'''Downtown''' Pittsburgh is the main business district and urban center of life in the city. It is bordered by the Allegheny River on the north, the Monongahela River on the south, Duquesne University and the area surrounding Mellon Arena on the east, and the railroad tracks at the very northeastern corner of downtown.
Understand
Downtown Pittsburgh 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 and is a bustling center; office workers stream in and out on the weekdays, packing buses, light rail trains, and the bridges during rush hours. Tourists and sightseers walk the streets, checking out attractions here and nearby. Shoppers still come downtown, even if much of the retail stores have moved to the suburbs in recent decades.
Get in
If you're arriving in Pittsburgh by bus or train you'll likely be getting off in Downtown anyway. For detailed info on getting off via those modes, see the Get in section on the Pittsburgh article.
By car
Downtown Pittsburgh is readily accessible by a number of freeways and bridges. From the east, '''I-376''' (The Parkway East) connects downtown to the eastern side of Pittsburgh and I-76, the Pennsylvania Turnpike. '''I-279''' (Parkway North/West) is your best option for coming in from the north, as well as from the airport and western suburbs. From the southeast, '''Liberty Avenue''' (which enters the Liberty Tunnel and then becomes the Liberty Bridge) is a good option.
By public transit
Coming from the south, Pittsburgh's light rail and subway system ("The T") provides easy access to Downtown, with four stops in the district: First Avenue, Steel Plaza, Wood Street and Gateway Center. First Avenue is a surface station, while the other three are subway stations.
Once downtown, buses are also very common, and in Pittsburgh most bus routes go downtown. If you're flying into Pittsburgh, the Route 28X Airport Flyer will bring you directly from Pittsburgh International Airport.
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 light rail/subway ("The T") which has three subway stops at: Steel Plaza, Wood Street and Gateway Center, as well as a surface station at First Avenue. Fares on buses and The T are free within downtown. Taxis are more difficult to come by and typically accessed by request at one of the various hotels.
See
'''August Wilson Center for African American Culture''', [http://www.augustwilsoncenter.org/]. Currently closed, will reopen in a new facility in 2009.
Architecture
Anyone interested in American architecture will love downtown Pittsburgh; there are numerous prime examples of 19th-century and early 20th-century architecture scattered throughout the area, as well as many notable and interesting structures of more recent times.
Skyline
'''U.S. Steel Tower''' (formerly known as the USX Tower), 600 Grant Street (''between 6th and 7th Avenues''). A 64 story office building which is the tallest in Pittsburgh, and briefly held the honor of being the tallest building in the world outside of New York City 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.)
'''One Mellon Center''', 500 Grant Street. A 55 story building which holds the title of the city's second tallest building. One of its unique features is the building's eight-sided design.
'''PPG Place''', between Forbes Ave and Boulevard of the Allies, east of Stanwix Street, [http://www.ppgplace.com/]. A unique set of buildings developed by Pittsburgh Plate Glass as their headquarters. All the buildings are faced entirely with a glittering, sun inhibiting plate glass and sport ornate, yet modern, glass pinnacles like candles on a birthday cake. '''One PPG Place''' (the tall one) is one of the most recognizable buildings in the skyline and the city's third tallest. 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.
'''Highmark Place''', between Penn and Liberty on Stanwix. The city's fourth tallest building, this building is easily recognizable due to it's pyramid-shaped top with its tall mast.
'''Oxford Centre''', 4th & Grant. A gleaming white set of buildings, the tallest of which is the city's fifth tallest. At night they are lit up rather nicely.
'''Gulf Tower''', 435 Seventh Avenue. Completed in 1932, this building was the city's tallest (and for that matter, the state's tallest) until the U.S. Steel Tower was completed in 1970. Today, it's the city's sixth tallest. The building is named for the Gulf Oil company, and the top of the tower is designed to resemble a step-pyramid/mausoleum which is illuminated at night.
Other Interesting Buildings
'''200 Block of Fort Pitt Blvd'''. Facing the Monongahela River, this area was once a major commercial hub due to its proximity to the now long-defunct Monongahela Wharf. Along the 200 block of Fort Pitt Blvd is a surviving fragment of the commercial architecture of the late 19th century which defined this neighborhood. Cast-iron ornamental elements and Queen Anne style structures reflect the architectural tastes of the time.
'''Alcoa Building''' (also known as the Regional Enterprise Tower), 425 6th Avenue. The first all aluminum building ever constructed. It stands 30 stories tall and was built of aluminum panels in 1953. Alcoa recently built a new building on the North Side and no longer occupies this landmark building.
'''Allegheny County Courthouse''', on Grant between Forbes and 5th Avenues. A gorgeous stone building built in 1884 that serves as the seat of the Allegheny County government. You can walk into the lovely courtyard with its fountain, overshadowed by the building's prominent tower. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful courthouses in the nation.
