📍 Your guide to free museums

🌳 Acres of Western PA Land Now Protected

The Nature Conservancy bought 1,158 acres of land in Somerset County and transferred ownership to the PA Game Commission — filling a "large unprotected gap" in a major wildlife migration corridor. The Game Commission plans to make improvements to the land, like making old agricultural fields more hospitable for birds. [Allegheny Front]

• ⛺ Want to explore the great outdoors? Here’s where to pitch a tent around Pittsburgh. [🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]
• 💚 Help protect our city’s green spaces and rivers by supporting these organizations. [📝 Hey Pittsburgh]

⛔ No Parking at Point State Park

The Downtown lot is closed until early fall while crews work on repairs. PA is investing $3.4 million in new amenities, walkways, landscaping, and lighting at Point State Park ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

• ⛲ The fountain won’t turn on this summer, but the GAP trail, Fort Pitt Museum, Fort Pitt Blockhouse, and public restrooms remain open. [TribLive / 🎧 City Cast Pittsburgh]

🎶 Locals Discuss Pittsburgh’s Music Ecosystem

Pittsburghers in the music industry gathered for a town hall about the future of our live music scene, tackling issues like pay, artist promotion, and city support for musicians and venues. The discussion centered on a 2018 report that surveyed more than 1,800 music creatives and found "an overall picture of economic struggle and frustration." [NEXTpittsburgh]

• 💡 Got ideas about improving our music scene? Fill out this survey.
• 🎷 Have a soulful summer, and explore the best places to see live jazz. [📝 Hey Pittsburgh]

We love to update yinz about the yummiest new places to grab a bite or bev in the Burgh! This week, we’re sharing five spots in East Liberty 🤤

🥂 Hey Babe

Step inside the historic YMCA building on Whitfield Street to find a chic neighborhood lounge with gorgeous crown molding, elegant chandeliers, velvet booth seating, and colorful stained glass-style windows. The menu features craft cocktails and zesty seasonal bites — like kimchi mac & cheese with five-spiced pork belly, a silken tofu rice bowl, and crispy eggplant.

• 💖 “Hey Babe” is named after the term of endearment frequently used by restaurant founders and husband-and-wife duo Danielle Cain and Rob Hirst, Pittsburgh restaurant darlings who met working together at Soba.

🐕 Hound Haus

Broad Street is now home to Pittsburgh’s first indoor-outdoor off-leash dog park, café, and bar with over 10,000 square feet of play space. Grab a cinnamon roll and coffee or a beer and sandwich to enjoy while your pup scampers off with new friends. Become a member or purchase a guest pass to bring your doggo, and make sure they’re up-to-date on vaccinations.

🍣 Just Roll’d Up

The popular sushi, sashimi, and poke bowl truck now has a permanent spot on South Highland Avenue. Get a taste of the ocean in Pittsburgh with the Jack ’n Yellow roll filled with yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, avocado, jalapeño chips, greens, and wasabi mayo — all wrapped in fresh nori.

🦀 Dancing Crab

Sink into a comforting bowl of curry or drunken noodles at this Thai spot on Broad Street — an expansion of their original location in Dormont. When the sun is out, order something refreshing like a spring roll, Thai iced coffee, or matcha cheesecake to enjoy on the patio.

🌴 Coming Soon: Palm Palm

Want to pretend you’re in Palm Springs? Keep your eyes peeled for the opening of Palm Palm on Centre Avenue. It’s an “ode to ease and escape” with coastal-style cuisine. Look for menu items like crispy sushi rice tots, street corn taquitos, and a “Palm Margarita” made with tequila, cold pressed green juice, orange, lime, and a hibiscus salt rim.