Pittsburgh, Pa Suggestions

[chrissy92972]

Looking to spend a few days touring in the summer. Kids would be 18 and 14. Any suggestions of safe neighborhoods to stay in? Ideas for sightseeing?

We would be driving across the state of Pa. To get there.


So far on my list of ideas are:
Zoo
Heinz Field Tour
Dusquene Incline
Trolly Tour
Kennywood

Thanks,
Chrissy

 

[kymom99]

We went specifically to see the reds play the pirates. For that reason We stayed at the residence inn right next to the stadium. It was expensive but saved us having to drive to the ballpark, park the car and all that. The hotel charged for parking but the breakfast and evening snacks made up for it. The hotel ran a free shuttle. We went to the incline and to the Heinz museum in addition to the ballgame. We only stayed 2 nights then moved on to Gettysburg.

 

[chrissy92972]

We went specifically to see the reds play the pirates. For that reason We stayed at the residence in right next to the stadium. It was expensive but saved us having to drive to the ballpark, park the car and all that. The hotel charged for parking but the breakfast and evening snacks made up for it. The hotel ran a free shuttle. We went to the incline and to the Heinz museum in addition to the ballgame. We only stayed 2 nights then moved on to Gettysburg.

Thanks forgot about baseball. Need to keep that in mind for when to go...home or away games and crowds.

 

[CMNJ]

There is also Ducky Tours or the double-decker red bus tour (like the buses in London). The south side is a neat area to walk around/eat during the day but it has gotten a little rougher at night than it was when I was in college. There are multiple newer hotels near the stadiums on the north side or downtown (downtown will be more expensive unless there is a pirates game or big concert at one of the stadiums when you are in town). You might want to check the dates or the Arts Festival or the Regatta and see if either of those would be of interest to you.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I grew up in Pittsburgh, lots of good suggestions here already-Kennywood is wonderful! Sandcastle is nearby as well and sometimes they do combo tickets. If you do the zoo consider adding on the aquarium because it's very nice. The incline is definitely worth checking out. McKnight road has a large mall and your standard chain eateries. Going out of the city itself a little, both the south hills and Robinson areas are nice, and there's an outlet mall in Washington (probably about 30 min outside of the city). Carnegie science center is really neat, and they have an IMAX theater there. Have fun!

 

[TwoMisfits]

I've actually stayed out of the city and if I had my choice, I'd stay near Robinson Town Center - you'll have a million places to eat/shop every night once you're done being a tourist, and it's probably world's cheaper there than Downtown. I've stayed at the Embassy Suites by the airport (Incredible!) and a Hyatt Place (also by the airport - CHEAP, but not as nice as the embassy), although on those trips, I only did one day in the city (since it was a stopover on the way to Columbus), thus why if I was city focused, I'd move closer to Robinson. You'll avoid parking fee add ons and other crud that city hotels tend to charge.

I'd second the baseball game - one of the best places to see everything. I'd also think about one of the 4 Carnegie Museums - for something really different, I'd visit the Andy Warhol one (if you are still there during the Pittsburgh school year, you can Youth Open Studio Wednesday nights which are for teens). If you are there after the school year, you can head in Friday nights from 5-10pm for 1/2 price nights (these are every Friday all year).

I'd also 2nd the duck tour and if you are fans of classic horror movies, I'd find a ghost tour that includes a tour of the Night of the Living Dead movie locations. For something else off the wall, take a free 70 minute personal tour of InventionLand (you have to reserve this in advance) - I haven't done this one, but it's on my list http://inventionland.com/about-us/virtual-tour/schedule-a-personal-tour/

Order a burger with fries on top and eat like the locals and have a good time...

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Ooooh yes I'll second the above poster's recommendation to stay at the embassy suites near the airport-I LOVE it there

 

[chrissy92972]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas.

Chrissy

 

[Jhaberlein]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas.

Chrissy

Robinson is a great area about 15 minutes from downtown. I'm from that area originally and am home a couple times a month. Embassy is in my hometown of Moon. Robinson has a lot of extended stay hotels like Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, etc. that would be nice for your stay (kitchen, more space).
Your list looks great! Also check out Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for shows and events that are happening during your trip.
I second the Ducky Tour, the Carnegie Science Center, and doing the aquarium at the zoo (I thought it was included in the ticket price... but I could be wrong).
Pittsburgh has a few Escape Rooms as well which are a LOT of fun.
For places to eat:
Primanti's
DeLucas Diner (Strip District and Robinson)
Burgatory (Robinson)
Pittsburgh Ice Cream Company (Market Square downtown... a friend owns, so I'm biased but it's awesome!)

 

[Jhaberlein]

If you are driving the turnpike across PA, the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA is about 20 minutes off the turnpike about an hour outside of the city.

 

[CMNJ]

Robinson is a great area about 15 minutes from downtown. I'm from that area originally and am home a couple times a month. Embassy is in my hometown of Moon. Robinson has a lot of extended stay hotels like Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, etc. that would be nice for your stay (kitchen, more space).
Your list looks great! Also check out Pittsburgh Cultural Trust for shows and events that are happening during your trip.
I second the Ducky Tour, the Carnegie Science Center, and doing the aquarium at the zoo (I thought it was included in the ticket price... but I could be wrong).
Pittsburgh has a few Escape Rooms as well which are a LOT of fun.
For places to eat:
Primanti's
DeLucas Diner (Strip District and Robinson)
Burgatory (Robinson)
Pittsburgh Ice Cream Company (Market Square downtown... a friend owns, so I'm biased but it's awesome!)

you are correct the aquarium is definitely part of the zoo and its regular admission
Also Robinson is a great area. We live not too far from there and We spend a lot of time there shopping, eating, etc but if the OP is headed into the city or back to their hotel at rush hour it is more like 40 minutes from downtown.

