Quick impromptu trip to your fine city.

Submitted by Qtip44 t3_10pcakv in pittsburgh

Looking for some advice/direction. I live in Columbus and I bought something off someone on Pittsburgh. Instead of just driving 6hrs RT to pick it up I figured we should make a weekend out of it with the kiddos seeing as they've never seen Pittsburgh before. It's been probably 25 years since I've been so I don't remember much about it. If I was to plan a Saturday afternoon to show the wife/kids (8 & 11) around before staying at a hotel. Where would you point me? The boys are pretty "mature" for their age (meaning they don't really like kiddie stuff). Bonus, a solid Pittsburgh'esq dinner spot (I did have my eye on the Grand Concourse). Sunday we're picking up the item and heading home but I'd like to explore a little more in the morning too.

Back when I was a kid in Youngstown, we used to come to Pittsburgh all the time to visit Ross park mall, station Square, and all that. I'm sorta digging for some nostalgic spots too if that makes sense.

If you read all this, I appreciate it!

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ballsonthewall t1_j6jpvdf wrote

I think you can do better than Grand Concourse... Station Square and Ross Park are not all that unique and not really much to write home about.

If the kids are more mature, the museums will be a great way to spend an afternoon. In the morning, do take the incline up to Mt. Washington and check out the skyline... very touristy but definitely worth it if you haven't visited in a long time. Do you enjoy a certain type of cuisine? I could give a restaurant rec from there.

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James19991 t1_j6ka00f wrote

Station Square blows IMO. It could be so much better and interesting than it is.

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ballsonthewall t1_j6kaq0e wrote

Yeah it's sad honestly because the location is killer

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James19991 t1_j6kp79y wrote

Very true. It feels like a time warp to 1998 when you're there

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Yacan1 t1_j6n1d4t wrote

It's not as bad since they've gutted everything and and trying to bring more retail into the warehouse, but definitely more dining focused than anything right now.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6jqc9s wrote

We're pretty flexible with meals (no seafood only joints though because of allergies). Gastropubs, modern restaurants. Maybe even something with a view. (I love the fact that everyone is poo-poo'ing my grand concourse. That's my dad coming out of me as he was old fashioned and lame 😂

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ballsonthewall t1_j6jr226 wrote

haha yeah I am not saying GC is particularly bad, just that it's okay for a lot more money. Maybe try Tako? Japanese-Mexican fusion, cool space, very modern downtown, family friendly enough. If you want a view your best bet is Altius, but that's a $$$$ sorta place.

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into_thevoyage t1_j6odehd wrote

OP just be aware I believe 1/2 inclines are closed for improvements.

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Small-Cherry2468 t1_j6k7e24 wrote

Randyland or the Bicycle Museum if they want to check out something a little different

We take our kids to the Union Grill in Oakland, nothing fancy but they have great comfort food and good for kids without wild tastes. D's Six Pak and Dogs is a good cheap eat too, awesome pizza and beer selection.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6k85rj wrote

Bicycle museum would be cool, seeing as I'm a cycling nerd. Union grill says closed!

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uswforever t1_j6nic6h wrote

The bike museum is closed for repairs right now

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6osmen wrote

Blasphemy!

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uswforever t1_j6p2pe3 wrote

A pipe burst in the building during a cold snap a few weeks ago.

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mikeyHustle t1_j6l9n2b wrote

Yeah, sorry, Union Grill JUST announced remodeling.

While I have you on the horn:

  • Aviary for entertainment
  • Sienna Mercato for meatballs and beers

Beyond that, I'm like tremendously boring, I'm afraid. But I think the kids would like both spots.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6lcmc8 wrote

Aviary definitely might be something the boys like and Sienna Mercato looks fantastic! Thanks!

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DIY_Creative t1_j6jm3op wrote

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History if they're more "mature." Children's Museum is great too, but I'd vote for the Carnegie Museums. Both museums are connected and one ticket gets you into each. I don't think they'd be too into the Art side (my 8 year old is in spurts). Carnegie Science Center is also GREAT but can get SUPER crowded on Saturdays, though if you don't mind it's a good time plus the Sportsworks which is cool. Other option would be outdoor ice skating at Schenley ice rink. Can couple Phipps into that, but unless your kids are into plants and stuff (mine is!) it might fall flat. Any of those would be worth researching to see what aligns more prominently with your family! As far as dinner spots go, yeah I'd say no to the Grand Concourse. Depends what kind of meal you want, but search the community for posts and you'll find something. What kind of food and whatnot. There's some really cool local restaurants that have good food and are in good spots and not all fluff and no meat like Grand Concourse.

P.S. We visited Columbus for the first time last October for a concert and LOVED it! Even discovered Thunderkiss Coffee (a coffee roaster) and have ordered beans twice since. Cbus is a cool town!

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CARLEtheCamry t1_j6juvh6 wrote

Wanted to add the National Aviary as a suggestion as well, it's pretty unique to Pittsburgh you won't find in other towns, even if they have a decent zoo. Beyond the exhibits they have a lot of animal encounters, and even penguin feeding. I took my kids when they were in that age range and they got a huge kick out of it.

