Positively Pittsburgh

Embassy Suites Pittsburgh - International Airport

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Hotel | "Embassy Suites"

Lovely Lobby Photo - Embassy Suites Pittsburgh - International Airport, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Located near the Pittsburgh Airport this airport offers a nice rural atmosphere yet within easy driving distance of downtown. Since it is an all suite hotel it was perfect for us to share. Karen had points so not only was it well located, it was free, and it doesn’t get better than that.The hotel has a unique country atmosphere. It is large and white and has Adirondack chairs, rocking chairs and even a swing on the large front porch. The lobby can only be described as elegant and airy. The first thing you notice is a table sporting a beautiful floral arrangement. Three is another area in the lobby that is set up with comfortable leather sofas and chairs. The rooms surround a large cent...Read More

Located near the Pittsburgh Airport this airport offers a nice rural atmosphere yet within easy driving distance of downtown. Since it is an all suite hotel it was perfect for us to share. Karen had points so not only was it well located, it was free, and it doesn’t get better than that.

The hotel has a unique country atmosphere. It is large and white and has Adirondack chairs, rocking chairs and even a swing on the large front porch. The lobby can only be described as elegant and airy. The first thing you notice is a table sporting a beautiful floral arrangement. Three is another area in the lobby that is set up with comfortable leather sofas and chairs. The rooms surround a large center atrium which even has a fish pond and a waterfall. Once you are in the atrium you have a mix of New England and the tropics. There were several gazebos with weathervanes located among the more tropical trees and this is all on the atrium. Best of all in the usual Embassy Suites fashion breakfast and an afternoon reception are included in the rate.

You would think after having downed a sandwich at Primanti Brothers we wouldn’t have any room left for a drink and a snack but you underestimate us. We rushed up and dropped off our bags and headed down to scope out the food. It isn’t fancy just crackers, cheese, veggies and dip and fruit with a limited choice of wine, beer and mixed drinks. No frozen drinks like I have gotten at other Embassy Suites but certainly very adequate. It was however plentiful and there were only a few other people sitting in one of the gazebos with us.

Our room was a two room suite. There is a good size bedroom with a king sized bed and all the necessary amenities. We had a TV so we didn’t have to share the one in the parlor. The couch in the parlor turned into a bed. There was a coffee maker in the room so we could have an early or a late cup. The main room also had a kitchen area with a sink and a small refrigerator. There was a dining table that could seat four.

There is only one bathroom and it was quite small but had a marble counter top and plenty of hot water and towels.

The bed was very comfortable and the soundproofing in the hotel was excellent, we were not disturbed by any external noise once we went to our room.

The hotel has a pool and a gym but we didn’t use either one of them.

We didn’t go looking for restaurants but there appeared to be plenty of choices on several of the exits close by.

Breakfast was buffet style and includes hot as well as cold items. It wasn’t the greatest one I have ever had but it was more than acceptable. You could have an omelet made to order and Al did that.

This is a very nice hotel in a very nice are.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 30, 2008

Embassy Suites Pittsburgh - International Airport
550 CHERRINGTON PKWY
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15108
412 269 9070

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Primanti Brothers

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Restaurant

Looking across market Square Photo - Primanti Brothers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Karen asked us if we had ever had an Italian Sandwich. Now in Connecticut we don’t have anything we call an Italian Sandwich. What we do have is what we call a grinder, which which most parts of the country refer to as a hoagie. I assumed erroneously that an Italian Sandwich was the Pittsburg equivalent of a grinder. Our grinders are mighty tame compared to what we were about to sample at Primanti Brothers.I need to warn you before you enter that smoking is allowed in the restaurant and as a non smoker I was quite overwhelmed by the smell of it. We found a corner table where there was a little less exposure but it was still pretty heavy. We walked up to the counter to read the sign to have...Read More

Karen asked us if we had ever had an Italian Sandwich. Now in Connecticut we don’t have anything we call an Italian Sandwich. What we do have is what we call a grinder, which which most parts of the country refer to as a hoagie. I assumed erroneously that an Italian Sandwich was the Pittsburg equivalent of a grinder. Our grinders are mighty tame compared to what we were about to sample at Primanti Brothers.

I need to warn you before you enter that smoking is allowed in the restaurant and as a non smoker I was quite overwhelmed by the smell of it. We found a corner table where there was a little less exposure but it was still pretty heavy. We walked up to the counter to read the sign to have an idea of what was offered. There were a lot of choices. Al decided to have steak, there’s a surprise, Karen had Cappacola and I chose corned beef.

