subject: Grab Your Pittsburgh, Pennysylvania Adventure Information On Selecting Inns Plus Lots More [print this page] Weekend Vacations in Pittsburgh Weekend Vacations in Pittsburgh
For people with hectic schedules or little time to spare, weekend vacations in Pittsburgh will give you that great balance of a short but jam packed experience that will leave you recharged and ready for the coming days and weeks. Sightseeing is always a good start; take a ride on a historic and a hundred year old cable car on the Duquesne Incline to the top of Mount Washington and enjoy the view that has been named one of the best in the whole country. If you are a bird lover, the National Aviary should be on your itinerary. The aviary is the largest in the whole country and is the only non-profit of its kind, with over 600 different species of birds, including endangered ones. Located at the heart of the University of Pittsburgh, the Cathedral of Learning is another that is definitely worth a visit. The cathedral is an impressive example of Gothic architecture and is home to the 27 Nationality Rooms that represent different cultures and countries; among them is the English Classroom that was designed after the House of Commons, the Indian Classroom that was modeled after a Buddhist monastic university, and the Japanese Nationality Room that highlights Japanese woodcraft and carpentry.
Planning your Pittsburgh Vacations
With so many things to do and places to see, vacations in Pittsburgh will provide visitors wonderful experiences and lasting memories to take home with them. With the destination set, the next matter to be settled is how you are getting there and you can choose between flying and driving to get to Pittsburgh. Flying will be the easier among the two and it will be a nice way for you to check out the Pittsburgh International Airport that Cond Nast Traveler Magazine has named one of the top five airports in the country. Hotels will be the next topic; choose one that is near to attractions you are intending to visit, fits your needs, and is within your budget. You can find deals and packages as you search among Pittsburgh hotels and they can make your stay more enjoyable because of the extra hotel services, complimentary meals, and perks such as tickets to shows or art galleries. Bring clothes that can be go with other pieces of clothing in your luggage and those that can be worn twice or thrice for the entire trip so that you will not end up overpacking and comfortable walking shoes if you plan to do some exploring. Get to know the city as much as you can, find out the weather, what activities you are interested in, and all the places you would like to see; you can do so by going online, asking advice from experts and travel agents, or by looking up suggested itineraries for vacationers.
Lets Celebrate on Pittsburgh Vacations
Annual events such as festivals can take your vacations in Pittsburgh to the next level; it is a great way to spend time when everyone is in a celebratory mood and gives you a glimpse of the traditions the people there hold dear. Its not a hard thing to do, anyway, since annual events and festivals happen in Pittsburgh all year round, like the Three Rivers Arts Festival, for example. This event presents live musical performances, visual arts exhibitions, arts and crafts demonstrations, and artists markets every year in the early part of June. Another event popular in Pittsburgh is the St. Patricks Day Parade every March; it is the largest of parades held in the city and participated by hundreds of marching bands, different floats, groups from the Irish community, and spectators that reach to hundreds of thousands in number. Another eagerly anticipated event is the Three Rivers Regatta and Fourth of July Fireworks celebration; for two days at Point State Park and locations along North Shore, there are powerboat and jet ski races, concerts, great food, all kinds of childrens activities, and an awesome fireworks show. To start the holiday season, the city has its annual Light Up Night that includes the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting, musical performances, unveiling of holiday display windows, and capped off with a fireworks show.
Hotels for Vacations in Pittsburgh
To choose hotels for your Pittsburgh vacations, look for establishments that will give you your moneys worth in facilities and staff service, those that have good feedback from previous guests, and those that are near attractions that you are planning to go to. The Renaissance Pittsburgh is one of these, located downtown; it is near Heinz Hall, the Andy Warhol Museum, Mellon Arena, and PNC Park; it stands in the former Fulton Building that the Marriot purchased, renovated, and reopened as the Renaissance Pittsburgh. It is the only four-star luxury hotel in Pittsburgh, with 300 rooms in 14 floors decorated with classic and traditional furniture and with great views of Allegheny River and downtown. The Priory Hotel is another great place to stay in; once a Benedictine monastery, it is now a small European style hotel with only 25 rooms in a cozy and intimate atmosphere. It is located in a neighborhood that was once full of German immigrants and is near PNC Park, Andy Warhol Museum, and downtown Pittsburgh.