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jazzcc t1_j6k311b wrote

The grasslands exhibit at the Aviary is such an experience. I could sit there for hours.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6jq4pi wrote

The ice skating seems fun! I'm sure they'd love that seeing as everywhere we go and there's a rink they ask of they can go. Science center and sports place look fun but crowds concern me no doubt. They're all about sports though, so it could work.

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fleetiebelle t1_j6l2n43 wrote

If they like sports, the Heinz History Center in the Strip has a sports museum as part of their collections. It's also a pretty solid local history museum with hands-on/interactive displays that probably wouldn't be too deadly for preteens.

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Jumpy-Natural4868 t1_j6jqdru wrote

the carnegie international has a lot of cool art right now, and on the 2nd floor is a lot of art that's sorta gross. Pictures with vaginas and penises. gourds that make noise. A grisly machine that looks like extruded meat. Wonderwoman spinning around endlessly on a 1980s TV. a machine that makes all kinds of crazy music. Big letter balloons.

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lilbismyfriend300 t1_j6jnbme wrote

If you give some more hints to the kind of stuff you'd want, we could give good recommendations.

Like art museums or history museums? Flowers? Outdoorsy or hiking stuff? Pro sports? Ice skating, bowling? Drinking?

Ross Park Mall is still around but if you just want to go to a generic mall I'm sure you have those in Columbus too.

When I have first timers visiting this city I like to recommend them to just go to the heart of a relatively walkable neighborhood and just experience walking through all the restaurants and shops and bars etc. Go to Butler Street in Lawrenceville and you might be set for half a day tbh. Another couple hours around Smallman Street in the Strip District, another couple hours on Walnut Street in Shadyside.

Food wise, check Yelp cuz there's a lot of good spots including a bunch of good international cuisines. Haven't been but I hear the Grand Concourse is pretty overpriced / overrated. Yeah the view is great but you could also get the view at any of the viewpoints on Mount Washington. Either way, definitely take the incline up to the top as it's a unique experience.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6jpmt7 wrote

We're pretty much laid back. Our kids favorite city is San Fran and Vegas...so they're ready for pretty much anything. We like to visit neighborhoods/areas to walk around, the science center seems cool but my fear is crowds and all that since Saturday will be cold. I was planning on staying close to Downtown seeing it would be a good center point. Food wise, we eat just about anything except seafood (allergies). I did just stumble upon that "discovertheburg" site so I'm reading through that. North shore and strip district seem cool. Maybe a good modern or gastropub to eat Saturday night. The wife says, let's try to spend as little as possible on unnecessary things... whatever that means. I'm picking up the thing I'm buying in Allison Park Sunday.

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SparklesLuvsScotch t1_j6kp162 wrote

I was going to suggest the North Shore and the Strip. You can see the stadiums and Mister Rogers monument, as well as the Science Center and the Warhol museum, on the North Shore. The walk along the river can be pretty nice depending on the weather.

In the Strip, you can check out Eide's (only of you're into things like comic books and records), the History Museum, and all of the shops (including a candy store). You might want to look into Coop de Ville for a bite to eat. The kids may like it there.

I'd also recommend stopping at the Point downtown. It's an easy walk across the bridge from the North Shore.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6kqg50 wrote

I read the strip stores close early, is this true?

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SparklesLuvsScotch t1_j6krb92 wrote

It depends on the store. Some of them, like Penn Mac, close at 4:00 and I think Wholey's closes at 5:00. Grandpa Joe's Candy is open until 7:00, though.

Eide's, which is in the Strip not far from the History Museum, is open until 6:30.

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LockedOutOfElfland t1_j6kyipp wrote

If you're not averse to the most fast-casual of fast-casual dining, pretty much everyone in Pittsburgh treats Primanti's ike a real institution.

I'm biased because I live real close to it, but if you're not too squeamish Center for Postnatural History is a treat. Further afield the curio shops in Allentown neighborhood are a real trip. There's also Randyland, Photo Antiquities, and your more fancy museums/cultural sites like the Warhol, Heinz, Carnegie Museum of Natural History etc.

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Moogottrrgr t1_j6owkjt wrote

I just asked my 10-year-old son where you should go and he said here: https://coopdevillepgh.com/

We've only ever gone there at brunch time (like 11 or so) so I don't know what the crowd situation there is (it's in the Strip) so maybe other people can tell you what the best time to go would be. I can tell you that I brought five kids there, let them spend all they wanted on video games, and we only spent $100 (not including food), so it's pretty cheap.

Edited because that website sucks. It's a fried chicken and vintage video game place.

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Qtip44 OP t1_j6oxhoh wrote

Tell your 10 y/o that is a great suggestion thanks! That may have just become #1 on our list when we first hit the city.

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highlandparkpitt t1_j6mho12 wrote

The zoo. It's one of the best in the country (although behind your native Columbus one) and although there's less animals in the winter, there's also a lot less people

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poodog13 t1_j6mkbje wrote

DO NOT DO THIS. The Pittsburgh Zoo is NOT one of the best zoos in the country. I’ve been to the San Diego Zoo, the National Zoo, and the Columbus Zoo and IMO Columbus is far and away the best. Pittsburgh Zoo is like a crappy petting zoo by comparison.

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