Help!

[hobieuser]

I'm planning a family trip for a week in June around Pittsburgh area. We have never been to East coast and I am not sure what would be the best way to spend a week there. If anyone from that region have some suggestions...I will many thank you. Sorry it's not a fishing report.

[blitzburgh]

Start here http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/ . Explore the 'things to do tab'.
Since it will be your first time there, at the very least, you gotta: 1) Eat at Primanti Bros. - plenty of locations. 2) Ride the Duquesne Incline - It will take you up the hill to Mount Washington(not a mountain) providing spectacular views of the city. Make sure you have a camera! $4.50 round trip. 3) Visit the "Strip District" - It's not what it sounds like. It's an area northeast of downtown("dahntahn" in Pittsburghese) - Lots of shops, street vendors and great food. 4)If you're into sports at all, go tour Heinz Field and/or PNC Park. 5)Since you'll be there for a week - you gotta do Kennywood Park! Some of the best roller coasters in the world.
I could go on but these are some basics. If you are flying into Pittsburgh, MAKE SURE you are paying attention as you come through the Fort Pitt Tunnel when entering the city - MAGNIFICENT view! I can all but guarantee you will love it. Great people, great food, great town! If only there were Yellowtail in the Allegheny or Monongahela, I might consider moving back .

Mods - feel free to move this post

[hobieuser]

Very nice information. I also came across with similar to do lists while I'm googling for it. Would be too much driving around major cities within that 7 days span? I noticed that there are some big cities around. Should I just stick around with Pitt. area? Thanks again for your take.

[GR6RR]

Never been to the east myself, sorry I couldn't help much... But this would be a great thread for off topic section jus sayin' other than that, have a safe, fun, and great time in PA.

[Regor]

Originally Posted by hobieuser

Very nice information. I also came across with similar to do lists while I'm googling for it. Would be too much driving around major cities within that 7 days span? I noticed that there are some big cities around. Should I just stick around with Pitt. area? Thanks again for your take.

Either you do Pittsburgh for 7 days and see all Pgh has to offer, or you start venturing out and miss some sights, always a trade off.

Sure, Phili is within reach, but your talking 6 hours to get there, see the sights, and head back to Pgh, that just ate up 3 or more days. The same could be said for Niagra Falls (~4 hr drive), New York, NY (~7 hrs).

Like blitzburgh, there's a reason we live in San Diego, but Pgh is a nice place to visit

BTW - I lived there from 1963-1981, and it was a much different place then it is now. Back in the day, there was a reason for the "STEELers", with all the Steel plants and smut, pollution, etc.... but they've clean it up and it's a real showplace now.

[Cindy@NITS]

One good way to see a lot of Pittsburgh in a little time is on the Double Decker Bus Tour (aka Big Red Bus). It goes to most of the spots of interest - South Side (incline to Mt. Washington, lots of fun independent shops & restaurants), North Side (Stadiums, Casino, Aviary, Warhol Museum, Science Center), Strip District (Heinz History Center & Western PA Sports Museum, Pittsburgh's Historic Market District and THE place to go for great food & restaurants, as well as sidewalk vendors and affordable sports stuff), Downtown (cultural district, Market Square), and Oakland, (Carnegie Museums, Phipps Conservatory, Universities) The nice thing is that the tours run all day and have "on-off" privileges so you can get off, look around and pick up a later bus. I would also suggest a river cruise. There's always the Gateway Clipper Fleet, but for something different I recommend the Pittsburgh Water Limo. They have two boats and run cruises to the Stadiums, as well as doing Wine and Cheese cruises. Take in a Pirates game and see the stadium - it's gorgeous on a summer night - and arrive on the Water Limo - it's fun and a super way to arrive and is only about $8 (you'll pay more to park!). Two more things: If you must go to Primanti's go to the one in the Strip District - it's the original and the atmosphere is special. Also there is kayak rental available over by PNC Park if you want to try the rivers.

[blitzburgh]

Originally Posted by Regor

BTW - I lived there from 1963-1981, and it was a much different place then it is now. Back in the day, there was a reason for the "STEELers", with all the Steel plants and smut, pollution, etc.... but they've clean it up and it's a real showplace now.

SO TRUE. The Northside (which was not a great place in the past) is now the place to live and be. Kinda sad when all the mills left, a lot of my family lost jobs. But the flip side is it is now consistently one of the top rated places to live.

[silverbullet]

Here let me Google that for you ... and discuss on the Yak Fishing Forum...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=things+to+do+on+the+east+coast

[mrJB]

Since I am not a city kind of guy, I will leave the city comments and observations to others.

From a different point of view, there is beautiful countryside outside of Pittsburgh, and fantastic streams and rivers throughout the state, should you want to wet a line. If you get a chance, head east to some part of the Appalachian Mountains. Very different than the Rockys and certainly not as tall, but nearly always green (except when snow covered) and lush with trees and vegetation. Do your research and hit up some Amish townships. The Amish in PA., IL., and Ohio have some of the richest farmlands in the country, and certainly a different lifestyle.

Oh yeah, don't forget to sample some pizza, hogies (subs), and other great Italian food.

[T-Rex]

Be sure to grab a Philly Cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's. They're across from each other on 9th St and both are open 24/7.

If you want a change of scenery, New York is only a 2-hour drive.

[blitzburgh]

Originally Posted by T-Rex

If you want a change of scenery, New York is only a 2-hour drive.

From Philly it's about a 2 hour drive. From Pitt, it's more like 6+.

[Cindy@NITS]

I think these travel times are a little optimistic, but then I tend to stick to speed limits. On the other hand for some short trips, try Erie or Pymatuning if you want to do some fishing. (Pymatuning is where the ducks walk on the fish!). Both places are a little over an hour, so a nice day trip.

[blitzburgh]

Originally Posted by Cindy@NITS

I think these travel times are a little optimistic, but then I tend to stick to speed limits. On the other hand for some short trips, try Erie or Pymatuning if you want to do some fishing. (Pymatuning is where the ducks walk on the fish!). Both places are a little over an hour, so a nice day trip.

This is true. Probably just so use to drivng 75+mph. My Dad & Bros. & I are close to pulling the trigger on a house that's walking distance to the lake. Some fun camping & fishing memories from that lake.