I'm thinking about spending a couple of days in Pittsburgh in March. Is there a nice, affordable place to stay in downtown? Also, what's the easiest way to Fallingwater from downtown Pittsburgh? Finally, can anybody tell me where the Shadyside neighborhood is?

I was told recently that Fallingwater is open on weekends only in March. You should check this before planing to drive there. Nearby is Kentuck Knob, also by Frank Lloyd Wright - worth the trip !

1st:CALL Fallingwater and DO make a reservation to get in..724-329-8501 from8:30 to 4:30 daily..weekends March 1-2 and 8-9 and starting March18(Tuesday) everyday..$12 weekdays/15 weekends and an indepth tour $40/50---take turnpike(I-76) to Donegal(exit9)..turn left onto rt#31 east,go 2 miles,turn right onto rt#381south,follow 381 south for 19 miles to Fallingwater..about a 1-1/12 from dowtown PGH..what is inexpensive to you?..hotels downtown will be over $100...ck orbitz.com maybe can find a good price..if you have AAA or know someone who does they have a good PGH area and different sections of town map..Shadyside is a section on the otherside of Oakland(PITT/Carnegie Mellon,etc) try Oakland for resonable rates (Holiday Inn etc) or do a search on the web for the whole PGH area...try pittsburgh.com for some good info and do a fodor search here..hope this helps..

Hi Design:

I live 20 miles west of Pittsburgh but have ventured out many times to the Laurel Highlands. I wouldn't stay in Pittsburgh as it is about 60 miles each way from Fallingwater. On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, just off the Donegal exit, I believe there is a Days Inn chain, and a Mom and Pop motel there. If I were you I would stay there and then you would only have a 10-20 miles drive at the most, to travel to get to Fallingwater. Fallingwater is not so far from Ohiopyle. The way our hiking group use to get to Ohiopyle is to take the Parkway East until you hit Monroeville and then take the Pennsylvania Turnpike for like 40 minutes and then we would get off the Donegal exit and then make a left and go down the country road. Then a few miles down you have to make a right off this road. Ask the Turnpike ticket taker for directions.

Fallingwater has two basic tours for the public. One is the standard one, mentioned above, whi runs at regular times throughout the day.

The other tour is an in-depth one. It's only given once daily. It departs about 8:30, allowing the group to see the house comfortably, without overlapping with other groups (as is the case with the standard tour.) The deluxe one, as it wer, also allows photography inside the property--something that's not allowed on the standard one. My recollection is the cost (today) is about $40 each. We did it a few years ago, and thought it was well-worth it.

the week-day tour is $40 and weekend $50...I meant to say the tours start daily on March 18(weekends before)..and take the Parkway(376) east towards Monroeville to hit the turnpike..I don`t know where you are coming from so I won`t give motel advice ..could go to FW b4 PGH or on your way home and not make a back and forth trip..7 Springs(.com) is not too far(ski area resort)..and might be a good over night respite..

Thanks all! I'm coming from Cleveland. I have yet to decide where I'll stay, but my focus is on Pitt, so I'll most likely stay somewhere there. By the way, affordable to me is under $70.

I probably won't do the intensive tour of Fallingwater, so is the regular tour worth it?

The regular tour of Fallingwater is great. It is a wonderful house and setting !I admire the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, but it is very special and unique place in any case.

Thanks, jenny, we'll see how it goes!

try the Best Western on the Blvd. of the Allies...by Oakland (Uof Pitt)..if no good prices there try orbitz or expedia...

thanks help, you've lived up to your name!