Things to do in PIttsburgh.

March 29, 2005 6:15 AM

I'll be in Pittsburgh, PA, for a few days next week on business. Any places I should visit, things to do, places to eat, drink, etc.?

I was up there once before in January, and didn't get too far away from the hotel, which made for a less than fun visit. I'll be staying downtown (next to the convention center) and working on 7th street. Any places to eat or drink that I shouldn't miss? From dirt bars to museums to fancy restaurants--everything is fair game.

posted by trox to travel & transportation (19 comments total)

You must have a meal that includes fried zucchini at Tambellini's, conveniently on 7th street (139).
posted by PinkStainlessTail at 6:42 AM on March 29, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

Many visitors take the incline to Mt. Washington, stroll around Station Square at the base of the Mon Incline and tour the impressive Cathedral of Learning. I'm partial to roaming around Shadyside, checking out the live music scene and the museums. There are a few bars in Mt. Lebanon that I really like (but I lived out that way long ago--you can get there via the "T"). The Aviary is quite nice.

Pittsburgh has quite a few charming neighborhoods, easily accessible via the "T", the bus or by walking.

Here's the map for the Pittsburgh Port Authority.

I don't know if the sidewalks still roll up at 5 pm downtown like they used to, but I haven't lived there in quite a while. I used to be partial to the chowder at the Oyster Bar in the Grand Concourse near Station Square...
posted by jeanmari at 6:43 AM on March 29, 2005

Please, please please eat at Lulu's Noodles, which is between the Univ. of Pittsburgh and the CMU campus, across the street from the natural history museum a little ways down from a starbucks. It's simply wonderful. Dr. Fu's special is great, and there's this other dish with sesame seeds in it that's fantastic.
posted by odinsdream at 6:49 AM on March 29, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

It might also go by Yum Wok.
posted by odinsdream at 6:49 AM on March 29, 2005

Oh, and since you're downtown, there's this building shaped like a pie wedge, and on the 4th floor each week or two there's different installation art taking up the whole floor. Most of it's been pretty interesting. If someone could help me out with the name, I'd be delighted. The bottom of the building is also a subway station, if that helps (i know it probably doesn't, it's been awhile since I've been there).
posted by odinsdream at 6:52 AM on March 29, 2005

Meh, Lulu's is okay, if you ask me. It's convenient to a lot of things, though.

I say go to any Primanti's and get a real sandwich, or, if it's still open and you have a car, go to Chiodo's in Homestead. There's decent Vietnamese in Pho Minh or Tram's in Friendship.

Museums: check out the Warhol museum or the Mattress Factory for interesting contemporary stuff. The National Aviary is good if you like birds.

Here are some frank micro-reviews of Pittsburgh restaurants.

(No other links because I have to run to class!)
posted by tss at 7:12 AM on March 29, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

I suggest that you check our Visitors' Bureau website and PghEvents.com for ideas of the myriad places to go and things going on while you're here.

I always recommend a visit to the Warhol Museum on the North Side, and if you're a bird lover, a trip to the National Aviary while you're over there.

If you're in Oakland, eating at Lulu's Noodles, you might want to check out the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Museum of Art (the upper gallery is recognizable to movie buffs as the place that Jennifer Beals ran through when fleeing the ballet company in "Flashdance") or the Heinz Chapel which is architectually keen.

Living in Mt. Washington, I have to suggest that all visitors take a ride on an incline up to our hilltop to take in the view. The Monongahela Incline is most easily accessible via public transport and the bottom terminus is across from Station Square which has a plethora of eating and shopping points, and let's you out along a stretch of overlook points at the top, but it's more commuter-oriented. The Duquesne Incline is harder to get to unless you have a car and the bottom terminus is the far end of the Station Square parking lots with nothing of interest really close by. The top lets you out at a lovely observation booth and in the midst of the pricey Duquesne Heights restaurant zone of Mt. Washington. If you're up for a serious meal, parking below and riding up for lunch or dinner at LeMont, Cliffside, Monterey Bay, Tin Angel or Isabella's is always an option.

