Odd, brief Pittsburgh visit advice needed (York, Washington: hotels, home, college)

[acchang]

Hi there,

I plan to be in Pittsburgh for one day in mid-September.

I'm driving six hours from New York City on a weekend to do a triathlon in Western Maryland, and thought I might make a side trip to Pittsburgh after the race and before I return home.

The main things I want to do is see the Duquesne Incline and eat at Primanti Bros.

I'm thinking after the triathlon is done on Sunday afternoon, I'll drive the 2 hours to Pittsburgh, stay there overnight, and drive home on Monday.

I was thinking of getting a room downtown via priceline, but since those are the only two things on my itinerary, and I'll be there so briefly, I was wondering if I could stay in other areas. I might be so bushed by the time I get into town, I may not leave my hotel room much.

Do you think I should get a hotel room downtown, or is another area ok?

I was thinking of getting a room at the airport via priceline because I'm best able to get a good price for a high quality room there. I'm worried that if I stay downtown, I'll also be hit up for parking -- and I'll probably wind up driving to the two places I want to see anyway.

What do you think? Anything else I need to see in the brief time I'll be there? Is parking a concern downtown, at the airport, or any of the places I want to see?

Thanks!

[I_Like_Spam]

There are several hotels in Greentree that would be very convenient to your locations, the Radisson, Best Western, the Clarion. Greentree is convenient to the interstate, and less than 10 minutes with no traffic to both the upper station of the Duquesne Incline and 18th St. in the STrip.

If its going to be a Sunday afternoon that the Steelers are NOT playing on the North Side, it should be easy to both get a room as well as make it to the strip and Mt. Washington.

[UKyank]

Airport hotel is doable, but unless its an especially good deal I would avoid it as it won't be convenient at all.
The vast majority of other hotels will be either downtown or very near it with Oakland being the only area with a number of hotels that I can think of which would be fine if you don't mind lots of college kids being around.
Parking while normally a concern downtown isnt at all on a normal Sunday (there's not a Steelers home game that day is there?), and better yet, its free to park on the street that day.

[BrianTH]

I agree the North Shore is likely your best bet, particularly since you are going to be here for such a short period of time.

[Copanut]

My advice, as someone who only did a biathlon back in the day, is you're gonna be tired. Why not stay at the Sheraton in Station Square? You could walk to the incline and even walk to Primanti's in the Strip or the one on the SouthSide. You could also take a Gateway Clipper river tour while you are there. My two cents.

[onwardandupward]

Originally Posted by Copanut

My advice, as someone who only did a biathlon back in the day, is you're gonna be tired. Why not stay at the Sheraton in Station Square? You could walk to the incline and even walk to Primanti's in the Strip or the one on the SouthSide. You could also take a Gateway Clipper river tour while you are there. My two cents.

This is definitely the best idea. Even though you may be able to save a bit of money with Priceline, this location (Sheraton Station Square) is definitely the best for what you want to do, and with being fatigued, you still have a lot of things to do right outside your hotel. The T (our mini-subway) can take you over to downtown from Station Square, and walking to Primanti's is pretty easy from there. The Gateway Clipper is a nice way to relax after the biathlon and see the city at the same time.

[BrianTH]

I always forget about the Sheraton--that is an excellent suggestion.

[acchang]

Thanks for the responses! I never expected to get so much good information so quickly!

I went through hotwire, downtown and got a room at the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh City Center for $77 ($99 with fees).

Looks like it could be within walking distance of the original Primanti Bros; not sure about the Duquesne Incline though.

I'll be there on Sept. 18; there's a Steelers' home game, so I decided to jump on it right away.

The cruise seemed like a good idea, but there won't be one until Monday afternoon. I might need to get on the road before that.

Thanks again!

[fleetiebelle]

Just FYI, I think the Monongahela Incline is more interesting than the Duquesne incline. Station Square is at the bottom, and more of the Mt. Washington overlooks and Shiloh St. are at the top.

[BrianTH]

The Mon Incline is also walkable from the Doubletree.