Johnstown Inclined Plane – Hope You Feel “Inclined” to Visit!

Looking to grab some delicious Mediterranean food, some ice cream from local dairy farms, get a great city view, or ride the world’s steepest incline? Then let’s go once again to my hometown and check out the Johnstown Inclined Plane.

The Johnstown Inclined Plane is located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in my neighborhood of Westmont. It’s another place that’s very special to me. It can carry both people and automobiles. It was built in 1890 following the Johnstown Flood, in order to move people to higher ground following the flood damage downtown. As a result of the flood, horses and carriages couldn’t transport people to higher ground. And since it was the 1890s, automobiles hadn’t been invented yet. So the Incline was the only way to get people to higher ground. The Incline was also essential in bringing people to higher ground during another flood that occurred in 1936. It is known as the steepest incline in the world, and it’s one of the best things to see when you come to Johnstown. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the Pittsburgh area and may want to extend your trip. There’s so many things to do at the Incline besides riding it.

Before I talk about some of the Incline’s featured attractions, I’ll say a little bit about the Incline itself. What’s great about the Incline is that it provides both a great view of the city and simple transportation from Westmont to downtown, and vice versa. You can enjoy the view from the Incline whether you ride it or not, because the view is visible from both a viewing ledge and from the Incline itself. The viewing ledge is a great place to get pictures of the city; in fact, a lot of my friends used to use the viewing ledge as a location for taking prom photos. Riding the Incline also gets you easy transportation from Westmont to downtown Johnstown, and vice versa. People who live in the Old Westmont area, the section of Westmont where the Incline is located, often take advantage of this in order to go downtown for an event at the Point Stadium, the War Memorial, etc. This is great because these people don’t have to worry about parking during large-scale events. My elementary/middle school is located only a few blocks from the Incline; in fact, my class took a field trip to different locations in downtown Johnstown, and we walked to the Incline and rode it into downtown. What was great about that field trip was that we didn’t need transportation at all thanks to the Incline. However, the Incline does carry vehicles as well, so this is a good option in case of events like a road closure or icy/snowy road conditions (or if you just want to ride it for the experience). However, the Incline only gives rides from April 1-December 31. While I’ve been to the Incline area several times, I’ve only rode it a handful of times. But to see what the riding experience is like, and learn a bit more about the Incline’s history, check out the video below. You’re sure to get both a great view and convenient and quick transportation when you ride the Incline.

There’s so much more to do at the Incline than just check out the view and ride it. From April 1-December 31, you can visit the gift shop, where you can buy all kinds of Inclined Plane souvenirs and merchandise from postcards to t-shirts. If you enter the building where the Incline is located, you can check out the Visitor’s Center. In the Visitor’s Center, you can see the central machinery and mechanisms of the Incline (it’s really cool to see them moving whenever the Incline is in motion). You can also see portraits and models of Johnstown that portray the city before and during the flood. The Visitor’s Center is open year-round, as is Asiago’s, the restaurant located below the Visitor’s Center. Asiago’s opened in 2013, and it serves some of the best Italian and Mediterranean food in the area. What’s great about it is you can both enjoy your meal and get an incredible view of the city. Its popularity resulted in a second location opening in Pittsburgh’s North Shore neighborhood, but this location closed after about two years. Asiago’s is also a great place to check out for anyone looking for a job in the Johnstown area; a lot of my friends have gotten jobs here. The Incline also contains an ice cream shop near the viewing ledge. The ice cream shop sells ice cream made by Galliker’s, a dairy company based right in Johnstown (I’ve never had the ice cream, but I’m sure it’s good, because Galliker’s milk is really good). The ice cream shop is usually open during the summer months (late May to early September). And the final thing you should check out when you visit the Incline is the Mound. The Mound is a park located across from the Incline. It contains a large playground, as well as an open field with one of the world’s tallest American flags. This was my favorite playground as a kid; we have several playgrounds in my area, but this is the one I went to most often. The flag was planted in 1989, to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Johnstown Flood. What you can do at the Incline is not limited to riding up and down and checking out the view of the city; there’s so much more to discover and take in.