There are a few '''churches''' in downtown that have somehow survived amidst much skyscraper construction. The lovely '''First Lutheran Church''' on Grant Avenue between 6th and 7th Avenues looks particularly out of place next to the massive office buildings surrounding it, but serves as an interesting reminder that this was once a residential area. Near Mellon Square is the '''Smithfield United Church''' on Smithfield Street between 6th and 7th Avenues and the intricately decorated '''Trinity Cathedral''' on 6th Avenue between Smithfield and Wood Streets.
'''City-County Building''', 414 Grant Street. Built in 1917, the City-County Building is a grand structure which still serves as the seat of government for the city of Pittsburgh.
'''David L. Lawrence Convention Center''', 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Completed in 2003, the new convention center is quite a sight, with its sweeping design facing the Allegheny River.
'''Frick Building''', 437 Grant Street. A 20-story building constructed by the industrialist Henry Clay Frick in 1902. The building sports many lavish features, such as marble ceilings, intricate grillwork, and stained glass windows.
'''Koppers Tower''', 436 Seventh Avenue (''at Grant Street''). One of the best examples of Art Deco in Pittsburgh, this building is constructed with Indiana limestone and has a polished granite base, a dark copper roof, and marble walls in the lobby.
'''Union Trust Building''', 435 Grant Street. A gorgeous Flemish-Gothic structure built in 1916 by Henry Clay Frick, the structure is decorated with a steep mansard roof, terra cotta dormers, and two chapel-like towers. The church-like appearance of the structure owes to the previous use of the land, a nineteenth century catholic cathedral.
Point State Park
<see address="101 Commonwealth Place" directions="at the western end of downtown" phone="+1 412 471-0235" email="parkregion2sp@state.pa.us" fax="" url="http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/point.aspx" hours="Daily 7:30AM-10PM" price="Free" lat="latitude" long="" tags=""></see>
Point State Park is a delightful 36 acre park located at the tip of downtown where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the Ohio. Lawns, gardens, riverfront promenades, and sweeping views of the rivers, hillsides, bridges, and skyscrapers of Pittsburgh make it a very scenic place to stroll and relax. At the parks apex, where the three rivers meet, is a large fountain, 200 feet in diameter at the base, that forces a column of water 150 feet in the air.
The Point has a very rich history, as indicated by the many plaques and monuments throughout the park. In the 1700s the Point was a very strategic location for the British and French forces in North America to claim control of this portion of the continent. George Washington, who at the time was fighting for the British, said:
::''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''
In 1754 the French built Fort Duquesne at the Point. George Washington was sent to capture the fort, but suffered his only defeat before he could reach the Point, at Fort Necessity 50 miles to the southeast. Other British attacks in the area were repelled until 1758 when a large British force led by John Forbes threatened the fort, forcing the French to burn down Fort Duquesne and abandon the site just before the British arrived. Soon Fort Pitt, one of the most elaborate British forts constructed in North America, was built on the site.
Fort Pitt lasted for several decades, defending the small settlement on the Point against various Native American attacks and serving the Americans as a headquarters for the western theatre of the Revolutionary War before being decommissioned in 1792. The growing settlement of Pittsburgh built on top of the remains of the old forts. The Point was occupied by commercial and industrial structures until the 1950s, when the city used eminent domain to acquire the land and construct the current park.
'''Fort Pitt Blockhouse'''. Tu-Sa 9:30AM-4PM, Su 12PM-4PM. A former redoubt - a structure that extends the line of fire beyond the walls of a fort - the Fort Pitt Blockhouse is the only standing structure from Fort Pitt and the oldest standing structure not only in Pittsburgh, but perhaps all of Western Pennsylvania. It is currently operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a museum/gift shop, with numerous artifacts from colonial times. Free.
'''Fort Pitt Museum''', ''+1 412'' 281-9284, [http://www.fortpittmuseum.com/WelcomePage.html]. W-Su 9AM-5PM. Housed above the remains of one of Fort Pitt's structures, the museum explains the history of the forts on the Point, from the French and Indian War to the Whiskey Rebellion after the American Revolution. While the museum is rather bare in terms of actual historical objects (which can be remedied with a visit to the Blockhouse next door), some of the exhibits are interesting and give a good overview of the history of the site. $7 adults, $6 seniors/AAA members, $4 children, 2 and under free.
Do
'''The Cultural District''' [http://www.culturaldistrict.org/map.php] is the name of the northern part of downtown, where you can see symphony orchestra performances, opera, plays and many other events.
*'''Benedum Center''', 719 Liberty Avenue, ''+1 412'' 456-6666, [http://www.pgharts.org/venues/benedum.aspx]. A large and very historic theater, built in 1927 and very faithfully restored. The Benedum is home to the '''Pittsburgh Opera''' [http://www.pittsburghopera.org/], the '''Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre''' [http://www.pbt.org/], and the '''Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera''' [http://www.pittsburghclo.org/].
