Category Archives: things to do

Pittsburgh showed up for the NFL Draft — and so did everyone else

Pittsburgh had its moment on the national football stage, and the region delivered.

I spent most of Friday and Saturday in Downtown Pittsburgh and on the North Shore, taking in the NFL Draft events, walking around, talking with visitors and soaking up a weekend that felt equal parts football festival and Pittsburgh pride.

It was a blast.

I started both days in Moon, parking at the park-and-ride lot and taking Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Football Flyer into town. It was quick and easy. As a public transit fan, it was a great way to invite suburbanites and people who don’t think about public transit to experience a big event and skip the traffic, letting someone else handle the drive.

The bus rides became part of the experience. I met people from Ohio, Illinois, California, Washington state and New England. Some were staying in hotels around Moon, Robinson and the airport area. Others had driven in from Ohio for the day. There were Browns fans, Chargers fans, Bengals fans, Ravens fans (ugh) and, yes, even Eagles fans (boo!).

Terrible Towel display

That was one of the best parts of the weekend: Seeing so many different fan bases walking around Pittsburgh. Team jerseys, hats and shirts were everywhere — on the bus, Downtown, along the North Shore and even at the Sheetz in Moon. There is something funny and wonderful about walking into a Sheetz and seeing a mix of Steelers, Browns, Ravens, Vikings, Cowboys and Bengals gear all in one place.

That does not happen every day.

Steely McBeam

Downtown and the North Shore were packed with things to see and do. There were displays, fan experiences, photo opportunities (managed to get a selfie with Steely McBeam!) and plenty of reasons to stop every few feet and look around. The giant Terrible Towel display was a highlight. So were the Lombardi trophies, because let’s be honest, Pittsburgh knows a thing or six about those.

I also spotted NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and saw plenty of well-known Pittsburghers throughout the weekend.

Roger Goodell
NFL commissioner

One of my favorite moments was watching Montour High School graduate Michael Keaton present a draft pick. (You might know him as Batman.)

Michael Keaton

There were plenty of those moments.

I watched Pat McAfee host a kicking contest at Heinz Field — yes, I still call it Heinz Field — and got walked on the field. For any football fan, that is a pretty cool experience. For someone from Pittsburgh, it hits a little differently. You look around and think of all the games, all the players, all the memories and all the times that stadium has been part of the region’s story. (*hits play on “Renegade”*)

After the draft events, I spent some time walking around Downtown. I stopped into the Silly Goose gift shop, the second location of the store that started in Jim Thorpe, Pa. The owner has become well-known on social media among Pennsylvanians for his dry humor and fun personality, so it was nice to check out the Pittsburgh version in person.

Silly Goose on Wood Street in Pittsburgh

And, because no good Downtown outing is complete without a treat, I got ice cream from Millie’s.

What I loved most was not just the draft itself. It was seeing people experience Pittsburgh.

The NFL Draft gave us a chance to show off a little.

I hope the fans who came here had a great time. I hope they tell people back home that Pittsburgh was worth the trip. And more than anything, I hope they come back.

Because as fun as the draft was, it was only one weekend. There is so much more Pittsburgh waiting for them.

From Buzz to WALL-E: My personal Pixar movie-watching challenge

Like most Millennials I know, I love Pixar movies.

They’ve been a constant source of joy, inspiration and, yes, buckets of tears over the years.

There’s just something about the way Pixar captures emotions — the quiet beauty of relationships, the ache of loss, the thrill of adventure — that gets me every time.

Pixar movies don’t just tell stories; they make you feel them deep in your heart.

Take “Inside Out,” for example.

It’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling.

By personifying Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, Pixar doesn’t just explain emotions; it validates them.

Watching Riley navigate the complexities of growing up while learning to embrace all her feelings — not just the happy ones — is such a poignant reminder of the importance of emotional balance.

It’s impossible not to cry when Joy and Sadness work together to help Riley reconnect with her family.

Then there’s “Up,” a movie that delivers one of the most heart-wrenching love stories ever told in just its first ten minutes.

The montage of Carl and Ellie’s life together is a bittersweet testament to love, loss and the enduring power of memory.

By the time Carl ties those balloons to his house and sets off on his adventure, you’re already so emotionally invested that the rest of the movie feels like a healing journey.

And then there’s “Finding Nemo.”

It’s not just a thrilling underwater adventure; it’s also a deeply emotional tale of love and the struggle to let go.

Marlin’s fear and overprotectiveness resonate with anyone who’s ever loved someone so much it hurts, and his journey to trust Nemo’s capabilities is as inspiring as it is touching.

Pixar has an uncanny ability to tackle complex themes in ways that feel accessible and authentic.

Whether it’s the existential questions raised in “Soul” or the celebration of family and legacy in “Coco,” these films have a way of making you think about life and relationships in new and meaningful ways.

Even “The Good Dinosaur,” often overlooked in the Pixar lineup, captures the raw emotion of fear, courage and finding your place in the world.

And let’s talk about “Toy Story 3.” That movie absolutely destroyed me (in the best way). The scene where Andy hands over his toys to Bonnie is one of the most poignant goodbyes ever put to screen.

It’s not just about saying farewell to childhood; it’s about embracing change and finding joy in new beginnings.

Pixar understands that life’s most meaningful moments are often bittersweet, and they’re not afraid to show it.

