Kennywood Buzzers: I NEED HELP!!!!

I will also post this on Kennywood Boulevard, but I need some help...Neil, Joe, Jeff (since you just returned from the joint last month), or anyone with a Kennywood background. My new ladyfriend and I are planning a trip to Kennywood on Labor Day weekend. I have made it tradition since last year and I won't miss a beat this season either! We are leaving on Saturday morning and returning to SFWoA on Monday.

What I need is THIS:
A) Proper hotel accommodations for Saturday night around the south side of Pittsburgh, preferably in a pleasant area, unlike the area that you drive through to get to the park, from the north. I have an Entertainment book and Triple-A, so we should gain a discount, but I would like the hotel to be a good place, without mirrors on the ceiling, if you know what I mean.
B) A great place to take her while downtown or anywhere around Pittsburgh on Saturday night. It could be a fun spot (for the older crowd, since we are 33), a night club for dancing, or just a great hole in the wall, with a good band. Doesn't matter, since my Coasterbuzzing boys won't steer me wrong!!!!!

Thanks for all of your input. If you would like, just email me from the info section and we will stay in touch. Again, I appreciate all help.

Thanks!


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There's nothing like a woodie...

Being from the Pittsburgh area, I've never had to stay at a hotel but, the Holiday Inn in Monroeville seems to be the hotel of choice when visiting Kennywood.

As far as the nightlife goes, the Strip District has just about any kind of dance club imaginable. I would suggest Rosebud's or M (they are actually connected). There is also a Dave & Buster's along with some eateries at the Waterfront which is only 10 minutes from Kennywood and very easy to get to.

The following websites might help you out some. http://www.pittsburgh.com/
http://www.pghcitypaper.com/

Enjoy your visit to one of the best traditional amusement parks around.

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Christ how do you kids do it

Thanks, Loriu, I appreciate it!!! I'll keep my eyes peeled.....plus, Dave & Buster's in great, there is one an hour north of us, in Detroit!
Thanks!

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There's nothing like a woodie...

Great clubs for music in Pittsburgh
Club Cafe: on the southside, 12th street
Rosebud: has an awesome band on Saturday nights. In the Strip District
M is right next door for good techno/dance.

Good Restaurants:
Kaya
Casbah
Monterey Bay
Mitchells Fish Markets

I would definetly reccommend the Waterfront area. Very close to Kennywood and the Hotel suggested above. There is a Dave & Busters, an enormous theater and a few good restaraunts - I would check out Mitchells Fish Market for excellent seafood.

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/s/

I'll second the vote for Mitchells. It's right across the street from Dave & Busters, and is an EXCELLENT seafood restaurant, stacking up to places I've eaten at in Seattle, Vancouver, New York City, San Francisco...


There's actually a LOT of stuff to do in Pittsburgh (if there weren't, I'd be on the plane back to Seattle, or New York City, my other two top picks for where I'd want to live). If I really got started I could end up writing a HUGE post, so instead I'll just add a few places I like.

Mad Mex (tex/mexican)

Church Brewworks (microbrewery housed in an old church, complete with stained glass windows)

Thai Place (what the name suggests, in Monroeville)

Sesame Inn (Chinese)

Sushi House (Japanese)

Me Lyng (Vietnamese)

Sushi Kim (Korean)


(Yes, I like Asian food :) )


Oh yeah, and don't forget about Kennywood itself ;)


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--Greg

http://www.pobox.com/~gregleg/

If it's one thing that Kennywood needs, is hotels close to the park!

If you want a place that is close to the park, I would recommend the Holiday Inn on the Parkway East ($$). However, you mentioned the South Side, which your only option will be the Sheraton, Station Square ($$$). Station Square has some unique shopping, a few clubs and fabulous views of the city skyline! If you want to splurge, however, I would really recommend a stay at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel in downtown ($$$$). Remember, the closer you stay to the downtown region (including Oakland), it'll break the bank! For more reasonable rates, you'll be looking at staying in the outlying areas of the city (Airport area (west), Cranberry (north), and Monroeville (east)).