There’s so many events and traditions that go on at the Incline area, some that are held annually and some that repeat throughout the year. For example, I absolutely love seeing the Incline during the holiday season, because the standard lights surrounding the rails are replaced with red and green colored lights. And speaking of holidays, there’s nothing like celebrating some of your favorite holidays at the Incline. For example, the Incline holds event for children and families every Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. On Halloween, kids can dress up, get professional photos, and play games. On Easter and Christmas, kids can meet and get photos taken with the Easter Bunny and Santa, respectively. And on all three holiday event days, kids ride the Incline for free. To see what types of events are going on at the Incline, check out their website. Now, if you want to celebrate an occasion with Italian and Mediterranean food as the grub and the city of Johnstown as the backdrop, an event at Asiago’s is always great as well. While Asiago’s isn’t too well known for hosting its own events, it’s a great place to hold private events. People have taken advantage of the Asiago’s banquet hall for several occasions, from office parties to rehearsal dinners. Go to the Asiago’s website (hyperlinked above) to learn more about hosting a private event, as well as to book your event. The Incline is magnificent any time of year, but going to an event there is sure to make your visit even more memorable and special.

Whether you’re looking to ride the world’s steepest incline, check out one of the world’s tallest American flags, get a bite to eat, or just take in the view of Johnstown, there’s no better place to do it than the Johnstown Inclined Plane.

Point Stadium

Looking to see some amateur baseball players in action before they hit the big time? How about a little college, or even high school, baseball? If you’re a soccer or a football person, would you rather see that instead? Well, look no further than the Point Stadium in Johnstown, PA.

As I’ve mentioned before, Johnstown is my hometown. I decided that since there are so many places in Pittsburgh with so much to talk about, I’d expand outside of Pittsburgh. I originally didn’t want to do any places in Johnstown, because I doubt a tourist in Pittsburgh would want to make the 90-minute drive to Johnstown, but I guess you never know!

Anyway, the Point is an outdoor multipurpose stadium located in the heart of downtown Johnstown. And it’s a place that’s very dear to my heart, because it’s the soccer, football, and baseball home stadium for my high school, Bishop McCort. While I’ve never gone to a soccer or baseball game here, I’ve been to almost every football game here throughout my four years of high school because of marching band. It is also the home stadium for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ) baseball team, several middle school sports teams from the area’s Catholic schools, and where the annual All-American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) tournament has been held since it started.

The Point is the home turf of the Bishop McCort baseball, soccer, and football teams, some middle school sports teams, and the UPJ baseball team. As I said, I’ve never seen the soccer and baseball teams play before, but I’ve gone to almost every home football game with my school’s marching band. And let me tell you, you won’t find a better place for high school football. It’s a public stadium meant for large-scale events, so it’s not designed specifically for high school sports. But my high school uses it because there is no room for outdoor athletic facilities near the school itself. I’ve made a lot of memories here, both good and bad. The band is located right next to the student section and the cheerleaders. The school’s sports teams are known as the “Crimson Crushers”, so the student section is known as the “Crimson Crazies.” And they are probably one of the most passionate high school student sections you’ll ever see, especially at home games. And it’s not just students that attend games: a ton of parents, teachers, alumni, etc., attend the games as well. A lot of elementary and middle school students from the various Catholic schools also enjoy attending the games, mainly because they plan to attend Bishop McCort for high school. I used to enjoy coming to games with my friends when I was in middle school. I spent a lot of time here with my high school’s band; we played in the stands during the game and on the field at halftime, and we rehearsed here every Tuesday night during football season. One of the best things about being a member of the Bishop McCort band was walking out onto the field and looking for my family in the crowd. It also brings back memories of seeing some of my friends get crowned homecoming queen, and being escorted onto the field by my parents for senior recognition night. If I didn’t live so far from home, I’d love to go back to a game; unfortunately, however, I haven’t gotten the chance to attend a game since before I graduated, even during fall break. I’d especially like to go back this year, because the team is currently in the playoffs and is doing incredibly well (that may or may not still be the case by the time you’re reading this, though). It’s bigger than a lot of high school and college stadiums, which is what makes the Point perfect for UPJ baseball, as well as middle school sports and Bishop McCort baseball, football, and soccer.

