First trip to da 'burgh!

Well my wife and I will be making our first trip to Heinz Field this week, and was wondering if I could get a little feed back from some folks who have been, or are going to be there on thursday.
Was wondering what the tailgating is like, and what time it gets under way. Would love to hang with some steelers faithful and enjoy some cool beverages and arm chair quarterback talk (tho it might bore the wife to death. Lol)
What are some of the must see places and things to take in. We will arrive on Wednesday afternoon, and are stating until Monday morning.

Thanks in advance. I CAN'T WAIT!
HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

 

So you have Friday,Saturday and Sunday to spend in Da Burgh....I havent checked but maybe The Bucs or Pens are in town. There is always the casino. Tons of bars on the South Side. The Strip District is cool. Check out the Carnegie museums. You have three days in a dead town. Good luck my friend. Oh dont forget to ride one of the inclines.

 

Sounds like you will have plenty of time there. Bring us a win to make the rest of you trip that much better. Check out the University of Pitt Cathedral. Walk right in and go to the top of the building. It's pretty neat. Excellent pizza place about 4 blocks south, then again there is excellent pizza places everywhere. Do not go to a chain though. Inclines are awesome for great views of the city. Be amazed if you have never been thru the Fort Pitt Tunnels heading into town from the airport. Still get goosebumps to this day. If you like amusement parks, then Kennywood is a good time. Probably Halloween themes this time of year. Strip district and of coarse Primanti's (avoid stadium sandwich from there though. Not the same). You won't have a problem finding people tail gate with (unless wearing a Ray Lewis jersey). Have fun.

 

Well, definitely sounds like more than a few things to see. Always enjoy seeing new places and surroundings.

 

Jerome Bettis 36 Grille. And as mentioned, the inclines, at night. Amazing sight! Enjoy.

 

Both a

Both are most definitely on the agenda. A win on thursday wold make it a great trip

 

I'll be at the game as well. I'm not from Pittsburgh so I'm not expert, but based on what I read, I think I'm going to go to Jerome Bettis grille

 

Actually I lied, I guess we're now going to be getting a parking pass and doing some proper tailgating. Looking forward to it!

 

Fioris pizza is awesome. http://www.fiorispizzaria.com/

Be sure to check out Carson street over on the south side. Urban Tap is pretty good. I'd do it during the day though.

Go over to Station Square look around and ride the Ducks. Nice little tour of Pittsburgh.

Stage AE has the official tailgate party of the Steelers. Free admission, free live music, activities, Good food and live broadcast of the Steelers pregame show.

Tailgating in the lots around the stadium is awesome.

Be sure to check out the activities out front of the stadium, lot of free give aways.

Ride the Duquesne incline. You can get on it at Station square and ride it up to the top of Mt. Washington. Be sure to take pictures. Awesome view of the city. Best time is at sunset. They usually have Heinz field lite up Saturday night.

The Strip District on Saturday morning is the best for Steelers gear. If you can't find it there you have your eyes closed. Be sure to check out Deluca's for breakfast, but get there early to avoid the long line. Same for Primanti Bros. on 18th st. (Strip District) hit it around 11:00am and walk right in.

Bettis's 36 Grille is great, but do it on Friday night, 15 minute wait. On Saturday night expect a 2hr wait.

The Heinz history Museum is pretty cool.

Don't forget that the NFL Hall of fame is under 2hrs away.

Just taking a drive through some of the small neighborhoods is pretty cool. Pittsburgh is pretty hilly.

If you don't have a parking pass you can park in lot Blue 7J. It's first come first serve. $35 easy walk to the stadium and you get to walk through all the tailgating along General Robinson street.

Ward opened up a restaurant (Table 86) and wine bar in I believe Seven Fields. About 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh.

You can take a tour of Heinz field for like $10


These questions come up all the time. I'd love to see a sticky that we could add to.

 

Taken in as much as you can because you never know when you will have the chance again.

 

You got that right, it has taken 30+ years to get the first trip in, not sure I could wait another 30....not that young anymore

 

You'll have a blast.

 

I went to the 49ers game at Heinz for my first NFL game. Boy did I get lucky!

I'll never forget it.

 

One of the things that never ceases to amaze me is how my larger family(cousins, aunts, uncles and such) seem to be amazed that when we visit PA that I want to do tourist type stuff. When we were back during the summer of 06 I talked my Dad into driving down to Latrobe to take in training camp. He had grown up in PA and it never seemed like a big deal to him. So when I suggested it he said ok and it was that second best day with my Dad I can remember. So don't let anyone talk you out of doing tourist type stuff. Ride the Incline, see all three of the stadiums/arenas, drink in the sights. Everytime I'm home I kick myself for not making more time to see more.

 

Sounds like good advice, thorn. We are thinking of going to the penguins game on wed night. Last preseason game for them, tix are cheap, and I like hockey. Plus, I have only been to one NHL game before, plenty of college games, just not pro. I will take all the tourist stuff I can

 

from Miami, also going to my first game at heinz this week pretty excited ! looking for a hyped up fun tailgate section can anyone point me in the right direction.

 

Here's a pretty safe bet. Just make a 1 mile circumference from the 50 yard line and enter any section of that area then open your eyes.

 

Thanks a lot bud, i assume everyone there is friendly and ill find a group. what time does it get started for the Thursday games because of work ?

 

Have fun and be safe. lots of fun to be had here
in the Steel City.

 

I am in the same boat, I am in my 40's and have never been for many reasons....my kids play ball on Saturdays and Sundays, money and.....money. I hope you have a great time and make this a trip of a life time. I hope one day soon I too will be posting a thread like this. Keep me posted on your trip either here on this thread or pm. I will as always wish for a Steeler win cause that can make a trip great no matter what! GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!

 

If you are there for a few days (not game night), go out to a nicer restaurant if you can $$$.... there are a couple up on Grandview ave with an amazing view of the city....(up the Duquesne incline)

 

I have never been to an evening game in Pittsburgh but when I took a Bungles fan with me from Cincy a long time ago, I told him that we needed to be up and out the door by 7 am for the 20 minute drive to the stadium for a 1 pm game. He kept asking why so early. When we got there at 8 am the place was already in full tilt mode. He told me he's never seen tailgating like that before. You will have a blast. Bring us home a W.

 

I went to only one game and it was a couple years ago. Maybe somebody here can explain the parking situation better such as if you get there early enough, where you might get to park the closest to the stadium. You have to find a parking garage or lot, then walk across a bridge, then to the stadium. So be ready for that.

 

My wife and I went a couple of years ago for the home opener. First time for us too. I wish I had planned better so I could have gone down to see "Falling Waters". We had a good dinner at Ditka's restaurant.

 

I was just on nfl network pulling a ravens out of a shot of just Bettis jersey wearing fans....Damn that was fun!