MAY 12th-19th!! THESE ARE THE MAYS OF OUR LIVES! III

[lakehead92]

http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/defaultHome.aspx
(SPORTS WORKS AT THE SCIENCE CENTER IS WHAT I HEAR IS GREAT FOR KIDS!)

http://www.pittsburghkids.org/Templates/CMP_Level3_List.aspx?CID=937&SECID=5&MENUID=360

http://www.pittsburghkids.org/Templates/CMP_Level3_List.aspx?CID=937&SECID=5&MENUID=360

http://www.justduckytours.com/

http://www.gatewayclipper.com/cruises/sightseeing.asp

http://www.kennywood.com/

HERE'S JUST A FEW TO GET Yr OU STARTED LAKE A LOT OF THEM ARE RIGHT IN OR AROUND THE CITY - SO THERE WOULDN'T BE MUCH TRAVELING

LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN

I downloaded the guide book from www.visitpittsburgh.com and a lot of those place and more look great. There sure is a lot for families to do in Pittsburgh. My biggest question is where should we stay... we obviously want a safe place, easy to get around, with a convenient location to either walk or drive to what we would like to see... ( so my friends...what would be a good location?)

DH has looked at GreenTree..and the Hampton Inn there..which is close to his Tuesday meeting.
Would this be okay???? And we arn't looking for expensive, but we arn't looking for cheap either..

But someplace that we can use as our nightly base so during the days there we can visit the childrens museum, science centre, zoo, gateway clippers, incline, and natural history museums.. plus a few other things like kennywood if time allows...ect..

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Morning MAYers!

Lake's coming to Pittsburgh!!


RF has given you a lot of great ideas and links already!

The kids really enjoy - Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Station Square, the Inclines, & the Gateway Clipper!

The Children's Museum is okay, but the kids much prefer Carnegie.

We don't really care for Kennywood.

Station Square is mostly shopping and restaurants, and don't forget to take a change of clothes for the kids so they can play in the "dancing" fountains! Very fun!!

Take a sightseeing or lollipop cruise on the Gateway Clipper!

Take the incline to the top of Mt Washington to have a great view of the city!

Just Ducky Tours looks like fun, although we've never taken one.

The only hotel we've stayed in downtown is the DoubleTree, it's right downtown next to the Mellon Arena. It was very nice. And they will shuttle you around the city.

If you are into Outlet shopping, about 45-50 minutes north of the city is a HUGE outlet mall. (near where I live) It is quite the tourist attraction, we get Pittsburghers all the time and we even get buses of Canadians about every week!

Let me know if you need anymore info!

 

[JoBird]

Awww, Lake- you're coming to PGH the day we pull up stakes and head out of town. I'm so sorry. I haven't done a whole heck of a lot while here, but we went to the Titanic exhibit last week. It's at the Sportsworks building, which is next to the Carnegie (pronounced Car-NEH-ghee, not like the Carnegie in NYC- I had an awful time with pronunciations up here, LOL) Science museeum, which is next to Heinz field (Go Steelers!), which is next to my DH's work- Del Monte! Also- killer restaurant there in the bottom of the Del Monte bldg- Grill 36- which is Jerome Bettis' restaurant. Very kid friendly with outside eating. HUGE, GINORMOUS portions, though.

And while I'm talking about food in PGH- don't be surprised when you order a salad in this town and they throw french fries on top of it. That one came out of left field for me.

If the Pirates are in town, you could catch a baseball game- my 9 and 6 year old love it- and the incline is wonderful- it's across the river from Heinz field.
There are restaurants up top of the Mtn there- one in particular that has the absolute best seafood- Monterry Bay- pricey but worth every penny.http://www.montereybayfishgrotto.com/pittsburgh/

The Natural History Museum has dinosaurs right now and there's also the art museum attached to it. It's fun.

And that's about my extent of knowledge. Make sure you get naviagtion in your car. The roads are confusing to an outsider.

Oh, and if you wnat a beautiful hotel to stay at downtown- here's my choice. We had an amazing stay here-http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/PittsburghWilliamPenn.aspx

Hope your stay here is fun!

Jo

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

And while I'm talking about food in PGH- don't be surprised when you order a salad in this town and they throw french fries on top of it. That one came out of left field for me.

Jo

You mean this is not normal??? A salad wouldn't be a salad without fries!!

 

[mari360]

Thanks Mari!

Everything??? OMG!

Oh yea, I have been to Guatemala twice, stayed in Guatemala City and Antigua. Planning to go soon? Beautiful country.

I dont' know if i mentioned it but i'm from Guatemala.... I love it there beautiful but i don't like it to live....I found some pics of Antigua that i will post for you..... If you like sightseeing then you HAVE to go to Tikal it's the mayan ruins... it's BEAUTIFUL....

okay... just call me a south of the border traveller...