The national AAABA has held its annual tournament at the Point every year since 1946. The AAABA is comprised of several different teams of amateur baseball players seeking fame. Their tournament is held every year in early August, and lasts for about a week or so. Some of the greatest baseball players of all time have played at the Point during the AAABA tournament, such as the legendary Jackie Robinson. The AAABA tournament is one of the most popular events in the area. There is always an amazing turnout. A lot of my friends are AAABA ambassadors. In addition to working at and promoting the games, ambassadors also get a bunch of free tickets that they can give away to people. There is a hall of fame for the AAABA located at the front of the stadium. Unfortunately, I’ve never been to a AAABA game, so I hope to go to one someday. Below, you can see a video shot with a drone from last year’s AAABA game; one thing you’ll probably notice in particular is how packed the stadium is. A reviewer on TripAdvisor said that the AAABA games are “great for local people.” To witness baseball players who may go on to be legends, check out the annual AAABA tournament at the Point.

Here are some other things to know about the Point, from tips to other events held there. The Point occasionally holds events other than the ones I already mentioned, including a Fourth of July concert performed by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra (JSO). The concert is immediately followed by fireworks. Since downtown Johnstown is the lowest point in town, you can easily see the fireworks if you live in one of the higher elevated neighborhoods. For example, I can always see them in the distance from Westmont, the neighborhood I grew up in. The Point Stadium is also the starting point for the Johnstown Halloween Parade; all acts and performers wait inside the stadium to go on. This is what my school’s marching band did when we performed in the parade. As far as other events go, there’s not much else to say, so here’s some tips for going to an event at the Point Stadium. First, if you’re going to an event such as a Bishop McCort football game or the AAABA Tournament, do not park in the lot in front of the Point. It’s very small, and is often completely inaccessible during games due to merchandise sales taking up the space. You’ll need to park in front of one of the downtown Johnstown parking meters, or in one of the parking lots of the nearby buildings. A good place to park is the lot for Suppes Ford, which is across the street; however, this lot is inaccessible during the homecoming game due to the alumni tailgate being held in it. The next piece of advice I wanted to mention was in regards to food. The concessions stand at the Point Stadium has delicious food; I highly recommend it. However, if you’re going to buy food during a Bishop McCort football game, the best time to do it is BEFORE THE GAME. I’m saying this from personal experience; the band members get the third quarter off to socialize and buy food, and at every game, the line was extremely long during the third quarter. It seems like its busiest times are during the third quarter and halftime. But the concessions stand opens about 15 minutes before the game starts, so you’ll be able to get food and get back to your seats in time for kickoff. The final piece of advice I wanted to give was about re-entry into the stadium. As of a few years ago, the Point Stadium does not allow anyone to leave and re-enter the stadium during a Bishop McCort athletic event. This used to be permitted as long as you showed your ticket before re-entering, and people used to take advantage of it by doing things such as walking to the Chinese restaurant next door, where there were free Shirley Temples available for all game attendees. However, due to a certain incident, a no re-entry policy was put in place. For this reason, my suggestion is to make sure you have EVERYTHING with you that you need before leaving your car to enter the stadium, because you won’t be able to go back to your car during the game if you forget anything. Speaking from personal experience, these tips will make your experience at the Point Stadium so much simpler.

Whether you’re looking to see a Fourth of July symphony, some college baseball, some amateur baseball, or my alma mater’s athletic skills, there’s no better place to do it than the Point Stadium in downtown Johnstown.

Grove City Premium Outlets

Looking to buy something, but can’t find it at your local stores or mall? Oh yeah, and the holidays are coming up too. Are you hoping that this year, you don’t have to drive to several different stores to find all the gifts you want to buy people? Well then look no further than Grove City Premium Outlets in Grove City, PA.

Grove City Premium Outlets is known as “western Pennsylvania’s premiere shopping destination.” It’s less than an hour from Pittsburgh. Because of its rich wealth of stores and products, people from all over western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio come to shop here. But maybe you’re thinking, “What exactly makes Grove City Premium Outlets so much better than a regular mall?” If you’re asking that, it’s probably because you’ve never been to an outlet mall before. Outlet malls are not indoor malls. Instead, they are like several strip malls connected to each other. Unlike an indoor mall, each store can only be accessed from outside. The Outlets can be traversed via paths and sidewalks. Now, as for what makes an outlet mall so different, an outlet mall has brand-name stores. You heard correctly, stores devoted entirely to specific brands. In addition to having several ordinary stores that you would see at a regular mall (ex. American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Gymboree, Gap, etc.), you can also find stores entirely devoted to your favorite brands. The last time I checked, there weren’t any stores like that in a regular mall. However, Grove City Premium Outlets is one of the only places in Western Pennsylvania where you’re guaranteed products from Bose, Nautica, Nike, Under Armour, Skechers, and so much more. This makes it so simple to find EXACTLY what you’re looking for, especially if you prefer products from a certain brand. Plus, around the holidays, you most likely won’t have to drive to another store to look for something you can’t find! If you want to easily find your favorite brands, and want to get all your shopping done in a single trip, Grove City Premium Outlets is the place to do it.

There’s much more that Grove City Premium Outlets has to offer. There are several full-service restaurants in the vicinity, such as Eat’n Park (my mom and I often go to this Eat’n Park, because Grove City is on the way to and from my school). There’s also several quick service options in the Outlets themselves, such as a full food court and a Starbucks. The Outlets also have several ATMs on the pathways. They also have a children’s playground. They have a post office as well. And finally, they have RV and motorcoach parking, which brings me to my next point: Grove City Premium Outlets is a great place to go when traveling with a group of friends or family members. You can walk around and check out the shops with your friends. I’m saying this from personal experience, because I went there with my school’s band when we played at the nearby Slippery Rock University last fall. That was the only time I’ve been to the Outlets, and I had a lot of fun. I was actually looking for a new duffle bag because I had left mine back home, and lo and behold, I found a duffle bag that I really like, and continue to use, at the Reebok outlet. You can see it below. Also, make sure to check out the website before you go. You’ll find exclusive deals on products, the schedule of events being held, and any other information you may want to know before heading to the Outlets. Grove City Premium Outlets has a lot of great things to do to make your road trips and shopping trips memorable.

For the best place in western Pennsylvania for ALL of your shopping needs, head to Grove City Premium Outlets.

Pittsburgh Party Pedaler

Looking to check out Pittsburgh in a new, creative, and fun way? Or are you looking for a great idea for your birthday party, or maybe for your bachelor/bachelorette party? Well, let me start by saying, your party isn’t going to stand out among others if you get a limo or a party bus. For a great way to get around Pittsburgh and get your party on at the same time, check out the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler.

The Pittsburgh Party Pedaler is unique because it’s not a party bus or a limo, it’s a party bike. Yes, you heard right, a party bike. You and your group of 8 to 16 can reserve a tour on the Party Pedaler’s website (which is hyperlinked above) to check out some of the most interesting areas in Pittsburgh, while also celebrating whatever special occasion you might be celebrating. There are three different tours to choose from. You get an amazing driver/tour guide who will give you an interesting rundown of what Pittsburgh has to offer. You can party on the bike with the option of connecting your phones to the wires and controlling the music, and then you can keep the party going when you get off the bike for a few pit stops at some of the best restaurants, bars, and shops in Pittsburgh!

The Pittsburgh Party Pedaler offers tours in three different Pittsburgh neighborhoods: Lawrenceville, the North Shore, and the Strip District. During each tour, you can check out what each area has to offer. For example, during the North Shore tour, you get to see PNC Park, Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center, Rivers Casino, etc. in all their glory. This is also great because the North Shore has a bike trail, so you can ride alongside your fellow Pittsburgh bikers. Each tour also lets you choose 2 or 3 bars/restaurants/shops to stop at. This is a great way to quickly sample some of Pittsburgh’s eats, buy some souvenirs, taste some homemade Pittsburgh wine, or enjoy an ice cold draft with the guys. You also have the option of customizing your tour. For example, you can ask the driver to stop at a certain location for a photo op (however, you can’t go inside places such as Heinz Field, PNC Park, and Rivers Casino). You can also ask the driver to take you to a place that might not be part of the tour. You can even request that the driver pick you up at a spot other than the designated starting location. A reviewer on Yelp said that the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler is “HIGHLY recommended for a bachelorette party or other fun event like a birthday with a big group of people.” You’re sure to have a memorable experience on whatever Pittsburgh Party Pedaler tour you choose.

Here are some tips and recommendations for anyone thinking about the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler. The first thing I should probably mention is food and beverages. Food and beverages are not served on the Party Pedaler, but you’re allowed to bring your own if they're in a cooler. However, alcohol is only permitted on the Party Pedaler if it is parked in someone’s yard or driveway with the owner’s approval; it is not permitted on the streets. But on the subject of food, I also wanted to recommend a few restaurants in Pittsburgh that are offered during the tour. One place that’s offered during the Strip tour is Luke Wholey’s, a seafood restaurant. I’ve been there with my family a few times, and I think it has some of the freshest and most delicious fish in the area. Another place I would recommend is Primanti Bros. While it’s a Pittsburgh-based chain, the original one is located in the Strip, and is therefore set up as more of an old-fashioned sandwich shop than a full-service restaurant like the other Primanti Bros. locations. One restaurant that I recommend for the North Shore tour is Bettis’s Grill. This is a popular Pittsburgh sports bar, and yes, it’s owned by former Steeler Jerome Bettis. One of the reasons why you should definitely check it out is because you might see someone famous there; when I went there, I stood only a few feet away from Bettis himself, who happened to be filming a commercial there that day. Another thing I should mention is extra fees. The Pittsburgh Party Pedaler reserves the right to charge your credit card if any damage is done to the bike. And even though the tours are customizable, it is due to scheduling purposes that the bike must return to the starting point before the designated return time, otherwise the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler reserves the right to charge your card for the amount of time that the bike returns late. The Party Pedaler also may charge depending on the distance between a non-designated starting location and a designated starting location. Therefore, any additional stops you may decide on should be brief and not excessive. The last thing I wanted to mention was weather. I believe I’ve mentioned in a previous post that Pittsburgh weather is very iffy. Extreme weather can come at the most unexpected times, from light rain to severe thunderstorms. That being said, the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler operates rain or shine. However, if there is extreme weather, the Pittsburgh Party Pedaler reserves the right to cancel any tours that may be scheduled. If it’s raining and your tour is still on, I’d recommend bringing a jacket and/or an umbrella (but you should be fine for the most part since the bike is covered by a roof). Pittsburgh Party Pedaler wants you to have an enjoyable and memorable experience, which is why keeping these tips and recommendations in mind will make it that much more so.

It doesn’t matter which of the three tours you choose. And it doesn’t matter what you’re celebrating. In fact, it’s completely fine if you’re not celebrating anything at all! The Pittsburgh Party Pedaler is a unique, fun, and memorable way to enjoy what Pittsburgh has to offer and to party the day away with friends and family.

Gateway Clipper Fleet – Your “Gate” to Fun on Pittsburgh’s Waters

Looking for a place for a formal private event? How about some top-notch entertainment and fine dining? Maybe just some sightseeing? Or maybe just convenient transportation to and from Heinz Field or PNC Park? If you’re looking for any of these things, how about kicking it up a notch and doing them while sailing along the beautiful Monongahela, Ohio, and Allegheny Rivers? If this is what you’re looking for, then the Gateway Clipper Fleet is for you.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet is a fleet of riverboats that sails along the three rivers in Pittsburgh. It was founded by John E. Connelly. It has six ships: Empress, Duchess, Countess, Majestic, Princess, and Three Rivers Queen. It is docked at Pittsburgh’s Station Square. It has several cruises with several different themes and for several different occasions. It can also be used for private formal events. Alternatively, it can simply be used as a shuttle to and from Heinz Field or PNC Park on the day of a game or other event. But regardless of what you’re on the Gateway Clipper for, it’s a great way to observe Pittsburgh in all its natural beauty while also having fun with family and friends.

