

• PNC Park and Heinz Field
• Andy Warhol Museum
• Heinz History Center
• Kennywood amusement park
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
• Carnegie Science Center
• Benedum Center or Heinz Hall (try to purchase tickets for shows in advance)
• View from Mount Washington (for photographers – professional or not!)

Eat, drink and be merry

• Dozen Bakeshop, a bakery and cafe with vegan options and gourmet cupcakes (dozenbakeshop.com)
• Primanti Bros. for their one-of-a-kind sandwiches (primantibrothers.com)
• Hofbrauhaus, a German restaurant and brewery (hofbrauhauspittsburgh.com)
• Church Brew Works, a one-time church converted into a brewery (churchbrew.com)
• South Side (aka East Carson Street) and Station Square have tons of places to eat and drink.
• Fat Head’s Saloon for good food and beer, but be warned it’s often crowded (fatheads.com)
• The Wine Loft for good wine and relaxing with friends (thewineloftpittsburgh.com)

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn _

• Pittsburgh is nicknamed the City of Bridges.
• Pittsburgh is NOT a steel town anymore.
• Pittsburgh has a lot of culture and beautiful sites.
• French fries and shredded cheese are common salad toppings.

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

• Sports teams (Steelers, Pens, Pirates)!
• Pittsburgh was once a historically blue-collar steel town that has transformed into a modern corporate headquarters for many businesses. It hosted the 2009 G20 Summit in September.
• The people (mostly friendly and approachable)!

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

Its beauty – winding hills, rivers and bridges. Also, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Kennywood.

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to _

• Check the weather forecast in the spring – prepare for rain, snow and sunshine.
• Wear your black and gold!
• Go to Primanti Bros. and eat a sandwich!

Gina Acquavita

Acquavita, who works at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic in addition to counseling in private practice, says among Pittsburgh’s chief attributes are that it’s safe, it’s affordable, there’s always something to do and its people are friendly.

Must-see list

• Mount Washington. Take in the best views of the city on Grandview Avenue and ride one of the two inclines – some of the only working inclines left in the country.
• Drive over the Fort Duquesne Bridge for another great view of the city.
• Phipps Conservatory in Oakland

Eat, drink and be merry

Primanti Bros. They put coleslaw and french fries on sandwiches, and we love it!

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn …

• Pittsburgh has 446 bridges, the most of any city in the world – three more than Venice!
• We also have our own language: “Pittsburghese.” We who live here are known as yinzers, and people will say yinz instead of “you guys” or “y’all.” Other words include slippy (slippery), redd up (clean up) and dawntawn (downtown).

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

The bridges and accent, obviously, but otherwise, the sports fans … and all the arts! There is a cultural district downtown, tons of awesome museums and all of the music clubs for local artists, and cafes.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

Lawrenceville. It’s a neighborhood most visitors wouldn’t go to. It’s small and has been run-down for years, but in the past couple of years, huge changes have been made, and there are tons of amazing shops, museums and unique things to do.

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to …

Go to the Strip District! There are tons of Pittsburgh-themed restaurants and shops and stands with cheap, fresh foods – especially if you go on Saturday morning.

James Matta

Matta, a longtime Pittsburgh resident, works at California University of Pennsylvania’s Counseling Center. In addition, he works part time at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic and runs a small private practice.

Must-see list

A must-see for any first-time visitor is coming down what is known as the parkway west from the airport and then entering the Fort Pitt tunnel. After passing through the tunnel, you burst through the side of a large hill, and the city explodes into view. I also highly recommend taking a nighttime ride on one of the two inclines to Mount Washington to view the city. The view allows visitors to see one of the few confluences – three rivers merging into one – in the country.

Eat, drink and be merry

People from all over the world came here during the years of the steel mills to find employment and the promise of a better life. With them came their heritage, with food at the heart of it. The north side of town is known as Deutschtown or Dutchtown because of its German ancestry. Max’s Allegheny Tavern (maxsalleghenytavern.com) serves “wunderbar” German dishes. The restaurant offers an authentic beer garden, as well as my personal favorites: Viener Schnitzel, potato pancakes, sweet and sour cabbage and kasespaetzle, with apple strudel to top it off.