DH came home and announced.. he's going away next weekend... and guess where... Pittsburgh... and the kids and I get to come too...yahoo..
next friday... were coming for the weekend until wednesday morning...

i'm reading about Parent'hood, and the carnegie museums, and i know someone mentioned the titanic exhibit...

okay my PA mayers... bring it on.. where do we go , what do we do... and remeber we have a 6 and 3 year old boy and girl...

haha...

Our own little traveler...... Enjoy your stay in Pittsburg.... The girls have given you a lot of good ideas....

 

[mari360]

Morning all....

Huggie - Nice to see you dropped in.....

RF - I'm getting 2679.67 for my DH, DD and myself in POP i don't know why you are getting so much. And for CBR it's only 3175.... and that is for 3 people... you sure you aren't putting in the Premium DDP.... remember this is without airfare....

 

[JoBird]

You mean this is not normal??? A salad wouldn't be a salad without fries!!

I had never heard of that one before- the first time I ordered one and it came out that way, I said "Miss, I think I got someone else's order, I didn't order fries." She said "where yinz from? that's how we serve em up here."

I was

 

[rusafee1183]

ok - greentree is pretty close to the city... i would say about 15 or 20 minutes. so you would have to drive to all of the activities that you guys want to do, because there isn't much in greentree. i think that it would be a good choice price wise - and i am not really sure of where else for to stay besides the sheridan in station square - it is kind of expensive, but very centralized to many of the things that you may want to see.

http://online.travels-web.com/hotel/10005126-10000141O.html

Room Type
Traditional Room with 2 Double Beds Non Smoking
Avg Nightly Rate
Fri $264.00 Sat $264.00 Sun $264.00 Mon $249.00 Tues $249.00

yikes! the prices are kinda high - but i don't know what you are looking to spend - and this would be way more convenient - so it's your call

this hotel is right in the center of station square - i don't know if you have heard us talk about it down there before, but it's a really cute place right across the river from downtown pittsburgh.

http://www.stationsquare.com/go/mallEvents.cfm?eventsOnly=1

you can walk across the street to the incline, walk to the gateway clipper and to just ducky tours

some of the restaurants that are available in the square are hard rock cafe, buca di beppo, the melting pot, houlihans and joe's crab shack.

every friday night during the summer they have "station square street jams" where they block of station square and they have live entertainment

 

[seacrestpromo]

Hi Mari - Oh that is so cool! The people there are very gracious and kind, no wonder I like hanging around with you here! Guatemala City is nice, the government buildings and church in the plaza are very interesting to see and visit. My favorite place to eat there was El Pollo Campero...The Cowboy Chicken...(a different kind of cowboy than that Jo was talking about yesterday!) The buses there are so cool...I love all the painting and designs on the buses.

Antigua was a great place to visit. We did a hike to the volcano there. That was amazing. You are right, the ruins there are beautiful. My favorite little place to eat there "The Princess Bakery" had some awesome pastries and desserts. There is a picture of Bill Clinton there when he visited and ate at the bakery.

What broke my heart the most is seeing the young children at the dump combing it for food and things to recycle. I had a friend who was a missionary to those children and their families trying to help them find a better way to live by teaching them how to read and write and a trade/skill.

I would love to go back and take my wife with me. I will have to look around and see if I can find my pictures too. Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

I dont' know if i mentioned it but i'm from Guatemala.... I love it there beautiful but i don't like it to live....I found some pics of Antigua that i will post for you..... If you like sightseeing then you HAVE to go to Tikal it's the mayan ruins... it's BEAUTIFUL....

 

[lakehead92]

As always... the MAYERS are AWESOME and full off very wonderful and useful information.

Thanks for all the help.

I have the what to do figured out... I'm still stuck on the where to stay, but I'll figure it out and book tonight hopefully.

What about the HILTON downtown... ?????

 

[rusafee1183]

The hilton is nice - it is on one end of the city and isn't exactly near much except for The Point. (This is the spot where all 3 rivers meet and they have a fountain there - and this is where they have our 4th of July festivities)

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/point.aspx

It is walking distance across our city to get to the other places to visit downtown - a lo-o-ong walk - but definately do-able. It is a very short - and fairly easy drive to station square and the science center and all of the things that I told you about before - If it is drastically cheaper at The Hilton than at The Sheradan (and you are ok with trying to find your way around downtown - which p.s. is not scary at all) the Hilton would be a good choice - It is also really close to PNC park (for a Pirate game) http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=pit&m=8&y=2008

and to "Theatre Square" which has all of our theatres in one area

The benedum, the byham, the cabaret, and heinz hall - there may be some affordable shows...hmmm.... I am not so sure about kid friendly though - Peter Pan just ended...

http://www.pgharts.org/

LOL - We hava a lot of "squares" in Pittsburgh - Station square, Market Square, Regent Square, Theatre Square.... hmmm - i never noticed - makes me giggle

alright - i hope that this helps - if you need any other info - i am happy to help

 

[rusafee1183]

OH - AND GUYS I FORGOT TO TELL YOU

I LOST ANOTHER 4 LBS THIS WEEK!!!!



