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10 Reasons to Love Fall in Pittsburgh
Have the end-of-summer blues? The season of sun and surf may have ended on September 22, but that’s no reason to get down. The city of Pittsburgh has plenty to keep you busy. Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community residents can, of course, enjoy a nice stroll around campus when they want to take in the vivid colors of autumn, but when you want a fun fall day on the town, you have many options. Here are 10 of our favorite reasons to love fall in Pittsburgh:
- A giant duck?
A 40-foot rubber duck is currently floating in the Allegheny River, and you’d better catch him before he’s gone! A series of rubber duck sculptures have been floating in Amsterdam, Osaka, Sydney, Sao Paulo, and Hong Kong, and Pittsburgh became the first U.S. city to host the duck when it arrived last Friday! The duck was created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman and will remain at the Point until October 20. - Pumpkin patches.
Choosing a pumpkin to carve or display in your home is one of the most important decisions you make during the fall. One of the most talked-about pumpkin patches in the Pittsburgh area is Soregel Orchards in Wexford. Their Fall Festival takes place every weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from now until October 31. You won’t want to miss pumpkin painting, a cornstalk maze, hayrides, and more. Choose apples and pumpkins for all of your fun fall needs. It’s perfect for the entire family. Another local pumpkin patch is Trax Farms in Finleyville, Pa. - Rides on the Clipper.
When you have as many rivers to choose from as we do, it’s a shame to not enjoy them! The best way is to enjoy a cruise on the Gateway Clipper. Along with their regular sightseeing cruises, they have seasonal offerings for tourists and locals alike to enjoy! Throughout October, you can enjoy a Fall Foliage Cruise, a Halloween Whodunnit Cruise, a Halloween Fun Cruise, or a Haunted Halloween Dinner. Ticket prices and times vary. - Halloween at Phipps.
Phipps isn’t just a beautiful experience in the summer, it’s also a must-visit spot for fall. The fall Flower Show takes place from October 19 to November 10. The stars of the show are chrysanthemums in bright, seasonal colors, which have been featured in the Flower Show since 1893. From 4-8 p.m. on October 25, Phipps has Halloween Happenings for everyone! Kids in costumes are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of spooky fun with parents and grandparents. - Museums.
When the air gets chilly, it’s a great time to get indoors and enjoy some of Pittsburgh’s most interesting art and history sites. The Carnegie Museums, the Heinz History Center, the Mattress Factory, and the Andy Warhol Museum are some of the most popular options for a fall day filled with art and culture. - The scenery!
It’s no secret that Western Pennsylvania has some of the most beautiful foliage to view in the country. One of the best perks of calling Pittsburgh home is witnessing the transition from greens to browns, yellows, and reds! - The shows.
Autumn is the perfect time to catch a show in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. October’s shows include “Defending the Caveman,” “Ina Garten: The Barefoot Contessa,” “Our Town,” and “We Will Rock You,” a musical featuring music from Queen. - Pumpkin everything!
This might not be a regional perk, but we sure do love it, either way! From pumpkin coffee and pumpkin cookies to pumpkin soup and pumpkin gobs, everyone is seeing orange! Enjoy a delicious pumpkin soup at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen on the North Shore or fill up with a pumpkin bagel from Oakmont Bakery. The world might be going crazy for pumpkin, but Pittsburgh is making it a local specialty. - Phantom Fright Nights.
If you don’t scare easily, you might want to take a chance on Phantom Fright Nights at Kennywood Park. Phantom Fright Nights, which is celebrating its 10th year this season, takes place on Fridays and Saturdays through October 26 (Plus October 13), and includes some of Kennywood’s favorite rides, plus tricks and shrieks around every corner. This event is not recommended for children under 13. - The sports!
We are now in the midst of both hockey and football seasons in the City of Champions, but everyone is talking about the Pirates! Good luck to the Bucs in tonight’s National League wild-card game.
Working During Your Retirement
Your retirement dream can include anything you want it to – even you continuing to work once you’ve “punched the clock” for the last time.
According to careerbuilder.com, “Sixty percent of workers age 60 and older said they would look for a new job after retiring from their current company.” Many residents at Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community choose to continue working part time once they’ve settled in to retirement life, and their motivations differ.
Some retirees continue working because they enjoy having a supplemental income to help them and their spouse truly enjoy their “Golden years.” Others find that they find fulfillment in their life from having a job or career, and that isn’t something they would like to truly give up once they’ve reached retirement age.
Holding a job also means that you get a sense of teamwork and social interaction mixed with exciting daily challenges. And while we love the sense of community that our residents have told us they feel on campus, we understand that sometimes you need some social interaction on both the badminton court and in the boardroom.
Plus, technology today allows for more convenient work lifestyles, including jobs that allow you to telecommute.
And if you’re going to be a working retiree, we’ve got a great location to do so. Forbes.com included Pittsburgh in its list of great cities for a working retirement, citing our high job growth rate and low cost of living as pluses.
Retirement is about making the most of your time, so if you aren’t ready to hang up that suit and tie, don’t forget that there are still great job opportunities to be found past retirement age!
10 Reasons to Love Summertime in Pittsburgh
Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy your city. And luckily for our residents at Sherwood Oaks retirement community, we’ve got quite an exciting city to explore. In fact, in June, the “Best Cities To Retire In America List” named Pittsburgh the best metro area for Boomers to retire in.
This is partly because of the easy access to healthcare that comes with Pittsburgh’s top-quality healthcare systems, such as UPMC. However, the vast array of activities for retirees in close distance to Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community is another reason our residents are going to have plenty of fun in the sun this summer.
Here are the top 10 reasons we LOVE summertime in Pittsburgh:
- Free Summer Concerts – Pittsburgh has birthed musicians such as Dean Martin, Perry Como, and George Benson. We continue to keep the tradition of musical excellence going all summer long with free and low-cost concerts throughout the city. Visit Hartwood Acres for their summer concert series, featuring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and folk rock singer Rickie Lee Jones. Or grab lunch in Market Square downtown and take advantage of their free Lunchtime Concert Series, as well as other events throughout the summer.
- Phipps Conservatory – The Phipps Conservatory public gardens are perfect for those Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community residents with a green thumb, or just an appreciation for one. Seniors 62 and older can visit Phipps for just $14 and take in the beautiful array of flowers and plants all day long. From now until September 2, enjoy the featured Butterfly Forest.
- PNC Park – PNC Park has been referred to as one of the top ballparks in the country. And with the Pirates on a winning streak this summer, it’s a great time to pay a visit! With a wide variety of summertime food favorites and discounted tickets from Giant Eagle, you can spend a night at the ball game that will leave your stomach – and wallet – full.
- Culture – There is no denying the rich culture that Pittsburgh has to offer. This summer, pay a visit to one or many of Pittsburgh’s wonderful museums, including the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, the Andy Warhol Museum, the Heinz History Center, and the Fort Pitt Museum, just to name a few. Each of these museums have a senior citizen discount.
- The Pittsburgh Zoo – The Pittsburgh Zoo is a great place that our residents can enjoy with their children and grandchildren. Grandparents even get free admission on Grandparents’ day when accompanied by a grandchild! When visiting on a normal day, be sure to use your senior citizen discount and stop by to see the newborn baby tiger!
- The Strip District – If you’re looking for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, pastas, and more to whip up a great summer dish, look no further than the Strip District. For our residents who enjoy spending time in the kitchen, we recommend picking up ingredients at the shops and stands of the culturally eclectic Strip District. While you’re there you can also enjoy shopping for delicious foreign foods and souvenirs for friends and family that are uniquely Pittsburgh.
- Kennywood – Kennywood has been entertaining Pittsburgh residents since 1898. Since that time, their selection of rides for visitors of all ages, shows and entertainment, and food options have expanded immensely. Seniors 55+ can get a fun day pass for just $19.99. And July 11, 15, 30, and 31 are Kennywood’s Boomer Days, featuring a DJ playing oldies but goodies in Pavilion 1.
- The Duquesne Incline – The Duquesne Incline offers a breathtaking view of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington, with plenty of dining options near the lookout. It’s the perfect afternoon “staycation” for couples.
- Local Parks – Pittsburgh has plenty of beautiful city parks, great for enjoying some fresh air and getting in some exercise by biking or walking. Most parks offer events all summer long, so be sure to check out the Citiparks website for a full list.
- Cinema in the Park – One fantastic park offering is the Cinema in the Park series, with movies being shown throughout the city – for free!
While we offer only the best in living arrangements to our residents, we encourage them to get out of the house and enjoy all of the summertime activities that Pittsburgh has to offer. What are some local activities and attractions that YOU recommend?