More Things To Do In The Steel City

After spending Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh, I have a few more travel tips for ya. (Just in case you didn’t get your fill from this one or this one.)

Where to Stay:

• Hotel Monaco: This trendy spot is in a fun location downtown. It’s filled with whacky art, and if you’re there when the weather is accommodating, there’s a great rooftop bar. We had brunch at The Commoner on the lower level. It’s a fun place to grab a drink or make your own at the bloody mary bar.
• The Westin Convention Center: We stayed here the same night we went to the Penguins game, so it was quite convenient. (The weird reflective bean hanging thing pictured below is from their lobby.)

What to Do:

• As I’ve said many times before, I love the Carnegie Museum of Art. This go-round, I got to talk to a parrot in the Hélio Oiticica exhibit. There’s also a room filled with hammocks where you can hang out and jam to Jimi Hendrix.
• Go to a Pens Game. This is always a good time, and I fear I’ve turned into a hockey fan despite all my best efforts to have a hardened heart towards each and every athletic genre.
• Check out the street art. Get a load of this crazy painted street entitled “Strawberry Way” by Deanna Mance or this futuristic mural called “Yesterday’s Tomorrow” by Brian Holderman.
• Experience the South Side. In all my visits to Pittsburgh, I’ve never partaken in the nightlife of the South Side of the city. Get dive-y and go to Jack’s or Copey’s. If you want to go trendy and order a fancy whiskey drink, hit up Winghart’s. Then once you’ve had your fill of booze, grab a gyro at Mike and Tony’s. Make sure to mispronounce gyro with a very hard g, otherwise no one will know what the heck you’re talking about.