First time in Pittsburgh

While I know this board is currently up in flames, my family and I will be making our first trip ever to Pittsburgh this weekend for the Cowboys game and I was looking for some assistance. A little background info...my father and his brothers grew up in Hawaii because my grandfather was stationed at Pearl Harbor. As you know, Hawaii doesn't have any professional sports teams, so when my dad was 7 (1974) he and his brothers fell in love with the Steelers. They moved to the Dallas area when he was 13 and their fandom followed them. I was born wearing a Steelers jacket and have lived in the Dallas area my entire life. We finally put together a trip to Pittsburgh this year for the Cowboys game. My dad and his brothers have been watching the Steelers since the 70s but never once been to Pittsburgh, so this is sort of our football pilgrimage.

Regardless of the outcome, we want to make the most out of our first trip to Heinz. What would y'all suggest is the best plan to tailgate for people from out of town? How early should we get to the stadium? Also, we plan on seeing the city on Monday, and I was wondering if you guys had some suggestions about what to see/where to eat when doing so. If you have any other advice or suggestions let me know, we appreciate it! 10-6 AFC North champs

 

I will be there as well, I love the city.

-Primanti Brothers, Bettis Grill to eat We love Joe's Crab Shack too.
https://jeromebettisgrille36.g3restaurants.com/
https://www.primantibros.com/

-Station Square
-Ride the Incline at Station Square
http://www.stationsquare.com/info/inclines

-Go to the strip district; Primanti Brothers is here
http://stripdistrictneighbors.com/

-Get to the stadium 2 hrs before the game, you can go down in the 100 sec and watch the players
-There is a hall with players 'lockers' that is pretty cool and a band

We park at Station square and ride the gateway clipper over to the stadium.
https://www.gatewayclipper.com/

 

TICKETS
If you can handle it
The week of the game the steelers release lower level tickets
They are tickets that the family members don't use
That's what I do
One trip we were in section 141 or something and sat next to lagarrette blounts gf and kids and Chris johnsons family
Kinda cool and much cheaper if you can handle waiting that long for tickets
You can also buy the 500 level section tix when they go on sale in June. You need to go for the less desirables game, but at least they are face value before Ticketmaster fees.
Ticketmaster Ticketexchange and StubHub and probably most reliable and safest way to get tickets. Although u usually pay a little more for them there.

HOTELS

I stay at Wyndham downtown and walk through a nice park and then the bridge over to the stadium

Another excellent option is to STAY AT SHERATON STATION SQUARE AND TAKE THE FERRY OVER TO THE GAME! The ferry is an awesome experience for a first-timer going to a game. The Incline is awesome too, which is also at Station Square.
Closer to the stadium Theres the Hyatt Place which is a very short walk from the Stadium, but typically more expensive However you won't have to worry parking or getting around and can walk to the game. The Casino is al$o very close by.
Further from the stadium is the airport hotels. They are cheaper but around 12-15 miles from downtown.

SHOPPING

As an out of towner I was amazed at the store hometown sports they have any and everything steeler that u may want
They also have steelers sign autographs sometimes on Saturday.
The Strip- Go on a Saturday for the full experience. Tons of Street vendors . Expect a big crowd and bring a bag to carry purchases. Parking can be tough but well worth it. You can shop for a variety of items, from hand crafted metal to crafted Native American items, not to mention the ton of Pittsburgh sports items.
Outlet Malls- about 20 miles away in Washington PA.

Ross Park Mall- Your typical mall with all the typical stores and places to eat. Keep the wife away from the COACH store or your trip will be much more expensive

RESTAURANTS

I love eating at Peppis
You have to get u a Rothlisberger there
(If your heart can handle it)

Grille 36 and primanti brothers are a must too

The Strip- There are great places to eat (Kaya, Pamela's for breakfast, Primanti's)

Station Square- Hard Rock Cafe Joes Crab Shack and Texas de Brazil just to name a few.

Members here think the best burgers and craft beer restaurant is Fatheads. Brew Gentlemen has really good craft beer/juice bombs if you like those.

Maybe the best place to eat in Pittsburgh is Gaucho Parilla Argentina
It's on Penn Ave.

TAILGATING

I've never done it but
you probably need to get to the stadium 2-3 hours before game time. Stage AE Tailgate is fun.They have many different kinds of activities; band,cornhole, etc. You can leave the Stage AE Tailgate and get right into the parking lot and go on the other side and probably find a tailgate to join.

THINGS TO DO

The Duquesne Incline- If you are visiting Pittsburgh, this is a must! Take the incline up to the top and walk Grandview Avenue. You will see breathtaking views of the city. Make sure you are there when the city is lit up at night.

Zoo&Aquarium- Fun place to spend a day looking
at interesting animals. They have a great penguin exhibit and the polar bears are entertaining. It is one of largest Zoo's and has a huge Aquarium with exotic animals. There are some rides for the children and a fenced in area with small animals that you can pet and feed.

Rivers Casino- Great place for tables games and slots machine. Buffet isn't too shabby

Sports Venues- If you go in September check out the Pirates and PNC Park it may be the most beautiful park in America. Oct-Jan is hockey season go see the Penguins at the Consol Energy Center.

 

Oh man, a trip to Pittsburgh to see the Steelers play (and hopefully beat the fool out of another team) would be the trip of a lifetime! My family have talked about doing it but never have. Congrats to you guys who get to go!

 

We need a sticky thread but best burgers and craft beer restaurant is Fatheads imo. Brew Gentlemen has really good craft beer/juice bombs if you like those and highly rated. Depending on where your hotel is, I always recommend the clipper(boat) for visitors. Don't have to deal with driving in the city and nice view of the city and drops you off right at Gate A at Heinz Field. Clipper is also near the Duquesne Incline which a lot of people will recommend. Usually during any primetime game in Pittsburgh they will give you a view from the Incline. I'd get to the stadium 2-3 hours before game time. Stage AE Tailgate is fun. They got a bunch of activities; band, cornhole, etc. You can leave the Stage AE Tailgate and get right into the parking lot and go on the other side and probably find a tailgate to join. You also got Bettis's and a Tilted Kilt outside the stadium but will be packed. Sign up for Steelers Nation Unite. Have fun!

 

Thanks for the info. Definitely have to stop by Primanti, feels like I've heard about it for years. What do you guys suggest about tailgating the day of? Are there any Steelers fan groups that throw tailgates that you can pay to go to? Stage AE sounds good for the kids too.

 

Stay home. Sell your ticket and spare yourself the shame lol

 

LOL
JUST KIDDING BUSMAN

 

They got a Primantis at the stadium too if only some people want to try it. I get it's a Pittsburgh thing but overrated imo. Gate A is going to be the most crowded so you can hit one of the others and double back but you got to hit the Steelers HoF in the stadium and see the SB trophies on display. Usually for big games have a band playing or something going on in that area as well. The new end by the scoreboard will have the best food and beer in the stadium; got a Papa Johns, Francos got a sausage place, and Burgatory which is only a Pittsburgh thing. They got really good shakes if you are bringing kids. As far as tailgate if you find a good one with a group of people and start talking about where you came from, I'm sure they will welcome you with open arms.

 

Primanti's in the strip district is the original and best. Expect a wait though.

Do not, I repeat DO NOT get a Primanti sandwich at the stadium. You will be disappointed and probably over pay.

Inclines are a must. Station square is the easier one to get to. Fort Duquesne provides a better view IMO but is harder to find if your from out of town. By the time you find it your past it and there no turning around. Definitely get directions before trying to locate.

Bring us home a victory!