Pittsburgh, PA

Union Station
DESCRIPTION: A turn-of-the-century grayish-brown terra cotta railroad station turned into an upscale hotel and condo complex, while remaining an Amtrak railroad station; the distinguished rotunda inside has been fully restored for dratic views and a connection to Pittsburgh's Light Rail Transit system; the rotunda is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 1100 Liberty Ave  MAP
PARKING: garage nearby on Liberty

Strip District
DESCRIPTION: Head out early and enjoy a classic Pittsburgh breakfast at an area diner or baker. Choose from the freshest meats, pastas and cheeses at Pennsylvania Macaroni (2012 Penn Ave), seafood (23rd & Smallman) and (1501 Penn Ave), mouthwatering Italian cookies (2022 Penn Ave), gourmet spices, nuts and flavorings (1728 Penn Ave)

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: Liberty Avenue, 16th to 31st Streets  MAP

PARKING: on Liberty Ave

WEBSITE: http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com

Station Square
DESCRIPTION: One of Pittsburgh residents favorite outings; housed a restored 19thcentury railroad building that houses more than 40 specialty shops and more than a dozen outstanding restaurants; purchase contemporary gifts of handcrafted glass or steel or a choice vintage from a wine cellar; Hop on the “T” (subway) in Downtown and head across the river to Station Square; includes an amphitheatre for occasional free concerts

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 125 West Station Square Drive  MAP

PARKING: garage on premises

PHONE: 800-859-8959

WEBSITE: http://www.stationsquare.com

Rivers Casino

DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2009, this 450,000 square foot venue has a 130,000 square foot gaming floor, all the latest slot, Keno, Black Jack and Roueltte machines, as well as 9 bars and restaurants; what you'd expect from a new casino, is the 1,000 seat concert amphitheatre that; the Wheelhouse Bar & Grill claims to have the largest HD screen in Pittsburgh -- a boon to sports fans; other restaurant and bars include Andrew's Steak & Seafood, Cíao, Club 44Six, the dazzling Drum Bar, Grand View Buffet, and Levels

DAYS & HOURS: 24/7

ADDRESS: 777 Casino Drive  MAP

PARKING: Free on premises, plus paid valet serice

PHONE: 412-231-7777

WEBSITE: http://www.theriverscasino.com

Smithfield Street Bridge
DESCRIPTION: Restored to its 1883 magnificence, this bridge spans the Monongahela River to he South Side; the original blue and cream color scheme augments the lenticular truss design; notice lots of interesting detail as you walk across the bridge from

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: between Ft. Pitt Blvd and West Carson Street  MAP
PARKING: garage at Station Square

Sixth, Seventh & Ninth Street Bridges
DESCRIPTION: Built circa 1925 and called “The Three Sisters”, they span the Allegheny River between downtown and the North Side with their lyrical design in triplicate; bridge designer John Roebling would go on to build the Brooklyn Bridge

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: from downtown on 6th, 7th and 9th streets to the Northside  MAP

PARKING: on street and lots of the NorthSide 

SouthSide Works
DESCRIPTION: A live-work-play place partially converted from old factories that give it a unique character; the cineplex and shops include Nine West, Urban Outfitters, Sur La Table, Joseph-Beth Booksellers and dozens more; dining options include Pita Pit, Cheesecake Factory, The Wine Loft, Rosa NY Pizza, McCormick & Schmicks, Tusca Global Tapas and many more; one of the best things to enjoy about this attraction is how it integrated and uplifted a tradtional steel-making community of Pittsburgh

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 2640 Sidney Street  MAP

PARKING: on premises

PHONE: 412-381-7335

WEBSITE: http://www.southsideworks.com

Cathedral of Learning
DESCRIPTION: Second-tallest education building in the world at 42 stories and 535 feet tall, in 1937 it was completed as an inspirational symbol to Pittsburgh residents and corporations as much as a center of higher learning; a magnificent 3-story Commons Room at ground level, Nationality Classrooms, administrative offices, a computer center, and a restaurant; the 26 Nationality Rooms were designed as gifts to the University of Pittsburgh from the various ethnic groups that settled in Allegheny County

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 4200 Fifth Avenue  MAP

PARKING: on lot across Forbes Ave by the library

PHONE: 412-624-6000

WEBSITE: http://www.tour.pitt.edu

Carnegie Library
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1895, it is the central public library of Pittsburgh and among the country’s great public libraries; part of the massive Carnegie Institute complex is was built from the philanthropy of the Bill Gates of his time in the early 1900s, Andrew Carnegie

DAYS & HOURS: daily

ADDRESS: 4400 Forbes Avenue  MAP

PARKING: on Forbes Ave lot

PHONE: 412-578-2458

WEBSITE: http://www.clpgh.org