Another great restaurant gaining a fan following on the north side is Bistro to Go (bistro-togo.com). It has a mix of what it calls “comfort foods,” but it often has a strong New Orleans flavor thanks to one of the chefs who worked there for many years. Also worth checking out is Pamela’s (pamelasrestaurants.com) in the heart of the Strip District for breakfast. During the 2008 presidential primary race, President Obama stopped in. He liked the flapjacks so much, he brought the owners to the White House in May to make them again.

First time visitors will be surprised to learn …

The city has been listed as the most livable city by five different independent surveys. And it’s one of the few places in the United States that was only marginally affected by the economic turndown. It’s being used as a role model for other cities.

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

The people. This might sound a bit like a cliché, but it’s true. I believe their family, work and education values are at the heart of their being. For example, I have never heard one Pittsburgher ever deny that this was a blue-collar town, even after a major overhaul in the work sector. They not only believe in themselves, but they also believe in their neighbor. It is not uncommon to hear a visitor say that when they asked someone for directions, the person stopped what they were doing and led the traveler to their destination.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

Many individuals are unaware of the rich cultural amenities. The Pittsburgh Symphony, Carnegie Museum, Phipps Conservatory, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Zoo and the National Aviary are just a few.

Gina Fitzmartin

Fitzmartin, who has a private practice in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, specializes in working with eating disorders, addictions and trauma.

Must-see list

• Head to Station Square, near where the three rivers merge, to find riverboat tours both during the day and night.
• Go downtown to Point State Park. Enjoy the fountain, bring a picnic lunch and watch the river activity.
• Go to the top of the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh for a spectacular view of the city.
• Schenley Park (pittsburghparks.org/schenley)
• Phipps Conservatory (phipps.conservatory.org)

Eat, drink and be merry

• Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar (eatatnakama.com)
• Kiku for sushi (kikupittsburgh.net)
• Abruzzi’s Restaurant for Italian (abruzzis.net)
• Paparazzi Restaurant for Italian
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto (montereybayfishgrotto.com)
• Zen Social Club (zensocialclub.com)
• Diesel Night Club (dieselpgh.com)
• Hard Rock Café (hardrock.com)

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

We are very proud of our sports teams. The Steelers have won six Super Bowls, and Heinz Field is right across the river from Station Square. The Penguins hockey team won the Stanley Cup in 2009. And the Pittsburgh Pirates play in a beautiful park right next to the football stadium.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

The Oakland neighborhood.

Bea Guillen

Guillen, who attended the University of Pittsburgh as an undergrad, is finishing up her master’s in counseling psychology at Chatham University. She gives the city a thumbs-up for its affordability, friendly people and many entertainment options.

Eat, drink and be merry

My favorite restaurants in the city are Abay Ethiopian Cuisine (abayrestaurant.com) in East Liberty, Udipi Café for Indian food in Penn Hills, Green Forest (greenforestcafe.com) for Brazilian in Penn Hills, Fat Head’s Saloon for American in the South Side, Fuel & Fuddle (fuelandfuddle.com) for American and Redbeard’s Mountain Resort for American. For nightspots, my favorite bars are Redbeard’s, Hemingway’s Café (hemingways-cafe.com) and Fat Head’s.

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

Pittsburgh is unique in its “feel.” It is a small city that has everything one can think of, but it is convenient and affordable, with a personality of its own. The dialect is interesting, and the passion for the Steelers and the Penguins is definitely something worth experiencing.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

Our skyline.

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to …

Stop at Primanti Bros. for one of their super sandwiches!

Sara Gales

Gales grew up in the area and is earning a master’s in rehabilitation counseling at the University of Pittsburgh. She’s also a predoctoral fellow in the Cognitive Skills Enhancement Program at the Hiram G. Andrews Center in Johnstown.

Eat, drink and be merry

• Fat Head’s Saloon for sandwiches, burgers and wings
• The Church Brew Works and Restaurant
• Italian restaurants in the Bloomfield neighborhood – the Pleasure Bar, Alexander’s, Tessaro’s
• Toast! Kitchen & Wine Bar (toastkitchen-winebar.com) has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. Share a bottle of wine and talk the night away.
• The Funny Bone (funnybonepgh.com). Enjoy a night of laughter at this comedy club.

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

Pittsburgh is made up of many little neighborhoods, each with its own sense of style and cuisine. Check out Bloomfield, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and South Side.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

The Nationality Rooms in the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning.

A piece of advice for first-time visitors

The Carnegie Science Center is a place for families with children to visit rather than for adults alone.

