Visiting pittsburgh wondering about hotels and parking (West Mifflin, Liberty: rent, how much)

[altochroma]

my fiance our son and i will be visiting pttsburgh this sept.
we are very excited since were planning this trip to check out the city and see if its as great as weve heard and if wed like to relocate.
my question has to do with parking in the city.
we had decided to get a hotel outside the city in west mifflin (because it was almost half the price) and drive in everyday, since well be renting a car.
but how much does it cost to park in the city?
im wondering if its going to sort of defeat the purpose to stay so far out if were going to have to pay for parking several different times a day.
were planning on coming out to the city in the morning site seeing checking out neighborhoods then going back to the hotel in the afternoon for my sons nap then returning in the evening for dinner.
im wondering if we should just bite the bullet and stay closer maybe at hotel with a parking pass.
any advice would be awesome.
thanks in advance.

[BrianTH]

Parking in Pittsburgh is generally only expensive Downtown (like a minimum of $4-5 for 1 hour, and $10-15 for a day, $2-$5 in the evening). If you are mostly going to be visiting other neighborhoods, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[Geeo]

Neighborhood parking is pretty reasonable in city areas like Shadyside, Squirrel Hill and East Liberty. Downtown garages owned by the Parking Authority are cheap on weekends - just make sure that it's a Parking Authority garage. Private garages and lots cost more. You can also park at Station Square and take the T (light rail) into downtown and back. It's very convenient.

[Copanut]

If you could swing it financially, I would recommend staying at the Sheraton Station Square or one of the hotels on the North side near the Stadiums. That way you could walk the City, take the T, jump on a Clipper, do the incline, all that stupid tourist stuff.

Try the internet for some deals, if you plan this far out you might find one.

[fleetiebelle]

I was gonna say that West Mifflin is kind of a slog to get into the city proper, and not really close to anything interesting except Kennywood.

[raynist]

How much was the hotel in West Mifflin? You are looking at at least 45 - 60 minutes if you plan on coming into the city during the morning rush, if not, you are looking at about 25 minutes.

There are a few cheaper hotels on Banksville Ave (15216) that are only 2-3 miles from the city center. You could also catch a bus from there.

[highway29south]

You could also stay in Greentree, just outside of the Fort Pitt tunnels on Parkway West (oh, sorry Interstate 376). The drive into town though the tunnels offers one of the most beautiful, breathtaking ways to see the city.

Parking in the city, on the other hand, is horrible at best. It's overpriced and overcrowded during business hours. Weeknights and weekends are a lot easier to deal with. However, bus service is very good and would have you in and out of the city pretty quick.

[wpipkins]

Parking on the weekends is approximately $3.00 (All Day) The First Avenue Garage is huge and will always have spaces available on the weekdays($8.00) The garage is on the riverfront and you can rent a bike(with toddler compartment) and bike over to the Southside works for lunch. You can take the T(free) from the garage (connected) and explore downtown and the North Shore. Or you can take the T in the oppisite direction and make Station Square a destination. I would have paid the extra money for a centralized hotel outside of downtown (Oakland or Shadyside) and with this choice the city is yours. Pittsburgh attractions are not limited to Downtown. There are 88 other neighborhoods to explore and West Mifflin and Rt. 51 is not one of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The West mifflin choice will be a nitemare in my opinion. No shopping, No people, No entertainment!!!!!!!!!

[robrobrob]

The First Avenue Garage is huge and will always have spaces available on the weekdays($8.00)

The price has gone up I think it is 8.75. Also, it sometime does get filled up sometimes.