Questions for Pittsburgh area DISers....UPDATE on Hotel

[pozey]

Pittsburgh area DISers......

DW is being sent on a business related trip to Pittsburgh next month - April 17 - 21. Neither one of us know anything about the area.

The only thing we do know right now is where she will be while she is working....the Pittsburgh VA Regional Office. It is located on Liberty Avenue. Looks like, according to Mapquest, it is pretty much right where the Allegheny River and the Ohio River meet (or split). Right off of I-579. She isn't sure exactly which hotel she will be staying at yet. When she finds out, I'll post it so you can give me information on where to tell her to eat and visit.

Also, what is the weather looking like for the next month or so?

Thanks all!!

 

[mzspaz]

Well, it sounds as if your wife will be right in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh! By your description, I think that office is located in the State Office building, which if I believe is by the Hilton.

There is not much shopping to do in that down town area, but if she will have a car, there are plenty of places about 15 minutes away that have some GREAT shopping, like south side works and station square. In fact, she should be able to hop on a bus and get over to station square pretty easily. some great places to eat there, some unique shops, and she can take the incline up to Mt Washington for a great view of the city.

As for the weather, well, it is hard to predict in the next month or so. For example, on Monday, we were in the 70's and I was walking around with out a coat and had the windows WIDE open. Yesterday, the snow started to fall and today we are getting bands of lake effect snow passing through. Her best bet is to check about a week before she arrives.

 

[Servants of Evan]

I'm not in Pittsburgh but it sounds like she's right by Station Square. If she's in that area finding a place to eat is easy...

 

[keishashadow]

Overall, I'm sure she'll enjoy her stay. If she's into shopping besides downtown/station square areas, other meccas beckon...
Waterfront area, Monroeville, Mcknight rd. & Mills Mall (near my house). If no rental car, have the hotel call her a cab (assume she's on an expense account ).

Would tell her that Liberty Ave. gets quite "slimey" @ night, avoid if possible, especially if she'll be by herself.

By all means, a trip to the Strip dist. is imperative (less than 1/4 mile from Federal Bldg.) for a Primanti sammich, wash it down w/an Iron City - yuuuuuuuum.

Station Square has an absolutely beautiful white tablecloth rest. (Grand Concourse) set in a historical train terminal, with other chain sites there too.

Could ride the incline but, the one nearest SS is closed for repairs (I think).

Hope she enjoys my home.

 

[momof2inPA]

If she wants to grab a quick bite without crossing the river, there are a few little restaurants in the Westinghouse plaza. For dinner, Palomino and Ruth's Chris are close (I think Palomino has an early bird dinner special). For entertainment, she could check out the Andy Warhol museum. What hotel is she staying in? She might want to see what's going on downtown that week at the Benedum or Heinz Hall. She can always grab "subway" train to Station Square if she doesn't have a car.

Downtown really empties out at night, but it's pretty safe compared to most downtowns.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Sounds like she will be right downtown. The area where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers meet to form the Ohio is called "The Point." All of "downtown" Pittsburgh is walking distance, so there is no need for transportation unless she wants to leave downtown. Even Station Square is walking distance in nice weather (just walk over the Smithfield Street Bridge) or she can take the light rail (the "T").

There are plenty of places to eat downtown. In particular, there are many good restaurants in the Cultural District near the Benedum and Heinz Hall (which are both a block from Liberty Avenue).

For shopping she can go to Smithfield Street and go to Kaufmann's (soon to be Macy's) or Saks Fifth Avenue. There is also a Burlington Coat Factory and a big Barnes & Noble on Smithfield Street.

As for weather, I'd bring a trench coat since there may be chilly days in the 50's, and be prepared for rain. On the other hand, it could be in the 80's, so be prepared for that as well.

If she has time for more of a day or half-day trip, I'd consider a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo, which is open year-round. Also, if the Pirates are in town, it is an easy walk over the bridge to PNC Park, and tickets are usually available at the park.

