I don't know why really, but I always pictured Pittsburgh as being gray and dirty and dreary. We went there last weekend for our very first family trip/mini-vacay where we were actually going just to go, and not to visit anyone. The city is actually lovely! My husband is madly in love with the Pittsburgh Penguins, so of course going to a game was what the trip was planned around and his top priority. My top priority was getting out of town with my hubby and my baby, exploring a place I'd never been, and just taking a few days to relax from the every day stresses at home.
Friday we took a trip up the side of the mountain for better views of the city on the Duquesne Incline. The picture above is much like the view we were able to enjoy.
Between the incline and the Penguins game, we got hungry so we decided that we must try a local favorite, the original Primanti Brothers in the strip district, where the Farmer's Market is held during the summer. It was...different. The hubby loved it, I thought it was okay. I felt fatter for walking in the door! Ha ha! But it was fun to go there and be a part of the local tradition.
The sandwiches are STAAAAACKED with all kinds of nonsense (meat, cheese, fries, cole slaw, etc).
Friday night we enjoyed the sights and sounds of the exciting game, where the Penguins won in overtime, 3-2, against the New York Islanders. My boo was excited to attend his first game at the new venue, Consol Energy Center.
It was late when we got out of there, and Theo got super grumpy in the car while we were stuck in the after-game traffic. One negative thing I will say about Pittsburgh - the traffic is atrocious. I don't know if the streets are just not laid out well or if it has something to do with the stoplights or what...but it was bad. Everywhere we went downtown was an ordeal. Anyway, Theo was a dream during the game so I'll take a little wailing in the car on the way back to the hotel.
Saturday we ventured to the Pittsburgh Zoo. The zoo is kind of hilly and very nature-y. The weather was nice, though a little cool at times. Definitely nothing to complain about for the middle of October. They have a nice aquarium with lots of tanks - we saw sharks, penguins, fresh- and saltwater fish, amphibians, reptiles, polar bears, and so much more. It really was beautiful.
After the aquarium, we decided to go back to the hotel and rest. We all took a little nap and then ventured back out to try and find some more delicious local food. We found it at DeLallo's Fort Couch Cafe. Yum.
Sunday we slept in and lounged around our room before starting the arduous task of breaking down the portable baby zoo so that we could pack up and hit the road. We got out of town just before 1pm and Theo slept like a baby (hehe) most of the way home.
It was just what our little family needed. Some together time to share new experiences. I hope we are able to find the time to make these kinds of trips often.
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh, which turned out to be warm and welcoming and cheery, was the residential areas we drove through to get downtown from our hotel. There are so many old, beautiful homes on winding, hilly, red-bricked streets. I thoroughly enjoyed the early 20th century architecture and the rowhouses that reminded me so much of the Cosby Show. :) The gorgeous fall colors decorating the trees certainly didn't detract from the charm.
Finally, I must apologize for not using my own photos. I took loads of them, but have been having trouble with our memory card and the camera itself for months now. We're overdue for a new camera and we've had the current one for just over a year. While I'm on this unrelated subject, and despite all of the fabulous reviews, don't ever buy the Samsung SL620! More and more, I'm wanting more of a "pro" quality camera. Or at least one I can count on.
Have an adventurous weekend!
~C~
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