Going to Pittsburgh in August, any natives?

How did I forget the strip district?!?  Dude -- go to the strip district, preferably on a weekend morning.  Such a great place to eat and walk up and down the street checking out all the shops and street vendors.  I'd recommend getting breakfast at Pamela's, or maybe DeLuca's, although honestly you could get little samples of food from the many street vendors, there's a lot of good stuff.

Also, Stage AE is a great suggestion -- if someone you like happens to be playing a show there you have to check it out.  You'll never see them at a better venue than the outdoor shows at Stage AE -- some pretty big acts play there and the place feels like it holds about 200 people, you can walk right up to the stage, I love it.

When going to PNC Park save yourself some money and buy tickets in the upper grandstands down the THIRD BASE LINE.  Best seat in the house.  The view of the city from up there is fantastic.

Any of the places mentioned will be a great place to take your girl -- you'll have a blast on a weekend morning in the Strip District, the point is a beautful park where you can have a seat outside, go for a stroll, soak in the view of the city.  The same goes for Mt Washington -- as for the best time to go to avoid crowds, you can go any time.  The most 'crowded' that it gets will be like 10 other people on the lookout.  There are some nice high end restaurants up there if you don't mind dropping a decent amount of $, you'll be able to have the Mt Washington view while enjoying a great meal.

The only other suggestion I would have for a date would be Shadyside.  The trip to Shadyside will have some nice sights to see in the pricier area of town, and Shadyside has tons of great restaurants, bars (although I forgot you can't drink here -- bummer --unless you'll be 21 by then!), and shopping.

Live 13 miles away. Gota go see a Bucs game,Mt. Washington Duquesne incline,The Fountain At Point State Park is back up and running,if you like to drink go down the south side on the weekend crazy behind time u will have, the rivers casino is right by the stadiums,maybe u will get to see a Steeler preseason game or head out to Latrobe and watch traing camp if there still in camp,Primanti Brothers has an unreal sandwich piled with coleslaw,french fries,meat and thousand island dressing

@Spitfire
Absolutely brilliant post, thanks a bunches. I sent you a friend invite here on covers in order to write you a PM :) great overlook and descriptions about everything I may need to know, cheers mate. I'll be in Pittsburgh from like the 12th of August (arriving at 5pm) and will go back on the 24th of Aug in the afternoon. Haha sadly I will be 20 by the time I am there, no drinking.. sucks because where I live now (Malta) it's 18, so I'm used to go out and have a drink here and there. But it's not like I can't survive without it so I'll be fine :) Do you live in Pittsburgh yourself mate? It seems you have great knowledge and insight about the city in general.

@Joker
Thanks mate, I think the steelers play their postseason matches on the 10th Aug and the 25th If I am not mistaken? which means they are unfortunately out of my time frame, although I would die to do and watch a game at the Heinz Field, that would be stunning and a once in a lifetime experience for me. A buccos game I will definitely do though, as mentioned vs Arizona. (Will try to look for the seats Spitfire suggested above) :)

Im sure it will be fantastic, Pittsburgh and actually just America is a place I have only seen on TV before, I'll definitely enjoy it, now that I got a better insight in what to eat, where to go etc it will make the enitre trip more enjoyable

I live fairly close to Harmarveille (and note that there really isn't anything in Harmarville - it's claim to fame is being next to a Turnpike exit) and would be happy to take you into the city a day or two. I drive in every day anyway.  We were in Sweden last summer, and our hosts in Uppsala left us a car, so I feel like I owe it to the nation to hook you up.  I haven't abducted a 20-year-old foreinger in years, so you have nothing to fear, or at least not much.  I'm married to a Swede.  I even drive a Saab.  It'all good. 

I love living in Pittsburgh, but it's a much nicer place to live than it is to visit.  That is, there's not a whole lot of stuff to do that's real exciting, unless you happen to bump into something interesting going on in the City. Stuff to do:

Pirates game (great ballpark; best team they've had in decades)

Mount Washington (either via the Duquesne Incline or not)

Boat ride on the Three Rivers

Steelers pre-season game (Heinze Field blows; pre-season football blows, but tickets should be easy to come by)

Andy Warhol museum (world's largest single artist museum; you don't have to love Warhol to enjoy the museum)

Strip District (not great, but very Pittsburghy; lots of crap like they sell in Gamla Stan)

South Side (fun, sort of, when you're under 25; less so afterwards; you'll need a fake ID to drink)

Shadyside/Oakland - lots of colleges and college students; good for walking around and eating an drinking.

Live music - Pittsburgh has lots of it.  Not sure where the best place to see what's around, but I'll be happy to check once your trip gets closer. 