 

[pozey]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

She should find out where she will be staying pretty soon. Usually, when she has to travel on trips like these, they put her up in a very nice hotel that is pretty close to the office. And she probably will not have a rental car.

But the times she has gone to Baltimore or Washington, DC, she hasn’t had much trouble using the public transportation to get to where she wants to go.

Once she has her hotel set, I’ll have to start asking for some dining recommendations.

Thanks again.

 

[pozey]

Update.......

DW will be staying at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. Pretty much right across the street from the VA where she will be working.

It appears that the hotel has several restaurants inside, but she will be there all week, so she will want to venture out and find some other places to eat. But she won't have a car, so she will have to use a taxi or public transportation. She won't want to go TOO far.

Suggestions?

 

[BeckyEsq]

I'm assuming she's on an expense account, so I won't worry much about price.

If she likes seafood, The Pittsburgh Fish Market which is right in the Westin is amazing. I don't eat sushi but those who do love it.

Across the street from the Westin is a place called Tonic. It's a bar and grill with a restaurant upstairs. It's never too crowded which is nice. I love their southwestern chicken salad.

If she walks down Penn Avenue towards the Point there is a new place called Six Penn Kitchen on the corner of Penn and Sixth (just a few blocks from the Westin) that is pretty good. They also have a bakery attached if she wants some takeout sweets.

If she asks for directions to the Omni William Penn (just a five minute walk) they have the Terrace Room which is good, and also a more casual place called The Taproom, plus that is just a beautiful old hotel and it is nice to sit in the lobby and I believe they serve Tea in the afternoon as well. Walking that way will take her to Smithfield Street where there is also a Bruegger's Bagels, Barnes & Noble, and a hot dog place.

 

[pozey]

I'm assuming she's on an expense account, so I won't worry much about price.

If she likes seafood, The Pittsburgh Fish Market which is right in the Westin is amazing. I don't eat sushi but those who do love it.

Across the street from the Westin is a place called Tonic. It's a bar and grill with a restaurant upstairs. It's never too crowded which is nice. I love their southwestern chicken salad.

If she walks down Penn Avenue towards the Point there is a new place called Six Penn Kitchen on the corner of Penn and Sixth (just a few blocks from the Westin) that is pretty good. They also have a bakery attached if she wants some takeout sweets.

If she asks for directions to the Omni William Penn (just a five minute walk) they have the Terrace Room which is good, and also a more casual place called The Taproom, plus that is just a beautiful old hotel and it is nice to sit in the lobby and I believe they serve Tea in the afternoon as well. Walking that way will take her to Smithfield Street where there is also a Bruegger's Bagels, Barnes & Noble, and a hot dog place.

Becky,

Thanks for the great information. I will pass this on to her. She loves seafood, so I am sure she will hit the Fish Market at least a couple of times. And there is also a Pizzaria Uno inside, and we used to have one here and loved it....but it closed. So, I am sure she will go to Uno's.

And the take out sweets.........she may hit that place every night!!

 

[Marseeya]

If she has time for more of a day or half-day trip, I'd consider a trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo, which is open year-round. Also, if the Pirates are in town, it is an easy walk over the bridge to PNC Park, and tickets are usually available at the park.

Or the Aviary! It's right across the river and so nice. I love spending time there.

 

[HayGan]

Update.......

DW will be staying at the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh. Pretty much right across the street from the VA where she will be working.

It appears that the hotel has several restaurants inside, but she will be there all week, so she will want to venture out and find some other places to eat. But she won't have a car, so she will have to use a taxi or public transportation. She won't want to go TOO far.

Suggestions?

I would highly suggest a restaurant called Eleven. It is in the Strip District (nothing dirty) not too far from the Westin (it is a very short walk!) It is a bit pricey but very good! I ate there a few weeks ago on a client's dime - yummy!!!

 

[HayGan]

Walking that way will take her to Smithfield Street where there is also a Bruegger's Bagels, Barnes & Noble, and a hot dog place.

Yovi's hot dog (on Liberty) are very yummy! SO are the gyros at Mike and Tony's (also on Liberty!)