Various themed and non-themed cruises are held on the Gateway Clipper for a variety of occasions. Some are specialty cruises held for one day only, while some are held various times throughout a certain month (or during a certain season, such as summer or fall). Some that are held various times throughout a certain month include the Saturday Lunch and Sunday Brunch cruises. Another commonly held one is the Captain’s Dinner. Held at least once every month, this formal night cruise includes a buffet and a DJ. Some specialty ones include a Chicken & Ribs dinner and a Wine Tasting Dinner. There are also themed cruises for kids that are held on certain dates, such as a Star Wars cruise, a princess cruise, and a children’s Christmas cruise that includes meet-and-greets with Santa. The food and activities on the kids’ cruises are usually more kid-friendly. There are also music and dance cruises. These cruises have either live music or a DJ, depending on the theme. They also may or may not serve food depending on the theme. There are also themed dinners for various holidays. A cruise featuring a Thanksgiving dinner is held on Thanksgiving Day. Various holiday lunches and dinners are held throughout the month of December; these are great for enjoying Pittsburgh decorated for the holidays. A special cruise is also held on Light Up Night, a well-known Pittsburgh event in which the town’s holiday lights are first turned on; this is usually the Friday before Thanksgiving. An Hors D’Oeuvres/dance party is held on New Year’s Eve. Lunch/brunch is also held for holidays such as Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. If you want to simply observe Pittsburgh, a sightseeing tour is always a good idea. Not only do you get a cruise, but you also get a tour guide to point out the various locations you pass by. Snacks are available on the sightseeing cruises. Sightseeing cruises are also available on various days throughout the month of May for school groups on field trips. A reviewer on TripAdvisor said that the ship’s dinner cruises in particular are “highly recommended.” To view cruise dates and make cruise reservations, go to the Gateway Clipper website. You’re sure to have a blast on a Gateway Clipper cruise no matter which one you go on.

The Gateway Clipper is also great for private events. These events are usually formal. They can include anniversary parties, company holiday parties, family reunions, etc. Several Pittsburgh area high schools hold their formals and proms aboard the Gateway Clipper. However, the most popular private events held on the Gateway Clipper are weddings. You can hold wedding ceremonies, receptions, or both. There are various wedding packages available, all of which can be viewed on the website. The ceremonies are usually held on the ship’s upper deck. I think this is very special because the overlook of Pittsburgh serves as the backdrop when you get married. Because they’re usually held on the upper deck, it’s probably best to only hold wedding ceremonies on the Gateway Clipper during the warmer months of the year. However, wedding receptions can be held any time of year, because they are usually held inside the ship. As I said, various packages are available, and this mainly applies to the reception aspect of weddings. For example, some packages include a champagne toast for everyone in attendance, while some only include a toast for the wedding party. The wedding planner on the website also mentions various businesses you can contact for additional services on the ship, such as wedding photographers, decorators, and florists. A reviewer on TripAdvisor who got married on the Gateway Clipper said that it’s a “wonderful choice for anyone looking for a unique wedding venue.” Private events on the Gateway Clipper must be booked by calling; they cannot be booked online. If you’re looking to go more upscale or memorable for your next event, consider the Gateway Clipper.

The Gateway Clipper can also be used as a shuttle to and from PNC Park and Heinz Field. It’s only $12 for adults and $6 for kids to ride the Gateway Clipper round-trip to PNC Park or Heinz Field. The shuttle only runs on days when events are being held at PNC Park or Heinz Field, such as games or concerts. The shuttles usually begin shuttling from the Station Square dock to the stadium 2-3 hours before an event starts, and begin shuttling back from the stadium to the dock for 30-60 minutes immediately after an event ends. For post-game events at PNC Park, such as concerts and fireworks, the ship does not begin shuttling back to the dock until after the post-game event ends. It should be noted that you can’t buy tickets for the shuttles online; you have to buy them at the dock on the day of the event. I’ve only been on the Gateway Clipper twice, and both times were to shuttle to Heinz Field for a Steelers game. This is a great way to go, because you can park at one of the stores or restaurants in Station Square and then walk over to the dock. Plus, the ship stops right in front of either PNC Park or Heinz Field. Therefore, unlike a lot of the other people attending the event, you don’t have to worry about potentially walking a mile or two to leave and return to your parking spot. If you need a quick, easy, and cheap way to get to PNC Park or Heinz Field, consider the Gateway Clipper.

