Pittsburgh's Secret Stairways
If your summer bucket list involves exploring more of Pittsburgh, consider making a visit to a set of our city steps, aka our first form of mass transit. Pittsburgh has the most public staircases in the U.S., but cataloging and preserving them is a relatively new priority. We're revisiting our conversation (and city step tour!) with the three authors of City Steps of Pittsburgh: A History & Guide, who share the history of these public gems and tips for scouting them for yourself.
Thanks to Laura Zurowski, Matthew Jacob, and Charles Succop for taking us on a field trip to the Basin Street city steps!
**This episode originally aired on July 16, 2025.
Learn more about the sponsors of this Wednesday, June 3rd episode:
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust - TRAF
Become a member of City Cast Pittsburgh at membership.citycast.fm.
Want more Pittsburgh news?
- Sign up for our daily morning newsletter.
- We’re on Instagram @CityCastPgh.
- Text or leave us a voicemail at 412-212-8893.
Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info here.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Stay connected to City Cast Pittsburgh and get ready to join the local conversation.
Latest Episodes
Your Guide to August 2026 in Pittsburgh
Whether you want to board a pontoon boat, catch free live music in the park, or follow up a round of mini golf with an ice cream sandwich...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: How One City Beat Restrictive Zoning — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Do you know how zoning laws affect Pittsburgh’s housing costs? New Haven, CT, has been governed for years by restrictive zoning that made...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: The Trick to Getting People To Volunteer — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
It’s not a given that every Pittsburgher will chip in to help their community. In this episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with writ...
Paid Leave, Doxxing & Teen Curfew Lawsuit
Allegheny County's paid parental leave proposal has sparked tons of debate, and now the conversation has veered somewhere darker. Host Me...
Rick Sebak on Hot Dog Doc, Pittsburgh Rites of Passage & Warhol's Burial Place
Beloved documentarian Rick Sebak has spent 50 years in public broadcasting, and WQED is celebrating with a Summer of Sebak marathon. (We'...
A Controversial Plan To Fund Downtown
Downtown Pittsburgh has seen a lot of investment lately, from a revamped Market Square to the newly built Arts Landing. Now City Council'...
Storms, Smoke & What To Do This Week
Pittsburgh's weather has been on a tear. After days of wildfire smoke, forecasters are warning that severe storms could bring damaging wi...
5 Things Worth the Money in Pittsburgh
Everyone on social media is sharing the five things they think are worth the money, and we're hopping on the trend! Producer (and treatma...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Why Are Chattanoogans ‘Doing It Their Damn Selves’? — Presented By City Cast Pittsburgh
Sometimes it can feel like the Pittsburgh government is two (or more) steps behind the needs of its neighborhoods. Enter the residents of...
Exploding Bridge, Explosive Poops & Pittsburgh's Newest Pool
It's been an explosive week for Pittsburgh. Executive producer Mallory Falk, producer Sophia Lo, and contributor and City Paper managing...