It’s technically still summer but this weekend has been a little cooler, and the stores are starting to stock up for Back to School. I like summer but I love fall. The beginning of autumn fills me with excitement for turtleneck sweaters, boots, and pumpkin spice everything. It also fills me with regret. Regret that another summer has gone by and I haven’t been able to do all the things I wanted. Now it’s clear from my blog that I certainly get out and do a lot, it’s just that I set my hopes too high, and when the summer’s over, I feel like there is so much left undone.
I’ve spent too much time on airplanes the last few weeks, reading the airline magazine articles about “Spending a weekend in [Enter Hub City].” Articles I’ve seen about Pittsburgh are always the great, but typical, spots– Mount Washington, Just Ducky Tour, etc. So I’ve put together my own “Weekend in Pittsburgh” for the traveler who has already seen the major tourism spots, or the resident who just wants a blissful weekend.
Friday
The Cultural District is always a winner for a Friday Out. I’d go out for a decadent dinner at Nine on Nine or Sonoma Grill and catch a Pittsburgh Public Theater show at the O’Reilly. Afterward I’d take a stroll in the direction of Market Square and have drinks at Andy’s in the Fairmount, or maybe check out Perle, the new champagne bar.
Saturday
I would sleep in (what an indulgence!) and then spend a long, lazy afternoon in the Strip District. I’d meet up with friends for a coffee at La Prima, and then we’d stroll up and down Penn Avenue, stuffing ourselves with Banh Mi from Lucy, tacos from Reyna’s, cookies from the vendors outside PennMac, and mung bean pancakes. I’d also make a stop at Farmer’s at Firehouse to check out the weekend’s offerings, and make sure to stop at the Pittsburgh Public Market to fill up a growler at East End Brewing.
After all that eating, oh boy would a nap be in order.
Once I was well rested, it would be time to venture down to PNC Park for a Pirates’ game. And yes, Quaker Steak bbq wings and a beer are a must!
In the dugout!
If I had my druthers, it would be a 4pm game (with a WIN!), and then a band I like would be playing that night at Stage AE, so I could wander over and relax on the law, watch the boats go by, and enjoy the tunes.
Sunday
Sunday means one thing: BRUNCH. There are so many amazing brunches in Pittsburgh that it is so hard to choose the “best.” If I was feeling like a classic, decadent brunch I’d go for the Grand Concourse. If I am feeling more modern and chic, Casbah is the choice. And if I’m feeling whimsical, I’d go for Doublewide Grill. I really have to say I was IMPRESSED with Bar Marco, and sampling their brunch selection is a must for me, so that would be my number one pick (today).
With all this eating, a long walk would be in order. I’d strap Baby Beez in the beco carrier, and head over to Frick Park for a hike through the trails. With any luck, we’d see chipmunks and birds, and the shady trees would keep us all cool.
WE LOVE THE TREES!
After our long, leisurely walk, it would be time for dinner (yes, all I think about is food). I would want to haul out to Aspinwall for some Burgatory. They tweeted about their new key lime pie milkshake this week, and I can’t get it OUT OF MY HEAD!
Burgatory Key Lime Milkshake, from the Burgatory Twitter Feed
And after all that running about and madness, I admit I’d spend Sunday evening on the couch, regrouping, and catching up on the TV I missed during the week.
So that’s my weekend in Pittsburgh. How would you spend your weekend in Pittsburgh?
Completely gratuitous photo of my friend, Krista, and Councilman Bill Peduto…wherein he pretends to devour a decorative cabbage. This is pretty much the best Pittsburgh photo ever.
