Things to do in Downtown Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has a compact and vibrant downtown. Almost everything listed below is within a short walk of the conference site. If you have time for only one little excursion, we recommend taking a stroll to the rivers and across the bridges. The bridges to the Northside at 6th, 7th and 9th Streets are especially charming. The bridge at 6th Street takes you directly to the new baseball park, PNC Park.
If you want to take a longer walk, head west to Point State Park, which is the park located at the spot where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to form the Ohio River. From there you have a spectacular view of football field, Heinz Field.
Performing Arts
Downtown Pittsburgh has many good theaters and concert halls within a short walk of the conference site.
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bendum Center for the Performing Arts | 719 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 |
412-456-6666 |
| Bricolage Theater Company | 937
Liberty Avenue Near corner of Smithfield |
|
| Byham Theater | 711
Penn Ave Near intersection of Penn Ave and 8th St |
412-456-6666 |
| Heinz Hall | 600
Penn Ave Corner of 6th |
412-392-4900 |
| O'Reilly Theater | 621
Penn Avenue Between 6th and 7th |
412-316-1600 |
| Pittsburgh Opera | 7th
St. and Penn Ave. |
412-456-6666 |
| Pittsburgh Public Theater | 621
Penn Ave. Between 6th and 7th |
412-316-1600 |
| Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra | 600
Penn Ave Corner of 6th |
412-392-3313 |
For a hybrid experience, Backstage Bar and Cabaret, 655 Penn Avenue.
Nearby in the Northside is the New Hazlett Theater, Allegheny Square East, 412-320-4610. (0.9 miles)
For more, see Downtown and the Cultural District in Pop City.
Cinema
Harris Theater
809 Liberty Ave.
Galleries
There are some smaller, interesting galleries downtown close to the conference site.
Four Winds Gallery -
(412.682.5092)
One Oxford Center.
Society
for Contemporary Craft - (412-261-7003)
2100 Smallman St (Strip District)
Space (412.325.7723)
812 Liberty Ave.
Wood
Street Galleries
(412-471-.5605)
601 Wood Street
Future
Tenant
819 Penn Ave.
Two significant galleries are on the Northside:
The Andy Warhol
Museum (0.7
miles)
117 Sandusky St. Pittsburgh PA 15212
Mattress
Factory Museum (1.4
miles)
500 Sampsonia Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Museums
The Senator John Heinz History Center is Pennsylvania's largest history museum and has exhibits related to Pittsburgh's importance in the history of technology. 1212 Smallman Street. In the Strip District (0.5 miles).
The Carnegie Science Center has all the pop and sizzle you'd expect of a modern science museum, including an Omnimax theater. On the Northside; a pleasant 1 mile walk along the river.
Walking Tour of Downtown
A nice walking tour of downtown Pittsburgh that goes past the front door of the Omni William Penn Hotel has been prepared by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. Link to tour.
Walking and Running Trails
Downtown Pittsburgh is surrounded on three sides by rivers and bridges. There is a splendid system of walking and running trails along the riverfronts all a few minutes' walk from the conference. See Friends of the Riverfront.
The Incline
For a spectacular view of Pittsburgh downtown, ride one of the "Inclines," the two funiculars (cable cars) on Pittsburgh's South Side. There are two inclines, the Monongahela Incline and the Duquesne Incline. The Monongahela Incline is very close to downtown. It can be reached from downtown by crossing the Smithfield Street bridge to the Station Square shopping complex.
River Cruise
Just Ducky provides a tour of Pittsburgh by both land and water in a World War II amphibious craft that drives straight into the river.
The Gateway Clipper fleet operates a variety of cruises on the rivers surrounding Pittsburgh's downtown.
Draft 3, February 26, 2008.
