Need help with Pittsburgh, PA trip

[dispor]

We will be visiting Pittsburgh, PA in two weeks. Does anyone know of any discounts for either of the inclines, or for the "Just Ducky" tour? Opinions on these are appreciated, too, or on any other places to visit on a budget - 2 adults and 3 children, staying downtown.

I have zoo passes and museum passes that I think I can use (need to check reciprocity).

TIA!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

The inclines are part of the PAT public transportation system. It's really inexpensive to ride; I'm guessing around $2.00 per person. I think it's cool to visit Station square, walk to the incline and take a ride up, walk grandview avenue and admire the stunning view (it will be cold up there! ) then take a ride down. It's been a while but I think at the bottom, you put money into a machine and get a coin, then when you get to the top, you give the coin the the person behind the glass.

I don't know anything about the "just ducky" tour, sorry. But if you are headed to the museums, make sure and visit Phipps Conservatory, it's a beautiful place. Bring your camera and have fun!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

OK, I found a link to the port authority website. http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/CustomerInfo/Inclines/tabid/119/Default.aspx

$2 for adults $1 for kids

Hope this helps. Goodnight!

 

[mousefan]

I believe they only run on Weekends in November

http://www.justduckytours.com/rates.php

and for the two inclines :

http://www.stationsquare.com/info/inclines.cfm

 

[dispor]

OK, I found a link to the port authority website. http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/CustomerInfo/Inclines/tabid/119/Default.aspx

$2 for adults $1 for kids

Hope this helps. Goodnight!

Thanks for the links. I didn't realize there is a child's price. That helps. For all five of us it will be $14 for all of us, round trip.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

DH is originally from Pittsburgh. We live in St Louis, but when we go back to the 'burgh to visit his family I like to do some touristy type things. We did the ducky tours about a year or so ago. They were really fun. DH said he even learned some things about Pittsburgh that he didn't know. The kids really enjoyed it too. We boarded them right near the Hard Rock in Station Square. When love to visit http://www.ltanimalpark.com/ when we are up there too...It isnt too far away from the city.

 

[princesspiglet]

With your kids you should really head over to the North Side and go to the children's museum. It is a wonderful museum and my DD could (and has!) spend all day there.

How long are you planning on being there? There are so many neat neighborhoods to explore if you have the time. Oakland and Shadyside are my two favorites. Oakland is a college community with tons of shops and resturaunts and it also has Phipps Conservatory.

Fifth and Forbes avenues, Pittsburgh's two main east-west traffic arteries, pass through Oakland, with bus stops on nearly every corner. Most Oaklanders get around by bus or by foot, lending a true "city" closeness and atmosphere. Spend a few hours in Shenley Park if you have the chance.

You also should go to the Strip District- it is within walking distance of donton (that is how you say it ya know!) and has tons of vendors selling ethnic foods, fresh fish, veggies, homemade cheeses, etc. If you're heading to the Strip for a morning of shopping, be sure to stop in at DeLuca's for a good, hearty breakfast or one of the Strip's good coffee shops. Lunch and dinner offer a number of options, including Primanti's where the overstuffed sandwiches feature the cole slaw and French fries packed inside with the meat and cheese. . The Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor is another popular spot, with its original fixtures, stools and marble soda fountain counter and is a blast for kids.

I could recommend so many things for you to see and do! I absolutely love Pittsburgh, it is my hometown, and I try to promote it as much as possible. If you have any questions, pm me and I will try to help you help!

 

[MushyMushy]

I've never seen a discount for the Just Ducky tour, but it's totally worth it. We had a blast when we went on it.

There's also a Segway tour located in Station Square, but it's rather expensive. I want to try that one of these days. It's two hours long.

If you like birds, the National Aviary is a great place to visit. I don't know if you have a Giant Eagle where you live, but if you have their Advantage card, you can save money by getting a free child's admission with an adult.

Or you can always check out AAA.

 

[dispor]

Thanks for the suggestions! The ice cream place sounds neat. We are going for the weekend (hockey tourny) and will only have a few hours each day. I just hate going somewhere that I've never been, and only seeing the inside of the hotel room and ice rinks!