(And do not even talk to me about the conveyor belt scene!)

This love for Pixar movies hit me even harder after visiting “The Science Behind Pixar” exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center.

Seeing how much thought, effort and creativity goes into every tiny detail of these films blew me away.

From animating lifelike movements to designing entire worlds from scratch, it’s clear that every frame of a Pixar movie is crafted with so much care and love. It’s no wonder their movies resonate so deeply.

Walking through the exhibit, interacting with the displays and geeking out over photo ops with Buzz Lightyear, Sulley and Dory reminded me just how special Pixar is.

It reignited my passion for their storytelling and gave me an itch to revisit every single one of their films.

So, I decided to do just that. Over the next few months, I’m embarking on a journey to watch all the Pixar movies in series order, while also grouping them thematically.

It’s going to be a beautiful nostalgia trip.

Here’s my Pixar rewatch schedule:

Week 1: January 6–12

Theme: Pixar Beginnings

  1. Toy Story (1995)
  2. A Bug’s Life (1998)
  3. Toy Story 2 (1999)

Week 2: January 13–19

Theme: Monsters and Friends
4. Monsters Inc. (2001)
5. Monsters University (2013)
6. Finding Nemo (2003)

Week 3: January 20–26

Theme: Family Adventures
7. Finding Dory (2016)
8. The Incredibles (2004)
9. Incredibles 2 (2018)

Week 4: January 27–February 2

Theme: Racing and Resilience
10. Cars (2006)
11. Cars 2 (2011)
12. Cars 3 (2017)

Week 5: February 3–9

Theme: Creativity and Self-Discovery
13. Ratatouille (2007)
14. Brave (2012)
15. Onward (2020)

Week 6: February 10–16

Theme: Emotional Journeys
16. Inside Out (2015)
17. Soul (2020)
18. Elemental (2023)

Week 7: February 17–23

Theme: Space and Sci-Fi Adventures
19. WALL-E (2008)
20. Lightyear (2022)

Week 8: February 24–March 1

Theme: Cultural Celebrations
21. Coco (2017)
22. Luca (2021)

Week 9: March 2–8

Theme: Toy Story Finale
23. Toy Story 3 (2010)
24. Toy Story 4 (2019)

Week 10: March 9–15

Theme: Wrapping Up Pixar
25. The Good Dinosaur (2015)
26. Turning Red (2022)

This schedule lets me relive Pixar’s magic in an organized, intentional way. From the beginnings of Woody and Buzz’s friendship to the emotional depth of “Soul” and “Inside Out,” I’m excited to experience these stories all over again.

If you’re a Pixar fan too, I can’t recommend “The Science Behind Pixar” exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center enough. Read more about the exhibit, which closes Jan. 26, here.

It’s the perfect way to dive deeper into the art and science behind these beloved films and to fall even more in love with the characters and stories we’ve cherished for decades.

The Science Behind Pixar: A journey into animation at Carnegie Science Center

If you’ve ever wondered how Pixar creates its iconic animated films, the answers await you at “The Science Behind Pixar,” an immersive exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center.

After experiencing this immersive, hands-on journey myself, I can confidently say this exhibit is a must-see for fans of animation, science and storytelling alike.

Opened in May 2024 and extended through Jan. 26, the two-story, 12,000-square-foot exhibition transforms the PPG Science Pavilion into “PIXARburgh,” drawing visitors of all ages to dive into the fascinating intersection of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) that fuels Pixar’s creative magic.

A behind-the-scenes look at Pixar’s movie-making process

From the moment you step into “The Science Behind Pixar,” you’re invited to explore the complex world of animation.

The exhibit features more than 50 hands-on activities that break down the intricate steps Pixar takes to bring beloved films like “Toy Story,” “Monsters Inc.” and “Finding Nemo” to life.

At various interactive stations, you can:

  • Design a robot friend for WALL-E by using magnetic body parts to experiment with how minor changes can impact storytelling.
  • Adjust lighting on a set from “Up” to see how color and brightness can create entirely different moods.
  • Control cameras on a large recreation of a set from “A Bug’s Life” to understand how perspective shapes the storytelling process.

These experiences provide a deeper appreciation for the technological brilliance and artistic creativity that go into Pixar’s films.

Selfies with your Pixar pals

The exhibit also delivers unforgettable photo moments with life-size recreations of fan-favorite characters. Snap selfies with Buzz Lightyear, Sulley, Mike, Dory, Nemo and WALL-E. These vibrant displays are perfect for Pixar fans of all ages and make for incredible keepsakes.

STEM meets storytelling

Pixar’s magic lies in its ability to merge science and creativity, and this exhibit captures that fusion perfectly.

“As Pittsburgh’s most-visited museum, the Science Center strives to connect visitors of all ages with science that ignites curiosity that endures for a lifetime,” Carnegie Science Center Director Jason Brown said in a news release.

Why you should go

Whether you’re a long-time Pixar fan, a STEM enthusiast or simply curious about how animated movies are made, “The Science Behind Pixar” offers something for everyone. It’s an eye-opening, hands-on exploration of the meticulous processes behind the films that have touched our hearts for decades.

Its run was extended for a few more weeks! Don’t miss your chance to explore this one-of-a-kind exhibit before it closes on Jan. 26.