Planning next sports/music trip - Pitt/Cle/Louisville- Advice welcome (1 Viewer)

[Atomic Punk]

I'm planning my next football/music/food trip with my wife this fall. So far we have the Steelers vs KC game Sept 16th, Cle vs NYJ on Sept 20th for Thursday Night Football and then on to Louisville for Bourbon and Beyond for two nights of music. I figure the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Canton for the NFL Hall of Fame will also be on the agenda. Trip starts Sept. 14th and we return home on Sept. 24th.

I'm looking for any tips for good restaurants, hotels and any other advice or things to do in the area - especially the Pitt/Cle area since that will be where we will have a few unplanned days. Mrs. Punk is a Steeler fan so a great local pub to watch the rest of the games after they whoop the Chiefs is also a must.

I know there are a bunch of locals here so let's have it! Thanks!

 

[Atomic Punk]

Trip is shaping up nicely. Just added Paul Simon concert to the itinerary Sept. 17th in Pitt. I'm still looking for advice on hotels in all three locations, hopefully close to the stadiums or a quick cab/train ride away, and any recommendations for restaurants/pubs and other suggested spots to check out.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Renaissance hotel in Pitt has a whiskey bar in it.  I think we got a decent deal for it, though I can’t remember for sure.  Less than a mile from the stadiums (which have a bunch of bars/restaurants right nearby) so definitely walkable.  Also in the downtown (?) so some newer swankyish places if that’s what you want, though Oakland is probably where you want to go for more of a young hip casual vibe.

 

[Galileo]

Cleveland Hotel...  Several convenient ones downtown close enough to walk to stadium, restaurants, and night life.  Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton... What level of price/luxury are you looking for?

Pre game bars... Check out W. 6th St.  Barley House or Dive Bar...easy walk to stadium from there.   Better yet (or in addition to), if weather is nice, head to one of the parking lots and catch some of the tailgate scene.

Restaurants... It would help to know what you like and what level sophistication you want, but here are a few that will treat you right...  Higher end: Lola (Michael Symon), Red the Steakhouse (several other steakhouses, but this is the best IMO), Blue Point Grille (seafood), Johnny's Downtown, Chinato,    Mid Range:  Butcher and the Brewer, Mabel's (Michael Symon), Hodge's, Santorini (Greek), Taza (Lebanese), Mallorca (Portuguese).  There are a lot of other good restaurants around.  If you want a particular type of food, let me know.

IF you want something that screams "Cleveland" try a Gyro from Steve's at the West Side Market, A corned beef sandwich from Slyman's Deli, or a Polish Boy from Seti's food truck or Mabel's BBQ

 

[Atomic Punk]

Renaissance hotel in Pitt has a whiskey bar in it.  I think we got a decent deal for it, though I can’t remember for sure.  Less than a mile from the stadiums (which have a bunch of bars/restaurants right nearby) so definitely walkable.  Also in the downtown (?) so some newer swankyish places if that’s what you want, though Oakland is probably where you want to go for more of a young hip casual vibe.

Thanks, I'll check this one out. I've been to Oakland (Raider fan) and loved it there and across the bay in SF.  Really looking forward to this trip though. We've never been out this way before so it will all be new.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Cleveland Hotel...  Several convenient ones downtown close enough to walk to stadium, restaurants, and night life.  Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton... What level of price/luxury are you looking for?

Pre game bars... Check out W. 6th St.  Barley House or Dive Bar...easy walk to stadium from there.   Better yet (or in addition to), if weather is nice, head to one of the parking lots and catch some of the tailgate scene.

Restaurants... It would help to know what you like and what level sophistication you want, but here are a few that will treat you right...  Higher end: Lola (Michael Symon), Red the Steakhouse (several other steakhouses, but this is the best IMO), Blue Point Grille (seafood), Johnny's Downtown, Chinato,    Mid Range:  Butcher and the Brewer, Mabel's (Michael Symon), Hodge's, Santorini (Greek), Taza (Lebanese), Mallorca (Portuguese).  There are a lot of other good restaurants around.  If you want a particular type of food, let me know.

