Pittsburgh-first timer, what to see and do?
Feb 23rd, 2007, 06:42 AM
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Pittsburgh-first timer, what to see and do?
Hello and planning a trip to Falling Water and Pittsburgh PA in May. Never been to this area before (from NJ). Any suggestions on what to see and do in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas? Any great restaurants for lunch and dinner? Nicest hotel to stay in Pittsburgh?
THANKS!
THANKS!
Feb 23rd, 2007, 07:03 AM
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~Ride the Duquesne Incline
~Dine at a nice restaurant on Mt. Washington (Le' Mont Restaurant)
~Stroll the South Side
~Stroll the Strip District
~Shop and dine at Station Square (old train station)
~Visit the zoo
~Carnegie Museum
As far as hotels:
Omni William Penn Hotel
Sheraton (located at Station Square)
Everyone who goes to Pittsburgh has to try a Primanti Brothers Sandwich:
http://www.primantibros.com/
A great place for wings ... a bit north of Pittsburgh is Quaker Steak and Lube; http://www.quakersteakandlube.com/
There are tons of great places to eat ... nice and casual.
Have a great trip!
~Dine at a nice restaurant on Mt. Washington (Le' Mont Restaurant)
~Stroll the South Side
~Stroll the Strip District
~Shop and dine at Station Square (old train station)
~Visit the zoo
~Carnegie Museum
As far as hotels:
Omni William Penn Hotel
Sheraton (located at Station Square)
Everyone who goes to Pittsburgh has to try a Primanti Brothers Sandwich:
http://www.primantibros.com/
A great place for wings ... a bit north of Pittsburgh is Quaker Steak and Lube; http://www.quakersteakandlube.com/
There are tons of great places to eat ... nice and casual.
Have a great trip!
Feb 23rd, 2007, 07:13 AM
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Pittsburgh has a pretty good live theatre scene as well. If you're so inclined (DISCLOSURE: I used to work with City Theatre Company in Pgh back in the day).
When I go to Pittsburgh I stay at the downtown Renaissance. Lovely older hotel with a great lobby bar (but avoid the fussy, overworked food at the hotel's restaurant).
Primanti's sandwiches are nasty greasebombs whose sole novelty are the fries piled onto them (mini-rant: Whose idea was it to put fries in SALADS too?! This is common in western PA and West Virginia). However, you have to try them once; nasty greasebombs or not, they're pretty tasty. Bring your Tums.
The South Side does have a good assortment of watering holes and casual eateries, so it's worth a spin just to check it out. Station Square has a fine restaurant as well: the Grand Concourse.
Along with the Carnegie, the Andy Warhol Museum is well worth a visit.
If you have time to check out the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh (my alma mater), it's a grand old Gothic skyscraper.
When I go to Pittsburgh I stay at the downtown Renaissance. Lovely older hotel with a great lobby bar (but avoid the fussy, overworked food at the hotel's restaurant).
Primanti's sandwiches are nasty greasebombs whose sole novelty are the fries piled onto them (mini-rant: Whose idea was it to put fries in SALADS too?! This is common in western PA and West Virginia). However, you have to try them once; nasty greasebombs or not, they're pretty tasty. Bring your Tums.
The South Side does have a good assortment of watering holes and casual eateries, so it's worth a spin just to check it out. Station Square has a fine restaurant as well: the Grand Concourse.
Along with the Carnegie, the Andy Warhol Museum is well worth a visit.
If you have time to check out the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh (my alma mater), it's a grand old Gothic skyscraper.
Mar 6th, 2007, 11:25 AM
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We live in Pgh. and one of favorite places to visit (and hike) is Ohiopyle State Park located not far from Fallingwater. After viewing the impressive falls, take the Fern Loop trail and watch the white water rafters. PS..Skip the Primati Brothers sandwiches. I have never understood the attraction.
