If you’re visiting Pittsburgh for the first time, it doesn’t take long to notice that this city has a personality all its own. From its legendary sports culture to its iconic food brands, Pittsburgh is full of souvenirs that actually feel meaningful to your visit! You will quickly see that all of Pittsburgh’s pro sports teams wear the black and yellow, making it easy to rep the city in any team’s merch! My son wore black and yellow for our entire 3 day visit!
Whether you’re shopping for gifts or just want something fun to remember your trip, here are five of the best things to buy in Pittsburgh that locals love too.
1. A Terrible Towel (and Steelers Gear)
You can’t visit Pittsburgh without seeing the city’s obsession with black and gold. The most iconic Pittsburgh souvenir of all? The Terrible Towel.
Even if you’re not a huge football fan, this towel is a piece of Pittsburgh history and a fun, easy souvenir to pack or gift. You’ll find them everywhere, including airport shops, downtown stores, and stadium gift shops. We got one when we took a stadium tour on our three-day Pittsburgh trip!
2. Heinz-Themed Gifts (Yes, Really)
Pittsburgh is the hometown of Heinz, and locals take pride in it. While Heinz ketchup might be easy to find anywhere, Pittsburgh takes it to another level with Heinz-themed souvenirs like shirts, hats, magnets, and novelty items.
It’s quirky, uniquely Pittsburgh, and locals are not happy that the NFL Stadium is no longer called Heinz Field (it was changed to Acrisure Stadium in 2022 after Kraft did not renew the naming rights).
If you visit the Heinz History Center I am sure you will find some iconic Heinz products you may have remembered from the past (remember when they changed the color of ketchup!)
3. Pittsburgh Food Gifts
If you want to bring home something that feels truly local, go for a Pittsburgh food souvenir. One of the most famous is Prantl’s Burnt Almond Torte, which has a loyal fanbase far beyond Pennsylvania.
Beyond desserts, you’ll also find plenty of locally made sauces, spice blends, jams, popcorn, and snacks that make great gifts for friends (or something to treat yourself later).
4. Pittsburgh-Themed Novelty Souvenirs
Sometimes you just want a classic “I went to Pittsburgh” souvenir. Pittsburgh gift shops are full of fun items like skyline mugs, bridge artwork, stickers, prints, ornaments, puzzles, and even Pittsburgh-themed kids’ gifts.
Great souvenir ideas: mugs, magnets, city prints, and quirky Pittsburgh gifts.
5. Penguins, Pirates, and Pittsburgh Sports Memorabilia
As I mentioned, even if you don’t follow every sport, Pittsburgh’s team pride is hard to miss in the black and gold! Along with Steelers gear, you can find tons of Pittsburgh souvenirs for fans of the Penguins (NHL) and Pirates (MLB).
Hockey pucks, baseball caps, jerseys, and stadium collectibles make fun keepsakes, and since all of the teams wear the black and gold (or “black and yellow” as the chant goes), it is easy to pick out that it is from Pittsburgh.
When we were at the Penguins game, we opted for a few stadium collectables, including a game-used puck for the game we went to!
Photo Souvenirs from Pittsburgh
Photos of your trip make amazing souvenirs. I have found that I almost always end up behind the camera. More and more, when I travel (especially with my kids), I have looked for professional photographers whom I can book a photo session with and then not stress about getting great family memories! If you are like me and love photos, consider booking a Flytographer shoot! Flytographer has a database of local photographers who work with visitors in cities all over the world! It has made it so much easier to get epic photos on holiday!
The Best Pittsburgh Souvenirs Are the Ones With a Story
The best souvenirs aren’t the ones that collect dust. They are the ones that instantly bring back a memory. Whether you pack home a Terrible Towel, a box of Pittsburgh treats, or a piece of sports memorabilia, Pittsburgh makes it easy to bring a little of the city home with you.
FAQ
Pittsburgh is famous for its iconic skyline, historic steel industry, and strong sports culture. The city is known for its three rivers, hundreds of bridges, and neighborhoods like the Strip District and Mount Washington. Pittsburgh is also home to world-class museums, including the Andy Warhol Museum, and is beloved for its passionate fanbase supporting the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.
Pittsburgh is known for iconic comfort foods like the Primanti Bros. sandwich, pierogies, and Heinz ketchup.
You can buy souvenirs in Pittsburgh at popular shopping areas like the Strip District, Downtown Pittsburgh, and near major attractions such as PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium, and the Carnegie Museums. Even the Roberto Clemente museum has some unique merch. It is a pretty easy city to shop in as there are lots of stores all over town with souvenirs!
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.