IF you want something that screams "Cleveland" try a Gyro from Steve's at the West Side Market, A corned beef sandwich from Slyman's Deli, or a Polish Boy from Seti's food truck or Mabel's BBQ

We definitely aren't into the ritzy places since I don't expect to be spending much time there. A roof over my head, nice bed and pillows, clean and in a decent part of town to walk around or get to and from places .. that's about all we need.

For food, we love everything but are looking for local favorites. We love Italian, or any Mediterranean, BBQ and seafood. We typically go to mid pice range places and not really looking to break the bank unless it is for some place highly recommended to blow our minds. Some of these mid range ones you listed sound right up our alley!

We have tail gated at most places we have gone with Oakland and Philly being the best. I'm looking forward to that at both games on this trip. Steeler and Browns are probably going to give those a run for their money.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

Thanks, I'll check this one out. I've been to Oakland (Raider fan) and loved it there and across the bay in SF.  Really looking forward to this trip though. We've never been out this way before so it will all be new.

Oakland is a neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_(Pittsburgh)

 

[Atomic Punk]

  I obviously haven't done much research yet

 

[Galileo]

We definitely aren't into the ritzy places since I don't expect to be spending much time there. A roof over my head, nice bed and pillows, clean and in a decent part of town to walk around or get to and from places .. that's about all we need.

For food, we love everything but are looking for local favorites. We love Italian, or any Mediterranean, BBQ and seafood. We typically go to mid pice range places and not really looking to break the bank unless it is for some place highly recommended to blow our minds. Some of these mid range ones you listed sound right up our alley!

We have tail gated at most places we have gone with Oakland and Philly being the best. I'm looking forward to that at both games on this trip. Steeler and Browns are probably going to give those a run for their money.

Thanks for the help.

Sadly, the tailgate scene is not what it used to be.  Football has been so bad for so long that the game day scene is but a shell of its former self.  Thursday games are not typical either, so I am not sure how that will play out.  I haven’t been to Oakland, but I don’t think you’ll be wowed by the current CLE tailgate scene if you have been to Philly.

 

[MAC_32]

We definitely aren't into the ritzy places since I don't expect to be spending much time there. A roof over my head, nice bed and pillows, clean and in a decent part of town to walk around or get to and from places .. that's about all we need.

For food, we love everything but are looking for local favorites. We love Italian, or any Mediterranean, BBQ and seafood. We typically go to mid pice range places and not really looking to break the bank unless it is for some place highly recommended to blow our minds. Some of these mid range ones you listed sound right up our alley!

We have tail gated at most places we have gone with Oakland and Philly being the best. I'm looking forward to that at both games on this trip. Steeler and Browns are probably going to give those a run for their money.

Thanks for the help.

Then I'd do Taza and Mabel's.

 

[MAC_32]

Sadly, the tailgate scene is not what it used to be.  Football has been so bad for so long that the game day scene is but a shell of its former self.  Thursday games are not typical either, so I am not sure how that will play out.  I haven’t been to Oakland, but I don’t think you’ll be wowed by the current CLE tailgate scene if you have been to Philly.

Downtown was a lot of fun the night of the Bills game that ruined those 10 days of fun with Hoyer. Not sure how the Muni Lot does on a weekday though. 

 

[Atomic Punk]

Thanks Mac  . Mabel's looks like a sure thing!

 

[Judge Smails]

No advice but I like the way you roll...

 

[Galileo]

For food, we love everything but are looking for local favorites. We love Italian, or any Mediterranean,

About 5 miles east of downtown is the Little Italy area.  Several good restaurants in the area... Mia Bella, Etna, Trattoria and Guarino's are all solid (as are others), but even better than the restaurants are the 2 Italian bakeries there Presti's and Corbo's.  My mouth is watering thinking of them!

 

[Atomic Punk]

Awesome man, thanks! Keep 'me coming. I'll bump this periodically as I get closer to trip date.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

strip district trip in while in Pittsburgh is a must. 

so fun ...and be hungry.    

 

[Stoneys]

Trip is shaping up nicely. Just added Paul Simon concert to the itinerary Sept. 17th in Pitt. I'm still looking for advice on hotels in all three locations, hopefully close to the stadiums or a quick cab/train ride away, and any recommendations for restaurants/pubs and other suggested spots to check out.