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to …

Get out and explore, but be patient. Construction, tunnels and bridges can sometimes make traffic difficult to handle.

Taunya Tinsley

Tinsley, an assistant professor in the California University of Pennsylvania Department of Counselor Education, says she loves Pittsburgh because of its affordability, sports teams and professional opportunities. She is also the facilitator for the ACA Sports Counseling Interest Network.

Must-see list

The North Shore (PNC Park, Heinz Field, Rivers Casino, Pittsburgh Police Fallen Officer Memorial), the downtown Cultural District, Mount Washington, Station Square, the Strip District, the South Side and the waterfront.

Eat, drink and be merry

• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
• Sonoma Grille in the Cultural District for international cuisine (thesonomagrille.com)
• Kaya in the Strip District for Caribbean, South American and Pacific cuisine (bigburrito.com/kaya)
• Tusca for Mediterranean tapas (tuscatapas.com)
• Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36 in the North Shore (jeromebettisgrille36.com)
• Nakama Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar for happy hour
• The Wine Loft
• Bossa Nova (bossanovapgh.com)

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn …

While Pittsburgh is historically known for its steel industry and bridges, the city is now largely based in health care, education, financial services and robotics.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

Phipps Conservatory

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to …

Speak Pittsburghese (pittsburghese.com)!

To learn more about the 2010 ACA Conference & Exposition in Pittsburgh (March 18-22), or to register to attend, visit www.counseling.org/conferenceor call 800.347.6647 ext. 222. Register early to ensure the best rates.

Online exclusive!

Here are even more insider tips from Pittsburgh pros.

Tour guide Diana Hardy

Hardy, a native of Pittsburgh, is the program manager at the Good Grief Center, a bereavement resource and referral center that offers services free of charge to the public.

Must-see list:

• John Heinz History Center
• Carnegie Museum and Music Hall
• Andy Warhol Museum
• Phipps Conservatory
• PNC Park (baseball field)
• Heinz Field (football)
• The Pittsburgh Symphony
• University of Pittsburgh
• Duquesne University

Eat, drink and be merry:

• Ruth’s Chris Steak House or Morton’s the Steakhouse
• LeMont for American and French
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto for seafood and the best crab cakes in Pittsburgh
• Tin Angel for American and Greek

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

Its friendly natives, landscape and notorious one-way streets.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

The items at the John Heinz History Center

Tour guide Martha Iskyan

Iskyan is a retired counselor who has owned a house in Pittsburgh for almost five years.

Must-see list:

• Steelers or Penguins game (to feel the true Pittsburgh spirit)
• Duquesne Incline
• Mount Washington at night
• Andy Warhol Museum
• Ride on Gateway Clipper or Just Ducky tours (travel on all three rivers and get a history lesson)

Eat, drink and be merry:

• Pho Minh (quiet Vietnamese)
• Thai Cuisine
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto (mainly seafood with an incredible view)
• Fat Head’s Saloon (great beer, good American food)

A night out

• South Side for bars and people-watching
• Fire House Lounge

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn…

How much Pittsburghers love Pittsburgh.

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

Friendly people and each neighborhood is unique.

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

Not overlooked, but well worth the trip is Mt. Washington, especially at night.

Is there a tourist trap that first-time visitors are better off avoiding?

Primanti Bros. (unless you really like your entire meal between bread).

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to…

Come prepared for any weather-it is unpredictable, but cloudy a lot.

Tour guide Michael Connelly

Connelly, who has lived in Pittsburgh his entire life, is president of Positive Pathways.

Must-see list:

• Mt. Washington and the Inclines
• Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center
• The National Aviary
• The Strip
• Andy Warhol Museum
• Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History
• Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
• Carnegie Science Center & UPMC Sportsworks
• The Mattress Factory
• Nationality Classrooms at the Cathedral of Learning

Eat, drink and be merry:

• Mineo’s Pizza House
• Monterey Bay Fish Grotto
• Station Square
• F. Tambellini Ristorante

A night out

• Banana Joe’s Lava Lounge
• The Town Tavern
• Tiki Lounge

What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?

The skyline!

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to…

Never wear any other football jersey except a Steeler jersey!

Tour guide Dennis Nigra

Nigra is an LPC and a school counselor in Pittsburgh.