Staying close to where you're staying, the Grille on Seventh and Bossa Nova are good eats, and there's Dowe's for both food and live music. The art exhibit space in "pie-wedge" shaped building that odinstream mentioned is the Wood Street Galleries (above the Wood Street T Station, natch) run by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust which has a lot going on here all the time.

And if you're here on April 2, come join us (um or join me, at least) at 8 p.m. at the Church Brew Works for the vague meanderings of a MeFi Meetup.
posted by Dreama at 7:14 AM on March 29, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

Some neat things to do off the top of my head:

Get a sandwich at Primanti Bros.

Get a hot dog from the Original Hot Dog Shop.

Hit some bars on Carson St. in the South Side. See also this list for bars.

Visit the Mattress Factory art museum.
posted by driveler at 7:20 AM on March 29, 2005 [1 favorite has favorites]

Warning: Your ability to deal with (most) bars on Carson Street on the South Side and anywhere in Oakland will be greatly influenced by your personal tolerance for loudness, public intoxication, frat boys and girls wearing far too little clothing for both their own good and the weather (regardless of time of year).

YMMV, of course, but if you're over ~25 or not a big drinker that is probably not the scene you'll want to get into.
posted by Dreama at 7:29 AM on March 29, 2005

Although it can get quite boisterous on weekend nights, Piper's Pub on Carson Street is a must if you like single malt scotches.
posted by Hubajube at 7:40 AM on March 29, 2005

Seconding, thirding, whatever, the Mattress Factory, the Warhol Museum and the Cathedral of Learning.

You might check out some of the Carnegie Libraries, the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium and the Church Brew Works, if you're into that sort of thing.
posted by box at 7:49 AM on March 29, 2005

I have to add that I wasn't at all impressed with the Warhol Museum. Sparse, boring. I did like the balloon room though. The best part was getting in for free because I was a student... I honestly can't say it would be worth paying for. I was especially disappointed that his version of the last supper wasn't there, it being on some trip across the country when I visited.

The modern art museum (why oh why, names, are you failing me this day?) was a lot better, in my humblest of opinions.
posted by odinsdream at 8:42 AM on March 29, 2005

Wow, lots of good stuff here. I'll definitely keep this bookmarked as I'll be travelling up there periodically over the next few months. Unfortunately, I'll miss the meetup since I'll be there April 5 - 8. Keep 'em coming!
posted by trox at 9:08 AM on March 29, 2005

If you need some lunch downtown, I have to plug a friend's new hot dog place, Hot Dogma. It's in a church, you see. Franks be to God.

I wish the meetup announcements weren't only in MetaTalk. I rarely frequent the gray. Still, I'll try to make it.
posted by tss at 9:24 AM on March 29, 2005

Church Brew Works was definitely the high point of my visit to Pittsburgh. It's a beautiful building and the beers were excellent to match. I can't recommend it enough.
posted by kuperman at 10:31 AM on March 29, 2005

If you're a music collector, a stop at Jerry's Records in Squirrel Hill is a must.

Wall-to-wall records, decent organization and the best prices anywhere. Most LPs are $3.
posted by njm at 10:42 AM on March 29, 2005

Please also to be checking out the Strip District, particularly in its daytime incarnation. There's a Primanti Bros. there, too, if you're so inclined.
posted by redfoxtail at 11:33 AM on March 29, 2005

Singapore Rice Noodles!! That's the dish I love at Lulu's Noodles. Maybe someday I'll remember the name of the building with the installation art downtown, too.
posted by odinsdream at 11:16 AM on March 30, 2005

odinsdream: There are at least two triangle-shaped buildings downtown. The Wood Street Gallery is at the corner of Sixth Ave and Liberty.

tss: Chiodo's in Homestead is (*sniff*) gone. In its place they will build a Walgreen's.

For good food, I'd recommend Southwest Bistro on Sixth Street (not Ave). For Pittsburgh food, the original Primanti's in the Strip is a must.

And I'll add another couple votes for The Mattress Factory (take a cab - it's off the beaten path on the North Side) and The Warhol. I was never a big fan of Warhol until I visited this place.
posted by booth at 11:42 AM on March 30, 2005