stop and go
by davecallahan
This is a link to real-time traffic information for all the major highways in Pittsburgh. It is really handy if you are in the area when construction (destruction) or weather hazards or during taffic times or if there is an accident occur and you need to route around the problem.
http://www.traffic.com/Pittsburgh-Traffic/Pittsburgh-Traffic-Reports.html?ct=ma_map
There is a general area map that shows the various problems on the major routes and then there is a video-audio option that tells you which areas to avoid and why.
Pittsburghese - yes...it's a language...sort of
by RblWthACoz
consider this a small portion of the full dictionary and feel free to use it for translation at ANY time :-D
"Hey yinz guys."
yinz = you or you guys
"Why yinz keep sayin 'da'??"
da = the
"Pass me a gumband, will ya?"
gumband = rubber band
"What is dat?"
dat = that
"Let's go dahntahn."
dahntahn = downtown
"Yinz better red up dat room."
red = clean
"Let me warsh that for yinz."
warsh = wash
"Stillers are goin' to tha Super Bowl!"
Stillers = Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) ;-)
"We're goin dahn to the Saoww-side."
Saoww-Side (pronounces like - "ow! that hurt" and said real fast) = South Side
"They live in Sliberty."
Sliberty = East Liberty
There are some more than just these. I actually found a website dedicated to them. Feel free to research it more, or just tackle a local to the ground and ask "What the heck are you saying?!?!" if need be.
PNC PARK
by moiraistyx
I have loved the Pittsburgh Pirates for nearly 2 decades now, so when I got the chance to go see a Pirates game I jumped at the chance. I have to admit that PNC is nothing great in itself, but for a Pirates fan it was a moment in heaven. I think we paid $10 for our seats. The stadium wasn't even close to being full, in fact if it was at 50% I would be surprised. I really enjoyed browsing the gift store and almost bought a Pittsburgh Pirates thong. sunglasses, sunscreen, poncho
Frank Lloyd Wright's "Fallingwater"
by starship
If you know in advance that you'll be visiting the Pittsburgh area and you're an "organic" or modernist architecture fan, you may want to make reservations for one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most celebrated works: "Fallingwater."
Wright designed the house named "Fallingwater" for EdgarJ. Kaufmann and family, owners of a Pittsburgh department store. One of the most significant features of the house, which was completed in 1939, is the fact that it was built over a waterfall. Built of sandstone quarried on the property, the house is cantilvered over the water.
The portion of Wright's work which has fascintated me the most, are his "built-ins" or furniture and amenities that are actually part of the architectural structure and not separate pieces. His work with wood, stone and particularly designed glass and ceramics hold a certain amount of appeal for me as well.
Fallingwater seems to look like sandstone trays holding glass compartments at different levels and intersected by beautiful stacked-stone walls and beautiful windows perched above the rocky waterfall and surrounded by curtains of leafy forest. My favorite time to visit would definitely be fall when the leaves are changing colors.
Hard to believe, but Fallingwater was only the Kaufmann's weekend home from 1937 til 1963 when Mr. Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. , "entrusted" the home to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Considered by some to be the most famous private home in American, it is said to be the only major work of Frank Lloyd Wright to "come to the public domain with its setting, original furnishing and artwork in tact." Fallingwater was named a Commonwealth treasure in 2000 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Several different tours are available from 1-hour (no photography permitted on this tour) to a more indepth 2-hour tour, or tours of the grounds only. Ultimate tours include brunch/lunch on a private terrace (must be quite special!!). To ensure admission, advance ticket purchases and reservations are required (they suggest 2 weeks in advance!). Purchase tickets online or call the reservations office. Ticket prices run from $16 for the 1-hour tour up to $100 for the "Sunset and Brunch" (you'd think it'd be sunset and dinner!). Children ages 6 - 12 are $10 (2008 prices).
The Visitor's Center has not only a shop but a cafe which serves soups, sandwiches, daily specials (entrees) and desserts.
Fallingwater is located on PA Route 381 between the villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle and driving directions are listed on the website. (We determined that Fallingwater had to be 1 - 1 1/2 hrs. from Pittsburgh.
Allegheny County Courthouse
by Ewingjr98
The Allegheny County Courthouse is probably downtown Pittsburgh's most unique building from an architectural perspective. When the county's previous courthouse was ruined by fire in 1882, Boston architect HH Richardson won the competition to construct the new facility. His building consisted of the main courthouse surrounding a large interior courtyard with a prison across the street and was completed in 1884. The prison and courthouse are connected with the "Bridge of Sighs" that was certainly inspired by Venice's 16th Century Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) which also connected that city's prison with the interrogation chambers in the palace.
The courthouse is located on Grant Street between Diamond Street and 5th Avenue.
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Boats in front of Carnegie Science Center
The building housing the Grand Concourse
One of the largest species of pigeon
PITTSBURGH
