We all have that momentary freak out when our parents are coming to Pittsburgh and we’re responsible for entertaining them. Trust me, it’s not as scary as it sounds, and if you do it right, you’ll have an amazing weekend. Although it’s a sad truth that you can’t take them to parties or late night Sorrento’s, having your parents here is a blessing. It forces you to get out of Oakland and explore the areas of Pittsburgh you may have never visited before. It also gives you the chance to eat real food! So, read on for some suggestions on where to eat (my favorites and suggestions from others!) and things to do while your parents are in town.
Places to eat:
1. Lidias. A beautiful restaurant with an amazing vibe right in the heart of the Strip District in Downtown Pittsburgh, Lidia’s is the ideal restaurant to go to with your parents if you’re looking for a delicious meal that isn’t too fancy. It is owned by Lidia Bastianich, a chef famous for her restaurants in New York City. The must-have on the menu is the Pasta Trio—they have 3 different pasta specials every day, and if you get the trio you get to try all three of them. You then get an UNLIMITED amount of pasta—if you like one, you can just load up on that one, but if you like all three, go to town! It is one of my favorite things ever.
2. Elbow Room. I can’t speak from personal experience, but the Elbow Room is a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. Close to campus—located in Shadyside on Walnut Street—Elbow Room is a great restaurant for typical American food. The place is known for it’s ambiance—it tends to be quieter than other restaurants on Walnut, which is enjoyable for a dinner with family. They also have a Sunday brunch that is highly recommended!
3. Sharp Edge Bistro. Although the Sharp Edge has multiple locations, I always go to the one Downtown on Penn Avenue. This is the perfect place to take that dad who loves his imported beer. They have 36 beers on tap and over 200+ bottles as well. Not to mention that the wings are delicious—I highly suggest trying the garlic hot ones—and make sure you don’t forget the Belgian Chocolate Pudding for dessert!
4. Prantl’s Bakery. If you’re going to go to a bakery, go to Prantl’s. It’s conveniently located on Walnut Street, so you could go there after eating at Elbow Room! There’s also a location Downtown in Market Square, a cute little square with restaurants and stores. During the fall, they have to die for pumpkin muffins — my dad and I used to buy two boxes of them. The burnt almond torte is supposed to be decadent as well. It’s the perfect place to stop and fill your sweet tooth with your parents!
5. Meat and Potatoes. Again, another place I haven’t been to, yet everyone raves about Meat and Potatoes. It’s definitely a nicer place to take your parents to, either for dinner or their equally popular brunch. Word on the street is they have a Bloody Mary bar…
Things to do with your parents:
1. Visit the Andy Warhol Museum or Mattress Factory. The best part of visiting these museums is that they’re free to enter with your Pitt ID! I’m ashamed to say I still haven’t been to the Andy Warhol Museum as a junior, but it’s on my bucket list for this year. It is a museum unique to this city because Pittsburgh was where the ever-so-famous Warhol was born and grew up. The Mattress Factory is a unique experience — it has a lot of contemporary art exhibits that get you involved. My favorite is the room with the mannequins.
2. Stroll through the delicious food market in the Strip District. The Strip District is my favorite part of Pittsburgh. Located downtown, the Strip District is a large market district with ethnic foods, Italian meats, cheeses, sandwiches, fudge, unique boutiques, Pittsburgh sports apparel, and much more. You could spend a day down there just eating and shopping at each stand.
3. Show your parents the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral. You may not realize it, but we have one of Pittsburgh’s top attractions right here on our own campus! Located on the first and third floors of the Cathedral of Learning, these rooms are designed to each represent the culture and architecture of different ethnic groups. They are extremely unique and have architecture that is amazing for a classroom. You can show your parents around yourself or take a guided tour of the rooms.
4. Take the famous incline up to Mount Washington. There’s no better view of Pittsburgh than the one from Mount Washington. Take the Duquesne Incline from Station Square up the mountain and spend some time just soaking in the weird, yet beautiful city of Pittsburgh from the lookout points. It’s a cheap ride that will have your parents falling in love with the city in no time.
5. Enjoy the parks, bike trails, and bridges. Yes, Pittsburgh is a city, but during months where the weather is still in the double digits, the scenery and nature are spectacular. You can spend an afternoon strolling through Schenley park, exploring the various bike trails throughout the city (it’s very easy to rent bikes and ride them along the river!) or just walking across the bridges and taking it all in. If your parents are here before it gets cold, take them kayaking on the rivers! Even just walking near PNC Park and Heinz Field on the water is an awesome sight.
No matter what you do, your parents are bound to love this city. Make the most of your time with them and GET OUT THERE!