O/T: Help needed re: Downtown Pittsburgh/Heinz Field

[BigLou]

I am taking the family to Heinz Field for the Rolling Stones concert on 6/20. Never been in Pittsburg before. Will be driving out from NJ that day.
We are staying at the Marriott City Center and need to figure out the best way to get from there to the stadium. I can drive but would prefer not to if getting out of the stadium lots is difficult (I am used to the Meadowlands which is horrible to exit from after an event). It appears to be about a 35 minute walk., Not sure how much the wife will like that after the concert. but also not sure what other choices there are.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Also, any recommendations for a good casual place for dinner before the show would be appreciated. Probably want t to stay close to the hotel.

 

[CF LION]

I have stayed at the same hotel for Steelers games. There is a light rail system called the "T" that you can take to the stadium from downtown. There is a station called "Steel Plaza" just a few blocks from the Marriott. The station at Heinz Field is called "Allegheny".

The service is free for Steelers games, not sure about concerts.

The lines can be long, but I've never waited more than 20 minutes or so for a train.

As for dinner, there are many places in the Market Square area, which is about a 15 minute walk from the Marriott. There is a Primanti's there if you're game for that. If you choose to eat somewhere in this area before the concert, then hit the "Gateway" T station instead of Steel Plaza. It is just a few blocks from Market Square.

If it's a nice night, there is a nice newer Italian restaurant called Sienna Mercato on Penn Ave that has rooftop dining that offers a nice view of downtown. It's about equidistant from Steel Plaza or Gateway Station.

 

[stf110]

Just to chime in about the T, it is always free between all downtown stops and the two stops over by the stadiums.

 

[Hailpitt]

Its actually about a 15-20 minute walk. No problem with safety since most people park in downtown lots so you will have many people walking back into town. Also the use of the subway is good suggestion (enter at Steel Plaza Station which is next to your Hotel and exit at last stop on Northshore--Heinz Field/ Casino). I suspect subway will be crowded before and after concert so the walk is probably the better option. Restaurants near your hotel that are very good--here are the best ones in walking distance to your hotel and Heinz--google them to see your preferred menu: 1. Eleven (variety for every palate--and does them all very well), 2. Gaucho Parrilla ( hidden gem--an Argentina steak house), 3 Meat and Potatoes (really good meat and seafood entrees), 4 Sienna on the Square (new but has quickly grown a great reputation). Can't lose with any of these places.
Be sure to pet the Panther statute while at Heinz (give you 10 years good luck)
If you have the time--ride the subway to the Station Square stop and ride the Mon Incline up Mt Washington--the view is spectacular.
Hope to see you in Sept 2016

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

I am taking the family to Heinz Field for the Rolling Stones concert on 6/20. Never been in Pittsburg before. Will be driving out from NJ that day.
We are staying at the Marriott City Center and need to figure out the best way to get from there to the stadium. I can drive but would prefer not to if getting out of the stadium lots is difficult (I am used to the Meadowlands which is horrible to exit from after an event). It appears to be about a 35 minute walk., Not sure how much the wife will like that after the concert. but also not sure what other choices there are.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Also, any recommendations for a good casual place for dinner before the show would be appreciated. Probably want t to stay close to the hotel.

Enjoy the show. We saw them last week in Columbus. Mick was in good voice and the band was great. Much to my surprise, Kid Rock opened for them and was very enjoyable too. Kid introduced Rob ONeil who was the seal that killed bin Laden. He obviously got a loud welcome. The only sickening part of the show was the Stones playing Hang on Sloopy and Mick leading an O H I O cheer.

 

[1978lions]

That hotel also has a free shuttle to different parts of town, so you can take it to the Clemente Bridge by PNC park and walk to Heinz along the river from there on the way. I'm not sure how easy it'd be to get picked up after, but it's worth asking.

 

[MrDibbs]

I will echo everybody's posts. You can ride the T for free to the north shore stations. You will have to pay to exit the T at Station Square but I think that you can get a transfer to ride the incline to the top of Mount Washington. Hopefully someone else can confirm that minor detail.

Lots of decent places to eat in downtown Pittsburgh ... depends on what you want to spend. I like Six Penn conveniently located at the corner of Sixth and Penn.

From downtown, you can easily walk/stroll to Heinz Field - just remember that after you cross the Clemente Bridge (that's the old Sixth Street Bridge), it's still a good half to 3/4 mile to Heinz Field.

While the wait for the T might be 20 minutes or so going to the show, I would not want to wait for the T after the show. Hopefully it will be a wonderful evening and the walk back is a nice one.

 

[psu1969a]

dinner at georgetown inn or

1. Bella Vista Ristorante Italiano

on mount washington.

 

[Hailpitt]

PSU '69. Been awhile since you were in Pittsburgh. I believe the Georgetowne Inn is closed ( also health dept issues see link--http://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2013/07/01/Georgetowne-Inn-a-Mount-Washington-institution-to-close/stories/201307010175). I have never been to Bella Vista? Where is it on Mt Washington? How does it compare to other great Pittsburgh Italian restaurants (e.g., Alla Famiglia)?

 

[psu1969a]

PSU '69. Been awhile since you were in Pittsburgh. I believe the Georgetowne Inn is closed ( also health dept issues see link--http://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2013/07/01/Georgetowne-Inn-a-Mount-Washington-institution-to-close/stories/201307010175). I have never been to Bella Vista? Where is it on Mt Washington? How does it compare to other great Pittsburgh Italian restaurants (e.g., Alla Famiglia)?

GI was my favorite restaurant when i visited pittsburgh.

 

[ebervale]

Pittsburgh is spelled with an H at the end.

 

[Hailpitt]

Actually from 1890 to 1911 the "h" was not included in the spelling.

http://www.carnegielibrary.org/exhibit/hname.html

 

[pandaczar12]

I'll second "meat and potatoes". If you want some decent food but good beer... Check out the Rivetowne North Shore or Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room. Those I would classify as "casual".

If you want to venture away from downtown a bit, the Hofbrauhaus is a SHORT drive from downtown, and is awesome. It's only 5 miles away, and there is never any traffic if you take Second Avenue. It is also on the way in to downtown, so you could stop as you enter the city.

The best restaurant in Pittsburgh is Monterey bay Fish Grotto on Mount Washington. Amazing food, amazing view... but pricey.

Here is a subway map, showing the free fare zone:
http://www.portauthority.org/paac/apps/maps/TLines.pdf

 

[pmjoe]

If it was me, I'd walk to Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room, have dinner there and walk from there to the concert. Then take the T back after the concert, the Steel Plaza stop is well located for the hotel (look the return walk over when you head out to the concert).

Walking that area is mostly safe, but if you choose to walk back to the hotel late, after dark - after crossing the Clemente Bridge the walkers will disperse in every directions and it may quickly seem like you're alone - just know what route you're taking.

Someone suggested the hotel shuttle, which might be another good option.

 

[pandaczar12]

Walking that area is mostly safe, but if you choose to walk back to the hotel late, after dark - after crossing the Clemente Bridge the walkers will disperse in every directions and it may quickly seem like you're alone - just know what route you're taking.

If you park on the city side of the Clemente Bridge, in that blue garage (Ft. Duquesne & Sixth Street Garage). Parking will be really cheap. You can walk with a huge crowd of people the entire way to the garage, then drive back to your hotel. For a North Shore event, if you park on the city side of the Clemente bridge, you will have no traffic leaving.

http://www.pittsburghparking.com/ft-duquesne

 

[psu1969a]

PSU '69. Been awhile since you were in Pittsburgh. I believe the Georgetowne Inn is closed ( also health dept issues see link--http://www.post-gazette.com/life/dining/2013/07/01/Georgetowne-Inn-a-Mount-Washington-institution-to-close/stories/201307010175). I have never been to Bella Vista? Where is it on Mt Washington? How does it compare to other great Pittsburgh Italian restaurants (e.g., Alla Famiglia)?

my heart is saddened about georgetown inn. bella vista is on mount washington.

 

[AustinLion81]

Try Sienna Mercato at942 Penn Ave. It's actually 3 different restaurants in the same building:
- first floor is a bar and meatball shop. Different types of meatballs/sauces/sides
- second floor is a more upscale Italian - wood-oven pizzas, pastas, wines, etc - still casual
-third floor is a rooftop bar with good bar food.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sienna-mercato-pittsburgh

 

[Fox Chapel Lion II]

Monterey Bay Fish Grotto is one of the best in the city. Grandview Ave on Mount Washington. They have a full menu for the carnivores - not just fish.

Directly across the street is my personal favorite - LeMont. Food is tremendous. This is the place to go for a memorable dining experience. For more casual Rivertowne North shore is good. Middle of the road - I like Atria's which is on Sixth Street built into PNC Park. Another top shelf selection ($$$) is Hyde Park Steakhouse. The Mount is a drive or a taxi. Rivertowne, Atrias or Hyde Park are all easy walkers from Heinz Field.

http://www.lemontpittsburgh.com/
http://montereybayfishgrotto.com/
http://www.atrias.com/
http://www.hydeparkrestaurants.com/
http://www.myrivertowne.com/

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

The Georgetown Inn was closed, gutted and "reborn" as Altius. Here is a link to one of the best restaurants in the city. http://altiuspgh.com. The casual pizza shop "proper" and the meatball place mentioned previously are also favorites of mine. Bravo Franco on Penn Ave. is also a favorite for Italian. WALK TO AND FROM the stadium if you want to get back in a reasonable time. It is safe.

 

[yeahtoasty]

If you want to take the T back to your hotel, you'll wait forever at the Allegheny stop (which is the one right by Heinz Field.) My recommendation would be to walk the couple of blocks to the North Side station (the one by PNC Park) then get on a car headed TOWARDS the Allegheny station. It'll be empty, you'll then ride one stop in the wrong direction where the Heinz Field crowd will pour in, then you'll be headed back the way you want to go -- exiting at Steel Plaza, as others have noted.

 

[AtlantaLion]

I don't know about your logistical questions, but I did see the Stones play at Bobby Dodd last night. They put on a great show, especially when you factor in their age. Mick still moves like someone a third of his age... amazing.

 

[Player2BNamedL8r]

If you want to stay really close, get a room at the Springhill Suites right next to PNC Park. You'd be a 5 minute walk from Heinz and there are several places to eat in the area between the two stadiums.