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More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18

The new service gives Pittsburgh two daily trains to Harrisburg, Philadelphia and NYC.

News

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="second daily train" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/04/amtrak-second-pittsburgh-nyc-train" target="_self">second daily train</a> between Pittsburgh and New York City via Harrisburg and Philadelphia will start Nov. 18, PennDOT announced Tuesday. Why it matters: This is the first time in decades that Pittsburgh is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="adding passenger train service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="ad28d0ba-977c-4bef-8055-328865e5ecd7" data-vars-headline="More Pittsburgh Amtrak service starts Nov. 18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/08/24/second-daily-amtrak-pennsylvanian-november-pittsburgh" target="_self">adding passenger train service</a>.

New exhibit brings Fred Rogers' lessons to life

A new Children's Museum exhibit turns kindness, bravery and patience into play.

Culture

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Children&#x27;s Museum of Pittsburgh" data-vars-click-url="https://pittsburghkids.org/" data-vars-content-id="74c573cc-5780-4d81-bc75-9c76a725fc2e" data-vars-headline="New exhibit brings Fred Rogers&#x27; lessons to life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pittsburghkids.org/" target="_blank">Children&#x27;s Museum of Pittsburgh</a> is debuting a new Fred Rogers-inspired exhibit that will tour the country.Why it matters: Rogers&#x27; ideas about childhood still influence the museum&#x27;s exhibits, including his belief that play should honor children as whole people and speak to the child in all of us.

Nearly 1,000 Duquesne Light workers go on strike

The utility says service will continue, while the union warns outages could last longer.

Nearly 1,000 Duquesne Light workers who repair power lines, troubleshoot outages and assist customers are on strike after their union and the utility failed to reach a new contract Thursday morning.Why it matters: Duquesne Light says service will continue uninterrupted with non-union employees and outside contractors, while leaders with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 29 say the strike could slow power restoration during severe weather.<ul><li>The utility serves more than half a million customers across Allegheny and Beaver counties.</li></ul>

Pens debut a monster Pittsburgh sandwich, and more

Pierogies, mozzarella sticks and waffle fries all land on one massive sandwich.

Food and Drink

Pittsburgh&#x27;s favorite foods have been stuffed into one ridiculously massive sandwich — and you can eat it at a Penguins game.The intrigue: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Pens season is upon us" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/30/penguins-season-preview" data-vars-content-id="03cf818c-13cc-4266-8278-8010480b7f4a" data-vars-headline="Pens debut a monster Pittsburgh sandwich, and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/09/30/penguins-season-preview" target="_self">new Pens season is upon us</a>, and that means new treats at PPG Paints Arena.

Six noodle dishes worth slurping

Celebrate National Noodle Day with these 6 dishes

The weather is cooling off, so it&#x27;s time to warm up with a delicious cup, bowl or plate of noodles.The intrigue: It&#x27;s National Noodle Day, and Pittsburgh has scores of starchy ribbons to sample across several different international cuisines.

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Pittsburgh

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="670e1606-2f15-40e2-9336-d4981b23d6dd" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Pittsburgh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Pittsburgh&#x27;s Lawrenceville neighborhood on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

Does Pittsburgh say pop or soda?

Cast your vote in one of Pittsburgh's fizziest linguistic debates.

It&#x27;s time to settle the soda score, to finish the pop prizefight.Why it matters: Pittsburgh lies at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the intersection of many different regions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/28/pittsburgh-midwest-appalachia" data-vars-content-id="8014b018-633e-4a36-912b-58300f89a2e4" data-vars-headline="Does Pittsburgh say pop or soda?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/01/28/pittsburgh-midwest-appalachia" target="_self">the intersection of many different regions</a>, and we want to know if the boundaries are shifting in the soft drink name war.

Sarris opens scoop shop in Pittsburgh grocery store

The candy maker is expanding its ice cream offerings beyond Canonsburg for the first time.

Sarris Candies is opening an ice cream shop Thursday inside one of Pittsburgh&#x27;s newest grocery stores. The intrigue: The popular local candy company is expanding its scoops <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beyond its Canonsburg headquarters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/21/sarris-candies-factory-tours-pittsburgh" data-vars-content-id="3b0dd1ac-e444-4293-9555-f6e1b539d1aa" data-vars-headline="Sarris opens scoop shop in Pittsburgh grocery store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/05/21/sarris-candies-factory-tours-pittsburgh" target="_self">beyond its Canonsburg headquarters</a> for the first time.

Acrisure adds new Steelers game-day food

Acrisure Stadium's new menu goes big on kielbasa, waffles, hot dogs and fries.

This year&#x27;s menu at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Acrisure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/11/acrisure-stadium-2025-food-pierogi-sliders" data-vars-content-id="32c660e9-613d-4be2-bc62-27d7798c1fe1" data-vars-headline="Acrisure adds new Steelers game-day food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/09/11/acrisure-stadium-2025-food-pierogi-sliders" target="_self">Acrisure</a> Stadium includes pierogi-stuffed wraps, fry-filled chicken and waffles and more.🍽️ Dig in: Local specialties have become a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger part of Pittsburgh stadium menus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/18/pirates-new-pnc-park-food-2026-season" data-vars-content-id="32c660e9-613d-4be2-bc62-27d7798c1fe1" data-vars-headline="Acrisure adds new Steelers game-day food" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/03/18/pirates-new-pnc-park-food-2026-season" target="_self">bigger part of Pittsburgh stadium menus</a>.

What Pittsburgh's Rainforest Cafe mystery taught us about trusting AI

A local restaurant myth shows why checking AI's sources still matters.

Chrissy loves Rainforest Cafe, which sparked a simple question: Did Pittsburgh ever have one? The answer turned into a weekslong reporting rabbit hole.Why it matters: What should have been an easy fact-check became a lesson in how surprisingly hard it can be to separate local lore from fact — even when published sources and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI overviews" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" data-vars-content-id="94ec4df5-fc45-4a54-b6fa-aa30018eb369" data-vars-headline="What Pittsburgh&#x27;s Rainforest Cafe mystery taught us about trusting AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/03/openai-astra-gpt-6-agi-brockman" target="_self">AI overviews</a> seem to back it up.

Downtown Tiki bar brings the thunder

Pittsburgh probably isn&#x27;t getting a Rainforest Cafe anytime soon, but you can get your tropical fix at an immersive Downtown Tiki bar and restaurant with its own erupting volcano.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spork Island Trading Co." data-vars-click-url="https://www.sporkislandtradingcompany.com/" data-vars-content-id="623f5333-5a7f-49bb-8a14-c70ec7633b39" data-vars-headline="Downtown Tiki bar brings the thunder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sporkislandtradingcompany.com/" target="_blank">Spork Island Trading Co.</a> opened in July in the former August Henry&#x27;s Burger Bar.

Sheetz goes over-the-top on YouTube

First We Feast is giving Sheetz the full food-show treatment with three outrageous dishes.

The channel that brought you the popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Hot Ones&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/09/19/best-day-ever-hot-ones-host-sean-evans" data-vars-content-id="fbf2f0cc-3b27-4e25-b5f3-f5107bd63347" data-vars-headline="Sheetz goes over-the-top on YouTube" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/09/19/best-day-ever-hot-ones-host-sean-evans" target="_self">&quot;Hot Ones&quot;</a> is debuting a new miniseries Friday that features the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sheetz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/28/sheetz-first-pittsburgh-store-banksville" data-vars-content-id="fbf2f0cc-3b27-4e25-b5f3-f5107bd63347" data-vars-headline="Sheetz goes over-the-top on YouTube" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2025/08/28/sheetz-first-pittsburgh-store-banksville" target="_self">Sheetz</a> menu. The intrigue: The new &quot;Fuel Stop Feast&quot; YouTube show will feature two chefs battling it out to create over-the -top creations for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sheetz Freakz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/23/paul-skenes-sheetz-big-glizzy-hot-dog" data-vars-content-id="fbf2f0cc-3b27-4e25-b5f3-f5107bd63347" data-vars-headline="Sheetz goes over-the-top on YouTube" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/pittsburgh/2026/06/23/paul-skenes-sheetz-big-glizzy-hot-dog" target="_self">Sheetz Freakz</a>. Some of the new items will then be available for purchase at Sheetz.

What to do in Pittsburgh this September 

As fall approaches, expect a bevy of food fests, live music, Oktoberfest and a parallel parking showdown.

It may not feel like it with extreme heat settling over the region this week, but fall is closing in — bringing film fests, food fests and even a parallel parking championship.Here are Pittsburgh&#x27;s top events this September.

Food and Drink 🍽

Six noodle dishes worth slurping

Pens debut a monster Pittsburgh sandwich, and more

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Pittsburgh

Does Pittsburgh say pop or soda?

Sarris opens scoop shop in Pittsburgh grocery store