Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

19 miles/25 minutes to PNC Park

WHERE TO STAY? Hotels Near PNC Park (all are within walking distance)

Unlimited Budget 

Spring Hill Suites by Marriott North Shore

Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel

Omni World Penn Hotel

Moderate Budget 

The Priory Hotel

Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown

Double Tree Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Pittsburgh South Side

Chaser Budget Traveler – both options are within 3.5 miles of PNC Park

Comfort Inn & Suites Pittsburgh

Hampton Inn Pittsburgh Greentree

WHERE TO PARK?

The north side of PNC Park offers several parking lots and paid garages. Parking ranges from $5-$20 on the North side of the stadium. If you are coming in from the East, West, or South side of PNC Park, Ballpark Chasers suggests parking downtown Pittsburgh and walking over the Clemente Bridge. The bridge provides a great view of the stadium as well as parking lots starting at only $5. 

Ballpark Chasers Tip: look out for Station Square and let their Gateway Clipper Shuttle boat take you across the Allegheny River. Parking at Station Square is typically $6-20 and the round trip ticket on the Gateway Clipper is $12.

WHERE TO EAT?

As the locals say, you can’t come to Pittsburgh and not stop for a sandwich at Primanti Bros. They must be doing a few things right since the first Primanti’s opened as a street vendor during the Great Depression! Don’t be fooled by thinking you can grab a sandwich inside PNC Park. You need to experience an actual Primanti’s restaurant (the closest is on Market Pl- a 1o minute walk from PNC Park). When your sandwich comes topped with French fries and coleslaw, don’t be scared, it’s amazing!

Two other restaurants that are highly recommended by Ballpark Chasers are Atria’s Restaurant & Tavern and Mullen’s Bar & Grill. Atria’s is another local favorite with seven locations in Pennsylvania, one of them being located on the grounds of PNC Park. They have a diverse menu, offering everything from steaks and seafood to pasta and chicken dishes. Mullen’s, on the other hand, is just one block away from the ballpark and is a great Irish-themed sports bar with plenty of televisions to watch your favorite team. It’s one of those “neighborhood” restaurants to hang out in and hear conversations about their towns beloved Steelers and not so beloved Pirates.

Ballpark Chasers Favorite Bar- Jerome Bettis Grille

Once inside the ballpark, the Jim Bean Left Field Lounge is PNC's social spot . This sports bar is located just beyond left field and offers 20 flat screen televisions, an outdoor patio and bar, an amazing menu and a great view of the field. This restaurant and bar is exclusively for ticket holders and will open on game days 30 minutes prior to the main gates. For a quicker option, head over to the third base side for Pops Plaza, a food court with a variety of options. Our favorites include Chickie's and Pete's for their famous crab fries and Chicken-on-the-Hill for their sandwiches. Try the Ballpark Chasers meal which includes a beef gyro from Papa Dukes (Section 117), a brunch burger and a local micro-brew of your choice from Beers of the Burgh concession.   

Ballpark Chaser Favorite: Tatchos. It's a combination of tater tots and nachos, of course. We also enjoy the Cuban Pretzel Dog. It's a hot dog topped with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, Dijon & pickles, wrapped in a warm pretzel bun. Cracker Jack & Mac Dog - a hot dog with Cracker Jacks, mac and cheese, salted caramel sauce and fried jalapenos on naan bread.

New food at PNC Park

Pittsburgh Cone - A waffle cone stuffed with pierogis, kielbasa, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.

Cinnamon Chipotle Loaded Tochos - tater tots covered with cinnamon spiced pulled pork, grilled red onions, green onions topped with a chipotle maple syrup glaze.

Shipwreck Sundae - Jumbo marshmallows coated with chocolate and a dusting of graham crackers served on top of ice cream in a souvenir helmet sundae bowl.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?

PNC Park was on average 62% full during the 2017 season. As the Bucs struggle to be a playoff caliber ballclub, we expect attendance to struggle this season. We recommend pre-purchasing your tickets through the Pirates box office. If you choose to buy your tickets before the game, the Pirates offer a designated ticket reselling area between Heinz Field and PNC Park (at the corner of North Shore Drive and Dorsett Way). This is a great way to find tickets from fans and therefore bargains are easy to come by. Keep in mind that scalpers are required to buy and sell outside of this designated area.

WHEN TO GO?

Pittsburgh is a city that experiences four very distinct seasons. Summers tend to be warm and humid with frequent cloudy days that quickly turn into rainy days. May is traditionally the wettest month while August and September tend to bring less rain with warm and sunny weather.  PNC Park is an open-air ballpark, so don’t forget to bring a light rain jacket.

WHAT ELSE TO SEE?

Two fantastic sports museums within the Pittsburgh area are the Robert Clemente Museum and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. The Roberto Clemente Museum honors Roberto Clemente, the Major League Baseball right fielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Hall of Famer. The museum is located in the former Engine House No. 25, in the Lawrenceville section of in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (10 minute drive from PNC Park). The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, located within the Heinz History Museum, is walking distance to PNC Park. It offers an amazing collection of historical artifacts and exhibits, all related to Pittsburgh’s rich sports heritage. With more than 70 youth and adult interactive exhibits, audio/video programs and a two-story theater, Ballpark Chasers recommends this spot for more than just fans of Pittsburgh sports.

One of the most unique attractions in Pittsburgh is Bicycle Heaven, located less than two miles from PNC Park.  Bicycle Heaven Museum was established in 2011 by Craig & Mindy Morrow and is the world's largest bicycle museum & shop. During your visit you can get your bike fixed, rent a bike, or simply view the hundreds on display.  Their famous bicycles are in movies such as: A Beautiful Mind, Super 8, Fathers & Daughters, Fences and many others.  Our favorite is the original Pee-wee Herman bicycle from the cult-classic, Pee-wee's Big Adventure!

Before leaving town take a ride up the Duquesne Incline for one of the most “romantic spots” and “most beautiful views” in the country (according to MSN and USA Weekend Magazine). Open 365 days of the year, the Duquesne Incline offers Spectacular views of the downtown skyline, PNC Park, Heinz Field and the famous three rivers of Pittsburgh. A $5 ticket will get you parking, a round trip ticket in the antique car and a self guided tour of the machinery room ($2.50 for children ages 6-11). Ballpark Chasers will make an afternoon out of it by staying up top for a meal at one of the many restaurants on the top of Mt. Washington.

BALLPARK CHASERS VACATION? 

PNC Park is part of “The Rust Belt” Ballpark Chasers vacation. This trip includes seeing the Indians at Progressive Field and the Tigers at Comerica Park. Those Ballpark Chasers looking for a longer vacation also include Cincinnati to see the Reds play at Great American Ball Park. On average, the drive from PNC Park to Progressive Field takes 2 ½ hours, while Progressive Field to Comerica Park takes three hours. Make sure to have a comfortable car as it is nearly a five hour drive back to Pittsburgh from Detroit.

If your trip to Pittsburgh is short and you need a closer option, head down South to Washington, Pennsylvania, home of the Wild Things.  The Washington Wild Things are an independent baseball team that is part of the Midwest’s Frontier League. Another close option to see semi-pro baseball and check off another ballpark is in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Altoona Curve play at Blair County Ballpark, about a two hour drive from PNC Park. This is a must for Bucs fans as the Curve are the Pirates Double AA affiliate.