*'''Byham Theater''', 101 Sixth Street, ''+1 412'' 456-6666, [http://www.pgharts.org/venues/byham.aspx]. A grand historic theater with many lavish decorations, the Byham plays host to a variety of events.
*'''Harris Theater''', 809 Libetry Avenue, ''+1 412'' 456-6666, [http://www.pgharts.org/venues/harris.aspx]. Originally opened as a movie theater, the Harris plays both movies and live performances.
*'''Heinz Hall''', 600 Penn Avenue, ''+1 412'' 392-4900. A magnificent concert hall, Heinz Hall is the home of the '''Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra''' [http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/pghsymph.nsf/home+page/home+page].
*'''O'Reilly Theater''', 621 Penn Avenue, ''+1 412'' 456-6666, [http://www.pgharts.org/venues/oreilly.aspx]. Home to the '''Pittsburgh Public Theater''' [http://www.ppt.org/].
*'''Wood Street Galleries''', 601 Wood Street (''above the Wood Street "T" (Subway) Station''), [http://www.woodstreetgalleries.org/]. Tu-Th 11AM-6PM, F-Sa 11AM-8PM. A contemporary art gallery with some interesting exhibits, with a focus on new media.
'''Mellon Arena''' [http://www.mellonarena.com/] is an enclosed stadium which is the home of the '''Pittsburgh Penguins''' NHL hockey club. The arena also hosts many other events including NBA basketball and concerts -- both rock and classical. Check the link for the current event schedule.
The '''Three Rivers Arts Festival''' provides seventeen days of art through the month of June for the people with a mix of free art, live music, fine food, and festival fun. The most popular parts of the Three Rivers Arts Festival are the program of free outdoor concerts, and the vibrant artist market where artists from all over the country display and sell their wares. The festival is located in Stanwix Triangle at Penn and Liberty Avenues at Stanwix Street. On weekends, street closures will expand the area, creating a plaza to accommodate the larger events. Other Three Rivers Arts Festival locations include Gateway Center Plaza, Market Square and PPG Plaza.
'''Christmastime''' in Downtown can be quite fun. Among all the holiday decorations, there are a few highlights: At '''PPG Place''', the fountain in the plaza is turned into an ice skating rink, the lobby of One PPG Place (the tall building) holds an massive holiday display, and throughout the complex are displays of beautiful gingerbread houses created by local school children. The '''U.S. Steel Tower''' puts up a lovely nativity scene just outside the building. Another highlight is the '''Macy's''' department store, which puts up elaborate holiday displays in their shop windows, complete with music.
Buy
There are two large department stores downtown, '''Macy's''', the oldest of the remaining department stores in Pittsburgh, and '''Saks Fifth Avenue'''.
'''SW Randall Toyes & Gifts?''', 630 Smithfield St, ''+1 412'' 562-9252, [http://www.swrandalltoys.com/]. An old-fashioned toy store, SW Randall is a survivor from Pittsburgh's heydey and worth a visit for its idiosyncratic collection.
Eat
'''Sree's Foods''', 701 Smithfield Street (''corner of Smithfield and Liberty''), ''+1 412'' 860-9181, [http://www.srees.com/]. M-F 11:30AM-3PM. Simple, no-frills Indian restaurant with great food. Their selection isn't big (they usually have only about five dishes per day) and it's pretty low-key, but it's tasty and inexpensive. $5.
'''Steel City Diner''', 961 Liberty Avenue, ''+1 412'' 434-6440. Great little establishment with wonderful food. Breakfast and lunch menus available - from pancakes to delicious hoagies. For breakfast try the Steel City Special.
Drink
Patty Kraus. he Oyster House. arket Square. This is a "must do" if you like seafood and historical places. Go back in time while eating the best fish sandwich you'd ever want to eat. Wash it down with creamy buttermilk or a beer. Of course, there are oysters, lightly breaded, or their specialty oysters which are sort of like a fritter. Other seafood dishes and foods are available and all delicious.
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.
'''Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown''', 945 Penn Avenue, ''+1 412'' 434-5551, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pitcy-courtyard-pittsburgh-downtown/].
'''DoubleTree Downtown Pittsburgh''', 1 Bigelow Sq, ''+1 412'' 281-5800, [http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/hotels/index.jhtml]. 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.
'''Hilton Hotel''', 600 Commonwealth Place (''across the street from Point State Park''), ''+1 412'' 391-4600, [http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/PITPHHF-Hilton-Pittsburgh-Pennsylvania/index.do].
'''Marriott City Center''', 112 Washington Place, ''+1 888'' 456-6600, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pitdt-pittsburgh-marriott-city-center/].
'''Omni William Penn''', 530 William Penn Place, ''+1 412'' 281-7100, [http://www.omniwilliampenn.com]. 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.
'''Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel?''', 107 6th Street, ''+1 800'' 468-3571, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/pitbr-renaissance-pittsburgh-hotel/].
'''Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh''', 1000 Penn Avenue, ''+1 412'' 281-3700, [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1370].
Contact