Mar 7th, 2007, 08:09 AM
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I don't think Heinz still has factory tours, but here are some links you might like: http://factorytoursusa.com/Index.asp
and
http://www.visitpa.com/factorytours/assembly/index.jsp
Also, if you are going to Fallingwater, might I suggest another FLW home, Kentuck Knob, which is only a few miles away and when I last visited did not require a reservation, while Fallingwater did require reservations at that time.
http://www.kentuckknob.com/
Are you baseball fans? Watching a game at the new PNC Park is a great way to spend an afternoon http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pi...park/index.jsp
and
http://www.visitpa.com/factorytours/assembly/index.jsp
Also, if you are going to Fallingwater, might I suggest another FLW home, Kentuck Knob, which is only a few miles away and when I last visited did not require a reservation, while Fallingwater did require reservations at that time.
http://www.kentuckknob.com/
Are you baseball fans? Watching a game at the new PNC Park is a great way to spend an afternoon http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/pi...park/index.jsp
Mar 7th, 2007, 10:43 AM
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We are taking the same trip April 12. We will be in Pittsburgh 4 nights, with a trip to Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob planned. I will write a report when we return so that you can get some ideas from our activities.
Mar 10th, 2007, 09:16 AM
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The Heinz History Center is very interesting, and is at the beginning of the Strip District(outdoor market/shops/ dining). Great way to spend a Saturday. The Church Brew Works is great for Lunch or dinner. It's a renovated Catholic Church in Lawrenceville. Very good beer and food.
Mar 18th, 2007, 03:10 PM
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The inclines (there are two) are pretty fun for a first trip. I highly recommend Phipps Conservatory. Stay away from the Primanti Bros. sanwiches. They're a deli sandwich with french fries and cole slaw on the sandwich and they must be an acquired taste, because most people find them pretty disgusting. I don't recommend LeMont restaurant. Its okay, but overpriced and there are much better restaurants. My favorite is Mallorca on Carson Street. The Renaissance Hotel is really beautiful and you can usually get pretty good special rates. The Strip District is really fun, go on Saturday. Get a fish sandwich for lunch at Wholey Bros. Parking can get a little hairy if you try to get a free spot. Beware of some of the pay lots. Some will price gouge when there's an event going on. Oh, try to go to Ritter's Diner on Baum Boulevard, in Shadyside (sort of).
Mar 18th, 2007, 05:52 PM
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Pittsburgh's neat. It's a few years old, but I've got an album, down at the bottom, at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall
I believe we stayed in the Hilton. It directly faced Point State Park, and the river confluence...very nifty!
I believe we stayed in the Hilton. It directly faced Point State Park, and the river confluence...very nifty!
Mar 18th, 2007, 06:35 PM
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I love the Carnegie Science Museum (with or without kids), different from the Carnegie Art Museum. I think I read somewhere that there are some nice bed and breakfasts on the South Side. Shadyside (right beyond Pitt and CMU) used to be a nice place to visit. I vote for Primantis!
Mar 18th, 2007, 07:18 PM
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Do a search here for 'Pittsburg.' There was a very good thread some time ago about churches in the area with renowned stained glass windows, some of them Tiffany. That is where I will research when I finally get my act together and decide to drive over there.
Apr 11th, 2007, 03:08 AM
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The Heinz factory used to have free tours years ago. Then the government stepped in, and because of regulations, etc. Heinz had to stop. They used to show a movie on making ketchup--from tomato to bottle. 
Then you would take the tour (watch them make soup, etc.), sample some of their products, then leave wearing a pickle pin they would pass out. Taking the Heinz tour was great fun--when I was a kid my family always took visitors there. I now live in San Diego, but I've read that the Heinz factory is gone, and that the building is now condos!!! 
There is a Heinz 57 exhibit at The John Heinz History Center. The center is interesting and fun--full of history of the area--well worth a visit. It's in the Strip District.
Then you would take the tour (watch them make soup, etc.), sample some of their products, then leave wearing a pickle pin they would pass out. Taking the Heinz tour was great fun--when I was a kid my family always took visitors there. I now live in San Diego, but I've read that the Heinz factory is gone, and that the building is now condos!!! There is a Heinz 57 exhibit at The John Heinz History Center. The center is interesting and fun--full of history of the area--well worth a visit. It's in the Strip District.
Apr 11th, 2007, 06:33 AM
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I also recommend Phipps Conservatory. There will be a Chihuly exhibit at Phipps beginning sometime in May.
In fact, if you are interested in glass art, Pittsburgh is doing up the glass art scene this year with nice looking exhibits scheduled for the Carnegie Museum of Art and Pittsburgh Glass Center.
www.pittsburghcelebrates.org/
In fact, if you are interested in glass art, Pittsburgh is doing up the glass art scene this year with nice looking exhibits scheduled for the Carnegie Museum of Art and Pittsburgh Glass Center.
www.pittsburghcelebrates.org/
