What to see/where to avoid in a short visit (Pittsburgh: neighborhoods, universities)

[joyeaux]

Our family of 4 will be going to a Pirates game on Saturday night, May 25. We're staying out by the airport but want to see as much of the city over the weekend as is safe to walk thru with kids (10,16 yrs old). We've got the Aviary on our list besides the game. Our kids are Cincinnati suburb kids but we're NYC midtown parents. So we're open but safety is a major concern. We would appreciate anyone's suggestion for restaurants/diners/city sights but especially a parent's perspective on touring the city. Thanks in advance.

[raynist]

Saturday afternoon in the strip district would be intersting. It is basically an open air market that is very lively on saturday mornings/afternoon. It is located on Penn Ave between 22nd and 16th street.

Other things they may be interested in:

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Carnegie Science Center
Children's Museum
Pittsburgh Zoo

[fleetiebelle]

I'd add the History Center in the Strip to that list, too.

(And I have to give a shout out to your suburban Cincinnati kids--I grew up in Blue Ash.)

[Chuckles1821]

Go to Primanti's and get one of their extremely unhealthy (but good!) sandwiches. They're a Pittsburgh staple. There's a few locations (Downtown, South Side, Robinson), but you might want to go to the one in Moon since it's the closest to the airport. I've always found that one to be the cleanest, too.
My roommate works at the aviary, and she says that they just got a new baby penguin that is super cute so I'm sure the kids will enjoy it.
The Science Center is right near the stadiums, so that would be convenient if you decided to do that, the game, and the Aviary all in one day (although that might be a lot of activities).
Enjoy your visit!

[Copanut]

If your driving to the game from Moon, park at Station Square and take the boat over to the game, gives a good perspective of the city. Arrive early at Station Square and take a ride on the Incline.

[raynist]

Originally Posted by COPANUT

If your driving to the game from Moon, park at Station Square and take the boat over to the game, gives a good perspective of the city. Arrive early at Station Square and take a ride on the Incline.

Incline is a good idea. Wonderful veiw of the city from atop Mount Washington.

Somone recommended Primanti's, there is one in the strip district (the original) if you decide to go to the strip district. There is also one in PNC Park, but with an smaller menu.

[BrianTH]

As people are suggesting, there is a bunch of family-friendly stuff to do in that area around the confluence (including the North Shore, South Side, Downtown, and The Strip).

But if you are looking to see more of Pittsburgh, I would suggest also hitting some places in the East End (where the universities and some of Pittsburgh's historic neighborhoods are located). Already mentioned was the Carnegie Museum of National History, which is in Oakland, and in the same complex you can also go to the Carnegie Museum of Art (if your kids like art). Across the street are the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel, the heart of the University of Pittsburgh and worth a look.

A little farther into the East End is the Frick Art & Historical Center, formerly the residence of Henry Clay Frick, and that is one of the best places to get a glimpse of Pittsburgh's "robber baron" history. The grounds and most of the buildings are free, but the mansion has an admission fee--but worth paying if you like historic mansions. Here is a link:

Welcome to the Frick

If it is nice day, you can also walk from there into Frick Park, which is a very large wilderness park with lots of cool trails.

There are tons of places to eat in the East End. Both the Carnegie Museums and The Frick have nice cafes. A good place for kids is D's, which is actually in my neighborhood, Regent Square, on Braddock Avenue and just a short hop from The Frick. From there you can easily hop onto I-376 to head pretty much anywhere else.

[fleetiebelle]

The Just Ducky tours (Just Ducky) out of Station Square would be fun for kids, too.

[Pitt Chick]

Originally Posted by joyeaux

Our family of 4 will be going to a Pirates game on Saturday night, May 25.

Will you be at the Saturday's game on the 24th (7:05pm) or Sunday's game on the 25th (1:35 pm)?

It will be easier to plan if you know when you will be at the game!

[MaryS80]

The Warhol Museum is a lot of fun, I think most 16 year olds would enjoy it. Maybe ride one of the boats on the Gateway Clipper fleet. Enjoy the view off Mount Washington, or the West End Overlook. There is also a Primantis in Moon that opened a few months ago. If you don't mind driving out of the way, Laurel Caverns is a blast.