I’ll be in Pittsburgh on July 28 and 29th and I was looking for some suggestions for getting a true Pittsburgh experience. I’ll be traveling en mass with Grandparents and teenagers and seven year old (along with my wife). I think we’ll do one of the inclines and might see a game at PNC. We like funky neighborhoods (think Greenwich Village) and local signature foods (think Philly Cheese steaks). Dad likes parks, churches and cemeteries. If anyone would like to take the time to put together an itinerary, that would be WONDERFUL!!
We don’t like museums (seen enough in DC and Balt) and will probably avoid paid attractions since they will not give us a flavor of your city and we won’t have enough time to enjoy them.
What three things or places do I have to experience to say that I truly visited Pittsburgh?
Thanks,
Steve
What makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh?You can probably get some more good ideas from reading other posts on this forum, but I%26#39;ll take a crack at it. 3 things, no order: Strip Distict during a weekend day, Incline, Primanti%26#39;s sandwich.
What makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh?I agree with BK - the Incline is a must, and a Saturday morning walk through the Strip is pretty neat.
As for Primanti%26#39;s, I don%26#39;t care for them myself, but they are definately a Pittsburgh treat. Also, there is a great gyro shop on Carson although I can%26#39;t remember the name now. I lived in B%26#39;more for 4 years and never could find a decent gyro.
Skip Promantis. Highly over-rated and cholesterol-clogged. Having lived near Pgh. for 30 years, these are my suggestions 1. Park at Station Square. If you want to see a game, boats run from that landing to the ball fields. Alternately, stroll along the river and stop in at the Grand Concourse, a restored train station that has been turned into a lovely restaurant. Just across the street is the incline where you can walk around Mt. Washington for an incredible view. When paying for the incline, ask for a ';transfer'; which allows you to take the underground trolley into and around the city. Using this trolley pass, get off at Gateway Center, walk to see the fountain at the point and on the way back stop in and view the glass PPG buildings and plaza. 2. I would also catch a bus over to Oakland (they run frequently)and visit the Cathedral of Learning and the Heinz Chapel. There are also a number of good and reasonable ethnic restaurants in Oakland. 3. Just behind the museum in Phipps Conservatory. (My older parents always like to visit that while here).
Your dad might like Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville (an interesting, gritty neighborhood, by the way) Stephen Foster and some of the Homestead Grays are buried there. In my opinion, it%26#39;s one of the most beautiful urban parks I%26#39;ve ever seen. Across the river is St. Nicholas Church in Millvale, which has murals by Croatian artist Max Vanka.
A walk down Carson Street on the South Side is always interesting. I also like the walk along the river on the North Side below PNC Park -great view of the city, and a walk into Point State Park to sit at the fountain is fun.
(I second the Strip and Incline suggestions...these are just some added thoughts. Glad you%26#39;re coming!)
Besides Primanti%26#39;s I would also recommend Tessaro%26#39;s in Bloomfield for burgers.
The strip is a must on Saturday mornings, it is truly a unique experience. I would also take an afternoon walk around Station Square, it is very relaxing and there are a lot of things for the kids to look at. A great restaurant for burgers and wings is Fat Heads on Carson Street. I hope you have a wonderful time. Pittsburgh has a lot to offer.
Thanks for the ideas - It looks like we%26#39;ll have a lot of options to meet my family%26#39;s various interests.
Tessaro%26#39;s sounds perfect as we are always in search of the perfect burger.
Agree with Allegheny Cemetery located in Lawrenceville, Vogetly Cemetery Lowrie Street Troy Hill. St. Anthony%26#39;s Chapel Harpster St. Troy Hill also ditto St. Nicholas Church in Millvale,beautiful paintings and artwork which commemorates from what has been shared with me the Croatian immigrants who worked in the steel mills and mines of SW Pa. All of these suggestions are close to each other so wouldn%26#39;t take much travel time between them.
Point State Park
West Park and an ice ball and/or popcorn from Gus and YaYa%26#39;s stand over by Community College. This has been a staple in Pgh forever since my Dad was young and he would be in his late 70s
Penn Brewery have lunch or dinner in the courtyard. This is at the bottom of Troy Hill. Excellent beer and food. Sometimes there is music dependent on the time you visit.
Station Square if it%26#39;s a hot day your child will love the fountains
IMO the Strip District during the day is nice but I wouldn%26#39;t consider it a true experience by which to remember/experience Pittsburgh. Also with a 7 yr old in tow you need something a child can appreciate.
Almost forgot, the view from Mt Washington but even better the one from West End Overlook.
I am a Pittsburgh Native, been living in Columbus, Oh for 4 years and considering a relocation to Jacksonville FL. My parents are still back in Pittsburgh. There are about 5 things I miss about the area that I can%26#39;t get here.
1) Primatis sandwiches - you either love them or hate them. The secret is to order a sandwich with a strong tasting meat so you can still taste it with the coleslaw and fries. I love the bacon ones - can only eat them very once in awhile or you will have an early death. LOL
2) The Strip District - I consider this real ';Pittsburgh';. I suggest if you want a good walk through the city park near Market Square, eat at Primatis there, then walk it off to the Strip, long walk but it%26#39;s doable.
3) The Mount Washington Incline and dinner at the Tin Angel - an ex-coworker took his daughter to check out Carnegie Mellon a few weeks ago (first time in the city) and this was his favorite part of the trip - the Tin Angel is expensive but worth it.
4) Waterfront Shops - a bit outside the city in Homestead, newer establishment in replace of the old steal mills. Wife might like this - good shopping, especially on a nice day (all open air).
5) PNC Park - incredible stadium. Not a real fan of baseball (my sport is football - GO STEELERS), but the stadium is great.
Hope these helped. I worked downtown Pittburgh for a year before moving to Columbus and grew up and lived near Monroeville (East end) for 25 years.
This may sound cheesy, but you must experience the Ft. Pitt tunnel awe. Coming out of that mountain and seeing Point Park, the three rivers, both stadiums and the skyline is just awesome. Great in the sun, great in the night.
The strip district is a great place to people watch and of course the sports.
While Primiti%26#39;s is famous in Pittsburgh, I personally think they are overrated. Good once in a while, but not the best thing you%26#39;ll ever eat.
Take everyone%26#39;s advice and ride the incline. Mt. Washington is the signature view of Pittsburgh (although the better view is the West End Overlook). I prefer the Duquense Incline (there is a free lot at the end of Station Square) because the Incline Station provides more history. Although the ';Mon'; incline is more conveinent if you%26#39;re already parked at Station Square.
The Strip, even as a Pittsburgh native, is still one of my favorite destinations. But its mainly a ';market'; as opposed to a shopping district (although there are shops other than market type). There is a really cool church in the Strip so if you like architecture, check it out. (St. Stans). Breakfast at Pamela%26#39;s or DeLuca%26#39;s in the Strip is recommended -- but bring cash as neither take the debit/credit card.
Fat Heads is a great place for a beer and sandwich -- go for a late lunch and you won%26#39;t wait as long. Their wings are great also (you won%26#39;t leave hungry or broke).
If you walk through the downtown area, look UP as you walk. Lots of cool buildings.
Tessaro%26#39;s, as previously mentioned, continues to win Best Burger in the area....and I recently saw it mentioned in a book about Burgers in the US.
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