THAT'S 10.4 LBS SO FAR!!!

 

[lakehead92]

OH - AND GUYS I FORGOT TO TELL YOU

I LOST ANOTHER 4 LBS THIS WEEK!!!!



THAT'S 10.4 LBS SO FAR!!!

THAT'S SO GREAT...GOOD FOR YOU.

and thank you for all your help.

We booked a visitor package through visitpittsburgh.com last night, which booked our hotel and gave us some amazing discounts on tickets for differnt things throughout the city. We decided to stay in Greentree..as that's where DH needs to be, and the fact that we have the car, so we can drive where ever we need to. Plus we don't need anything fancy just a place to sleep, and use as a base. We get free parking and a free hot breakfast each morning..so .. Pittsburgh here we come. I'll be packing one week from today

 

[lakehead92]

Morning MAYers!

Lake's coming to Pittsburgh!!


RF has given you a lot of great ideas and links already!

The kids really enjoy - Carnegie Science Center, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Station Square, the Inclines, & the Gateway Clipper!

The Children's Museum is okay, but the kids much prefer Carnegie.

We don't really care for Kennywood.

Station Square is mostly shopping and restaurants, and don't forget to take a change of clothes for the kids so they can play in the "dancing" fountains! Very fun!!

Take a sightseeing or lollipop cruise on the Gateway Clipper!

Take the incline to the top of Mt Washington to have a great view of the city!

Just Ducky Tours looks like fun, although we've never taken one.

The only hotel we've stayed in downtown is the DoubleTree, it's right downtown next to the Mellon Arena. It was very nice. And they will shuttle you around the city.

If you are into Outlet shopping, about 45-50 minutes north of the city is a HUGE outlet mall. (near where I live) It is quite the tourist attraction, we get Pittsburghers all the time and we even get buses of Canadians about every week!

Let me know if you need anymore info!

Hmmm.. would that be Grove City... kind of on our way in, and on our way home... I'm thinking BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING FOR THE KIDS..., and there is a bath and body works... Yahhh!!!

 

[Katiebell]

OH - AND GUYS I FORGOT TO TELL YOU

I LOST ANOTHER 4 LBS THIS WEEK!!!!



THAT'S 10.4 LBS SO FAR!!!

OMGosh, that's great!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mari360]

Hi Mari - Oh that is so cool! The people there are very gracious and kind, no wonder I like hanging around with you here! Guatemala City is nice, the government buildings and church in the plaza are very interesting to see and visit. My favorite place to eat there was El Pollo Campero...The Cowboy Chicken...(a different kind of cowboy than that Jo was talking about yesterday!) The buses there are so cool...I love all the painting and designs on the buses.

Antigua was a great place to visit. We did a hike to the volcano there. That was amazing. You are right, the ruins there are beautiful. My favorite little place to eat there "The Princess Bakery" had some awesome pastries and desserts. There is a picture of Bill Clinton there when he visited and ate at the bakery.

What broke my heart the most is seeing the young children at the dump combing it for food and things to recycle. I had a friend who was a missionary to those children and their families trying to help them find a better way to live by teaching them how to read and write and a trade/skill.

I would love to go back and take my wife with me. I will have to look around and see if I can find my pictures too. Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

I know it is bautiful over there. But like you i HATE it when i see the kids there. I am so glad you mentioned Pollo Campero that is my FAVORITE chicken. They have it in NY now. And somewhere in NJ i haven't found it yet but i will....

OH - AND GUYS I FORGOT TO TELL YOU

I LOST ANOTHER 4 LBS THIS WEEK!!!!



THAT'S 10.4 LBS SO FAR!!!

YAY RF..... keep going....

 

[mari360]

Morning all!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mari360]

Hey Sea here are some pics i was able to find.

This is the Church in Escuintla.... not sure if you went there.

This one is in Antigua... Even stores need security.

Best chicken around

These are some ruins in Antigua

If you look closely enough you will see people cleaning their clothes in the river...

This is a resort that we stay in over there... it's about 4 hours from the capital..

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Morning MAYers!

I'm going to Disney in 180 days!

Booked my ADR's this morning!

Jan 21 - 1900 Park Fare 5:10pm
Jan 22 - Mama Melrose Fantasmic 4:10pm
Jan 23 - Tusker House 8:00am
Jan 24 - Plaza Restaurant 11:30am
Jan 25 - Kona Cafe 5:40pm
Jan 26 - will try for LeCellier! (have to call back in October I guess )

 

[mari360]

Shelly - YAY they look great.... oh i'm getting hungry again.....