Must-see list:

• Andy Warhol Museum
• Mattress Factory
• Carnegie Science Center
• Heinz History Museum
• Strip District
• National Aviary
• Rivers Casino

Eat, drink and be merry:

• Legends of the North Shore for Italian cuisine
• Primanti Bros.
• Monterey Pub on the North Side

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn…

What an attractive city Pittsburgh is.

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

History and legacy of industrial leadership and current research in medical and robotic technology.

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to…

Pay close attention to local dialect known as Pittsburghese.

Tour guide Dave Wheitner

Wheitner, who earned his master’s in counseling, runs a life-coaching practice.

If individuals enjoy nature, they should look on the activities calendar for Venture Outdoors at ventureoutdoors.org and on the site for Bike Pittsburgh (bike-pgh.org). Related to Venture Outdoors, check out the Kayak Pittsburgh rental site across from the Convention Center (kayakpittsburgh.org). The Phipps Conservatory is also worth seeing, and wonderful hiking trails run throughout Frick Park on the east end of town. We have some great riverfront trails, and many people don’t know that you can now bicycle from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC using bicycle trails.

Also, because it’s often portrayed as a big “meat and beer” city, I’ll note a few vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants worth checking out. This is something that’s often neglected in write-ups, and may be helpful to some of your readers:

Zenith is a funky antique/knick-knack shop and restaurant combination on the South Side and is well-known for its Sunday brunches featuring an all-you-can-eat vegan buffet including vegan bundt cakes. It gets pretty crowded on Sundays but isn’t that busy on other nights. If you’re alone, or in a party of two or three, you may have the opportunity to sit at a table with others you don’t know and meet some cool people.

A few blocks from Zenith is the Double-Wide grill, still featuring elements of the former repair garage it occupies (including lights made from gasoline pumps), with a menu that includes options for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans.

The Quiet Storm Coffeehouse and Restaurant on Penn Avenue has a very modest atmosphere but tasty food and drinks, including a range of vegetarian and vegan options-even several vegan milkshakes. It can be very busy on Sunday mornings but quieter during the rest of week.

Oh Yeah! ice cream shop on Highland Avenue usually has five or six flavors of vegan ice cream among its options, along with a ton of toppings and “mix-ins” that many people would never consider putting in ice cream. I love fresh ginger and Chai spice mixed in with vegan coffee ice cream. Be aware that lines can be long on hot days.

Finally, if you travel to the intersection of Murray and Forbes in Squirrel Hill (one of Pittsburgh’s most walkable neighborhoods on the east end of town), you’ll be within a short walk of a few dozen restaurants (including Mediterranean and Asian options), cafes, dessert shops, small specialty shops/boutiques, a book store, convenience stores, a supermarket and a movie theater. A large number of buses including the 61A, 61B and 61C go past this intersection, and the ride from downtown will take you through the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon campuses.

Tour guide Tawna Loutsenhizer

Loutsenhizer, who has lived in the Pittsburgh area for 45 years, is a therapist at Gateway Rehab and works in private practice.

Must-see list:

• Mt Washington (take incline from Station Square)Strip District
• Andy Warhol Museum

Eat, drink and be merry:Primanti Bros.

• Aladdin’s Restaurant (Middle Eastern restaurant with several locations)
• Abay Ethiopian Cuisine
• Mineo’s Pizza
• Buca Di Bepo (Italian)
• Legends of North Shore (Italian)

A night out

• Jerome Bettis Grille 36
• D’s SixPax & Dogz
• Church Brew Works

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn…

That Pittsburgh has great parks located in city limits-Frick Park and Schenley Park. The are great for walking, running and being in nature.

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to…

Ask about the Steelers, drop the y’all for “yinz” and remember that the city is built on a triangle, not a square, so navigating can be confusing.

Tour guide Cheryl Siniakin

Siniakin, who was born in Pittsburgh, works in therapy and counseling.

Must-see list:

Eat, drink and be merry:

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn…

That Pittsburgh rocks!

What makes Pittsburgh unique?

Pittsburgh pride and our sports teams. What is Pittsburgh’s most overlooked treasure?The Chatham University campus

When visiting Pittsburgh, always remember to…

Stop by the Original Hot Dog Shoppe for some amazing French fries!

Tour Guide Charles Esposito

Esposito, a Roman Catholic priest who provides spiritual counseling, loves Pittsburgh for all its cultural events and historically significant sites.

