Professional companies include the world renowned Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet, the Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theatre and the City Theater Company, in addition to touring national companies of Broadway and off-Broadway productions. The Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park College is a landmark, presenting more than 15 productions a year in dance and theatre. The variety of outdoor activities which are available throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania includes boating, whitewater rafting, woodland biking, hiking, golf, tennis and skiing, to name but a few. A bike trail fashioned along old railroad lines connecting Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. has been developed through the 'Rails To Trails' program by community leaders and local, state, and federal governments. Festivals are an integral part of city life.
Professional sports are a major part of the entertainment scene.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, the city's National Hockey League team, has won several Stanley Cups. Ethnic and Religious Heritage Pittsburgh has been a culturally diverse city since its origin in the 1700's. Its earliest settlers were French, English, and Scottish, and the population grew over the next two centuries to include more than 25 ethnic groups. With more than five dozen distinct neighborhoods, Pittsburgh has been called the biggest small town in America. Each year, communities hold a variety of ethnic festivals celebrating these different cultures and their many contributions to Western Pennsylvania.