Modern Vespa

I'm going to tag along on a trip to Pittsburgh PA first week in August. I'm thinking about taking the scooter. We are staying downtown and I thought it would be good to have the scooter to get around, easy parking etc. Is Pittsburgh a nice place to for scoots. Also, any help on what is fun in Pittsburgh would be very welcome. I'm limited to my knowledge of the area, sports etc. I have a 9 year old who will be my riding buddy part of the time. Hoping there are some "Iron City" folks that can give me some advice.

Thanks in advance, Jim

Pittsburgh is my absolute favorite place to scoot. I'll admit, though, that i'm usually following on a rally ride....i can't really tell you whereabouts to go. Certainly up to mount washington, for one...

Pittsburgh is a great city. I have never scooted around there, but I can see it being a very fun place for scooters. The Andy Warhol Museum is a must see, and you can take in a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game while you are there. And there is the science center that the 9 year old would get a kick out of. Oh, and Kennywood Park which is a pretty good amusement park in the eastern part of town. That's about all I can think of that would be good having a kid in tow, everything else involves going places and drinking lol

Riding through all the tunnels is a lot of fun, too. It's really disorienting on a scooter.

Thanks Eric. That view from Mt. Washington is great in many ways If it's that nice in town for riding I will plan on taking the scoot. Guess I better get a lock. I'm not an urban rider except for occasional trips into Bal'more or DC but I'm usually close to the scoot from the cafe or bar. I probably should chain it down. Sounds like I should pick up a good city map and bring the GPS

ugh, my roommate is a Pittsburghian. what ever goodness this city may have has been beaten out of me by 5 years of home town bias.

btw, the dealer are the best football team ever, Penguins best hockey team ever, Pitts has the best/hardest weather, prettiest city ever, best people, best roads, toughest neighborhoods, got the most problems and the best solutions.

Living in Pittsburgh is as tough as it gets, luckily the people there are the best in the world.






/barf

Thanks Baumer, I had heard about Kennywood but good idea about the Pirates and the museum. My kid will get a kick out of the tunnels that Eric mentioned also. I'll have to get a low down on the local bars for when I'm solo. There will be a few opportunities here and there.

Jim

YOU ARE GODDAMN RIGHT, SIR!!!!!!!

I miss it there, sometimes

Hit up the Fort Pitt brewery ..it's a german style pub / restraunt in an old gutted pittsburgh factory. Terrific food ( bratwurst, soft pretzels, etc ) and microbrews.

-Eric

I know a little something about this topic (glad to see the transplanted 'burghers are still keeping the myths & smack talk alive). You have great tips already...Mt. Washington, PNC Park (truly the best in the U.S.), and the Warhol. Pittsburgh is an excellent scoot city - especially on weekends when traffic is light. The best thing about the city are the unique neighborhoods - lots of ethnic diversity. Oakland is home of Pitt and CMU. Shadyside and the South Side are loaded with eclectic shops, people, and great places to eat. Zip through Bloomfield and stop by Tessaro's for the best burger in town. You must go to the Strip on Saturday morning and check out the folks buying foods from across the world...and hit the original Primanti's - the cole slaw and fries are on all the sandwiches...I'm partial to Pastrami doused with Tobasco. Mmm mmm good - plenty of hospitals with cardiac cath labs should you need roto-rooted after all the fun. Since you have a 9 year old with you consider the Carnegie Sports & Science Center...right by PNC Park/Heinz Field, lots of cool stuff for kids.

Good luck, be safe, have fun.

Nomination for funniest post EVAR!!!

I have family in Philly that lived in Pitt for a while, so I 'get it'....

I'm glad to see Pittsburgh is getting some due respect! I've been living in the city for 7 years and recently started scootin'... As far as good places to visit:

PNC Park; Beautiful park and there's tons of place to park your scoot right behind Firewater's. The Childrens Museum and Science Museum are close by as well.

Cruise the bridges.

Cruise Grandview on Mt. Washington

Southside is a fun stretch; Stop at Doublewide Grill, the Harley's love seeing a Vespa pull up

I dont know. I'm from Eerie.

Go to 31st Street Pub.

No one's mentioned the Dirty O.

I was just there a week ago (my home town) for my 25th anniversary. There were scooters all over the place, especially the strip area. I didn't trailer my scooters this trip but I will the next time. There are quite a few roads under construction, but it wasn't too bad. Don't forget to go to "Peppi's" (sp) for a Rothlesberger, also Rolands for some great seafood and GO STEELERS!

"I have family in Philly that lived in Pitt for a while, so I 'get it'...."

...Philly...now there are some unbiased views of the 'burgh. And Philly fans are so, how shall we say, laid back. Not.

Sorry for the reply...this forum doesn't deserve nor could it suffer Philly/Pittsburgh sniping

Afterall, we're connected by that beautiful PA turnpike.

Rover Eric, Who's red scooter with the Mod sticker?? I think I've seen it parked by me once or twice...

PITTSBURGH RULES!!!!!!!


I tell you, its tough to be a Steelers fan in Seattle. These crybabies just cannot let it go, and i don't understand why not since they are mostly fair weather fans to begin with!

I want to get a second scooter and do a Penguins/Steelers theme bike, but it would get kicked over in this town too often. SORE LOSERS!

When I read the topic, I thought you were speaking about Pittsburg, CA. I would have warned you to stay away from there. Plus, it's too hot now... a dry 100+ degrees.

And so true, isn't it?

Nine year old, huh?

Kennywood for sure. Great for all ages.
http://www.kennywood.com/

Or the museum. What nine year old doesn't like dinosaurs?
http://www.carnegiemnh.org/
The art center is right next door.

The Science Center is cool, but it was, the last time I visited, geared clearly towards the kids, so just tag along for the ride. If you get tired of walking, get tickets for the Omnimax theater in the Science Center while you are there. It doesn't matter what the movie it, it's still a fun experience. A real WWII submarine is moored right next to the Science Center. Close quarters to be sure, but an interesting tour.
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/

This place, the Sports and Exhibition Center, is only a couple of blocks away.
http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/default.aspx?pageId=39

(Do I sound like a salesperson? Some years ago I was on the Speakers Bureau for the Carnegie and also would lead guided tours to visiting peeps at the Science Center when it was new...it's been a while, though.)

You have to go to Mt. Washington for the photo op, of course.


PS: I hope you're not spooked by riding over bridges. You don't get anyplace around here without bridges.

Dont' forget the Church Brew Works - very unique!

http://www.churchbrew.com/

Hey this is great stuff. I'll definitely take the scooter now that I have some sites to hit. I may even take the bicycles. Looks like there is a nice bike trail through the city and beyond as well. I will PM some of you locals once my plans firm up for a beer stop.

Cheers, Jim

Tim ... he's a clubmate in cleveland. He goes to a lot of rallies ...DC + all the regional ones.

The bike trails are a good call....you'll enjoy.

Looks like I'm free Tuesday for happy hour if anyone wants to meet for a pint or two downtown and swap scooter or motorcycle lies. I'm on 6th near the river. I'll have the GTS. Send me a PM.

Thanks again for all the tips. I'm planning on riding to Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water on Saturday.

Cheers, Jim

Aw man I'll be out of town next week. Great ride choice...beautiful countryside and back roads down that way. Be safe and welcome to the 'burgh!