Sometimes you don’t want the hassle of international travel. And America is, after all, a huge and diverse country with world-class cities. So, we’ve rounded up some of the most popular domestic direct flights from Pittsburgh for the American staycation you didn’t know you needed this year.
Try These Domestic Flights from Pittsburgh For Your Next Vacation
Atlanta, GA
Though the Atlanta airport is notoriously difficult to navigate, the city itself is full of culture that’s easy to find. Try the barbecue at one of the South’s hotspots for it—some of the best places for classic barbecue are Community Q, Heirloom Market BBQ, and Fox Bros Bar-B-Q. Atlanta also has rich history from the American Civil Rights Movement, highlighted at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Southwest and Delta both offer nonstop flights from Pittsburgh.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Get away from the cold with a visit to Fort Lauderdale, another popular direct domestic flight from Pittsburgh. There are twenty-four miles of amazing beaches, vibrant nightlife on Las Olas Boulevard, and natural wonders in the Everglades. Ft. Lauderdale has branded itself the “Venice of America,” and while that’s a pretty high bar, Venice is across an ocean and Ft. Lauderdale is just an $80, two-hour direct flight away on Spirit Airlines. There’s even a Primanti’s on the beach if you get homesick.
Nashville, TN
Now, Allegiant Airlines can take you to the United States’ country music mecca for only $88 from Pittsburgh. And it only takes an hour and forty-seven minutes—less time than driving to Cleveland! Nashville has a ton to do, from the tourist traps like the Grand Ole Opry to more lowkey hidden gem fine dining spots like Peninsula or Harper’s. Nashville is a great option for a group of friends looking to get out of the city on a budget.
Chicago, IL
Though The Bear is fictional, the city of Chicago is very much real. There’s something for everyone in Chicago. It has big museums like the Art Institute of Chicago and small but mighty galleries like Monique Meloche and Goldfinch. Try a shot of Malört, if you’re brave, and accompany it with an Italian beef sandwich—or have a Michelin-star meal at Alinea. For fans of Shameless, check out the Gallaghers’ real house on the South Side. You can fly there on American, United, or Southwest from Pittsburgh.
Denver, CO
Denver is one of the Southwest’s most underrated cities, with mouth-watering Latin American food at restaurants like El Noa Noa, a stellar art museum, and proximity to beautiful mountains and quaint small towns. Plus, the people are friendly and trendy neighborhoods like RiNo make for great nights out. The Denver Art Museum is a big draw, too. You can now fly there direct from Pittsburgh on Frontier, Southwest, or United.
Houston, TX
Though space travel movies popularized the statement “Houston, we have a problem,” a vacation to Houston will have you feeling worry-free. For space nerds, the NASA Space Center can take you out of this world. Houston is also home to cultural destinations like the famous Menil Collection, which houses much of artist Cy Twombly’s work. There’s also a huge amount of cuisine diversity, from Persian, Indian and fusion restaurants to Tex-Mex. Fly nonstop from Pittsburgh on Delta or Southwest.
New York, NY
What doesn’t New York have? We recommend flying into the newly renovated LaGuardia airport for easy access to the city without the rigamarole of JFK or Newark Airport being, well…in Newark. Once you’re there, the possibilities are endless. If you do fly into Queens, consider exploring the culinary diversity of Jackson Heights or the riverside beauty of Astoria, where you can enjoy some under-the-radar museums like the Noguchi and the Museum of the Moving Image. Fly from Pittsburgh on United, Delta, Spirit, and American.
Story by Emma Riva / Photo by Sachin Amjhad
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