I just booked a travel package with airfare and hotel to the game for my clients. They have tickets and they are Steelers fans but have never gone to a game…first time experience and I want to refer some quality ideas and suggestions to them for Saturday and Sunday before the game. No kids involved. Just two adults. I am looking for recommendations to enhance their Steeler game day weekend.

for the out of town adult clients, there’s a nice strip of bars and restaurants (with a range of quality) on the south side of pittsburgh (Carson St.) that would give them enough options for Saturday Night. Hines Ward owns one of them (locker room bar and grill) and it’s much closer than Squirrel Hill. If they want an authentic experience but don’t know anybody or have a parking pass to tailgate with…tell them to bring a case of beer and to not be afraid to approach a big tailgating group. I understand if its hard to tell your clients to do so, but it’s really not too awkward and people will be nice if they have steeler gear on.

As for our Canadian friends, its a bit trickier for me to make recommendations with a kid. Hotel wise, I don’t have any suggestions asides from considering proximity. I feel like its a pretty accessible stadium regardless of what direction you’re coming from, and im sure any hotel will work out fine. Also, I’m not sure what you had in mind tailgate-wise, but most of the lots close to the stadium require a parking pass. I feel like your son would probably enjoy getting into the stadium early and watching the players warm up, I always did. Depending on how early you arrive, you can walk up to the first row and get pretty close.

Anybody know about any activities or “Fan Fests” planned for Saturday or Sunday day prior to the game? What’s available there at the Ball Park prior to the game?

…but the part of the city near the stadium isn’t exactly a “happening place” on weekends. Aside from the huge crowd of tailgaters around the stadium, downtown Pittsburgh is mostly closed on Sundays (and Saturdays… and weekdays after 6pm).

Since I’m coming from Montana for this game, I don’t know what to do for parking (rental car) and tailgating. I’m willing to show up to a lot early if they let you do that at any of them, and, through a lot of personal effort, begin tailgating mid-morning.
Also, does anyone know if there would be a place to see some of the players before or after the game and maybe get autographs?
This trip is a bucket list thing for me and I want to cram as much stuff into the weekend as possible!!!

Grille 36 is the place to watch a Steeler game. If you catch it at the right time you can get a booth with your own personal tv and if you are lucky, like I was the other week, Mel Blount might even be there. And since the Bus owns it chances are he could be there too. And who doesnt want to try a deep fried hot italian or meatloaf sandwich.

WARNING: the spicy thai asian wing sause will burn your mouth off. But it is awesome

If you make it down to tailgate which is a must. The people are awesome. My friends and I are there every home game and the North Shore is a black and gold sea of people.

Another great thing to see is the Heinz Sports Center. It is not to far from the stadium and then you can head down to Primanti’s ( its a little walk) and get a sandwich. DONT LISTEN TO THE BALTIMORE WRITER. He is just jealous that the only good food they have is crab cakes. If you also like sushi Sushi Kim is another good place but I dont know if they are open on sundays.

http://www.sushikim.com/

http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/sportsMuseum.aspx

The Jerome Bettis Grille is pretty damn good. I think I had a bacon burger when I went. Good stuff. Plus its basically about as hardcore steelers as you can get. And its a stones throw from the field