Southside - Fatheads is great for wings and sandwiches and beer.  Lots of bars and restaurants there.  Fatheads is very busy on Saturdays and Pens game days. About 4 miles from Consol. 

Blue line grille is good but gets packed on Pens Game Day. 

Downtown Pittsburgh has improved greatly with restaurants over the last few years. You really don't have to leave town to drive to South Side if you don't wish too.

Downtown Pittsburgh in Market Square (about 1/3 mile walk from Consol) has Diamond Market Grill and Nola.  Both are great.  Nola has a great brunch with alcohol.

Meat & Potatos on Penn Ave in Downtown Pittsburgh is great if you want of an more upscale dinner. Seveche (Mexican on Penn Ave.) and Eleven (Smallman Street) are both great as well. (Again about 1/3 mile walk from arena)

Downtown also has expensive Ruth Chris & Morton Steakhouses. 

Finally Bettis Grille 36 on North Shore between PNC Park and Heinz Field is really good with a lot of bars in that area. About a 1.5 walk over Clemente Bridge from arena or take subway (free to North Shore).  Get on at Steel Plaza (about a block away from Doubletree) get off at PNC Park.

I would go with Doubletree over Marriott, but both are nice.

That weekend could also be AFC championship weekend which as of this posting the Steelers are still alive for.

Last edited by duqkurt (12/31/2014 8:19 pm)

Go to the South Side. The South Side is the center of nightlife in Pittsburgh. Friday and Saturday nights are hopping, but it's a younger crowd. If you're older, go earlier. Go to Pamela's at 60 21st. St. in the Strip District for breakfast. DeLuca's, which is right around the corner on Penn Ave. is a good place for breakfast as well. The Strip is a great place to check out on both Saturday, and Sunday. Go early. Market Square, which is Downtown, has some action as well.

Gees, sorry.  I doubt if a first time visitor would want to walk it..

As always,  the all knowing poster that corrected me is right on the mileage.

Last edited by duqkurt (12/31/2014 8:22 pm)

It will be a lot colder in January, but when I came to Pittsburgh in September, we parked on The Bluff, walked to the South Side from the Carson Street bridge, crossed the Mon again by Station Square, walked down to the stadiums, back through the city, and back to campus - about 8 miles total on foot.

I don't know if the inclines are running in the winter, but one of those ant the view from Mt. Washington is a must see.

Again, it will be much colder than when I visited, so maybe more driving involved.

ElDuque wrote:

It will be a lot colder in January, but when I came to Pittsburgh in September, we parked on The Bluff, walked to the South Side from the Carson Street bridge, crossed the Mon again by Station Square, walked down to the stadiums, back through the city, and back to campus - about 8 miles total on foot.

I don't know if the inclines are running in the winter, but one of those ant the view from Mt. Washington is a must see.

Again, it will be much colder than when I visited, so maybe more driving involved.

That's a fantastic intenerary ED. Would work if the weather is mid 40's or better. The inclines run year around, and are indeed a must see. Station Square is a tourist trap. It's ok for those who aren't adventerous, but myself, when I visit a city, I like to see more "organic" attractions, not stuff that every city has, like a Hard Rock Cafe. When someone is here for more than a few days, I recommend the following:

The Nationality Rooms out at Pitt. I know it's Pitt , but they are well worth seeing.
Market Square. If you are staying Downtown, and you don't want to venture too far, it's a nice space, with some nice eateries, and activities during the summer.
South Side, for the reasons already mentioned.
The inclines, and the MT. Washington overlook. Being located in the Appalachian region (no hillbilly jokes) gives Pittsburgh numerous stunning vistas, but this one can't be beat.
The Strip District. This was once Pittsburgh's center for wholesale produce. While some of that remains, this is an area of eclectic shops, with many places displaying goods on the sidewalk. There is a lot of foot traffic, giving the area a very bustling feel.
Walnut Street in Shadyside is where you will find a lot of upscale retail. These are mainly national retailers. If you'd prefer a more "funky", organic vibe, visit nearby Ellesworth Avenue, which features local retailers.
Lawrenceville is a dense rowhouse neighborhood that for years was a tough blue collar area, but is now being filled with young people looking to live the "brownstone life", at an affordable price (not quite so affordable anymore though). Butler St. is the main drag, and there are many shops and restaurants located there, as it's become a less busy alternative to the South Side.
 

I love when you fly to the 'burgh and drive from the airport to the city. Coming through that tube and crossing the bridge ... What a fantastic view. I recommend visitors check out Dave DiCello's photography site, you'll see what's in store.

You Pittsburghers should explain the term "Strip District" when talking to people not familiar with the City!

skiddyball wrote:

Knowing your age would help us lead you in the right direction. Believe me, if you are not in your 20's, you probably won't enjoy most of the places on Carson after dark. If you want to enjoy good food before the game, then Fatheads has an amazing wing selection and Piper's has awesome Shepherd's Pie and Fish Sandwich's. But you will have to take a cab if you stay near the Consol. If you don't want to take the cab, there are plenty of options within walking distance of your hotel. The Souper Bowl is a classic, Cheap burgers and fries type place. Red Ring has good food but recently jacked-up beer prices. Blue Line is owned by Bourque and has a great beer selection and a balcony(Haven't eaten there yet). Sammy's has a killer corned beef. 5th Ave. Bistro is pretty solid on food and beer. However, if you just want to get your drink on in a Pittsburgh staple, go to Shales right up the street from the hotel. Pens/Dukes bar, with no food, disgusting bathrooms, good beer selection, hot, scantilly-dressed bartenders, and they do a free raffle for a crappy Pens jersey just for showing up. It's pure Pittsburgh!

I have always wanted to try Pipers.   Love fish and chips.

Wow, great info everyone. I appreciate it a lot. We'll digest all of this but it sounds like there's no shortage of good spots, and it's great to know what some of the local favorites are.

Good luck to you guys the rest of the way!