Your Daily Guide

Pittsburgh Breaks Draft Attendance Record

The City of Champions wins again! NFL officials say a whopping 805,000 fans attended the draft over three days, beating the record of 775,000 set in Detroit in 2024. Pittsburgh also set a record for Day 1 attendance, when 320,000 people turned out for the spectacle. [🔒 The Athletic]

• Despite the crowds, many local small businesses said their sales were "lower than ever." [🔒 Post-Gazette]

What's Next for Downtown?

Local leaders hustled to fix sidewalks, fill storefronts, and revamp public spaces ahead of the NFL Draft. What's in store for the Golden Triangle now that the party's over? Jeremy Waldrup with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership shares his vision and why he'd like to regularly host the draft rather than court a Super Bowl. [City Cast Pittsburgh]

Pens Hang On in Playoffs

The Penguins return home to PPG Paints Arena tonight for Game 5 against the Flyers, after scoring their first playoff victory over the weekend. Their odds of winning the series are pretty low, but maybe they can ride the city's celebratory, post-draft vibes and pull off the near-impossible? [KDKA]

• If they lose, it’ll probably be franchise favorite Evgeni Malkin’s last game. [🔒 The Athletic]

Treasurer Blocks $1M Payment for Shapiro Security Upgrades

PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity won't approve payment for security upgrades to Gov. Shapiro's private home. State police recommended the upgrades after an arson attack at the governor's mansion on the first night of Passover last year. Garrity, a Republican who's expected to challenge Shapiro in the governor's race this fall, says the decision isn't political. His office called the move a "shameful political action without legal basis." [Spotlight PA]

We made it through the NFL Draft! Depending on your level of football fandom and tolerance for large crowds, you may be sad the party's over or relieved to move on.

Either way, you should get yourself Downtown to take advantage of the post-draft glow. Here are a few of our recommended ways to enjoy the Golden Triangle this spring:

🛼 Roller Skate Through Market Square

Sure, the ice skating rink at PPG Place is iconic, but wouldn't it be nice to skate in the shadow of skyscrapers when it's warm and sunny? The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is putting a roller skating rink in Market Square from May 7-25. Lace up and glide through the newly-renovated space.

• Shaky on wheels? Try yoga in the square instead. Free classes take place every Sunday and Tuesday, starting May 12.

👟 Celebrate the Pittsburgh Marathon

Check out the expo Friday and Saturday at the convention center and prepare to lace up! Even if you aren’t running Saturday or Sunday, you can hang out by the finish line near Point State Park and cheer people on. Then grab a post-race meal or drink in the neighborhood. (Shouting words of encouragement and dramatically waving signs counts as a workout, too!) Make sure to stop by the Pittsburgh Pub, a pop-up bar in Market Square that was built for the NFL Draft but is sticking around through Marathon weekend.

🛍️ Check Out New Pop-Up Businesses

Eighteen new businesses opened Downtown ahead of the NFL Draft as part of a long-standing program to fill empty storefronts. So enjoy them! Find a funky gift at The Silly Goose, a novelty shop that sells everything from s'mores earrings to pasta-shaped oven mitts. Get a drink at Black Brewhouse, a new tasting room serving beer, spirits, cocktails and N/A drinks from Black producers throughout the state. There are so many great spots to check out — and if they're successful, they could stick around the neighborhood for years to come.

🥕 Browse the Downtown Farmers Market

Starting May 14, you can swing by Market Square every Thursday to find local produce and small-batch food. There's nothing like strolling around the space while snacking on a fresh plum or piece of fudge, and it'll be made all the sweeter this year now that Market Square is more shaded and walkable.