Squirrel Hill Where To Stay In Pittsburgh For Families
After driving 15 mins east from Downtown Pittsburgh, you find yourself in a quiet, residential area full of beautiful tree-lined streets and expansive parks with endless paths, perfect for an afternoon stroll. This is a great place to stay for families as you can relax in a safe neighborhood with plenty of open spaces to explore with the children away from the busy streets of the downtown area.
While this picture-perfecta neighborhood might look a little sleepy to some, it is actually quite a diverse area full of incredible international cuisine. If you want to try something new, why not dine at one of the kosher restaurants, bakeries, or delis for an international treat!
Although Squirrel Hill is a little removed from the downtown area on Pittsburghs east side, the skyscrapers, bars, shops, and commercial attractions are still well within reach when you want them. Here are some of the best accommodation choices for the area.
Where To Stay In Pittsburgh On A Budget
Penn Station
Hampton Inn Pittsburgh University/Medical Center is a solid budget bet located near the University of Pittsburgh and just over two miles from the downtown area. It features tidy rooms and suites, which, while older, are still clean and comfortable and come with amenities like microwaves, mini-fridges, and balconies.
Complimentary amenities include Wi-Fi breakfast and parking, which is a serious perk for this part of town. There is also a restaurant and coffee shop on the grounds.
Between the airport and downtown, the Econo Lodge is another budget option, which is especially popular if you have a car as it has ample free parking, as well as a location just off I-70. The rooms are relatively modern and come with white duvets on comfy beds and amenities like free Wi-Fi and premium cable TV. Some rooms also have kitchenettes.
A continental breakfast is included in the rate. There is also an on-site Italian restaurant, and the property is dog friendly.
There Is A Lot To See And Do In Pittsburgh
There is a lot to see and do in Pittsburgh. I spent 5 nights there and had lots to do every day, and there was more I could have done if I’d stayed longer. Unfortunately, some things I wanted to do weren’t open or available during my stay, partly because I was there during the weekdays and partly because it was off-season. I didn’t have a car for the first two days, which was fine. But I did have a car for the last three days and that made a big difference. I really think it helps to have a car if you’re going to be in Pittsburgh for more than 2 days. There are lots of great museums and restaurants, but they’re not all downtown. I was staying downtown, and I had the sense that it wasn’t necessarily the most happening place.
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Things To See And Do In Squirrel Hill
- Grab a slice at Aiellos.
- Dig into delicious Sichuan at Chengdu Gourmet.
- Dine on traditional Jewish dishes with a twist at NU Modern Jewish Bistro.
- Indulge in a scrumptious liege waffle at Waffallonia.
- Shop until you drop at Squirrel Hills independent shops and boutiques.
- See a movie at Manor, one of the oldest theatres in the city.
- Get back to nature and explore Frick Park.
- Fill your boots with candy at the Chocolate Moose.
- Enjoy an incredible meal with a stunning view at Bangkok Balcony.
- Savour a refreshing treat at Berry Fresh.
- Go for a stroll through Schenley Park.
Best Budget Hotel In Downtown: Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh
The Wyndham Grand is a modern and stylish hotel in downtown Pittsburgh and, its also your best bet for budget accommodations in the neighbourhood. This luxurious hotel is set within walking distance of restaurants, cafes and shops. It has comfortable rooms, contemporary amenities and an indoor pool.
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Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is one of Americas best-kept travel secrets. It is a great sports town, has an eclectic restaurant scene, and is home to some of the trendiest bars in the state. Without a doubt, Pittsburgh definitely deserves a place on your travel bucket list.
In this guide, weve looked at the five best neighbourhoods to stay in Pittsburgh. Although there arent any hostels in the city, weve done our best to include affordable hotels, apartments and bed and breakfast options alongside mainstream hotels.
If youre still not sure where to stay, heres a quick recap.
The Strip District is our number one choice for the best neighbourhood in the city thanks to its central location and delicious restaurants. Its also home to our favourite hotel the Homewood Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown.
Another great option is the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. Modern and stylish, this downtown hotel is also incredibly luxurious and affordable.
And dont forget to take out Travel Insurance for your trip! I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Theyre easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.
Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and youre on your way!
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Why Avoid East Liberty
To us, East Liberty has lost a lot of its character from the construction boom in recent years. Yes, many of the historic buildings and churches remain, but are shadowed by luxury housing that is, to be quite honest, ugly.
Restaurants in this neighborhood are also a bit hit or miss, as the rush to be in around the neighborhood has produced some less than stellar options. However, as dining is a personal preference this thought is mostly our opinion only as many restaurants in the neighborhood have great reviews overall.
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Why Stay In South Side
As South Side is known for its bar hopping culture, we recommend this neighborhood for those who are looking for a nightlife experience without having to drive or Uber very far.
Most businesses are open later than anywhere else in the city, and is where everyone heads to if they want a drink past the more conventional 10pm and 11pm last calls found elsewhere .
The hotel options here also tend to be a bit cheaper than other neighborhoods , and many are also strategically located near the highway such that you can be almost anywhere within the city limits in 10-15 minutes by car.
How To Choose Where To Stay When You Visit Pittsburgh
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If you are looking to visit Pittsburgh from out of town, one of your first thoughts is likelywhere do I stay?
In a city of 90 neighborhoods, figuring out where to stay in Pittsburgh could make or break your visit almost entirely. So finding a spot that fits your style, budget, and interests is key.
As with most of our guides, we want to take a detailed dive into the best neighborhoods to stay in for your Pittsburgh visit.
But not only are we going to dive into our favorite aspects of each neighborhood , we also want to provide the reasons why you may not want to stay in the neighborhood as well!
Because as awesome as these neighborhoods are, none are perfect. Depending on your style, budget, and trip goals there may be some things you need to keep in mind before booking.
With that, let’s jump into it!
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Best Hotel In Pittsburgh: Homewood Suites By Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown
Homewood Suites is our pick for the best hotel in Pittsburgh. Conveniently located in the Strip District, It is a short walk from downtown and is close to restaurants, bars and shops. This hotel has 150 well-appointed guest rooms with modern amenities. Theres also a pool and an in-house restaurant.
Tucked away in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania is the city of Pittsburgh. A large and sprawling city, Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of three rivers and is characterized by its bridges, steep hills and unique terrain.
Although largely overlooked by travellers, Pittsburgh is a city with a rich history and a wealth of cultural attractions, and it is more than deserving of your time and attention.
The city is home to approximately 350,000 people and covers an area of 151 square kilometres. It is divided into more than 90 neighbourhoods with diverse ethnic and architectural backgrounds.
This guide will explore the five best neighbourhoods to stay in Pittsburgh divided by travel need, interest and budget.
Downtown Pittsburgh is set at the centre of the city. This small and walkable neighbourhood is where youll find good shopping, interesting attractions, and plenty of incredible views.
Head across the river to the North Side. This neighbourhood is home to a myriad of famous attractions and art galleries and is where youll find a good selection of reasonably priced accommodations.
Another Great Airbnb In Strip District: Stunning Urban Loft
This centrally located chic urban loft offers a large open floor plan with high ceilings, exposed beams, ventilation system and hardwood floors throughout. Its in the heart of Strip District, within walking distance of great restaurants, coffee shops, fresh produce and lively night life. But dont worry, since youll have the whole place to yourself, noone will disturb your hangover recovery. Create tasty meals in the fully equipped kitchen or just chill on the sofa while watching a bit of Netflix. And if you want to explore the neighborhood, there are plenty of cool attractions around as well.
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Downtown Pittsburgh Where To Stay For The First Time
Downtown Pittsburgh is, as you can imagine, right in the middle of the action. Occupying the iconic pointed area of land which splits the Ohio river in two, this area absolutely teems with activities and attractions making it the most popular place to stay for first-time visitors. In Downtown Pittsburgh, you will find a mix of modern skyscrapers that make up the central business district, historical places of interest like Point State Park, as well as great theatres and restaurants in the cultural district .
With so many of the citys top attractions located here in this small, walkable neighborhood, you may even think you never have to leave! But dont worry, Downtown Pittsburghs central location is well connected to all the other parts of the city by a great system of bridges and public transport. I highly recommend you walk across the bridge to ride the Duquesne Incline for an incredible view of the city.
