get the pancakes



http://www.shop.prantlsbakery.com/

get the burnt almond torte

yum, even better!

i think fallingwater is sorta close... maybe an hour or two outside the city...

They have everything conveniently marked in Pittsburgh.

check out the conservatory in Schenely Park and the PPG building downtown

Fallingwater - Frank Lloyd Wright - Bear Run is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Kentuck Knob - Frank Lloyd Wright - About 10 to 15 minutes away from Fallingwater. In many ways, Kentuck Knob is better than Fallingwater - but Fallingwater is, well, Fallingwater for Christ's sake!

If you are going up to Fallingwater, might as well go to Kentuck Knob because it is so close. There is really nothing else near these places though - seriously. It is all back woods and small towns. Be sure to check the Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob website to be sure they are open during the time intended. I know Fallingwater is closed Wednesdays and during certain winter months.

Check out Woodland Road. The best way to do this is go to Chatham University (any google search for Chatham University in Pittsburgh will yield results). Woodland Road is home to the old mansions of Pittsburgh's old rich elite - many old Steel tycoons. These old mansions are being used as dorms, dining halls, and various other facilities for Chatham University. The exciting thing about Woodland Road is beyond the university, bear left where the road forks and you will find two architectural gems - Richard Meier's Giovannitti House and, literally, directly behind the Giovannitti House is Robert Venturi's Abrams House. These are not on tour but you can get great photos of the Meier Project but it is difficult to see the Venturi without going down the driveway. Also of great interest, along this road in the opposite direction, is the Marcel Breuer + Walter Gropius Frank House. These three projects are amazing and worth seeking out.

If you're in Downtown Pittsburgh, there is one of the best examples of Richardsonian Romanesque with HH Richardson's Allegheny County Courthouse. Also, there is the Phillip Johnson PPG Building (Mirrored skyscraper with Merlons at the top). Check out the Andy Warhol Museum across from downtown on the North Shore - usually good exhibits and a must-see if you are an Andy Warhol fan. You can always take the "Incline" from *near* downtown near Station Square (which is a cool ride in itself) and go to the top of Mt. Washington for what is arguably one of the best views/skylines ever and one of America's most romantic spots.

In Oakland, check out the Henry Hornbostle buildings of CMU's campus (superb examples of Guastavino tiles and vaults) and head over to the University of Pittsburgh to see the Cathedral of Learning (you can go inside and tour the nationality rooms on the first two floors), some Brutalist institution buildings, and have a sandwich at the world-famous Primanti Bros. Or, go to the "Dirty O" for the largest amount of fries possible for one serving. If you are in this area, the Carnegie Museum is really cool and has great art exhibits, an amazing Hall of Architecture and the Heinz Architectural Center (within the museum) has some awesome exhibits of their own.

The South Side is also pretty cool. Go on any Friday or Saturday night and it will be about 2 miles of bacchanalian activity. It is purportedly the longest strip of bars in the entire country and it is a good time for any Friday or Saturday night.

Pittsburgh is a city of neighborhoods. Every neighborhood is representative of a different ethnic group, history, demographic, and economy. If you go to Shadyside, you will find young professionals and higher end bars and restaurants - a lot of older mansions which have been made into posh duplex apartments. North Oakland is comparable to Shadyside in many ways and where many CMU students reside - whereas South Oakland is home to University of Pittsburgh, more of an urban feel, and has aspects of what has been determined a "student ghetto". No matter where you go, you will definitely find a proud city with much to offer.

I don't know how long you are planning to be in Pittsburgh - but there is a lot to see. I was in school in Pittsburgh and spent a lot of time exploring the city. I know it very well and if you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

oh wow, thanks, neverspeaketh. I'll be there for a few days.

*bump*   I'll be in Pittsburgh in early October for a conference, any landscape suggestions?

Some of the same suggestions: falling water and Kentuck Knob (has a nice meadow setting with sculpture area), and Phipps Conservatory in Oakland.  They have extensive greenhouses (LEED rated), with fabulous orchid and bonsai collections, as well as outdoor gardens. While you are in Oakland, walk over the park directly in front, and enter Carnegie Mellon's Campus and see the roof garden over the Posner Center at the Tepper School of Business. It was designed by Michael Van Vakenburgh.

Then stroll into the heart of oakland, about a block away from the Phipps Conservatory, to see the new urban garden built in front of the Carnegie Museum.  (ask at Phipps, or anyone on the street, they will give you directions- pittsburghers are friendly. )

The downtown area also has some classic landscaped areas, including Mellon  Square, and the new plaza outside of the PNC service center.  The main PNC building also has a gigantic living 'green' wall that you would enjoy seeing.  The new convention center has a fantastic waterfall that leads to the river.  PPG place has a pleasant but all paved piazza with an interactive fountain. It is lots of fun to watch kids playing in the water.  This is right next to the newly renovated Market Square, where you can sit at a cafe table and enjoy the foot at Nola's or Primanti Brothers or the Oyster House.  There is also a lovely stroll along the North Shore that links several parks, from the casino up to the baseball stadium.  Lot of fountains, public sculptures, etc., including a sculpture of 'Mister Rodgers' of the PBS kids show.  You can also ride on the bike trail from the downtown area all around Pittsburgh then out to the South side, and on to Washington DC if you like!

Take the incline from the southside (Station Square) up to mount Washington, or drive up, and go see Chatham Village. It is one of the USA's most famous early planned housing developments with parking all at the rear, community gardens, really beautiful, and very modern in it's planning, even though it was built in the 30's. 

I remember attending a Michael Van Valkenburgh lecture a few years when he showed his Allegheny Riverfront Park project in Pittsburgh. The project struck me as a really nice way to repurpose the space between the river and highway as a pedestrian and recreation area.

@Barry Lehrman - As noted by myself and others, take the time to go out to Fayette County / Bear Run and see the Frank Lloyd Wright houses (Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob). They are great for architects and landscape architects to check out. Plus, it will be Fall when you are there and it is gorgeous that time of year. 

In and around the city, Pittsburgh has lots of hills and streets that cut through some really cool and different terrains which has allowed for some interesting architecture and landscape opportunities. There are also few parks that are modeled after Olmsted philosophies - such as Highland Park (a perfect morning in Highland Park would be getting coffee at Tazzo D'Oro on Highland Ave, walking up the street to the park and walking around the loop or the reservoir, and then back a block to Bryant Street for lunch at Park Brugges) and Schenley Park.

I like the suggestion of going to Phipp's Conservatory. They have really great exhibitions and plant/flower habitats. If you go to Phipp's this would be the best opportunity to walk through Schenley Park, head over to CMU's campus, walk around University of Pittsburgh's campus in Oakland, or go to the Carnegie Museum (discussed in my last post) where there will be a Palladio exhibit which will be showing his famous drawings that influenced early 17th century British architects and, later, early American architecture. 

The incline is a good suggestion and you cannot buy a better view than the one you will see at the top. If you are going to be downtown anyhow, this is a good idea. Have fun and I hope you enjoy Pittsburgh!