6 shortcuts to keep you warm(er) during winter walks
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Escape the chill with indoor shortcuts like the grand hall at Oakland's Cathedral of Learning. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Braving the frigid Pittsburgh winters is (a bit) easier when stopping inside, if just for a minute.
Why it matters: Pittsburgh is a walker's town even in the cold winter months.
- 9.8% of Pittsburghers walk to work, according to 2023 census data. For context, that number is 9.4% in New York City.
Driving the news: Here are six indoor shortcuts to help you escape the cold.
- Pro tip: Make sure the buildings are open when you plan to cut through.
Carnegie Library to Carnegie Museums: Enter the main Carnegie Museums entrance near the corner of Forbes Avenue and Craig Street, and then walk down the steps adjacent to the atrium and out of the building briefly.
- A short outdoor walk leads to the "portal entry" of the main branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. Walk straight down the long hall, through the main lobby, and then exit onto Schenley Drive.
- On the map: 4400 Forbes Ave. in Oakland.
Steel Plaza station: More of a long way around, but this keeps you out of the elements for about two Downtown blocks.
- Enter the Steel Plaza light-rail station at Grant Street, and then follow the hallway to the subway station. Once inside the station, walk through the revolving door entrance to USX Tower.
- Walk down an artistic hallway to the building's basement cafes (stop at Wiener World for a hot dog or hoagie), and then follow the signs to the U.S. Steel Tower main lobby. Exit onto Grant Street.
- On the map: Intersection of Grant Street and Oliver Avenue.
- Alternative shortcut: There is also an entrance/exit to the underground passageway near the corner of Sixth and Centre avenues.
Cathedral of Learning: Stroll past bookish students in the grand hall of Pitt's iconic Gothic tower.
- Enter off Bigelow Boulevard, and walk up the steps. Then go straight back through the main hall to the back exit.
- On the map: 4200 Fifth Ave. in Oakland.
Nova Place: Enter Allegheny Center and follow the signs to Nova Place. Once inside, find the glass doors next to the elevators. Walk down the steps, and exit onto Federal Street.
- On the map: 100 South Commons St. in the North Side.
Warner Centre: This old-fashioned arcade mall bisects a Downtown city block.
- Enter on Forbes Avenue or Fifth Avenue, halfway between Wood and Smithfield streets, and walk straight through.
- On the map: 332 Fifth Ave. in Downtown.
Union Trust Building: One of Downtown's fancier buildings is perfect for a quick warm-up — and brunch at the popular Speckled Egg restaurant.
- This building has entrances on all sides, so you can traverse between William Penn Place, Grant Street, Oliver Avenue and Fifth Avenue. Stop in the middle to catch a glimpse of the spectacular stained-glass dome at the top of the rotunda.
- On the map: 501 Grant St. in Downtown.