Pittsburgh's Southside/Carson St. Area is the bar scene  You can stay at the Sheraton Station Square catch the 'T'(light rail) to Steel Plaza for the Paul Simon concert.  Also can take the T to the stadiums on the North Shore as there are a bunch of bars/restaurants there.  Probably need to Uber to the Strip District for other restaurants.  Oakland is where the Pitt/CMU campuses are.  Lawrenceville has a hipster vibe but has some cool restaurants and microbreweries.  If you go to the North Shore/North Side there are some neighborhoods like Deutchetown and the Mexican War Streets that have cool architecture and restaurants. Would probably need to uber there but can be walked once u are there.  Bloomfield or Shadyside/Squirrel Hill have an assortment of ethnic restaurants.

https://randy.land is on the north side and I think close to the Mexican war streets.

https://www.warhol.org warhol museum is on the north side.  

http://www.heinzhistorycenter.org is in the strip district and has the Pittsburgh sports museum

Point state park is at the confluence of the 3 rivers and has the fort Pitt museum.  

At station square u can take the mon incline up to mt washington to get a cool view of the city.

Not sure what kind of food you like or what type of restaurants you like for suggestions.  But can it you answer. Primanti's is a staple.  Church Brew works has great food and beer and is in a deconsecrated church for a neat atmosphere. Penn Brewery does German food and German style beers. Some other upscale restaurants and some cool diner/dive/bar type places too.

There are some other cool things to do outside the city but but these would need to be driven to and would take some time getting too.  Fallingwater and Ohio Pyle would be a cool day trip and are close enough to each other that you could do both in the same day.

 

[Galileo]

strip district trip in while in Pittsburgh is a must. 

so fun ...and be hungry.    

Hey...hey...hey...The guy is traveling with his wife for gosh sake.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Hey...hey...hey...The guy is traveling with his wife for gosh sake.

OH COME ON!!!!

 

[Epic Problem]

Then I'd do Taza and Mabel's.

 

The pastrami at Mabel's is simply awesome

 

[Atomic Punk]

Hey...hey...hey...The guy is traveling with his wife for gosh sake.

And she is checking in on this thread to follow up on your suggestions. This is our 5th football/music vacation, so I got pretty lucky with the Mrs.

Only one trip ended up in a strip club ...

 

[Atomic Punk]

Thanks for taking the time with the suggestions Stoneys!

 

[Bobcat10]

About 5 miles east of downtown is the Little Italy area.  Several good restaurants in the area... Mia Bella, Etna, Trattoria and Guarino's are all solid (as are others), but even better than the restaurants are the 2 Italian bakeries there Presti's and Corbo's.  My mouth is watering thinking of them!

Can get a good ‘za at Mama Santas too!

 

[Atomic Punk]

I'm only four weeks out so I thought I'd bump for more recommendations. I'll be in Pitt Friday night and have all day Saturday to check out the city and take Mrs. Punk to a mid to higher end place for dinner. I'm also looking for any suggestions for after the game to have a few brews and watch the next games.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Only a few days out now and looking for a couple more recommendations for Pittsburgh restaurants. I have a reservation at a place called Kaya and was thinking about another called the  Commoner. Both had good online ratings but I always prefer the guidance of the FBG locals.

Any tips on how to focus time at the R&R Hall of Fame or Canton would also be appreciated.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

And she is checking in on this thread to follow up on your suggestions. This is our 5th football/music vacation, so I got pretty lucky with the Mrs.

Only one trip ended up in a strip club ...

just now saw this.  The Strip District is a street(s) close to the Warhol Museum that has all kinds of cool food shops and bars - not a bunch of topless strip clubs.  It's one of the most fun places for that kind of stuff I have ever been.  Also, go to the Westside Market in Cleveland ...maybe Little Italy there too.  

The Strip District.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Heading back to Louisville in September for Bourbon and Beyond. Lineup for the festival looks fantastic, so my evenings are pretty locked in. I’m looking for any advice on a good restaurant for our first night in town before the festival starts. I am interested in anything with local fare and near somewhere that may have some music. I’m also looking for a good sports bar to catch NFL games in the afternoon before the final night shows.

Only downside in my plans is I couldn’t work in a Sunday game before the closing night concert. Any advice welcome on restaurants or pubs …