Station Square, Pittsburgh

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Station Square is a great mix of restaurants (over 20!!), shops, activities and attractions located on a 50+ acre site along the Monongahela River just opposite the Golden Triangle area of Pittsburgh and next to the Smithfield Street Bridge. It's the brainchild of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation which wanted to put to use the area which was formerly an important terminus for the Pennsylvania & Lake Erie Railroad.

With the passenger railroad industry largely in demise by the 1970's, the Foundation saw the immediate potential of the remaining railroad buildings and their marvelous position on the riverfront. Today the former train shed building houses the "Freight House Shops" and the architecturally magnificent train station houses the "Grand Concourse Restaurant" whose stained-glass windows are beautiful beyond words.

An open area behind several of the restaurants is the fun place called "Bessemer Court" which is dedicated to the city's steel industry heritage, but is also dedicated to the enjoyment of visitors. This is where the "Waltzing Waters Liquid Fireworks Fountain" is located along with some of Bessemer's inventions. The fountains provide not only a stunning visual display but some great music sets as well--something for nearly everyone. (See separate tip.)

In Station Square, you can barely walk 5 feet without running into a restaurant! There is the Hard Rock Cafe, Buca di Beppo, Red Star Tavern, the Melting Pot, Three Rivers Candy & Fudgery, and Pittsburgh Rare to name but a very few. We enjoyed an inexpensive but nice lunch at the outdoor tables of the Island Cafe.

There are a couple particularly nice shops in the Freight House Shops---one clothing shop that I adored and an independent book shop which I also liked very much.

If evening entertainment is on your mind, there are comedy clubs, and a few pubs to belly up to, but I would prefer one of the special evening cruises on one the Gateway Clipper ships plying the local river!! And you can stay at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel so you don't have far to go when the evening is over! If not parking is $6 after 11 am.

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Where to begin exploring this city? The best place is Station Square. This former railroad station has been transformed into a major attraction. Here are restaurants, bars, shops, and information centers. In addition, the courtyard has some beautiful fountains and the Clinton Furnace. This was the first successful blast furnace in the city, operating from 1859 to 1927. It was the beginning of Pittsburgh's long history as a steel city.

It's also a great place to walk across the historic Smithfield St Bridge to downtown, or head east on East Carson St to the South Side. Or you can head over to the nearby Gateway Clipper pier for a boat ride. And you must ride up the Monongahela Incline to the top of Mt Washington, for a famous view of the city's skyline. You have all this right here.

Take the T across the Monongahela to Station Square which is filled with shops and restaurants. In the summer months, there is a fountain next to the water that "dances" to music. Shops range from ecelctic to touristy to chains. The restaurants are mostly chains so we just stopped for a drink before heading back to the city.

Nearby you can hop on the train to the top of Mt. Washington for some great views of the city.

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Located just across the Mon River from downtown Pittsburgh, Station Square has established itself as one of the best shopping and dining areas in the city. Entertainment options include the Chevrolet Amphitheater, the Monongahela Incline, the fountain at Bessemer Court, and the vistas of downtown along the marina.

Dining and nightlife seems to be comprised mainly of large chain restaurants and bars like Joe's Crab Shack, Buca di Beppo, Hard Rock Cafe, and Hooters, but there are a few smaller restaurants such as the Buckhead Saloon, Bar Louie, and Margarita Mamas. There is also a nightclub called Matrix in the East Warehouse and a comedy club in Bessemer Court.

Transportation options to Station Square are varied...take the T to Station Square stop, take the Mon Incline, drive and park in their numerous parking areas, walk across the Smithfield Street Bridge from downtown, take the Gateway Clipper, or even dock your boat in the Landings Marina.

This was once an old train station (I believe), which has over the years become an interesting stretch of nightlife right on the waterfront in downtown Pittsburgh. Visit www.stationsquare.com.

Shops, bars and restaurants line the "strip" here, including a newly opened Hard Rock Cafe.

You will also be able to find the Gateway Clipper, a boat that tours around the city. I haven't been on here since I was in high school, so I'm not sure how much it's changed in the last 17+ years. For more information, visit www.gatewayclipper.com.

Station Square is definitely a Must See in Pittsburgh. It's situated right on the river has consists of a shopping mall full of stores and restaurants. Now shopping is really the least you'd want to do at station sq. with that being said. You might want to catch a cruise on the river on the Gateway Clipper ship, where CMU usually have its dances and gatherings.
Or my favorite, get on the incline that takes you all the way to the top of Mount Washington, where you can get a great view of the city and its surrounding areas. There are also fine dinning on top of Mount Washington, but of course the view comes with a handsome price, as the restaurants on top are very expensive. I think it's better to do this at night, as the lights of the city just give you a totally different atomsphere.

I just saw the video I made when my wife went out of the mall. She said :'Yeah, very beautiful mall. Well for food but for clothes : nil'.