I agree with whoever wrote before that Pittsbrugh is not a great food town.  That's true, but it's also not a bad food town.   There's plenty of ok food, if little that's memorable.  The only place I go out of my way to get to is a place called Tesarro's in Bloomfield. 

@MaineRoad
- Oh really? Your wife is from Sweden? How did you like it there in Uppsala? It's about 6 hours driving from where I'm originally from. Hope you had a good time! Haha Saab is fine! However a Volvo would give you the label of a proper Swede :) You speak any swedish btw since your wife is from there? Sure mate, unless you don't mind I'd have nothing against meeting you in case you'd pass by the area sometime. I sent you a friend request in order to send you a PM

You live how close to Harmarville? I basically was looking for a place as close as possible to Springdale (Where the girl lives) to have easy access and avoid long travels when meeting, but also seems to be fine to travel from H-ville to downtown for a couple of experiences at the Ballpark (Yes, definitely the Pirates seem to be on fire this year!). I'm normally a huge Penguin fan so It's ashame the NHL is over.

Hahahha "Gamla Stan", that's very true, usually lots of crap there. However I like these kind of things even if it's "crap", it's at least a change for me to experience and see. I am kind of an adventourus person. I like major changes.
I left Sweden right after I graduated, just with my backpack and flew to a small Island in the mediterreanian sea in the border between Europe and Africa to settle on the Island of Malta. I had no job,  but I managed to get myself into a job (a sportsbook) so right now I actually work for one of the biggest sportsbooks in Europe. Whatsoever, I have told myself a billions of times that "I want to go to the USA" and especially Pittsburgh that I feel I have a special connection to, love it. So I really appreciate all of the tips that's been coming in here on the forum.

So to list the things you mentioned:
- Pirates game = Definitely gonna do that, PNC Park is amazing from what I've seen

- Mt Washington = Planning to go up there with the girl, to then get her the present I've bought her from here. I thought that would be a good setting

- Steelers = I love football, it took me ages to understand the sport but so does it for many Europeans. I'd like to catch a game if I could, to experience something very "American"

- Warhol = I'll have like two weeks to explore the city so it'll be worth a visit!

- Strip District = Mentioned above, I like the typical Pittsburgh thing, will need to get around there and take some pictures as well

- South Side = Haha the fake ID thing I probably wouldn't dare to even do it, not a daredevil. Don't want to open my Pittsburgh debut with getting into troubles. It's a shame I cant have a tad of alcohol but well, I'll survive

- Shadyside/Oakland = Sounds like a place more of my taste, peaceful and nice, people in my age (20) and if it's good for walking and eating, sure I'll be there

-Live Music = Sounds cozy in its ways. What kind of artists are usually performing? Any names that comes to mind?

:) Once again mate, thank you for everything

I don't know how complicated renting a car in the US is for a foreigner, but I would totally recommend that. I'm sure there's a bus that can get you in from Springdale, but that's a pain, and it's not like parking in Pittsburgh is really hard or particularly expensive (especially if you don't mind walking a bit).  Downtown Pittsburgh is quite small, so there are very few cabs. You don't want to try and take one from Springdale into the city and back.  You'd be looking at a $100 round trip. 

I'm probably 25 minutes from Harmarville and 30 from Springdale.  I'm really not that far geographically, but there's no easy way to get there (not uncommon in the Burgh).  I'm happy to come get you once or twice.  I''m sure the wife would love to meet you too.  She's actually an American, but her mother is from Dalarna, from a small town relatively close to Falun.  Jag prater lite Svenska, but, like most human beings, can't understand spoken Swedish at all.  Considering 75% of the country speaks English, I pretty much gave up trying to learn.  I can read street signs and captions in the newspaper, and signs in the grocery stores (jag gillar Konsum!).

Please note that I am a Flyers fan, and will treat any suggestion that Cindy Crosby is anything other than a goat-felch!ng puff will be considered grounds for pushing you out of my speeding car (bilar).

My "Sweden" thread from last summer:

 

https://www.covers.com/postingforum/post01/showmessage.aspx?spt=35&sub=101396054&page=1

 

@MaineRoad
- Oh yeah, but I have looked things up with the car rentals thing, it seems so complicated because I need the license papers and such from sweden to get approved and crap. It was just a messy process and it's quite on a short notice right now so I thought I'll skip the car, as well since I haven't been driving for a year now considering I live in one of the smallest places in Europe. And I'd be out of shape driving, it scares me a little to be drivin' in another continent/country too, I don't know the streets, roads, mentality etc. For example I don't really need a car in Malta. I literally walk between cities here.I don't mind walkking or doing some commuter things such as buses etc.

