Defining the Pittsburgh Experience
Puritas Corbin is working on a Sebak video and links on her blog to Sebak's page. I written about Sebak before, but since I am in the Clarion library typing this, I am having difficulty accessing my blog archives. UGH. Rick Sebak is a Pittsburgh institution, producing PBS programming (and his dinstinct voice narrating them) mostly about Pittsburgh (and some national shows on American kitsch like Diners and Hot Dogs).
Anyway, Sebak lists his top 10 Pittsburgh experiences, and I thought I might add my two cents. I have done every one of them in my life, which isn't that hard.
1. You've got to drive from the airport through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and see the incredible gateway view of the city that sort of explodes as you come out of the tunnel onto the bridge...
This I read is also the way Franco Harris takes his business visitors into the city even if they didn't come in through the airport. It is worth the drive around the city if there is no construction if it is your first visit and you are not coming from that direction
2. You have to spend at least one Saturday morning just wandering and eating your way through the Strip District. Fight the crowds at Pennsylvania Macaroni...
Go early and try all the cheeses they will let you at Macaroni. You will walk out with three pounds of cheese worth more than $70! SO worth it!.
3. On a weekday, preferably around lunchtime, go shopping downtown..
He has a few more things listed, but this one is wishful thinking, romaticizing the few things that remain from what was once a great downtown. Skip this. Go to Squirrel Hill in May in the afternoon after all the schools have let out for the day. Or right before sundown on a Friday.
4. If you're here mid-May through Labor Day, you've got to ride the Thunderbolt at Kennywood, ...
Take a child who is just tall enough to ride the Racer and the Jack Rabbit on their first big coaster ride. I did this with Crispian 2 weeks ago. One of the best things ever!
5. You've got to spend at least three or four days in the Carnegie Museums in Oakland...
Really nothing more to add,except spend time hanging out in the library. Get spoiled by being allowed to drink coffee and talk and hang out in a cool old library.
6. Ride an incline..
Did this once right at the start of the Fireworks for Light Up Night. Wow. Now there is a big line.
7. Hey, we still think of this as some sort of City of Champions, so you ought to try and get to some sporting event...
This assumes hockey will resume in Pittsburgh. And forget about getting Steelers tickets unless you know someone. Go to PNC, enjoy the evening,eat Pierogies. Also, my Opening Day thing is Nachos--Ice cold chips (april in Pittsburgh!!!) and hot cheese. MMM-mmmm.
8. At least once, you should park on the South Side and make an evening of it....
His list is a little out of date because he lists some clubs that are closed. This is now overrated---too expensive and not the old South Side.
9. Of course, we do have a world-renowned symphony, and a splendid Public Theatre, several dazzling dance organizations, an opera, and plenty of artistic surprises that are presented at various times in various venues throughout the Cultural District...
Also check out visual arts for the First Fridays and other occassions! Go to CMU,see a play,and the PAX-network drama stars of tomorrow!
10. I also think you ought to hike from Gateway Center down through Point State Park to the actual confluence of the rivers..
This is cool, but don't do it on a very sunny July day!!
I would add:
-go to the Warhol and the Mattress Factory on the same day. You can walk from one to the other right past the Aviary.
-eat Pierogies at Union Grille, or from the kitchen of the Orthodox Church on the Southside that makes them (can't think of the name and the WE-Blocker on this library computer is taking offense to googling Orthodox Pittsburgh Pierogie Kitchen)
-Do walk around the Southside on a summer evening,like right around 7-9pm. The air feels different down there.
-Take the kids to the Big Blue Slide in Schenley Park. Bring waxed paper.
-Take advatage of the free art at the Frick
-And Pump some Arn.
Anyway, Sebak lists his top 10 Pittsburgh experiences, and I thought I might add my two cents. I have done every one of them in my life, which isn't that hard.
1. You've got to drive from the airport through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and see the incredible gateway view of the city that sort of explodes as you come out of the tunnel onto the bridge...
This I read is also the way Franco Harris takes his business visitors into the city even if they didn't come in through the airport. It is worth the drive around the city if there is no construction if it is your first visit and you are not coming from that direction
2. You have to spend at least one Saturday morning just wandering and eating your way through the Strip District. Fight the crowds at Pennsylvania Macaroni...
Go early and try all the cheeses they will let you at Macaroni. You will walk out with three pounds of cheese worth more than $70! SO worth it!.
3. On a weekday, preferably around lunchtime, go shopping downtown..
He has a few more things listed, but this one is wishful thinking, romaticizing the few things that remain from what was once a great downtown. Skip this. Go to Squirrel Hill in May in the afternoon after all the schools have let out for the day. Or right before sundown on a Friday.
4. If you're here mid-May through Labor Day, you've got to ride the Thunderbolt at Kennywood, ...
Take a child who is just tall enough to ride the Racer and the Jack Rabbit on their first big coaster ride. I did this with Crispian 2 weeks ago. One of the best things ever!
5. You've got to spend at least three or four days in the Carnegie Museums in Oakland...
Really nothing more to add,except spend time hanging out in the library. Get spoiled by being allowed to drink coffee and talk and hang out in a cool old library.
6. Ride an incline..
Did this once right at the start of the Fireworks for Light Up Night. Wow. Now there is a big line.
7. Hey, we still think of this as some sort of City of Champions, so you ought to try and get to some sporting event...
This assumes hockey will resume in Pittsburgh. And forget about getting Steelers tickets unless you know someone. Go to PNC, enjoy the evening,eat Pierogies. Also, my Opening Day thing is Nachos--Ice cold chips (april in Pittsburgh!!!) and hot cheese. MMM-mmmm.
8. At least once, you should park on the South Side and make an evening of it....
His list is a little out of date because he lists some clubs that are closed. This is now overrated---too expensive and not the old South Side.
9. Of course, we do have a world-renowned symphony, and a splendid Public Theatre, several dazzling dance organizations, an opera, and plenty of artistic surprises that are presented at various times in various venues throughout the Cultural District...
Also check out visual arts for the First Fridays and other occassions! Go to CMU,see a play,and the PAX-network drama stars of tomorrow!
10. I also think you ought to hike from Gateway Center down through Point State Park to the actual confluence of the rivers..
This is cool, but don't do it on a very sunny July day!!
I would add:
-go to the Warhol and the Mattress Factory on the same day. You can walk from one to the other right past the Aviary.
-eat Pierogies at Union Grille, or from the kitchen of the Orthodox Church on the Southside that makes them (can't think of the name and the WE-Blocker on this library computer is taking offense to googling Orthodox Pittsburgh Pierogie Kitchen)
-Do walk around the Southside on a summer evening,like right around 7-9pm. The air feels different down there.
-Take the kids to the Big Blue Slide in Schenley Park. Bring waxed paper.
-Take advatage of the free art at the Frick
-And Pump some Arn.
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