Lots of ??s from accommodations to activities...

Hi ~ I lived in Pittsburgh many years ago (now in NJ) and suddenly have about a week with nothing to do. I had planned to go sailing for about 4 days, but friends are encouraging me to visit.

If I spent my time in PGH, here are the places I%26#39;d like to go and where I%26#39;d be spending time. Any help/suggestions, please, please, give me what you%26#39;ve got.

Okay ~ I%26#39;m (sort of) celebrating my 40th with some Pgh sorority sisters. But, I%26#39;m traveling and staying alone. So, I%26#39;m looking for a good place to stay. I%26#39;d be all over the map, so I%26#39;m not sure where to look. My friends are all over, but go out in the evenings in Shadyside, the South Side and who knows where else these days. I%26#39;ll also be spending time in the North Hills and going to the Police concert. A place with a pool is a huge bonus.

I%26#39;d like to still be able to sail a little. Is there anywhere I can rent just a small sunfish-type sailboat for a few hours/day? What about Moraine? Would that be the closest and do they offer that?

Also would love to go riding (horses) for an hour or so. Any stables offering guided or unguided trail rides?

If the hotel doesn%26#39;t have a pool, where is a good place for someone to go to a lake or anywhere for a day of sunshine, swimming and maybe even a cocktail?

I have to make decisions quickly, the trip would be soon. It would be from a Sunday to anytime between the following Wed to Saturday.

I know it%26#39;s a lot of questions. Thanks in advance for any help. Oh, and I%26#39;d like to avoid those hotels along McKnight. I%26#39;ve never had much luck with them. Open to hotels, short terms, b%26amp;bs, whatever.

~ s

Lots of ??s from accommodations to activities...

I live here so I can%26#39;t help you with hotels with pools. The only time we book a room is for a night on the town so we don%26#39;t have to drive home. Check Priceline or Hotwire for 4 star hotels in downtown and you may grab a great rate at the Renaissance, Omni or Westin.

Moraine is the closest place to rent a boat. They rent everything from kayaks and canoes to pontoons. I think they have sailboats too.

There are 18 public pools in the city, but I don%26#39;t know that any of them allow adult beverages. Same with the state and municiple parks with swimming access. Too many kids around and all. You may need to save the cocktail for happy hour.

As for horseback riding, I think there is a stable in Oakdale that would probably be the closest to downtown.

Come on home and enjoy a visit!

Lots of ??s from accommodations to activities...

Sometimes on www.skyauction.com you can get a really good deal on the Renaissance; Moraine is pretty far from the city center, but it is lovely for sailing etc. The night (Mon?) that you go to the Post Gazette Pavilion, you may want to stay near Robinson or the airport- Holiday Inn Express comes to mind as many of the Parrotheads that are going to the Buffett concert this Tuesday are staying there. They have a pool and breakfast. Plus I knoe beverages are allowed there as the tailgating/preconcert parties actually start there this Mon. Google for stables, but I think there are some in Beaver County-just west of the Burgh. Interested in the track or casino-they are close too. Seems like you might be moving around a lot:=)

I live in Beaver County, and I don%26#39;t know of any that are around here that do trail rides. Most of the stables here are for boarding only.

I agree with Muscle though, if you%26#39;re going to be bouncing around downtown, North Hills and the PG Pavillion, staying near the Robinson or old airport area might be the best, least expensive and most convenient option for you.

Sunshine+swimming+cocktails = Sandcastle!

See separate thread for info.

http://www.sandcastlewaterpark.com/index.php

So it looks like you are going around July 28th (Police concert).

The Radisson Greentree has been very good to us. They have an indoor/outdoor pool. They are running a 4 day/3 night special. We are staying there again in mid-August.

We also like the DoubleTree downtown which also has a pool and a shuttle that goes anywhere in the ';triangle';.

The Holiday Inn at the Airport has a pool and is closer to Starlake ampitheater where the concert is being held.

Just a few thoughts.

Horseback riding (shocked me and I lived in the area my entire life) Riverview Park just north of downtown

www.pittsburghparks.org

magicyellow.com/category/…Pittsburgh_PA.html

Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford

Moraine State Park but you could also check out Raccoon State Park for sailing or kayaking

Forgot about Racoon...thought maybe one of the boarders in Beaver County might allow a private rental if the rider is experienced.

We will be at Post Gazette Pavilion this Tues. I dread the traffic pattern from the Robinson area, but it is a little better coming in from 18 I think- so staying in Weirton or Racoon might be an option for the Police concert too.

Raccoon isn%26#39;t worth the trip - it%26#39;s a very small lake and they only rent canoes and flat john boats.

As for the horseback riding, I just got the Coupon Clipper magazine in the mail yesterday and there is a place called Rolling Hills Ranch in Bridgeville that offers trail rides. There number is 412-221-9926. They also have a website:

www.rolling-hills-ranch.com

This is why I love TripAdvior...so much awesome information!! It%26#39;s so helpful. Keep it coming! LOL

Thanks so much!

~ s