[NA] Pittsburgh recommendations?

GeorgeC

GeorgeC

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GeorgeC
Driving the family to Pittsburgh for a wedding this weekend. I've only been there once in the past for a conference. I remember the food being good, but didn't have enough time to really see the town.

Any particular recommendations? I am a simple man; museums, airport cafes, greasy spoons, dives, it's all good.

A Steak 'n Shake pilgrimage is already planned.
 
Monongahela incline is a must! Park at the bottom and go up the hill. Of course driving up the hills and twists are fun too. Beautiful view of the town...especially if you aren't flying in.

Station Square use to be pretty good the shops inside are a little pricey.

I lived there for 10 years. It's nice town. Downtown actually has shops and stuff. The symphony is pretty nice too.

http://primantibros.com/home.html I hear has been on the "diner and dives" show. Looks delicious never made it there myself.

If you're driving from DC a stop in Hershey, PA is a nice little detour as well. :)
 
Bunch of good museums downtown. Do NOT expect to drive downtown on a weekend. On my one and only visit we stayed in a suburb, and when we went to drive downtown they closed the one and only freeway.
 
steingar said:
Bunch of good museums downtown. Do NOT expect to drive downtown on a weekend. On my one and only visit we stayed in a suburb, and when we went to drive downtown they closed the one and only freeway.
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Downtown on a weekend is easy. It is true, there is one and only one freeway in from pretty much every direction, but lots of alternate routes on which locals should be able to advise if necessary.

In addition to the previously mentioned Heinz History Center (well done, but mostly Pittsburgh-centric) and the Frick House, I would also recommend Phipps Conservatory, which is in Pittsburgh's Schenley Park, near Univ. of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon Univ. I'm not much of a plant and flower person myself, but the displays are so well done that it's an enjoyable walk-through even if floral isn't your thing.

There are a number of good restaurants in and around the city, and everyone's tastes are different, so it's hard to advise one way or another.

This one is decent and family-friendly:
http://www.churchbrew.com

Excellent seafood (for Pittsburgh, anyway) lunch place:
http://www.pennavefishcompany.com

Even though I'm a native of Pittsburgh, I consider Primanti's to be a complete dive. Most out of town guests seem to have no idea why Pittsburghers rave about it and, quite frankly, neither do I. French fries and cole slaw on a sandwich may seem clever, but it's not my thing.


JKG
 
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JGoodish said:
This is one is decent and family-friendly:
http://www.churchbrew.com
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+1.

I used to live directly across the street from the Church Brew Works. Food and beers were both fantastic.

It's a former catholic church that has been converted to a microbrewery. Fermentation vessels have replaced the altar and the pews were converted to booths. You have to see it for yourself.
 
buzzard86 said:
+1.

I used to live directly across the street from the Church Brew Works. Food and beers were both fantastic.

It's a former catholic church that has been converted to a microbrewery. Fermentation vessels have replaced the altar and the pews were converted to booths. You have to see it for yourself.
Click to expand...

Not far from there is a restaurant named Salt of the Earth (or maybe just Salt?). Excellent food and I believe all locally sourced.
 
Hit the Heinz History Center and Meat & Potatoes. The corned beef hash and pancakes at Pamela's were outstanding. I'll hit Primanti's next time.

Thanks for the tips!
 
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