Being such a popular part of the city, its easy to find great hotels as well as restaurants, bars, and museums. Here are your top options for each price range in Downtown Pittsburgh.
- See whats happening at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center
- Head across the bridge and ride the Duquesne Incline
Accommodations Within 5 Blocks Of Upmc Presbyterian
Family House provides a special “home away from home” for patients and/or families who must travel to Pittsburgh for treatment.
Family House University Place
- Free shuttle service to UPMC facilities
- Hospital patient rate
- UPMC preferred lodging provider for patients and their loved ones
Family House Neville
- Free shuttle service to UPMC facilities
- Hospital patient rate
- UPMC preferred lodging provider for patients and their loved ones
Quality Inn University Center
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pittsburgh Pa
What are the best areas to stay in Pittsburgh?
Downtown is the best place to stay for most visitors to Pittsburgh due to its overwhelming number of accommodations and attractions as well as its central location. Point State Park is another added bonus that gives you the perfect place to relax right in the middle of the city!
What areas to avoid in Pittsburgh?
The areas around Homewood and The Hill District are best to avoid due to their slightly higher crime rates. This is not hard to do as there arent many hotels or attractions in these areas, meaning you probably wont have a reason to go there.
Is Pittsburgh a walkable city?
Yes! Most attractions are within walking distance of hotels. In fact, it is highly recommended to travel on foot due to the limited options for parking. That being said, the city is still large, so its best to take public transportation to further out locations.
Is Downtown Pittsburgh safe at night?
Yes, as this area is mainly a tourist and business district, it is relatively safe to walk around at night. Of course, you should always be wary of dark alleyways but not more than you would in any other city.
Hopefully, you have found the information here helpful, and you have found the perfect place where to stay in Pittsburgh. There are things to see and explore on both the north side and south side of the city, so finding an ideal place to stay can be really hard.
Things To See And Do In Strip District
- Start your day with delicious pancakes at Pamelas P& G Diner.
- Sip espressos at La Prima.
- Dig deep into a plate of incredible seafood at Luke Wholeys Wild Alaskan Grille.
- Sample local artisan small batch whiskey at the Wigle Whiskey Distillery.
- Try award-winning local rum at Maggies Farm.
- Enjoy upscale sustainable seafood at Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar.
- Grab a spot and enjoy a fun night of bottle-only beers and pool at Leftys.
- Party the night away at the Real Luck Club, a no-nonsense bi-level gay bar with booze, DJs and go-go dancers.
- Dance until dawn at Cavo Night Club.
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Best Airbnb In Pittsburgh: Noble Apartment In The City
If you stay here, you are guaranteed to see the best side of Pittsburg! This walkable location is ideal for those who want to explore the city on foot. With iconic views of the night lights and a number of tasty restaurants nearby, you wont need to travel too far. And if you have midnight munchies, theres a 24/7 convenient store across the street! Its easily one of the best Airbnbs in Pittsburgh and wed definitely recommend staying here if you want to get some real value for your money!
Why Avoid The Strip District
As we absolutely love the Strip District, we may be a bit biased in saying there are few reasons to avoid this one. That being said, most of the businesses in the Strip District are only open in the morning through late after noon such that the foot traffic in this vibrant neighborhood dies down later in the day.
Most restaurants and bars remain open for dinner and clubs even open up at night on weekends. But this neighborhood is best enjoyed in the morning and early afternoon to get the true experience .
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North Side Where To Stay In Pittsburgh On A Budget
Just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh is the North Side neighbourhood. Once part of the independent city of Allegheny, North Side is today one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in Pittsburgh. Here youll find a great selection of arts and cultural attractions, including the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center and the Mattress Factory, a museum of contemporary art that showcases room-size installations.
The North Side neighbourhood is also our recommendation for where to stay in Pittsburgh if youre travelling on a budget. This charming neighbourhood has a good selection of affordable hotels and apartments for rent.
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Hotel Options In Downtown Pittsburgh Include:
- Embassy Suites Downtown Located on the top floors of the Oliver Building. Comfortable rooms and most have great views regardless of direction. Stellar cocktails at the bar with views right into PNC Park.
- A Discover the Burgh favorite!
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