Five things to do around Pittsburgh when you travel to a Steelers game
While athletes are off relaxing on vacations and spending their final free time with their families before reporting to training camp this week in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, Steelers fans are starting to plan their travel for the upcoming season too.
Fans who are displaced from Pittsburgh may need some options on what to do besides attending a game. If you’re from out of the area and looking for suggestions on what to do, I’ve compiled a small list of five activities that should be fun for various tastes and ages.
Mount Washington & Dining
Mount Washington is home to the best views and Grandview Avenue’s Restaurant Row, which is home to upscale seafood and Italian restaurants. You can take in a four-star meal or choose to walk to any of the overlooks to capture the incredible sights of Pittsburgh’s city skyline.
Furthermore, you can enhance your Pittsburgh experience by riding up or down the mountain on one of the inclines. The local railways vertically climb the side of the side of the mountain and are historically one of the most unique forms of public transportation in the world.
Should you bypass the inclines, driving up the mountain also offers a scenic view that is unmatched.
Bars, Breweries and Nightlife
Pittsburgh is home to a large amount of craft breweries, with most located in their brewery district that also sits within the shadow of the historic Penn Brewery. Since tastes and preferences can be subjective, I’ll leave the homework up to yinz to discover your favorites but here is a list of local favorites in no particular order: Cinderlands, Eleventh Hour, The Church Brew Works, Voodoo Brewing Company, Brew Gentleman, Aslin Beer Company, Allegheny City Brewing, Grist House Craft Brewery, Strange Roots Experimental Ales, Fat Heads Brewery, Hitchhiker, Dancing Gnome, and East End Brewing Company. (Whew! I probably missed one too!)
As noted, some of the breweries are along a central path near the old Penn Brewery (which still operates) but others can be found along other bars and nightlife areas.
The North Shore area, seated between Acisure Stadium and PNC Park, offers a number of places to wine and dine. Rivers Casino, situated next to the Steelers Stadium, is another option for food and drinks plus the occasional wager. You can try your luck at slots, table games, or even sports betting.
If gambling in person isn’t your style, the state of Pennsylvania also offers legal online betting. While traditional betting platforms have their merits, an advanced online betting platform with cryptocurrency options could significantly transform the landscape. Such a platform would enable users to place wagers using digital currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum alongside conventional payment methods.
Station Square is another destination with various bars and eateries, and can also be mapped out on your itinerary due to its close proximity to the inclines and Mount Washington, plus the Gateway Clipper.
Strip District
A small neighborhood near downtown Pittsburgh, the Strip District offers a variety of places to shop and eat.
For fans of Pittsburgh sports, the number of shops offering Black and Gold apparel for the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates is second to none. You can find everything from jerseys to t-shirts and hats, and in between.
The area is also home to several bars and restaurants. The Strip is famously home to Primanti Brothers’ original location, as well as Robert Wholey & Co. fish market (with a cafe and award-winning Andy’s Sushi inside), Mancini’s Bread Company, and Roland’s Seafood Grill plus popular breakfast restaurants such as Pamela’s Diner and DeLuca’s Diner. Honestly, there are too many places to name!
The Strip District Terminal is a newer destination in the same area offering more of the same experiences. Simply put, if you’ve never been here, this should be one of your first visits!
Travel The Three Rivers
Water travel might be your next best bet to relax in the city. While it’s unlikely you’ll be on a yacht, there are a number of ways to traverse Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
One of those ways can be done going back-and-forth from the game via the Gateway Clipper, which offers Ferry service from Station Square to Acrisure Stadium (or PNC Park) on game days. There is a small fee for traveling each way, but it’s well worth the value if using the city’s garages to park away from the game venues.
There are also popular rentals and tours available. The Gateway Clipper offers tours, while tiki bar floats, boats and jet skis can all be hired for trips on the three rivers. Any of the water transportation methods should also swing you by Point Park, which is the area that the three rivers in Pittsburgh meet.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a boat, there are also many places to dock along the river downtown, including right in front of the Steelers stadium. Of course, these activities require warmer weather and many of them are unavailable as the winter months approach, so be sure to check schedules accordingly when booking.
Attractions
Pittsburgh is home to many attractions that offer an opportunity to spend time with the family. The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are two of the most popular attractions in the city. Kennywood amusement park, which has been open for over 125 years, is also nearby.
Pittsburgh is also home to a number of museums, including The Andy Warhol Museum, which holds the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks and archival materials. The History Center, also known as the Senator John Heinz History Center, was recently voted as the #1 History Museum in America by USA Today as part of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is another award-winning museum that is also close to the North Shore area, offering delights for families with young kids. Around the corner you’ll also find a unique landmark, Randyland, which is another art museum that you must see to properly describe.
And of course, if you’re in luck, you might be able to catch a Pirates game at one Major League Baseball’s most scenic ballparks, PNC Park, or a Penguins game at PPG Paints Arena. Both venues often feature concerts and other events that may be worth looking into during your stay in the Steel City.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this article to be informative for your travels to Pittsburgh! If you see any obvious omissions or have personal favorites, I’m looking forward to your comments below. Thanks for reading this non-football entry to our website that hopefully makes your stay in the Steel City more enjoyable!
