Note: In the Pop Traveler, Pop Candy readers name their city's top pop-culture hot spots/events. Wanna write about your town? Holler at popcandy@usatoday.com.



By Dennis Skrzycki, Special Correspondent for Pop Candy



I'm never surprised when Pittsburgh garners national attention by being ranked "Most Livable City" (multiple times) or the "In" city for 2012.

What I wonder is what non-residents think of the "'Steel City" when they see it at the top, considering it was often on the opposite end of these same lists as little as a decade ago.

Pittsburgh's reputation as hard-nosed blue-collar sports town is well-known, but there's so much more that makes Pittsburgh grand:

1. Bridges, bridges and more bridges -- Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city in the world. While numbers vary, research seems to agree that there are more than 700 of them in the area. Regardless of the material, each has its own unique charm and character. Look closely at some of the larger ones that span our three rivers, and you'll see expert craftsmanship of the dedicated iron workers upon which this city got its "Steel City" nickname.

2. Andy Warhol and the Andy Warhol Museum -- Travel across any of the bridges that spans the Allegheny River and you'll find yourself on the north side of town, where you can take in a ballgame or see a concert at Stage AE. However, if you wander across the Andy Warhol Bridge (named after the Pittsburgh-born artist), you'll wind up at the Andy Warhol Museum.

The Warhol houses more than 8,000 of his works. If you're truly a die-hard fan, venture out to the suburbs and swing by St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery. There you'll find Warhol's final resting place often aptly ornamented with Campbell's soup cans.

3. The annual Anthrocon -- Lions, tigers and bears -- oh, my! I'm not referring to the Pittsburgh Zoo but rather the people who feel comfortable enough to dress as their favorite animal characters roaming the streets for Anthrocon.

The annual gathering attracts thousands to Pittsburgh each year. If you plan on visiting Pittsburgh during the convention, chances of finding a hotel are slim, but odds are good that you'll see someone dressed as your favorite cartoon animal walking about.

4. Films on location -- There have been so many movies filmed here over the years that it would be hard to name them all. Flashdance used the city as the backdrop. Zombies roamed free here during filming of Night of the Living Dead. Tom Cruise was here in the '80s for All the Right Moves and again just a few months ago, filming One Shot.

While the list of movies filmed here is plentiful, none can compare with the popularity of The Dark Knight Rises: the Batmobile driving down city streets, Catwoman prowling around in her catsuit, "snow"-covered sidewalks in the heat of summer and countless amounts of CGI effects transformed Pittsburgh into Gotham City. Although street closures made it virtually impossible to get around, I can't seem to recall anyone complaining all that much.

5. Kennywood Park -- If you've seen Adventureland, you've seen Kennywood Park. Opened back in the early 1900s and dubbed "the roller coaster capital of the world," Kennywood is home to some of the world's oldest wooden coasters in operation.

One of my favorites is the Jack Rabbit. It has a double dip that, if you pick a seat near the back, gives you some pretty sweet air time. Enjoy the rides, but don't forget to try Potato Patch Fries or the square ice cream cone while you're there.

6. Forbes Field Wall -- Forbes Field was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1909 through 1970. The park was demolished a year later. Left behind was a section of the original wall to preserve a piece of history. Despite the ongoing failures of Pittsburgh's current baseball team, baseball fans are able to step back in time when they visit the wall located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh.

The field was the site of the first live radio broadcast baseball game, Babe Ruth's last home run was hit there and, up until recently, it was the site of the only home run to end a World Series.

7. Mr. Rogers -- I grew up watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. He would put on that sweater, tie his sneakers and ask us to be his neighbor.

It just so happens if you live in Pittsburgh, you really were his neighbor. Fred Rogers lived here and filmed his famous children's program locally at WQED until it ended in 2001. While not born here, his lasting impression was forever memorialized when a statue of him was erected along the banks of the Allegheny River. However, my favorite tribute to Mr. Rogers is in the form of a dinosaur statue named "Fredosauraus Rex Friday XIII" that sits just outside of the PBS station where the show was filmed.

8. Primianti Bros. -- Take lots of meat and cheese, a few slices of tomato, homemade vinegar coleslaw and top it with a heaping handful of fresh cut fries. Position ALL of it between two pieces of thick sliced locally baked Italian bread. This creation is 1,000 calories of deliciousness known as the Primanti Bros. sandwich.

A must-try for anyone who visits, the sandwich has been honored by the James Beard Foundation as an American classic, devoured by Adam Richman on Travel Channel's Man vs. Food and recently named "Manliest Sandwich" by Men's Health magazine. There are multiple Primanti Bros. restaurants, but to get the full experience, stop by the original restaurant in Pittsburgh's Strip District.

9. Reality TV -- Pittsburgh has been a fixture in the reality TV game since almost day one. Pittsburgh native Jenna Morasca won Survivor back in '03. Another local, Amber Brkich, has won. America's Got Talent featured Jackie Evancho, a fifth-grade opera singer. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward took home the trophy during his stint on Dancing With the Stars.

My personal connection with Pittsburgh reality TV came just a few weeks ago when my wife and kids were asked to be extras on Lifetime's Dance Moms, which is filmed here. I've yet to see the episode air, but my DVR is ready to catch my five minutes of fame.

10. Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller -- Let's be honest, Pittsburgh will never top New York or L.A. in the rap game. But it is on the map as home to two of hip-hop's biggest stars, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller.

Both rappers make their hometown known by allowing the city to shine through their lyrics. Wiz's videos feature many scenes of Pittsburgh skyline, while Miller likes to pay homage to some of the lesser-known landmarks, such as Frick Park's blue playground slide. These two locals have made rap fun for me again.

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