Pittsburgh Travel and Things to Do Guide

Home to stunning architecture, ground-breaking museums, a rich heritage and a superior setting, Pittsburgh is a remarkable city. In 2008, Pittsburgh celebrated a monumental birthday and 250 years as a leader in industry and culture. With a skyline dominated by steel structures and skyscrapers, this thriving city features a wealth of cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities. Additionally, Pittsburgh hosts numerous events throughout the year including the annual Pittsburgh Wine Festival, Three Rivers Film Festival and Dragon Boat Festival across numerous Pittsburgh event venues .Not only does Pittsburgh offer a plethora of enticing activities, it also offers many alternatives to traditional meeting space. Invite up to 200 guests to convene under the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's Dinosaurs in Their Time Exhibit, a permanent exhibit featuring intact dinosaur skeletons including two T-Rexes posed mid-fight. Offer attendees exclusive views of animal habitats when you entertain at the wildly popular Pittsburgh Zoo or PPG Aquarium. Up to 500 guests can mingle with gorillas at the Safari Plaza, while 30 guests will delight in views of the polar bears from the Water's Edge Conference Room. For an authentic Pittsburgh experience, host an event like a true Pirates fan at one of the indoor or outdoor spaces at the 970,000-square-foot PNC Park, a striking testament to the city's love for its hometown team. For a lesser-known but no less prominent event space, the Mattress Factory, a unique contemporary art museum, is sure to make for an unforgettable evening of dinner or cocktails for up to 150 guests. Hosting a tradeshow, convention or multi-day conference? The city's David L. Lawrence Convention Center opened in September 2003 to rave reviews. The $375 million, 1.5-million-square-foot convention center sits on 7.9 acres of land, offering spectacular views of the cityscape and the Allegheny River. As the first and largest LEED-certified convention center in the world, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center's modern, sprawling architecture is not only remarkable, but also efficient. The center utilizes natural lighting and ventilation, as well as cutting edge water and energy conservation throughout its 313,400 square feet of exhibit space, 31,610-square-foot Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom, 53 meeting rooms and two 250-seat lecture halls.Pittsburgh practices the perfect balance of celebrating its heritage while modernizing its landscape. September 2008 marks the opening of the city's Great Allegheny Passage Trail, a 335-mile-long bicycle and hiking trail that joins Pittsburgh to Washington, DC and takes riders and hikers past the historic C&O Canal National Historic Park in Cumberland, Maryland. Planners can rest assured that the city's great attractions are accessible, thanks to the city's light rail transit lines. Plus, visitors from 20 major U.S. cities, including Charlotte, Cincinnati and New York City, are fewer than 90 minutes away from touching down at the Pittsburgh International Airport.Pittsburgh's economy rests on retail, technology, finance and medicine. Several corporate giants hold their headquarters in Pittsburgh, including Dick's Sporting Goods, H.J. Heinz Company, PNC Financial Services and Mylan Laboratories. Higher learning also holds a strong presence within the city, as it is home to Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh.