The name Pittsburgh always seemed a bit unfortunate and may not conjure up a desire to visit when you are trying to be festive. However, the holidays in Pittsburgh come with a lot of adornments and holiday spirit. This is a great city to shack up and shop with your best girls for the holidays and, of course, there are plenty of other tidbits to enjoy. First, you might as well stay in style since the cost is being split. Try the Hotel Monaco for an elegant visit not far from anything ( between $50-$60 a night per person/4 to a room). Arrive before 5:00 and you can enjoy Hotel Monaco's complimentary Wine Happy Hour before you hit the town. The wine should keep you warm as you walk to People's Gas Holiday Market (another unappealing name) where each year a charming, vintage village is made up of wooden chalets in Market Square. Many unique and handcrafted gifts are for sale and with a donation to the Pittsburgh Food Bank a souvenir picture with Santa can be shared. Ice skates can also be laced up at the Mass Mutual Ice Rink, not far from the square and all over town the lights and decorations of the city can be enjoyed as you stroll through the streets. The Wintergarden, which stands next to the rink, also has holiday exhibits that you can view for free while you warm your little piggies.
Wake up Saturday and grab some caffeine before hitting the streets for unique finds. Dunkin Donuts is next door for a quick and inexpensive fueling up. If you prefer a hipper and more relaxed local cafe try Rock'n'Joe or, a place with a totally unique vibe, Gasoline Street Coffee Company. Then hop in the car and get an early start at Ikea where gifts of all shapes and sizes can be found to cross off lists. After shopping up at Ikea or for some familiar shopping head to The Waterfront and remember there is no tax on clothes in PA! There are plenty of chain restaurants in this open air shopping center with 2 that are Pittsburgh born, Primanti Bros. Sandwiches and Burgatory. Ross Park Mall, in the other direction is enclosed and has over 150 retailers, some of them are more high end such as Lululemon and Coach. For a fun twist on the usual shopping and if you happen to hit the city on Black Friday or Small Business Saturday (Nov. 25 & 26, from 11 to 6) then walk your feet over to Heinz 57 Center and enjoy some seriously unique gift shopping brought to you by I Made It! Market, with over 100 local artisans. This is just blocks from the hotel and there will be food trucks too. Another local treat that you can't find anywhere else is Bicycle Heaven, a bicycle museum and bike shop that is, in fact, the largest collection of bicycles in the world. Check it out for nostalgia and maybe a fancy new bike basket to put under the tree. These are just some shopping options and I'm sure there are many more places to get your shop on but for now we are moving to chow time.
photo credit:Pittsburgh City Paper
For some classic eats and drinks, why not pizza & beer (or wine, if you prefer) at Proper Brick Oven Pizza and Tap Room. The draft beers at Proper are always changing with 30 varieties offered at all times. There is a Proper Food Trailer but your feet will probably thank you to sit and relax inside. The other place that sounds fun and fabulous is Tako- Japanese for Octopus. Go for the modern Mexican and Asian food and stay for the margaritas. Beware that the music at this street food joint is loud and conversation will probably only happen with take out, so drink in silence and eat on the go. If the hotel is making you feel like something more swanky, enjoy the ambiance, gourmet dinner and views of the city at Altius. If you go with Altius, be sure to reserve early and be prepared to spend. A nightcap can be had at the hotel restaurant, The Commoner, which offers a Bloody Mary Bar with all sorts of additions to the norm.
There is still more to do and see if you stay an extra day or just so happen to be a die hard that can burn the midnight oil after a big shop. The Winter Night Garden at Phipp's Conservatory is open from 5:00 to 11:00 pm each night and walking the gardens with a thermos of hot cocoa could be just the winter evening you dream of. Randyland, an artists home, offers a whole different brand of colorful art on display and anyone is welcome to come wander the courtyard every day between 1:00 and 5:30. Check out what artist, Randy Gilson, has done on his property and make sure you bring a camera for some fun photos with friends. Taking the Incline to the top of Mt. Washington is a Pittsburgh Rite of Passage, if the weather is fine. A holiday classic, The Nutcracker is being performed at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and has show times on all December weekends. There is more shopping and foodie fun but if you really must go, stop first at the The Commoner for brunch and have one last meal sitting down and not telling the kids "no".
To book this weekend or for more fun holiday ideas, contact us at Stowaway to help make the perfect getaway plan!!