My wife and I moved to York Pa. a few years ago and we've been exploring Pa. I swore I would never go to a city for a vacation type trip again since the world has gotten so unpredictable. But I picked up a Pittsburgh visitors guide last week and now I'm interested. So far of interest is the National Aviary, Zoo and aquarium, Frick art museum, Carnegie Science center and the two Inclines that go up Mount Washington. All of that sounds fun and safe, but is it? Having grown up in Baltimore, I don't think I would go to the Baltimore Zoo. And Baltimore's Harbor Place used to be an attraction but now it can be part of the 'knock out' game where yutes sneak up behind you and try to knock you out with one blow.

As nice as Pittsburgh might be I'll assume that there are parts of the City (like any city) that we should avoid.

So any thoughts on the places I mentioned or other spots of interest? Places to avoid. I would plan to drive there from York which is south central Pa. Not counting travel days, should we plan on two or three days there. We're retired so we can always go back if we find that we were not there long enough.

Thanks for any suggestions.

The Frick is very nice. Be sure to catch their auto and carriage display as well. If you take the Incline to Mount Washington the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto on Grandview is one of the better restaurants in town with great views. Do the Aviary in the morning. That part of town gets sketchy later in the day.
If craft beer is your thing that could be a whole other thread.

If your stay includes a Sunday consider a morning in the Strip. Breakfast at DeLuca's or Pamela's then hitting the stores ranging from ethnic groceries to great coffee shops, Biscotti, pastas etc. Saturday mornings are crazy busy. Another Sunday option would be brunch at the Grand Concourse. Pricy but amazing.
Grand Concourse
https://www.montereybayfishgrotto.com/

quote:

Originally posted by SHOOTIN BLANKS:
The Frick is very nice. Be sure to catch their auto and carriage display as well.

We thought the Frick Car and Carriage Museum was really neat and highly recommend.


It's been a few years, but if you like pastries, La Gourmandine bakery and pastry had the best Pain au chocolat I've had in the states - rivals one that we found in a little French bakery in St. Martin.

That Grand Concourse looks amazing. Thanks.
Monterey Bay looks terrific too.

You can also take a tour on the Gateway Clipper.

I live north of Pittsburgh and offer the following:
National Aviary - worth a visit if you are a birder, the area is reasonably safe during the day.
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium - worth a visit, the area is safe.
Frick Art Museum - definitely worth a visit, the area is safe.
Carnegie Science Center - worth a visit, the area is reasonably safe during the day.
Visit the Monongahela Incline. Park in Station Square and ride it up, walk around a bit there are overlooks on Grandview Avenue, great views of the city. Safe during the day.
In addition Heinz History Center in the Strip District is very worthwhile the history of everything Pittsburgh including sports teams. Safe during the day.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Museum of Art - both in Oakland near Pitt, both very worth a visit. While there, Phipps Conservatory is quite nice, only about a mile from the museums. Safe during daylight hours.
Downtown Pittsburgh is sketchy. There is a lot of homeless and not much to see, I would avoid it.
If you are taking the turnpike you will be passing through the Laurel Highlands, one of my favorite places. Hike old growth forest in Laurel Hill State Park, a gem in PA's state park system. There is also a lookout tower (#4 on the map) a short hike leads to the tower with great views. Also in the Laurel Highlands are Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Two of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. Both require reservations and both are well worth the effort. One's first view of Fallingwater is breathtaking.
Pittsburgh has become a food mecca. There are a lot of excellent restaurants. There are many choices depending on your tastes and budget, Yelp is a good resource.

Feel free to PM with specific questions.

6 posts and not one mention of this?

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
6 posts and not one mention of this?

Flag on the play! That looks like Pastrami rather than the mandatory Kolbassi! Seriously, any of the meats that P. Bros. offers will do, but first timers should be steered correctly.

Coleslaw, french fries, and corned beef? What do you call that stomach ache of a sandwich?

Thanks everybody for the really helpful suggestions. I'm getting excited about the trip. My wife recently had a knee surgery so it probably won't happen until next May or June. That will give me plenty of time to plot these places out on a map and figure out where best to stay.

Since it was suggested not to bother with the city I'll assume that most of the places suggested are close but outside the downtown area.

I’d go just to go back to Penn Mac.

Pgh is very safe. I mean, I wouldn't look for a shitty neighborhood or a desolate alley at 1am, but daylight running about is very safe.

When in Oakland, check out the international rooms in the Cathedral of Learning.

Consider a road trip north of Pgh to a park called McConnell Mills if you like to hike. It's a special place.

Pittsburgh is not Baltimore. No crime series was based here similar to The Wire. If you drive a standard you will have to replace your clutch beause of the snow and hills.
My daughter enjoyed it. She was there for the NHL draft in 2012.

quote:

Originally posted by SPWAMike0317:
...Also in the Laurel Highlands are Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Two of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs. Both require reservations and both are well worth the effort. One's first view of Fallingwater is breathtaking.

Heads up -- Falling Water is under scaffolding right now in a major renovation. Maybe it's done by the time you take your trip, but check first. I took my oldest there a month ago, and it was a major let down.

Crime is minimal compared to other cities like Philadelphia. I've walked all over Pittsburgh and never felt unsafe.

I love the Pittsburgh Zoo and for food I love the Hofbrau Haus for german beer (bier) especially the dunkel (dark bier) and food.

I was just in Pittsburgh last weekend for a pre-season hockey game. I travel there from the Lancaster/York area a few times a year for hockey games, occasionally a baseball game. I avoid other close by cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Frankly Pittsburgh is a wonderful city by comparison.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Pittsburgh is not Baltimore. No crime series was based here similar to The Wire.

I know it's kind of old, but Hill St. Blues was based on Pittsburgh.

Anyway, I went to Pitt, stayed another year after graduation to become a rock star, as my band was doing well then. I left in 1994, but go back all the time and will be back to play with my old band this Halloween. I love to visit.

Primanti's is a sore spot. When I lived there, I think there were only two locations - Oakland and the Strip. Now they're everywhere. But worse, Kamala Harris staged a campaign event at one where paying customers were actually chased out of there for her to film the spot, and JD Vance's team was later denied entry. I don't know the owners, but that really leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I go back.

I have always wanted to go to this bakery and try this: https://www.prantlsbakery.com/product/original-torte/

I understood HSB was based on Chicago.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
6 posts and not one mention of this?

PASig is referring to a Pittsburgh "delicacy", a Primanti sandwich. Local Italian bread, meat, slaw, fries and tomatoes.

The original Primanti's is in an area of warehouses called the Strip District. A lively area of stores, shops and sidewalk stands. The sandwich was created to allow truck drivers to eat with one hand and drive with the other, or so legend says.

I have lived near Pittsburgh for over 25 years. In that time I have eaten at Primanti's about 10 times. Out of town visitors want to try it, once. No one has requested a return visit. The sandwich is actually good, IMHO, but it is not better than other sandwich shops in the area.

Greetings fellow Yorkian!

I grew up in Pittsburgh. Moved away right after high school. Still have family in the area.

Pittsburgh has transformed from the rough and tumble blue collar town to high tech hub. Most of the time you are pretty safe.

Tons of good food options. The downtown area is actually pretty devoid of touristy stuff. Station Square used to be a good tourist destination but it is a shell of its former glory. However the Duquense incline is there, definitely ride the incline.

The Carnegie Museum, and the Warhol Museum if art is an interest. A ride on the Gateway Clipper is a must for a first timer.