As far as nightlife, head on over to the Strip District (just outside of downtown). There is an eclectic mix of clubs, mostly catering to the "just 21" crowd, playing mostly retro-type dance music. The South Side (Carson Street) district is another popular place. Nick's Fat City is a good place to go to hear live bands (that's where the "Clark's" got their start!) And Dee's is a great place to go for really cheap drinks (though it's sort of a dive, but a popular institution!)

If you like the more contemporary jazz & blues mix, I highly recommend going to Dowe's on 9th (downtown).

Here are some good links to check out:

www.pghcitypaper.com
www.inpittsburgh.com
(both a good source for nightlife info)

www.visitpittsburgh.com
www.pittsburgh.com

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Neil said:
"For more reasonable rates, you'll be looking at staying in the outlying areas of the city (Airport area (west), Cranberry (north), and Monroeville (east))."

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Something to note about this statement. Cranberry and the Airport area are quite a ways from Kennywood - 40-50 minute drive. Monroeville is much closer at a 20-30 minute drive.

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"Looks like you've been missing quite a bit of work lately"
"Well, I wouldn't say I've been MISSING it, Bob."

There is tons of stuff do in an around the Burgh, you just have to knwo where to look. You can go to a Pirate game if want to see a minor league team in a big league awesome stadium hehe ;)Anyways there is the relativley new Waterfront section down by Homestead. There's a Target, a Loews Theatre, a Wal-Mart and some other shops that escape me. Then you have Mitchell's and Dave and Busters, two great places to eat. Take the other posters advie though for hotel's and clubs

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Beeman65
Assistant Webmaster
Kennywood Park Unlimited
www.kpunlimited.com

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jdancisin said:
"Cranberry and the Airport area are quite a ways from Kennywood - 40-50 minute drive. "

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Actually, I used to live in Bradford Woods, just a stones throw from Cranberry. In past trips, I've made it to Kennywood in just about 30 minutes in near perfect traffic conditions (like that is the norm in Pittsburgh nowadays!) Plus it's a very easy drive down I-279, considering that the highway system here is very confusing. (no comments from you, Jeff! :))

Be advised, it seems like just about every major artery into the city is under construction! One of the biggest being the Liberty Bridge closure on the weekends, and the Boulevard of the Allies (and that's just the tip of the iceberg, considering the Ft. Pitt Tunnels are closing next year!)
*** This post was edited by Neil on 8/2/2001. ***

Ok, Ok...here's a question, then...If I get a hotel room at the Holiday Inn in Monroeville, what is the best way to drive to Kennywood from there? I didn't see any bridges on the Kennywood side on the map? Any geography majors around to help us out?


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There's nothing like a woodie...

All that I know is the map I got from Mapquest had like 30 some turns on it, good luck finding anything in Pittsburgh! Last year it took us an hour to find our hotel.

I'm probably too use to driving to CP. I. Take 90 west, turn right, turn left, Turn right and BAM! Parking City

From Monroeville, take the Parkway East (I-376) west towards Pittsburgh. Get off at the Edgewood/Swissvale exit, and make a left at the light onto Braddock Ave.

Now, here is my secret way to the park that not many people know about. It's quick, and very little congestion that you'll commonly run into driving through Swissvale....

After you make the left onto Braddock Ave., off the exit ramp. At the very next light (about 50 feet) make the right before the BP station onto Monongahela Ave. and follow that up the hill. At the top of the hill, you'll make a right and an immediate left at the traffic light, (you'll still be on Monongahela Ave.) Follow that all the way until you come to the end, and make a right. Not sure if the street names will be marked, but you'll now be on Harriet St./ Rankin Blvd. Follow that until you come to the Rankin Bridge. Go across the bridge and make a left. Kennywood will be about a mile down the road. The park will be on your left, and parking to the right.

You guys are making me homesick. :)

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"Whatever gets you through the night, well that's all right with me." Neil Young

Kennywood's in West Mifflin which I believe is a suberb of Pittsburhg. Sandcastle is very close by, Lowe's theater (movie place) if you want to cathc a movie. Pittsburgh is full of shops and restaurants. Try to catch a Pirate's game at PNC Park.

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