I think the kids would get a blast out of the Just Ducky tours! They are pricey, though, that's why I'm looking for coupons/discounts. I wonder if they are in the Entertainment Book...?

I will check for AAA and Giant Eagle discounts - thanks for the suggestion!

My kids love children's museums. I will have to check the schedule - it looks like we mainly have evenings open, and the museum will probably be closed when we could go. The kids are a little too young for a segway tour.

 

[dispor]

Well, we're back.

Daughter's team came in 4th in the tournament (won the consolation game).

The Radisson was okay - but was so packed with other hockey teams that we didn't even bother taking the kids to the pool - way too crowded.

We went out to dinner Friday (Max and Erma's) and so avoided the potluck, which apparently went fine.

Saturday between games we rode the Monongahela Incline, walked through Station Square, and then drove to Pitt and had hotdogs at The O (dh had seen it on tv), which shouldn't be famous for its hot dogs as much as for having the ICKIEST BATHROOMS IN THE WORLD.

While we were at station square, one of the Just Ducky amphibious (sp?) vehicles went by. On our next visit, I would love to take a tour. The kids thought it looked really cool. There really is a lot do do in Pittsburgh - who knew????

We planned on staying after the consolation game (7:00 a.m.!) today to visit one of the museums, but - of all things - ds got sick yesterday evening, running a fever and throwing up most of the night. Other dh started feeling sick, too, but isn't running a fever - yet! We were sooooo lucky that they both slept in the car most of the way home.

Pittsburgh in one word.....



HILLS!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pixiedust34]

Pittsburgh in one word.....



HILLS!!!!!!!!!

Ain't that the truth!?!

I grew up in Pittsburgh and moved away, but when I visit even I am marveled by some of the hills. The thing that gets me is the amount of snow Pittsburgh gets and that people can drive on those hills in the snow! In some places, if there is a 1/2" of snow, whole cities panic. Not Pittsburgh. I remember going to school in the 70s with school buses with chains on the tires (do they still put chains on the tires?) chugging up scary hills and hairpin turns.

I've never used the bathrooms at the O, but I can imagine them. The hot dogs are good, and the french fries are good too! If you ever go again, visit Primamtis for a sandwich.

 

[TimeforMe]

There really is a lot do do in Pittsburgh - who knew????


Pittsburgh in one word.....


HILLS!!!!!!!!!

DS18 is going to school in Pittsburgh so we're beginning to get a real feel for the city. I agree with you -- "who knew" what a great city it is?! There truly is a lot to do; especially for college kids who are into sports. With 3 major league stadiums so nearby, it's like heaven. And I also agree with you about the hills. After our last visit, I told DH that I felt like I had just spent a weekend in WDW with all the walking we did.

Glad you had such a nice time.

 

[irky416]

Sorry! Accidentally posted.

 

[Tink888]

Glad to hear you enjoyed our city.

There is a ton of things to do here. It's really a great place to live too.

Your comment about the hills made me laugh out loud. I remember going to a wedding in NJ a few years ago. The directions said we'd go down a hill and then turn. Well we never went down a hill and ended up completely lost. Being from the Burg, our idea of a "hill" was a whole lot different than theirs.

And to the PP, they do still throw the chains on the school buses. Pittsburgh hills + snow = GOOD TIMES!!!

 

[Miss Park Avenue]

Hi! Glad yunz had a good time.

I remember as a kid watching some old home movies of my aunts and older cousins skiing down a hill in the back yard of my grandparent's home on Long Island. They stood on their skis and moved forward about five feet before coming to a complete stop. Then they stood there for a second just to make double sure they weren't going to go any further. Then you'd see them take giant ski steps to turn around. I remember asking my mom, "What are they doing on their skis????" She said, Hey that's the biggest hill they know; they're having a blast!

btw, I hope everyone feels better soon. Pittsburgh is a real treasure. I hope you can see it again someday.

 

[MushyMushy]

I love our hills! I don't know how to explain it well, but I feel secure when I'm surrounded by these hills. Whenever we travel to places where it's flatter, I feel so out of sorts not having the comfort of hills on either side of me. I know that sounds weird, but that's the way it feels.