HELP! Coming to Pittsburgh for 1st time in 9 years...

by WETSU on Oct 20, 2009 12:20 PM EDT Comment 42 comments

Hi All, I'm coming in this weekend with the wife for the big game on Sunday. I haven’t been to Pittsburgh in about 9 years. I have a couple of activities planned and wanted to get some opinions.

First of foremost: I can not miss PSU/Mich game on Saturday afternoon. I need a good bar in the Strip District to watch college football on Saturday. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.

We are looking at doing either "The Ducky Tour" or the Duquesne Incline. Don't know that we'll be able to do both. Which would be better? Recommendations please.

Also, what does security at the game allow into Heinz Field in teams of bags?

Lastly, anyone welcoming out of towners to tailgate? We’ll come with beer and a dish of some sort...

Thanks in advance... Go Steelers!

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There aren’t many “good bars” in the strip, but Lefty’s will do. They have cheap drinks and will have the game, for sure. It’s right on Penn Ave, the main street in the strip.

As for the ducky tours, it depends on what you are into. They are cheesy and hokey with a lot of history of the city. If it sounds like you’ll like it, then you probably will. The duquesne incline is not really a “activity”. It’s easy to do, is quick, and gives you a nice view of the city. You could just drive up to mount washington though…

You can bring small bags into Heinz field without a problem, obviously they’ll be searched.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Oct 20, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Normally, Roland’s is the place to go in the Strip District, but on a Saturday afternoon, it could be jammed. Sportsrock Cafe is on Smallman about a block from the Heinz History Center and should be less congested. Btw, if you’re going to be right there, you have to check out the displays at the History Center. It’s flat out ridiculous.

I haven’t done the Ducky tour, but I’d recommend it over the Incline. The incline is a pretty cool experience, but you aren’t going to see a whole lot other than a great view of the city at the top.

Use common sense for the bag check, no glass, no weapons, etc. Give yourself a healthy amount of time to get through the line.

Hope you enjoy the visit!

by pghnorthside on Oct 20, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

The history center is awesome.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Oct 20, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haven’t been there in quite a while, but I love the Sports center, Wagner’s bat, I still remember looking at it like I was a seven year old. That’s such a great place.

by Phantaskippy on Oct 20, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I usually stay with family when I come in

so I can only tell you that places like AllStar sports & Grill and Buffalo Wildwings (The Pointe) both in Robinson Township. I like that area and like I alluded to have family out there.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OOps didn't finish

Bettis Grille 36 is an option. From what I can remember people usually watch games in small mom and pop bars or at home. I’ve heard of a place called Margaritaville also on E. Carson St.

Hope this helps some.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That place is a total dive. It’s also fantastic with a very friendly owner and is cheap as chips.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Oct 20, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which place are you referring?

by WETSU on Oct 20, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Margaritaville. The “cheap as chips” part could apply to a lot of places on the south side though, as well as the “total dive”.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Oct 20, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the kind of place that is always good for watching games

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, good. My wife and I were looking forward to checking out Grille 36…

by WETSU on Oct 20, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grille 36 is what one would expect.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Oct 20, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

try the deep fired cheeseburger

"Polamalu’s lineage can be traced through several roots. Chuck Norris mated with an Amazon Queen, and on the other side, Tony Hawk mated with Mother Nature. The two children of these spawned and fused in a tantric love session to create Troy Polamalu. The mother however died as he tore through the birth canal with a spin move."
Mechem on the roots of Troy Polamalu

by WVPiratesfan on Oct 22, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fired or fried? not being funny but seriously want to know

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 22, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Margaritaville

Is the owner’s name George? A guy I went to Pitt with many eons ago got together with some partners and opened Margaritaville in the early ’80s.

by whogastim on Oct 20, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A new owner bought it a few years ago and turned it into a nicer dive.

You sure Ike isn’t reacquainting himself with his fingers, he certainly doesn’t use them for catching. - Brian (DaBolts) on "Face Me Ike"

by steelguy99 on Oct 21, 2009 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stay away from McFadden's

And don’t piss in public. I hear there is a citywide crackdown.

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 20, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

by pghnorthside on Oct 20, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love the avatar

Clemente Bridge, no?

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct

by pghnorthside on Oct 20, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have some nice pictures

from my trip this summer to PNC Park. The view into the stadium angling down the river is cool!

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 20, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO!!!!!!!!!

The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."
-George Carlin

by Cdsumm on Oct 20, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least bring a paper towel dispenser to clean up after yourself if you do.

by Phantaskippy on Oct 20, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And if you must piss...

Don’t ever assume a fighting stance.

by MarkJoel66 on Oct 21, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated!

by WETSU on Oct 20, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I will be there with my son and brother-in-law

and I plan on metting up with Chewie and….dnag it I’ll have to look back and see who else, but….I’m saying let me know if you want to meet a few online brethren.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely do. I’ll continue my reseach and make a decision on a Bar for Saturday that I’ll be at. Otherwise, I have no tailgate plans at the moment. Thinking i’m just gonna go to stadium and find a spot to stand with my beer or just walk around… I’ll be in-touch closer to the end of the week… Thanks.

by WETSU on Oct 20, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gate A is where we are supposed to meet.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be the guy

wearing a Steelers jacket.

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Oct 20, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Oct 20, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me too! how weird!

Like oh my gosh!!

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I could find a link to the old CSI Pittsburgh sketch from DVE, “Actually officer we’re both wearing Steelers jersey’s.”

by Phantaskippy on Oct 20, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe a dumb question but are the Lombardis’ on display somewhere we can see them? I saw they were in the Strip District last month but can’t get their location now…

by WETSU on Oct 20, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They are out for repair

Sweed borrowed them and dropped them.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Willie knows where they are.

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." Jack Lambert

by LongTimeSteelersFan on Oct 20, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny!

Loved the Sweed dropping comment…

But, doesn’t Willie still think they are 6 rushing titles?

by MarkJoel66 on Oct 20, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shhhhh they are doing an intervention on Willie

we have to humor him until he comes around.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Oct 20, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope, sorry

They were on display at a couple different public locations over the past few months, but they are back at the Steeler complex on the Southside.

by pghnorthside on Oct 20, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought there was a tour you could take to see them while they are at the headquarters, you might want to call and check, touring the headquarters would be cool if they allow it.

by Phantaskippy on Oct 20, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pepe’s cheesesteak

by zenhas12strings on Oct 20, 2009 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Places to go, Things to see

I agree with most of the above. The incline takes maybe 15 minutes. Not much of an activity. I’d drive up to the summit, personally. It is faster and you can see both ends of grand view that way.

I have to say, as someone who had been away from the Burgh and only recently came back, the place looks great! I couldn’t get over how clean downtown looked last time I was there.

On Sunday, the place around Heinz will be packed. But if you go down during the week, you can take a personal walking tour of the area. The Science center is down that way if you have kids.

If the leaves haven’t all dropped by then, I’d head east to Ohiopyle and Jumonvile, personally. But if you are set to do downtown things, there is plenty there.

The Strip District ain’t what it used to be, btw. The stuff is still there, it is just a lot more expensive than it used to be. So, be prepared to spend money if you go.

As for dives, my favorite is still the original Pramanti Brothers on 18th Street. It’s not the dive it once was — too bad. But it is still tradition for my family and me.

Don’t know anything about you and your wife, but have you considered the gateway clipper dinner cruise?

http://www.gatewayclipper.com/

If it doesn’t rain (big IF considering the weather lately) it is a pretty nice evening…

by MarkJoel66 on Oct 20, 2009 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs