Light Up Night in Pittsburgh
In case you have missed it (with the Steeler game on Sunday), this Friday, November 16, 2007, is the Official Start of the Holiday Season in Pittsburgh, with LIGHT UP NIGHT!
Yes, the Traffic will be awful....but the sights and sounds and stuff....will be Great!
Can't stand the crowds? Come to Pittsburgh on any evening or weekend. Plan on ice skating at PPG Place (on the plaza) or at least watching the skaters; Look at the "highmark" Christmas tree in lights on the end of the old Horne's building; Take in the sights in the PPG wintergarden (always a treat); stroll past the antimated windows at Macey's on Smithfield street; visit the largest religious Christmas display (next to the Vatican) on the USX Plaza......then hike across the Smithfield street bridge for a hot bowl of Charlie's Chowder at the Grand Concourse restaurant!
In for some more great adventure? Plan a Sunday afternoon stroll to Phipps Conservatory in Oakland. You will be in awe as you wander thru the Poinsettia gardens (one of my favorites!). Of course, while you are in Oakland, you must stop on the University of Pittsburgh campus, and visit the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning (all decked out for Christmas -- guided tours are available). Then walk directly across the large grassy common area to the beautiful non-denominational Heinz Chapel....always spectacular, but especially so at Christmas!
Pittsburgh has many, many things to offer through-out the holiday season....many are at low or no cost of admission. Why not take just one day, and enjoy a little peace on earth?