I’m taking my S19 to visit Pitt next month. We are PA residents who have never been there. I know, I know. Typical Philly/Balt/DC oriented PA residents. And Ravens fans.
Anyway, the plan is to stay in the city as we’ll also check out Duquesne. We’ll have Saturday afternoon/evening and Sunday afternoon/evening free to explore and get to know Pittsburgh. I’d love for S19 to check out some of the places where Pitt students hang out and experience life as a student. As well as some typical Pittsburgh sites and sounds.
It’s not like I’m going to have him truly experience college life by going to a kegger on Saturday night and sleeping in on Sunday morning. But perhaps there is a hangover spot to eat on Sunday morning?!?!? LOL!!!
@InfiniteWaves , hope you enjoy the western part of the state!! lol. As far as hangover breakfast spots, Pamela’s on Forbes Ave. is a winner, as would be Ritter’s Diner if he’s in North Oakland /Shadyside area, or has a friend with a car. Ritter’s works at 3 am as well as Primanti Brothers and The O (Original Hot Dog Shop) where he would get french fries with a side of cheese and ketchup.
Pittsburgh sites near campus - the Cathedral of Learning itself, Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, Phipps Conservatory.
Pittsburgh thrived in it’s history from groups of immigrants who came and would live as a group in certain neighborhoods. So you will find elements of those groups as well as massive transformation as you explore. Some neighborhoods a student would explore would be Shadyside (upscale shops and restaurants ), Squirrel Hill (Jewish neighborhood with active business district), Bloomfield (Italian), Lawrenceville (big time hip Millenial transformation now), the Strip District (former wholesale produce yards), South Side (tons of young persons shops and restaurants of interest.)
Sites and places to visit - ride at least 1 of the inclines!!! Then go to an overview area on Mt. Washington for a grand sight of the city, visit Station Square (former railroad station area) with shops and restaurants and you can board the Gateway Clipper boat for a water tour of our beautiful city - 3 rivers! lol. Go to the North Shore and walk along river and see parklets, fountains, statues and monuments, and explore the restaurants near the stadiums. Over by the North Shore is also the Carnegie Science Center and Andy Warhol Museum.
I think that’s a good start. Pittsburgh is a great place. Hope you enjoy.
Okay, let’s be honest. The Ravens fan part of this is going to be a problem!
But @Winky1 has given you a great plan. Oakland totally caters to students, especially on the cheap and varied food front. Be sure to ask what the perks of holding a student ID are throughout the city. This is a great city for young people - affordable and friendly. Ask your tour guides for their recommendations as well…
I’d recommend walking around the Strip District if you have a bit of time and getting a bite to eat somewhere (personal favorite Wholey’s and their Steel City Lobster Roll). There’s a Pamela’s there as well. On campus, definately pay the nominal fee to get a key to access all the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral. Sit outside if the weather is good on Schenley Plaza - maybe a pizza from The Porch? If you are lucky, the carosel will be running? There are alot of students about even though it’s summer - my dd will be there. Campus certainly isn’t as
packed as fall but it won’t feel dead like other summer visits might. If the weather is good, Pitt will sell itself!
Breakfast at Pamela’s (we always do Shadyside), then the Duquesne incline (take CASH! that lady at the ticket booth is grumpy about that), then to campus and a tour. If you can arrange a departmental tour that’s even better. What is his intended major? We always walk down to Phipps for a few hours and then lunch outside on the Porch is great if it’s a nice day.
Much thanks to everyone for the amazing recommendations! You’ve armed me with what I need to create a solid itinerary! I knew the Ravens fan thing might be an issue.
S19 wants to major in English or Communications. Also interested in AROTC. And he would like to continue with marching/pep and concert bands if possible.
have you considered a trip to PNC park to take in a Buccos game? a fun, young part of the city. also, of course, visit Oakland…down Forbes Avenue from Duquesne U about a mile. When in Oakland visit the Cathedral of Learning, if you are interested in Pitt. It’s a nice time of year here, enjoy! but don’t wear that R-----s jersey. in public.
and…i will echo what others said about cash. there are more “cash only” businesses than you would imagine in Pittsburgh. not a problem for me, i prefer cash, but others i know find it to be a pain.
@InfiniteWaves , please don’t wear a Pats jersey either Lots of fun Pittsburgh sportswear stores in the Strip District!! Maybe just get yourself a nice Pitt Panthers shirt and call it a day!
@Winky1 Primanti Bros actually expanded into our part of PA so we already have the “insane sandwich with slaw and fries ON THE SANDWICH” thing covered. LOL! S19 would be all about the Original Hot Dog Shop.
@InfiniteWaves if you have questions about the marching band/concert band, let me know. Ds (graduated Pitt in 2015) was in for all 4 yrs, section leader last year. He did concert band 2 yrs.
ITINERARY UPDATE. Phantom of the Attic offers two separate stores, one for comic books and one for games. Both are within walking distance of Pitt. Sure, the Duquesne Incline and museums will be fun. But Pamela’s and the nearby comic/game stores might sell Pitt to S19 more than actual Pitt does.
We are going to one of the Blue & Gold Days. Had to indicate academic program interest. S19 selected Dietrich so I am assuming that there will be something specific for the humanities kids.
@amandakayak Yay for marching band kids! My only question would be how competitive is it to get in marching band? S19 is percussion. He’d be up for pep band too.
Have to say that the more I research Pitt and the city itself, it looks like a great option for S19.
Hope you have a wonderful time @infinitewaves . We love it here. The Exchange is another store for games/cds/etc. and it’s on Forbes Ave. among the shops and restaurants right by campus.
@InfiniteWaves I will ask my son, but he was in the sax section not percussion and there were no cuts (unlike Penn St) - I’ll let you know. He had a lot of fun and many friends from meeting at bandcamp before school started. Big bonus is for parents - since they go to band camp before school begins, you get to move into the dorms early and avoid the crowds and mayhem. It’s a nice community of kids. Here’s their season highlight promo video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65gsePAAIXQ
Oh and band is supported by athletics dept so there’s lots of perks in nike products/sneakers and pitt tshirts, sweatshirts, warmups, shorts, gloves, hats, etc. I have a small outpost of the swag collected over 4 yrs.
Lots of fun Pittsburgh sportswear stores in the Strip District!! Maybe just get yourself a nice Pitt Panthers shirt and call it a day!