Must-see list:

• The Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh and the building in which they are housed, the Cathedral of Learning, still the tallest university campus building in the world
• The Andy Warhol museum on Pittsburgh’s North Side
• The restored P&LE Railroad Station lobby on the South Side, now a restaurant called the Grand Concourse and just adjacent to it, an inclined plane funicular to lift to you up to Mt. Washington’s Grandview Avenue
• The industrialist Henry Clay Frick’s Victorian mansion in Pittsburgh’s East End called “Clayton.” It has a “gasolier” over the dining room table where President Roosevelt once ate. It has an art museum and great café in the garden where you can have traditional English afternoon tea.
• The world-famous “Falling Water” home by Frank Lloyd Wright (about an hour or so East of Pittsburgh)

First-time visitors will be surprised to learn…

How our steep hills create areas where the sidewalks need to become stairways and that because we have two rivers converging to create a third, Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city in the world.

SIDEBAR

Pittsburgh tours

ACA members and their families can take advantage of several great tours while in town for the conference. Here are four fun excursions to complement your stay.

Pittsburgh City Tour

Let the story of Pittsburgh come alive as a knowledgeable tour guide leads you around the city. The tour begins in the downtown Golden Triangle, continues to Oakland – the cultural and educational center of Pittsburgh – and wraps up with a trip up the Duquesne Incline for a breathtaking view of the city.

Pittsburgh’s Treasure Tour

See many of the hidden treasures Pittsburgh has to offer on a trip through the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh and the Heinz Memorial Chapel.

Art Tour

The first stop on this tour is the Andy Warhol Museum, another of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and also the most comprehensive single-artist museum in the world. Art fans will then continue on to the Mattress Factory, a museum of contemporary art.

Science Center Tour

Curious minds, old and young, will enjoy this trip to the Carnegie Science Center, the fourth of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Take in four floors of exhibits, the Rangos Omnimax Theater with its larger-than-life films and a tour of the USS Requin, docked outside the museum.

For more information or to purchase tickets for these tours, visit dmcpittsburgh.com/reg_aca09.php.

SIDEBAR

PCA cosponsors ACA Conference

When the American Counseling Association comes to Pittsburgh in March for its Annual Conference & Exposition, the Pennsylvania Counseling Association will be serving as a proud cosponsor. Counseling Today asked PCA President Holly Branthoover to share some information about her state branch of ACA.

Introduce yourself to our readers.

I assumed the presidency July 1 but have been involved with PCA for five years, serving for four years as chairperson of the Membership Committee and one year as president-elect. I am an associate professor in the counseling department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a licensed professional counselor working in private practice. I also volunteer with the Disaster Action Team of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross and volunteered during Hurricane Katrina, providing mental health services.

Tell our readers a little bit about the makeup of PCA.

PCA, a state branch of ACA and a member of the North Atlantic Region of ACA, is committed to serving and representing Pennsylvania’s professional counselors by providing leadership and professional development. The purpose of the association is to enhance human development throughout the life span and to promote professional counseling.

What significant challenges and/or accomplishments has PCA experienced in the past year or several years?

One major focus for counselors in Pennsylvania was the securing of professional licensure. PCA was highly involved in lobbying efforts to secure licensing for LPCs and LMFTs (licensed marriage and family therapists). The law was finally passed in March 2002, and we continue to be active in legislative issues affecting counselors in our state. Each October, we hold a very successful state conference where we bring in national speakers and provide free CEUs to our members. One challenge has been keeping the organization viable in this current economic climate, considering that the association is staffed by volunteers. However, we have been successful and creative in our efforts!

What are some of the issues PCA is focusing its efforts on at this time?

Right now, we are undertaking an alliance with ACA to provide management services for PCA. We are hoping to increase consistency in providing services for our members by joining with ACA. We are also trying to help address the issue of LPC supervision in Pennsylvania. Because our licensure law is so new, students often struggle to find the LPC supervisors required to become licensed.

What does holding the ACA Conference in Pittsburgh mean to PCA and to counselors throughout Pennsylvania?

I cannot say how excited we are to have ACA in Pennsylvania in 2010! We are hoping to draw attention to our organization and how we can be of service to counseling professionals who are not already involved with our organization. We hope to boost membership and involvement, while also providing services to our current members. We will have a PCA-sponsored reception, PCA-sponsored workshops and registration benefits for our current members.

Lynne Shallcross is a staff writer for Counseling Today. Contact her at lshallcross@counseling.org. Letters to the editor: ct@counseling.org.