STEEL AWAY
Unlikely US city is ranked among best places to visit in the WORLD despite being one of the ‘least happy’ places to live
The city has worked its way up to being a top travel destination
A SURPRISING city was named one of the best places to travel to despite previously being the second unhappiest city in the country.
The northeast city made a legendary travel guide publisher’s list of the best places to travel in the world in June.
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Lonely Planet recently named Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a top summer destination thanks to the city’s farmers markets and famous Three Rivers Arts Festival.
The publisher also promoted the city’s dynamic neighborhoods and cultural highlights.
Despite being a top travel destination for 2025, Pittsburgh used to be known as one of the “least happy” cities nationwide.
The metropolitan city has a population of over 303,000 people, according to the 2024 Census, and is home to 90 distinct neighborhoods.
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It used to be known as the US steel capital due to its abundant coal, iron ore, and other raw materials.
However, in the 1970s to the 1980s, many of the steel mills closed as the US began to import steel from other countries, PublicSource reported.
A Harvard and the University of British Columbia study named Pittsburgh the second unhappiest city in the United States, falling right behind New York City.
"Our research indicates that people care about more than happiness alone, so other factors may encourage them to stay in a city despite their unhappiness," co-author Joshua Gottlieb told local CBS affiliate KDKA.
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"This means that researchers and policy-makers should not consider an increase in reported happiness as an overriding objective."
The study, which was conducted in 2014, asked residents a simple question: “In general, how satisfied are you with your life?”
TUI resort next door to giant waterpark
Cities named as the happiest places to live included Charlottesville, Virginia; Rochester, Minnesota; and Lafayette, Louisiana.
The research’s findings suggested that those living in the unhappiest cities traded happiness for good work or lower housing costs.
However, in the 11 years since the study, Pittsburgh has worked its way up and no longer tops the list of unhappiest cities.
Visitors are welcome to explore the Andy Warhol Museum, watch a Pittsburgh Steelers game at Acrisure Stadium, or explore the city from the water on a Getaway Clipper River Tour.
The city hosts year-round events and markets at the Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh.
In a 2025 study done by WalletHub, Pittsburgh was named as the 61st happiest city in the country out of 182 cities studied.
Top things to do in Pittsburgh
- Watch the Pittsburgh Steelers play at Acrisure Stadium
- Visit the Andy Warhol Museum
- Explore the the Bicycle Heaven Museum
- Learn more at the Carnegie Science Center
- Ride the red and yellow cars of the Duquesne Incline
- Take a Gateway Clipper River Tour
- Shop at the Market Square
- Look at the animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Researchers compared the American cities based on emotional and physical well-being, income, and employment and community involvement.
The California cities of Fremont, San Jose, and Irvine all topped the happiest cities list, with Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Overland Park, Kansas, falling right behind them.
According to researchers, the happiest city isn’t necessarily the place where people make the most money.
"Research shows that having more money only increases your happiness until you're making at least $75,000 per year - anything more you earn likely won't have an impact," analyst Chip Lupo wrote on WalletHub's website.
"Therefore, when deciding where to live to maximize your happiness, you'll want to pick a city that offers more than just a decent average income.
“The ideal city provides conditions that foster good mental and physical health, like reasonable work hours, short commutes, good weather, and caring neighbors.”
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Virginia Beach was the 60th happiest city, beating Pittsburgh by one spot.
Warwick, Rhode Island, fell right behind the Pennsylvania city on WalletHub’s list.
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