RECREATIONAL  ACTIVITIES  IN  PITTSBURGH
OAKLAND
This is the area in and around the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and The Carnegie.
  • The Carnegie includes the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Art (closed Monday; open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday 1-5 pm.
  • The Nationality Classrooms (just across the street from the museum) in the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh (412-624-6000) were designed by people from the nations represented. The classrooms are used regularly for teaching; call for tour times.  The 42-floor Cathedral of Learning is supposedly the only skyscraper university building in the U.S. (don't tell that to the folks with the Univ. of Texas tower or the UC Berkeley Campanile), surpassed only by the University of Moscow at the world level.  There is no observation deck.
  • Phipps Conservatory in adjacent Schenley Park (412-622-6914) (just behind the museum a very short walk) offers 2.5 acres of greenhouse plantings plus seasonal flower shows and an outdoor garden. Schenley Park itself is about 450 acres with trails, picnic areas, swimming pool, playgrounds, and a golf course.  The Schenley Park Visitor’s Center (412-687-1800) has an orientation center, bookshop and snacks.
  • Heinz Memorial Chapel: Approximately a quarter million pieces of glass were used in the 23 stained glass windows of the Heinz Memorial Chapel (Fifth Ave. and Bellefield St., 412-624-4157).
  • For baseball fans, Posvar Hall (University of Pittsburgh) was built on the site of Forbes Field, former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. A plaque on the floor inside the building marks home plate and a row of bricks on the street outside marks the left field wall -- immortalized by Bill Mazeroski's 9th-inning home run that won the 1960 World Series.
  • There are several small art galleries in the S Craig St. area, as well as boutiques and other shops.  There are two used bookstores in this area (Caliban Bookshop, 412-681-9111; and Townsend Booksellers, 412-682-8030).
  • The Three Rivers Arts Festival takes place June 2-18, 2006, at various locations throughout downtown Pittsburgh.  Included are cultural Pittsburgh Festivities, ethnic Food Stands, Artist’s Market, entertainment in visual and performing arts, live musical performances.  Hours Sunday through Thursday Noon to 9 pm; Friday and Saturday Noon to 10 pm.
  • In Highland Park are the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium (412-665-3640; 1-800-474-4966; 10 am to 5 pm daily).
  • Downtown Pittsburgh (the "Golden Triangle") is situated on a point between the Allegheny River on the north side and the Monongahela River (called simply the "Mon") on the south side.  These two rivers join at Pittsburgh to form the Ohio River. The downtown area is thus very compact and it's easy to get around on foot.
  • Point State Park (724-865-2131); the "Point"at the tip of the three rivers peninsula is a 36-acre urban state park at the site of a very strategic area in the 18th century. The fountain is fed by yet another, underground, river.  The Fort Pitt Museum is located near the park (412-281-9284; 9AM to 5PM Tues-Sat, Sun Noon to 5PM).
  • The Strip District, is near downtown, on the south side of the Allegheny River. This is where produce and products enter the city.  There are lots of shops, restaurants, and food suppliers.  At  1212 Smallman Street is the Pittsburgh History Center (412-454-6000; daily 10 am to 5 pm).
  • Mt. Washington: To the south of the Point across the Mon and the Ohio is Mt. Washington.  The top can be reached via two inclines, which operate 5:30 am 12:45 am Monday through Saturday, Sunday 8:45 am to midnight.  The Mon Incline (412-442-2000) is located across from Station Square on Carson St. (part of the city transit system) and the Duquesne Incline (412-381-1665) is less than 0.5 mi away at 1197 W. Carson St. (privately operated).  The two inclines reach different ends of Grandview Ave, which has observation decks.  Parking available near both inclines.  This is a highlight of Pittsburgh after dark, with a great view looking down on the skyscrapers at the confluence of the rivers.
  • On the south side of the Mon (the "South Side") is Station Square, at the south end of the Smithfield St. Bridge, occupying the remodeled P & LE railroad station.  This is Pittsburgh's equivalent of Ghiardelli Square in San Francisco, with many restaurants and shops.  Narrated sightseeing cruises on the Gateway Clipper Fleet (412-355-7980) depart daily from the dock.
  • Carnegie Science Center: On the north side of the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers (the "North Side") is the Carnegie Science Center (412-237-3400; 1 Allegheny Avenue) offering interactive exhibits, Omnimax Theater, and planetarium shows.  Although not contiguous with the rest of the complex, the Science Center is part of The Carnegie.  Another component of The Carnegie is the Andy Warhol Museum, 117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh PA 15212 (412-237-8300).  Also on the North Side are the Pittsburgh National Aviary (West Park, 412-323-7235; www.aviary.org) and the Pittsburgh Children's Museum (Old Post Office Bldg., Allegheny Center, 412-322-5058).
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OUTSIDE PITTSBURGH
  • Old Economy Village in Ambridge (724-266-4500, 30 minute drive) is a National Register historical site of an early experiment in communal living by the Harmony Society.
  • Tours of Fallingwater (724-329-8501, 1.5-2 hr drive), designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, are operated by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.  About 30 minutes from Powdermill Nature Reserve, for those attending the field trip picnic.
  • Fort Ligonier, 216 S. Market Street (Routes 30 & 711), Ligonier PA 15658 (724-238-9701), about 1.5 hours east of Pittsburgh.  Reconstructed fort and artifacts from the French and Indian War.
  • Only 15 minutes from Powdermill Nature Reserve, for those attending the field trip picnic.
  • For those familiar with labor union history, a drive along the south side of the Mon through Homestead is interesting.  Even if not well-versed on those events, it's still impressive to view the old steel mills along this route, most of which are working at reduced levels or shut down.
  • Kennywood Park, 4800 Kennywood Boulevard, West Mifflin PA 15122 (412-461-0500).  A large and old amusement park with an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster; listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.  Daily 10:30 am until closing, closing dependent on weather and number of people in the park.
  • Hartwood Mansion, 215 Saxonburg Boulevard, Hampton Township PA 15238 (412-767-9200).  16th century, Tudor-style mansion with original collection of English and American antiques, farm and stable complex.  Mansion tours (reservations required) $3 adults.
  • Kentuck Knob, Kentuck Road, Chalk Hill PA 15421 (412-329-1901), in Fayette County.  A country home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  Tours Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 4 pm, $10; Saturday and Sunday (and holidays) 10 am to 4 pm, $15.

    PENNSYLVANIA LIQUOR LAWS
    Wine and hard alcoholic beverages in Pennsylvania for consumption away from the premises of a restaurant can only be purchased at State Liquor Stores.  Beer can be purchased either at licensed "beer distributors" (case sales only) or from bars (by the bottle, usually at bar prices, and limited to 2 six-packs).  No alcoholic beverages are sold at any other stores. Many restaurants without liquor licenses allow customers to bring their own alcoholic beverages.
    A state store is located at 217 Atwood St. (412-682-0916) about 1/2 block S of Forbes.  There is a beer distributor, University Beverage Center, at 114 Atwood (412-687-7232) 1/2 block N of Forbes.  The Original sells individual beers to go at reasonable prices.

    GAMBLING
    For gamblers, The Meadows offers harness racing (Meadow Lands exit off I-79, S of Pittsburgh, 724-225-9300) and the dog track at Wheeling, WV, is about a 40-minute drive.  If desperate, try the Pennsylvania lottery
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