There is a full bar. I had a Stella Artois and Al had a Genuine Draft, you have the choice of 16oz or 23 oz, and Karen had a coffee. It had a corner bar atmosphere and the food smelled so good. Our waitress was nice and gave us good service. The restaurant is not fancy or romantic, it is load and lively and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

When our sandwiches were delivered our jaws, at least Al’s and mine almost hit the table they dropped so far. These are the most humongous sandwiches I have ever seen. They have not only the meat and lettuce and tomato but coleslaw and French fries on the sandwich, yes I said on the sandwich. Try to imagine a huge serving of French fries sitting inside your sandwich instead of beside it. Believe me there is almost no way to eat this in a neat way, you really need to cover yourself with a drop cloth!

The French fries on their own are amazing, they are real not frozen you can taste the difference immediately. Just be prepared to take at least half home with you, unfortunately we did not have a fridge at our hotel so we had to leave ours behind.

We were very lucky to find parking right on Market Square. The spaces here are metered. Expect to spend around $12 if you have a beer, my Stella 16oz was $2.75 and Al’s was $2. This is really bargain eating and darn good too.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 30, 2008

Primanti Brothers
2 South Market Square
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 261-1599

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Senator John Heinz History Museum

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Attraction | "Senator John Heinz History Center"

Antique fire truck Photo - Senator John Heinz History Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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When it comes to amazing Museums I have to tell you that this one just may end up on top of the heap. The roots for today’s museum can be found in the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania and date back before 1880. After several different homes they moved into the At 200,000 square feet it is the largest history museum in Pa. In 1996 they moved into the Chautauqua Lake Ice Building and in 2003 began construction on a new five story wing that would bring in the Smithsonian Museum’s traveling exhibits and the Western Pa Sports Museum as well as lots of gallery space.There isn’t any free parking in the area that we could find. There are several large pay lots and I think it only cost u...Read More

When it comes to amazing Museums I have to tell you that this one just may end up on top of the heap. The roots for today’s museum can be found in the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania and date back before 1880. After several different homes they moved into the At 200,000 square feet it is the largest history museum in Pa. In 1996 they moved into the Chautauqua Lake Ice Building and in 2003 began construction on a new five story wing that would bring in the Smithsonian Museum’s traveling exhibits and the Western Pa Sports Museum as well as lots of gallery space.

There isn’t any free parking in the area that we could find. There are several large pay lots and I think it only cost us $5 to park there.

Be sure to check your Pittsburgh entertainment book for a 2 for 1 coupon. If you don’t have the book ask about the AAA discount and they offer free entrance to active service members and their families.

We began our visit by going to the small dining area on the first floor and having a sandwich. There are some decent choices and the prices were reasonable considering we were a captive audience.

The first thing we visited was a display of antique vehicles. The cable car is available for you to climb on board and watch a short little video about the cable cars in Pittsburgh.

There are exhibits spread out over several floors. One that we found of particular interest was about the glass industry in Pennsylvania. There were a lot of really beautiful pieces of glass on display and also videos that you could watch about the history of the industry.

The Heinz whose name is on the museum is from the Heinz ketchup family and there was of course a large display about the development of the industry, advertisements related to it’s products and how it changed the lives of women over the years. It was a lot of fun to see things that we recognized from our childhood. The pictures of Mom in an apron bring back certain nostalgia for a simpler time.

Another exhibit which really kept our interest was one on Lewis and Clark. This is a museum that the whole family will find of interest. Attached to it is the Pennsylvania Sports Museum which we did not visit but I am sure that it is worth a visit for anyone with more interest in sports then any of us had.
Check out the website to see the latest updates on what is on display. Allow several hours for your visit.

Senator John Heinz History Center

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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 30, 2008

Senator John Heinz History Museum
1212 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 454-6000

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The Duquesne Incline

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Attraction | "Duquesne Incline"

Going up the incline Photo - The Duquesne Incline, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. On the south bank above the Monongahela is Mount Washington. For the best views in the area you need to go to the top of the mountain. This certainly can be done with your car, we know this for a fact since we accidentally did it, but that is another story.For a much more interesting trip to the top try using the Duquesne Incline. There is a parking lot where you can park for fee right across the street from the lower station. You then climb up some stairs and walk across a bridge which takes you over the top of the four lane road. It is a unique perspective. There is a charge to take the inclin...Read More

Pittsburgh is located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. On the south bank above the Monongahela is Mount Washington. For the best views in the area you need to go to the top of the mountain. This certainly can be done with your car, we know this for a fact since we accidentally did it, but that is another story.