 

[Dacky619]

I agree with those that suggest Robinson. I work in Oakdale (about 5 minutes from Robinson) and you have tons of hotel and restaurant choices and it will be pretty easy to get wherever you'd like to go in or out of the city (just avoid the bridge and tunnels during rush hour)

 

[Jhaberlein]

but if the OP is headed into the city or back to their hotel at rush hour it is more like 40 minutes from downtown.

Very true!

 

[Tygerlilly]

Embassy is in my hometown of Moon.

I grew up in Aliquippa! My grandma and aunt live in Moon. I've considered moving back that way some day because I really miss it. I can't believe how much it has grown lately!



As far as things to do/eat:
The zoo/aquarium is awesome and huge!
Incline is neat (pretty sure it was cash only when we went, so just be mindful of that, plus parking meters)
Primanti Brothers for a killer sammich!
Robinson Town Center for shopping and The mall.

 

[steviethegreat]

My mom works for Davison Design and Development, which is connected with Inventionland. Unless you're with a Girl Scout troop (or something similar) or you're planning to design a product with them, I'm pretty sure you can't get a tour. But things might have changed.

Definitely visit Primanti's, it's wonderful. Shadyside is cute, it's not too far from Downtown. Check online for top lists of places to eat downtown. There are a lot of neat places to eat in the city, but they're usually spread out.

Hit the Strip District early! The Strip's shops (most of them, anyway,) start to close around 2 to 4pm. There a lot of different and unique shops in the Strip. I'm not sure if Peace, Love, and Little Donuts is still there, but the donuts are wonderful. DeLuca's is great, but so is Pamela's. Just be prepared for the fact that a lot of the restaurants in the Strip only take cash.

The South Side is definitely fun! It also has some cute shops and restaurants.

The Zoo and the Aquarium are in the same place, so it's a matter of choosing to visit the aquarium than paying extra for it. The last time I went, it was all one price.

 

[TwoMisfits]

My mom works for Davison Design and Development, which is connected with Inventionland. Unless you're with a Girl Scout troop (or something similar) or you're planning to design a product with them, I'm pretty sure you can't get a tour. But things might have changed.

Definitely visit Primanti's, it's wonderful. Shadyside is cute, it's not too far from Downtown. Check online for top lists of places to eat downtown. There are a lot of neat places to eat in the city, but they're usually spread out.

Hit the Strip District early! The Strip's shops (most of them, anyway,) start to close around 2 to 4pm. There a lot of different and unique shops in the Strip. I'm not sure if Peace, Love, and Little Donuts is still there, but the donuts are wonderful. DeLuca's is great, but so is Pamela's. Just be prepared for the fact that a lot of the restaurants in the Strip only take cash.

The South Side is definitely fun! It also has some cute shops and restaurants.

The Zoo and the Aquarium are in the same place, so it's a matter of choosing to visit the aquarium than paying extra for it. The last time I went, it was all one price.

http://inventionland.com/about-us/virtual-tour/schedule-a-personal-tour/ Seems like anyone can go now (at least in the rules)...

 

[chrissy92972]

My husband loves Primentis. He drove to Scranton to eat there a few weeks ago.

Did anyone ever hear of a tour called Mollys Trolleys? It is 2hr tour including the incline for $27.

The Ducky Tour is 1hr for $25.

 

[Jhaberlein]

Did anyone ever hear of a tour called Mollys Trolleys? It is 2hr tour including the incline for $27.

The Ducky Tour is 1hr for $25.

Molly's Trolleys is pretty well known. I've never done the tour, but my brother rented from them for his wedding bridal party. The driver was a ton of fun and the trolley was well kept. We've done the Ducky Tour (even as native Yinzers) and loved it. It's an amphibious vehicle so they drive right down into the river and boat around too.

If Peace, Love, and Little Donuts isn't in the Strip anymore, there's one in Robinson. They are amazing!!

 

[Jhaberlein]

I grew up in Aliquippa! My grandma and aunt live in Moon.

Hi!! I went to OLSH and have some friends from Quippa who went to St. Titus for elementary school! Moon has exploded in the past few years for sure! We'd love to move back now, but realistically we're looking at probably 5+ years.
(Edited for spelling..)

 

[steviethegreat]

d.com/about-us/virtual-tour/schedule-a-personal-tour/ Seems like anyone can go now (at least in the rules)...

They've been changing a lot of things, so who knows. But having been there, I can't say it's the best investment of your time, if you're not staying anywhere near RIDC, since the traffic is crazy and there's nothing over there. There are definitely better things to do in Pittsburgh.

Additionally, I would also recommend looking into the suburbs of Pittsburgh for a discount at a hotel, rather than going all the way out to Robinson. There's a LOT of traffic, but the commute downtown from the east is about 20 minutes. If you're staying in Robinson, with as build up as it is, I can't imagine that you'd be saving that much more, unless you want the convenience of being close to the airport.