How's a cab from a hotel in Harmerville to let's say.. close to the ballpark? That's not 100 dollars right?
Ah yea, 25 minutes isn't that bad. Sure, I don't wanna put you up for a lot of work either but in case you're gonna pass by any day I'd gladly meet you up as well. Yes definitely, if your wife is Swedish and would be along too, I'd be glad to meet you both. Does she speak it fluently due to her heritage? Yours isnt bad! Definitely got potential :) Although indeed it is a different story to hear it being spoken. Konsum is a classic! Although it actually does not exist anymore, it has changed name to "Coop".

Ah yea I know the place Dalarna and Falun. So I assume you have seen their "trademark" .. the "Dalahäst" (The Dala horses), you know those wooden red ones? Kind of like a souvenir thing every household in Dalarna must own one I think.

Haha that's ok! I know good Flyers fans as well. Most of my contacts love the Red Wings due to all their Swedes. Big hockey fan in general, just sucks because the NHL matches are on around 2am at night here, but I still manage to catch about 40 Pens games on TV each season, never misses the derbies with the Flyers of course!

I'll check your thread out now. Thanks for the kindness mate

@sweem

@MaineRoad
- I'm not gonna lie, I did laugh reading that Swedish thread of yours. Very spot on at many points actually haha. Also I ready the posts about the Southern part of Sweden, (Malmo is where I'm born and raised) but that's off topic. Love your way of writing your experiences and views, really awesome actually. Planning of going back anytime?

@earthWake
- Ah really? I don't know any people in Pittsburgh that I will be able to have with me though, the girl I know is 18 but apart from her I know nobody elese in town. However is it really that easy? Whenever pulling the 'I forgot the ID' phrase here they just go 'good try.. now get out of here', they don't get pissed there? What happens if they see you drinking a beer for example.. and they notice you look young, kind of to be on the verge of the permitted age limit. Will they walk up to you and say "Can I see your ID pls?"

My wife tries to go every other year.  I've only been twice, though for several weeks both times. Our house is in the middle of nowhere (it's like three miles from Svärdsjö), which isn't really my thing.  I like to get out and do things in Stockholm, the Archipelago, Uppsala, Ratvik, and, of course, Nusnas (där den lilla röda hästar kommer från), etc.  The wife likes to sit and read by the lake.  I can read by the lake (or at least by the river) in Pittsburgh. 

We just hosted a bunch of Swedes who drove out to watch Game 1 of the Bruins/Pens series.  They were staying in New York and thought the game was in Boston.  Turns out, it wasn't.  Anyway, they rented a car no problem, so I'll check with them to see what they needed to do it.  Cabs are not an option in Pittsburgh,  unless you're going to or from the airport. 

Vi ses. 

Why do Pittsburghans swallow the letter "L"?

Very nice city I've heard. Have a good time.

Swallow the letter L?

@MaineRoad
- Ah I see, sweet mate. I've not been higher up in the country than Stockholm myself. Can you see yourself living there? Or you're fine with the occasional vacations? :) You have a nice background and connection to Sweden, and as a native, I'm glad an American kind of appreciates the pretty "unknown" country of Swe :) I personally left it because I found it dull, just ..the local people in general. There's very little social life and not a lot of communicative openminded people.

Ah really? How do you mean "Cabs are not an option in Pittsburgh"? For example, let's say I've just been to the ballpark and need a way home, it's around 10pm.. is it still easier/better to go home to the Harmerville area rather than catch a cab and pay the 30 dollars or so?

As a travel-loving man, I am thinking about possibly in the future, move to the US. And well, Pittsburgh caught my interest a long time ago and therefore I am thrilled to go there and have the opportunity (even if it's short term) to see the city and how it would be to "live" there. Although I am wondering, how's the work opportunities for "young" people like myself in the 20/21/22 years of age? I mean, I haven't studied in the States, but did graduate upper secondary school in Sweden (the level before you go to "college/university"). Whatsoever, what kind of jobs does "young" people who are not in school have without a "bachelors" or "masters" degree?
Obviously these are just imaginary thoughts right now, I have to see how my situation turns out like further ahead

Vi ses :) definitely.

PS. Did you find my friend request here on covers?

I will look for the friend request.  I'm not sure where they are on Covers these days.  They used to be easy to find. 

You REALLY want to rent a car.  Find out how you can make that happen.  It will make your trip 1,000 times easier. 

I can't figure out the new Friend request regimen around here, but I do have an ancient email address that will work.  I never use it, but will check for a note from  you. Use maineroad9@aol.com.  It's probably been two years since I've been on it.  Probably lots in the in-box.  LOL. 

I just sent you a message to the given mail above mate,

I found this: "To confirm a friend's request click on the 'Friend Requests' link on the Control Center brick located on your personal Space page. You will have the option to accept or reject friend requests." 

If it makes sense. Im not an expert on covers either I shall admit :)