The US city of Pittsburgh is lively, attractive, down to earth and full of interesting architecture, elegant museums and entertainment.

Pittsburgh lies on the forks of the Ohio River, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet, and has a population of around 325,000. Nicknamed 'The Steel City', it has moved into technology in recent years and now houses extensive robotics and biotechnology development facilities, world class medical centres and the headquarters of non-profit organisations.

Originally settled by French immigrants, the British army established a fort, named after statesman William Pitt the Elder, in the area now known as downtown Pittsburgh. The town officially became part of Pennsylvania in 1780 and was the centre of the Whiskey Rebellion after the Revolutionary War. Pittsburgh's wealth has been built on iron and steel production and it has attracted thousands of immigrants over the centuries.

With modern skyscrapers and some impressive19th and 20th century architecture, Pittsburgh is a pleasant city to walk around and its inhabitants are fiercely proud of it. Situated on a series of river valleys, its is also one of the steepest cities in the United States.

Pittsburgh has a lively arts scene and a host of wonderful museums and art galleries, including the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museum of Art, with its extensive impressionist collection, the Heinz Architectural Center and the ArtGardens of Pittsburgh.

The world-class Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs at the excellent Heinz Hall, while the River City Brass Band, one of just two professional brass bands in the world, and the semi-professional Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh also put on regular performances.

Those interested in theatre can attend productions by four resident companies at the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University and the best of the museums are the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, with an exceptional Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, the Carnegie Science Center, the Cathedral of Learning and the National Aviary.

Pittsburgh has some very attractive green spaces, including the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which features Victorian-style greenhouses and a large collection of plants. The neogothic Calvary Methodist church on the North Shore, built in 1895, has a series of exquisite stained glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, while just outside the city is Frank Lloyd Wright's residential masterpiece Fallingwater.

For active tourists, there are a number of good golf clubs in and around Pittsburgh and Kennywood Park is thought to have one of the best collections of functional rollercoasters in the world. Those interested in spectator sports can attend games by Pittsburgh Steelers Football team, Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball team, Pittsburgh Xplosion Basketball and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer team.

The downtown shopping district has some quirky shops and boutiques, as well as some larger malls and chain stores. Pittsburgh also has an array of interesting restaurants and diners, serving some delicious dishes from around the world and the city has a busy night scene, with hoards of live music venues, bars and nightclubs.

Pittsburgh is easy to travel around in summer, with trams, taxis, buses, cars, cable cars and bicycles, though the cold winter months make the hilly city harder to navigate. A number of airlines fly directly to the city and accommodation is plentiful, clean and keenly priced.