From Wikitravel

Downtown Pittsburgh is the main business district. It is constrained by two rivers, the Allegheny on the north and the Monongahela on the south. They join at what is known as the "Point", forming the Ohio river. Because it is thus limited it has been forced to grow upwards, and although Pittsburgh is in some ways a small town, its downtown contains some big town structures.

[edit] Get in

Downtown Pittsburgh is most readily accessible by I-376 (The Parkway East) from the east, I-279 (Parkway North/West) from the North, South or West. Coming from the South, Pittsburgh's light rail and subway system provides easy access to Downtown. Once downtown, buses are very common and the subway has three stops at: Steel Plaza, Wood Street and Gateway Center.

[edit] Get around

Downtown Pittsburgh is optimal for walking as it is small (covering approximately 0.7 square miles)and very dense. Buses are the norm downtown as well as the subway (commonly called "The T") which has three stops at: Steel Plaza, Wood Street and Gateway Center. Taxis are more difficult to come by and typically accessed by request at one of the various hotels.

[edit][add listing] See

• Point State Park is a delightful 36 acre park park located downtown where the tributary rivers join to form the Ohio. At its apex is a large fountain that forces a column of water 150 feet in the air. The base of the fountain is 200 feet in diameter. You can also see the Fort Pitt Museum and Blockhouse, the site where a famous battle was fought and from which control of the three rivers was maintained in colonial times, first by the French and later by the English. Here is a quote from George Washington, no less -- who must have been working for the British at the time!

I spent some time in viewing the rivers, and the land in the fork; which I think extremely well situated for a fort, as it has absolute command of both rivers. -- journal entry by George Washington, November 1753

• The Cultural District is the name of an area where you may see symphony orchestra performances, opera, plays and many other events. The link offers a detailed map of this unique area in downtown Pittsburgh and provides a current schedule of events, nearby restaurants, parking, etc.

Part of the cultural district is the new (2003) David L. Lawrence Convention Center. You can check here for their schedule courtesy of PGHevent.com.

• Mellon Arena is an enclosed stadium where many events are scheduled. If you are an "ice" fan it will interest you to know that it is the home of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey club. The arena also hosts many other events including NBA basketball, concerts -- both rock and classical. Check the link for the current event schedule.

[edit] Buildings

Although there are numerous landmark buildings and notable structures in downtown, here are a few of the signature buildings of several large companies that make their headquarters in Pittsburgh.

• The US Steel Building is a 64 story office building, once the tallest structure between New York and Chicago. It is constructed of a special type of steel, "Corten" steel, developed by USS. It is not painted and is intended to rust to a tough, brown finish and then stop rusting. (One hopes.)

• PPG Place is a unique set of buildings faced entirely with a glittering, sun inhibiting plate glass. It was developed by Pittsburgh Plate Glass as their headquarters. It sports ornate, yet modern, glass pinnacles like candles on a birthday cake.

Among these buildings is an unusual park which, in the winter, is flooded with water and used for ice skating, like Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.

• The Alcoa Building is the first all aluminum building ever constructed. It stands 30 stories tall and is built of aluminum panels. Actually, Alcoa recently built a new building on the North Side and no longer occupies this landmark building which was built in 1953.

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

There are two large department stores downtown, Kaufmanns (soon to be Macy's), the oldest of the remaining department stores in Pittsburgh, and Saks Fifth Avenue. S W Randall's Toys and Giftes, an old-fashioned toy store, is a survivor from Pittsburgh's heydey and worth a visit for its idiosyncratic collection.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Dumplinz Cafe, 411 Seventh Avenue facing Smithfield, +1 412 281-6062, [1]. Brand new addition to the eat-in or takeout quick service breakfast and lunch restaurants. Serves filled pastas of the world such as Italian ravioli, Eastern Eurapean pierogies and Russian pelmeni. Outstanding alternative to Subway and Quiznos for about the same price.
• Steel City Diner, 961 Liberty Avenue, Great little establishment with wonderful food. Breakfast and lunch menus available - from pancakes to delicious hoagies. For breakfast try the Steel City Special.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There are numerous hotels in downtown Pittsburgh, from the venerable old Omni William Penn, where innumerable political deals were cut and business deals sealed, to the Hilton hotel near Point State Park. For a complete guide see the Pittsburgh page.

• DoubleTree Downtown Pittsburgh, 1 Bigelow Sq, +1 412 281-5800 [2]. Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, this $12 million in recent renovations hotel is within walking distance of the U.S. Steel Tower and Mellon Arena. It also hosts the Bigelow Grille; an American-themed restaurant; and a complimentary swimming pool, on top of all the normal DoubleTree features, such as the warm cookie at check-in and SweetDream bedding.

• Omni William Penn,530 William Penn Place, +1 412 281-7100 [3]. Located in the heart of the downtown business district, the renowned Omni William Penn Hotel is a historic landmark elegantly renovated for the 21st century traveler, while retaining its 1916 charm. Just steps away from the Convention Center, sporting and cultural venues, and a variety of shopping.

[edit] Contact

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