For a much more interesting trip to the top try using the Duquesne Incline. There is a parking lot where you can park for fee right across the street from the lower station. You then climb up some stairs and walk across a bridge which takes you over the top of the four lane road. It is a unique perspective.

There is a charge to take the incline. It cost $1.75 each way. If you have the entertainment book you can get one round trip free when you buy a second one. The incline reminds me a lot of the funicular in Quebec city. The big difference is that you get to sit down and relax and really enjoy the view. The car perhaps holds twenty people maybe more if you sit close together.

It really is a site to behold. It is easy to spot, bright red paint on the outside and cherry and birds eye maple on the interior. It isn’t the smoothest of rides but it certainly is one of the most scenic. The whole point of Pittsburgh lies out before you.

At the top of the Incline there is a museum where you can see the inner working of the incline and also many pictures decorate the wall showing Pittsburgh over the years.

The Incline was opened in 1877 and was originally operated with steam power. It has been upgraded over the years and is now electric.

The best part of the trip up the Incline is going out on the viewing platform. You can use the telescopes to look at the fountain on the point or the new Heinz Field on the north shore of the Ohio River. You really can see everything from the many bridges that cross both the Alleghany and Monongahela Rivers to the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline. It is a breathtaking view but of course is not for the faint of heart or those who don’t like heights because you have the feeling of hanging off the edge of the world. I loved it, it is a rush, and you are at a height of 400 feet.

If you fell in love with the feeling there is another Incline about a mile down Grandview Ave. Just a note, Grandview is the address of the Upper Station. You will find parking easier on Carson St. There is a small gift shop in the upper station but when we were there they were out of just about everything.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 30, 2008

The Duquesne Incline
1220 Grandview Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15211
(412) 381-1665

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Fort Pitt Museum

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Attraction

Karen and Al talking to the guide Photo - Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Visiting Fort Pitt in 2007 was a challenge. The exterior areas are under major construction. You will need to walk totally around the building to get to the door. There is chaos everywhere and it is not clearly marked. We had to ask several people how to get in. Finally we found it and it was certainly worth looking for. By the way, from the Duquesne Incline you get a very good look at the Point where Fort Pitt (built atop what was the French Fort Duquesne) is located. We had coupons for free entry and since we arrived so late in the day it was a good thing. We only had less than an hour. We began by visiting the cabin of a typical hunter in this area. We learned a lot about what life w...Read More

Visiting Fort Pitt in 2007 was a challenge. The exterior areas are under major construction. You will need to walk totally around the building to get to the door. There is chaos everywhere and it is not clearly marked. We had to ask several people how to get in. Finally we found it and it was certainly worth looking for. By the way, from the Duquesne Incline you get a very good look at the Point where Fort Pitt (built atop what was the French Fort Duquesne) is located.

We had coupons for free entry and since we arrived so late in the day it was a good thing. We only had less than an hour. We began by visiting the cabin of a typical hunter in this area. We learned a lot about what life was like on the frontier. The skin of one buck was the basic denomination of currency used on the frontier, you ca see where this is leading right? So 2 bucks =1 beaver and 2 does = 1 buck. A piece of cloth for instance might sell for 2 bucks.

We got to run our hands over the pelts of animals and get an idea of what life was like. It isn’t all about the White Man either, the natives had by this time become accustomed to European goods and since Europe had an insatiable appetite for beaver pelts there was a brisk trade between the settlers and the natives. Deer skins were sent to Bristol and used to make the gloves and shoes that the people of Europe had come to love. The elk and bear skins were used in the colonies as bedding.

On the second floor we sat and watched a short video called ‘Whose Land”. It documents the conflict that arose between the Iroquois who did not believe in private ownership and the English who felt that everything they saw was theirs. The French who were never as numerous as the English and had a vastly superior understanding of the native way of thinking. made a much better ally.

The second floor also has some very interesting display cases. The confluence of these three rivers made a very important location to all the main players in the drama that unfolded here. Who ever controlled the rivers would eventually control the whole area and since we can now see who is in control we know that they were correct. One has to wonder what course history would have taken if the French had retained control of the area west of Fort Pitt. Makes for some interesting speculation.

There is a small gift store on the first floor. The construction will be going on for a couple of years and eventually I believe there is going to be another fountain and more park area. They are going to cover up the current excavations that are going on and make it more people friendly.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 30, 2008

Fort Pitt Museum
Point State Park
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15233
(412) 281-9284

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