Here are a couple tips for riding the Gateway Clipper. If you’re going to an event at Heinz Field or PNC Park, it might be a good idea to get to Station Square a few hours early and either do some shopping or eat at one of the restaurants. This way you have a parking spot secured, plus you’re guaranteed not to miss any of the shuttles in the instance of a traffic jam, getting a late start on the road, etc. Plus, on certain event days, some of the restaurants offer complimentary tickets onto the shuttle. My family took advantage of this both times we took the shuttle to Heinz Field. Another piece of advice is, if you’re holding a wedding or family reunion, you’re going to likely have a lot of people from out of town. You should consider recommending to them a hotel in Station Square. That way, they’re only a few steps away from the venue, and don’t have to worry about being late, being stuck in traffic, or even driving for that matter. The last thing I wanted to mention was the bar. There is a bar on the Gateway Clipper that is available for all passengers at all times, whether you’re on a shuttle, on a cruise, or at a private event. They offer all sorts of beverages, and they check I.D.’s to make sure you’re 21 before purchasing alcohol. I hope these tips make your Gateway Clipper experience simpler and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re getting married, need a better way to see Pittsburgh, or just need to get from Point A to Point B, the Gateway Clipper Fleet can do it for you.

PPG Paints Arena

Looking for a concert or other performance featuring some of the most top-notch performers out there? And are you looking to do it in what is probably Pittsburgh’s largest performance venue? How about watching the 5-time Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins up close and personal? If this is what you’re looking for, then PPG Paints Arena is the place for you!

This is probably one of my favorite locations in Pittsburgh. Its name has been changed several times. It originally opened in 1961 as Civic Auditorium, and was a dome-shaped indoor arena. It was named this because its original purpose was to house the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO). It was renamed Civic Arena later the same year. Also that same year, the arena became the home of the minor league Pittsburgh Hornets hockey team, which was disbanded in 1967. The NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins debuted at Civic Arena in 1967. In 1999, Penguins player Mario Lemieux became the owner of the Penguins, and was therefore granted the naming rights to the arena. He sold the naming rights to Mellon Financial, and the arena was renamed Mellon Arena later that year. For almost ten years following Mellon Arena’s opening, Lemieux had worked to fund and create bigger, better arena. The result was the demolition of Mellon Arena and the building and opening of Consol Energy Center in 2010. Consol Energy had bought the naming rights to the new arena back in 2010. The arena was completely redesigned both outside and in. PPG Paints bought the naming rights to the arena in 2016. Penguins hockey is, of course, the most commonly held event at the arena, taking place almost every week. There are also concerts held here, mainly by big-name artists. Other types of performances and other occasional sporting events occur here as well. The ice is usually covered for most non-hockey events, except for performances advertised as being “on ice.” There are several private clubs in the arena as well, for both formal and casual private events.

I’m not the biggest hockey fan, although I do enjoy the sport. And while I don’t follow the Penguins on a regular basis, the times I’ve gone to see them at PPG Paints Arena have been some of the best experiences of my life. I’ve been to four Penguins games, two of which were Stanley Cup Finals games.  Below is a picture I took at the first Penguins game I went to. There is so much about the experience that’s amazing: the hype coming from the crowd, the action on the ice, the suspense before the players take the ice, and so much more. The two Stanley Cup games were probably the best ones I went to. The main reason for that would have to be the fact that my mom got us some of the best seats in the house, only a few rows from the ice. I sat only a few rows away from Ryan Shazier, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. While watching the action anywhere in the arena is amazing, watching from the front is like witnessing history being made. This especially is true of a Stanley Cup game, when the team is giving it their all even more than usual. The Penguins are one of the most popular NHL hockey teams. They’ve won 5 Stanley Cups: 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017. A lot of people, even people who aren’t from Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, love them. So if you’re a hockey lover, it doesn’t matter where you’re from; you’re sure to enjoy yourself if you stop by a Penguins hockey game at PPG Paints Arena.

