<p>We stayed at the Hampton Inn which had a shuttle to CMU and Pitt. That way you have a place to park your car because parking on campus can be difficult depending on what is going on that week. Then, you can drive to any restaurant you want.</p>
<p>There's also a hotel or two at the Waterfront, which is convenient to Oakland, but definitely requires a car.</p>
<p>We wanted to try the downtown Seqway tours this summer, but didn't have the chance. They are seasonal, so I'm not sure they will be available in the spring.</p>
<p>Make sure to have a good map if you're going to explore the city!</p>
<p>The Hampton is handy if you're going to leave the hotel and spend the day doing schools. If you want to go back and forth it's a little more complicated since the shuttle only leaves the hotel once on the hour every hour; you can call for a pickup any time.</p>
<p>I gotta tell you, the best place and situation for someone visiting Pittsburgh, that is looking for great location, options, convienience, and safe choices, is the Sheraton at Station Square.
This is central located, parking comes with hotel. Located right next great restauraunts, both high end and casual. Geeat views, can take incline to Mt. Washington from there without driving. Best thing for visitors also is, always have access to a taxi if needed, and basically all fares never exceed 10$ from there.
Moved here to Pittsburgh few years ago, had friends/ family visit many times, this is a no lose, and now they always enjoy going back to Station square, trust me.</p>
<p>I second the motion for a visit to one of the Primantis. It’s well worth the visit and there isn’t anything like it outside of Pittsburgh that I’ve ever heard of.</p>
<p>I HIGHLY suggest going to Oakland and eating/seeing the sights there. Not only can you do the Carnegie Libraries, but you can also see the Cathedral of Learning and the nationality rooms, but, you can also get some great food.</p>
<p>Make sure you get some Primanti’s while youre with us. And get everything on it</p>
<p>Also in Oakland: The tiramisu at Joe Mama’s Italian restaurant is the best I’ve ever tasted. And if for some reason you feel in the mood for ice cream, Dave and Andy’s is a local landmark.</p>
<p>We liked the Hampton. We did not use the shuttle, but it was nice that it was available. CMU campus parking was fine on Sat/Sun, but they warned us Monday might be tight - we had to take the car to be able to shove off to the airport afterward and found parking spaces in the garage in the morning.</p>
<p>psst - this thread was started two years ago. I bet the OP’s child is a freshman or sophomore now!</p>
<p>Ah, yes - She chose St. Olaf’s! Not in Pittsburgh at all! <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062440322-post138.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/1062440322-post138.html</a></p>
<p>^^^Lol :). That’s okay, we are also planning a visit and the info here has been very helpful towards our planning. I’m definitely going to take advantage of some these tips.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh! Heaven! really…I have lived/traveled all over the world and it is still one of my favorite places…am I nuts? No, I really like italian food, I am fundamentally cheap and I hate traffic so Pittsburgh happens to fit my needs perfectly. </p>
<p>Stay downtown if you can or in Oakland to be near the universities. Don’t even think of going out to Monroeville (land of malls and traffic). </p>
<p>Try priceline.com? Bid low ($95) on a 3 star hotel in the downtown area and you can’t go wrong. The problem may be the fact it is easter week so you may need to pay full freight. Look to see what ochestra/opera/plays/bands/shows are on downtown. Entertainment is excellent and cheap. </p>
<p>Top neighborhoods near the universities: Squirrel Hill, Shadyside and Oakland.
Downtown and southside for good Italian…if you can’t get to the strip on Saturday morning for an espresso, why go to Pittsburgh at all? </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Holiday Inn by CMU and UPitt is fine. Museum of Natural History is amazing, pretty parks to walk around in. Plenty of great restaurants nearby, just ask the front desk.</p>
<p>I worked at CMU, lived in Shadyside and loved it all. The first month or so I was in Pittsburgh, it seemed so foreign to a suburban Floridian, but then I fell in love with the charm of the whole “neighborhood” thing. Ethnic neighborhoods separated by hills and “cuts,” each with its own personality. Oakland is the small college town within the city. You can stay pretty much anywhere and drive in for the day, but all of the suggestions above are good. Station Square area is one sort of fun touristy area to go for food and shopping, but the ONE THING YOU MUST DO is ride the incline to the top of Mt Washington for an overview of the city. People have suggested that, but I am giving more than a suggestion: You MUST do it! 
It was at that moment - from the lookout on Mt Washington at night with the whole city just below me - that I started really liking the city.</p>
<p>The Incline is a really fantastic ride and gives you an unmatched view of the city. The only other one that comes close is the view of downtown from PNC Park when the sun is setting. I took a picture there one night and have had it hanging up on my wall at work ever since I left the city.</p>
<p>Also, if you like ice cream, you have to go to Dave & Andy’s. It’s right in the middle of Oakland, is cheap, and has superb ice cream. Get a fresh waffle cone and some birthday cake ice cream and you’ll be doing my favorite activity from every time I’d walk down to Pitt from CMU to visit my brother.</p>
<p>My H grew up in a small town about 30 miles from Pittsburgh. We’d take the kids Pittsburgh when we went to see my inlaws. I’d second the recommendation for the Phipps Conservatory–it should be a great time to look at all of the flora that’s there. The park nearby is also very nice. My kids enjoyed a trip to the incline–great views. One Christmas vacation, my H got all of his sisters and their husbands and families to visit the Warhol Museum. They complained about going (it’s not an art museum crowd) but once they got there, they enjoyed it. We’ve also gone to a sub/sandwich shop where all of the sandwiches are topped with french fries and cole slaw. Younger kids love it and it’s an experience. (The food isn’t that great.) The name of it escapes me. My H’s relatives rarely go out to restaurants, but when my nephew got married, my SIL and BIL had the rehearsal dinner at The Carlton Restaurant. It’s right downtown; the food was good, nice ambience, and an excellent wine list.</p>