Need recommendations on a short stay in town (Pittsburgh, Carnegie: mattress, hotel)

[kareno999]

Just booked a two-day get-away to Pittsburgh in Aug (picked Pitt over Philly & DC ). I need some recommendations about THE things to do/see in town. I'll most probably be traveling alone. Muchas gracias!

Also, a few posts here seem to suggest that the downtown area is basically dead after 6pm. Unfortunately, I'm staying in a downtown hotel (omni). Just wondering if there are any decent bars/clubs around that area to hang out at. Thank you guys!

[BrianTH]

Rumors of Downtown's evening demise are greatly exaggerated. It all depends on what you like, but bars we have enjoyed Downtown include The Sharp Edge, Tonic, Six Penn, Seviche, Elements, Nola, and Tavern 245. I also quite like The Tap Room in your hotel (it is a pub feel), and the lobby area also has a bar and is quite spectacular.

Downtown is also a great base for a visit because so much is nearby, including a lot within walking distance. Generally, what to do in two days also depends on what you are into--for example, I like architecture, museums, and nice outdoor spaces, so my recommendations tend to be along those lines, but let us know what sorts of things interest you and we can tailor our suggestions.

[kareno999]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Rumors of Downtown's evening demise are greatly exaggerated. It all depends on what you like, but bars we have enjoyed Downtown include The Sharp Edge, Tonic, Six Penn, Seviche, Elements, Nola, and Tavern 245. I also quite like The Tap Room in your hotel (it is a pub feel), and the lobby area also has a bar and is quite spectacular.

Downtown is also a great base for a visit because so much is nearby, including a lot within walking distance. Generally, what to do in two days also depends on what you are into--for example, I like architecture, museums, and nice outdoor spaces, so my recommendations tend to be along those lines, but let us know what sorts of things interest you and we can tailor our suggestions.

Thanks Brian. I was originally thinking to check out the Carnegie museum of art and maybe the two universities. Will there be convenient public transportation to get there, and also the Duquesne Incline?

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by kareno999

Thanks Brian. I was originally thinking to check out the Carnegie museum of art and maybe the two universities. Will there be convenient public transportation to get there, and also the Duquesne Incline?

Oakland, the neighborhood where the Carnegie and the universities are located, is very easy to get to by bus--they come every few minutes along Fifth Avenue. Incidentally, a cool place to eat over there is The Porch, in Schenley Plaza across from Hillman Library.

The Mon Incline is actually easier to get to than the Duquesne Incline. I consider the Mon Incline within walking distance, and it is a cool walk (you go over the Smithfield Bridge, and it is right there in front of you on the right). You can also take the T from the Steel Plaza subway station (right across from your hotel), and then get off the first stop over the river, just across the street from the Incline. You can get a $1 transfer from the T which is good on the Incline, and similarly a transfer on the way back down the Incline that is good for the T. The Duquesne Incline is doable with a little work as well, but if you are at all into walking, and the weather is decent. you can do the roundtrip on the Mon Incline and walk along Grandview all the way past the Duquesne Incline and back, and get great views along the way.

By the way, I don't know if this is your style of art, but the Warhol Museum is right across another bridge from Downtown in the North Shore (again, I'd call it walking distance, or you can take the T and come back past the baseball stadium). Further in the North Side, in a cool historic neighborhood, is the Mattress Factory, which features funky installation art.

[Love2Golf09]

Originally Posted by kareno999

Just booked a two-day get-away to Pittsburgh in Aug (picked Pitt over Philly & DC ). I need some recommendations about THE things to do/see in town. I'll most probably be traveling alone. Muchas gracias!

Also, a few posts here seem to suggest that the downtown area is basically dead after 6pm. Unfortunately, I'm staying in a downtown hotel (omni). Just wondering if there are any decent bars/clubs around that area to hang out at. Thank you guys!

Personally, I think downtown is pretty much dead after 9. But, staying downtown isn't a bad idea. It's a very quick bus or taxi ride to the southside or strip for a lot of bars/clubs. The casino is also close. If don't walk to walk there you can take the T to the north side then it's a very short walk there. As already mentioned, the Carnegie museum is in oakland, which has a ton of buses going from there to downtown. The carnegie science center is on the north side, right next to the casino, and is also easy to get to from downtown. If I were you, I'd just take a cab to the south side and bar hop. Tell the driver to take you to a bar on Carson St. I'm sure they will recommend something and drop you off where you can walk to wherever you want to go. A lot of decent restaurants there too.

[SPSGuy]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Rumors of Downtown's evening demise are greatly exaggerated. It all depends on what you like, but bars we have enjoyed Downtown include The Sharp Edge, Tonic, Six Penn, Seviche, Elements, Nola, and Tavern 245. I also quite like The Tap Room in your hotel (it is a pub feel), and the lobby area also has a bar and is quite spectacular.

Downtown is also a great base for a visit because so much is nearby, including a lot within walking distance. Generally, what to do in two days also depends on what you are into--for example, I like architecture, museums, and nice outdoor spaces, so my recommendations tend to be along those lines, but let us know what sorts of things interest you and we can tailor our suggestions.

WOw, I thought I knew a lot about the burgh, but the Sharp Edge is downtown?

[gg]

Originally Posted by SPSGuy

WOw, I thought I knew a lot about the burgh, but the Sharp Edge is downtown?

They have a few locations now. The downtown one on Penn is pretty cool.

sharp edge

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by SPSGuy

WOw, I thought I knew a lot about the burgh, but the Sharp Edge is downtown?

Yep. It gets pretty hoppin' in the evenings, and the half-price Belgians during M-F happy hours makes it a reasonable deal (they also do some half-off food after 10).

[Debbie1125]

The Heinz History Center is nice. I went there on one of my visits.

[pman]

I prefer August Henry's over the tap room due to beer selection. Downtown is pretty convenient for transit. I've found it easy to get to the strip. The 86 bus will also take you to church brew works (a brewpub in a former church h) and runs pretty late. The omni is well located.BTW crazy mocha is the only non-starbucks coffee shop open downtown on the weekends but inexplicably its the location on liberty Ave not market sq.