The four Penguins games I went to all took place within the last two years, so I haven’t been to a Penguins game at the prior arena. Conversely, I’ve never been to a non-hockey related event at the new arena. The last time I went to non-hockey related events there was when it was still the Mellon Arena. The experience was still great nonetheless. I’ve been to a ton of concerts and performances in my lifetime, but the size of both the arena and the crowd made seeing shows at the Mellon Arena some of the best experiences of my life. However, it’s been a long time since I’ve been. If I recall, I’ve only seen four shows there. The first show I saw there was the Cheetah Girls in concert. For those who don’t know, the Cheetah Girls were one of the biggest girl groups in the early to mid-2000s, and they became famous through Disney. Even though I didn’t see many guys there, I still enjoyed myself, because the Cheetah Girls made amazing music back in the day (and they were all really cute too). And the arena was the perfect size for a concert like that, especially because, as I recall, it was the group’s first major tour. I also saw Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers in concert here a while later. As weird as it sounds, I actually really enjoyed myself at that show too, because not only did the Jonas Brothers have some of the best pop rock music back then, but Hannah Montana also had some great music and was admittedly my childhood celebrity crush. These two groups also became famous through Disney. This concert was one of the best I’ve ever gone to, and the hype was AMAZING for both Hannah and the Jonas Brothers. We even saw the Jonas Brothers leaving on their tour bus as we were crossing the street to go back to our hotel after the show. I also saw a show done by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Mellon Arena. It was pretty amazing; the arena was the perfect size for the performers and animals to do their tricks. It made me wonder how circuses can possibly be performed in smaller spaces, like circus tents. And finally, I saw High School Musical on Ice here. I really enjoyed it, because High School Musical was one of my favorite movies back then (if you haven’t already guessed, I’m a bit of a Disney nut). This was fun, because not only was it a great show but I also got to see a performance on the ice that wasn’t hockey related. The arena was the perfect size for the cast to put on this incredibly complicated production (High School Musical already contains a lot of complicated choreography, so imagine doing that on ice skates). As I said, I haven’t been to any other non-hockey events since the arena was rebuilt, but I can only imagine they’re as good or even better than the performances I’ve seen at Mellon Arena. Several other concerts have been held here over the years, by some of the biggest performers out there: Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood, Bruno Mars, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and more. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes here every year around the holiday season. Other performances have included ice shows, particularly Disney on Ice, as well as variety performers like Jeff Dunham and Cirque du Soleil. There are also more recreational events held here, such as monster truck rallies. No matter what type of performance you see at PPG Paints Arena, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

One thing I thought I’d mention was that some of the events held at PPG Paints Arena involve non-hockey related sports. One of these includes basketball. While Pittsburgh is one major city that doesn’t have an NBA team, several non-professional teams have taken advantage of PPG Paints Arena for the sport. For example, while Petersen Events Center is the home of the Pitt Panthers basketball team, the team uses PPG Paints Arena for more intense games such as championships; other Pittsburgh schools, such as Duquesne University, do the same. Other sporting events are held here, but a lot of the others are more performance-based than competition-based. This includes WWE Raw and the Harlem Globetrotters. A reviewer on TripAdvisor said that the arena setup is “great” for WWE Raw. While I hope Pittsburgh can get a professional NBA team one day, there’s still so many great sporting events to go to there now besides hockey.

Based on personal experience, here are some tips for when you go to an event at PPG Paints Arena. Definitely get some of the arena’s delicious food. There are endless concessions stands in the arena, ranging from your average sports arena food to Dairy Queen to Dunkin’ Donuts. If you want a taste of Pittsburgh, stop by Primanti Bros. The arena also contains several bars, a full-service restaurant (this is located in the club seats, so it’s only for private events), and a T.G.I. Friday’s (the T.G.I. Friday’s is only accessible from outside the arena, so it’s probably best to go there either before or after the event). Also, it’s a good idea to mention that driving into and out of PPG Paints Arena is a nightmare. So my recommendation is parking a few blocks away from the arena and walking (which is also cheaper than parking at the arena), or parking near one of the stops for the “T”, the Pittsburgh light rail service, and using this service to get to and from the event. Also, bear in mind that most of these events occur at night, and if you don’t live in the Pittsburgh area and don’t want to drive home that late, there’s several hotels within walking distance of the arena. My family has stayed at a hotel for most of the events we’ve gone to at the arena. A couple we’ve stayed at often have been the DoubleTree and the Marriot, which are both within walking distance of the arena and really nice. Taking advantage of these things will make your experience at PPG Paints Arena less stressful and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re looking to see one of the greatest hockey teams out there or one of the best shows you’ll ever see, you’ll never forget the experiences you’ll have at PPG Paints Arena.