Thursday, July 31, 2008

Calling a cab

Taxi Service is also available in the Greater Pittsburgh area. The area's two largest cab companies are Yellow Cab (412-665-8100) and People's Cab (412-681-3131). As a warning for visitors from other cities, don't expect to be able to hail a cab anytime you want. Cabs generally require a phone call to arrange for a pickup, or ask a Hilton Doorman to call you one. Cabs are also available at the Pittsburgh International Airport.

Typical Fare: $1.80 drop charge/$1.40 per mile

A cab ride from Pittsburgh International Airport to downtown is about $30.

Fares are subject to change without notice.

We have Zipcars, too!

Want to visit some long lost relatives while you're here but don't want to rent a car?
Zipcar is an innovative, economical, and environmentally responsible way to get around Pittsburgh. With a Zipcar account, share access to any of fifty vehicles downtown and in the greater Pittsburgh area. You reserve a car online or by phone; drive, and then return to the car's designated parking space, all for one hourly rate that covers gas, premium insurance and 180 free miles. All you pay for is the drive. There's a zipcar spot located outside the Gateway Center Parking Garage across from the Hilton's side entrance on Liberty Avenue.

Public Transportation in the 'Burgh

Subway - The 'T'
The 'T' is Pittsburgh's small but clean and safe 25.2-mile subway and light rail system. Underground, the music is classical, the art whimsical and travel within downtown is FREE. Downtown 'T' rides within the free fare zone are free all of the time between Gateway Center, Wood Street, Steel Plaza, Penn Station, and First Avenue. The subway will also deliver you across the river to Station Square on the South Side for a minimum $1.oo fare. After traveling under the Monongahela River, the 'T' runs above ground along three different lines into Pittsburgh's south suburbs.


Public Bus System - PAT 
Bus transportation is free within the downtown Golden Triangle zone from 4:00AM - 7:00PM!  
They operate under a zone fare structure where the amount of fare is based on trip length from Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle or Central Business District. Higher fares are paid for trips crossing more than one zone.

Fares are collected as the rider boards on an inbound, or downtown-bound trip and as the rider exits the outbound or suburban-bound trip, with some exceptions. Since Port Authority operators neither carry change nor make change, riders must be prepared to pay exact fare or pay an amount in excess of the prevailing fare.

Within the blue Downtowner Zone, which includes Station Square, Allegheny Center, Allegheny General Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Duquesne University, the new stadiums, Mellon Arena, and the Strip District, the bus fare is only $1.25 between these areas and Downtown Pittsburgh.

Curious about our two inclines?

Duquesne & Monongahela Inclines Thousands of visitors each year marvel at the breathtaking view of the city of Pittsburgh while riding two of only a few remaining inclines in the country, the Monongahela ('Mon') & Duquesne Inclines. Many residents also use the inclines on a daily basis to get down to the base of Mt. Washington where they can hop a bus or the 'T' over to downtown. The Mon Incline sits across from downtown Pittsburgh at Carson Street and the historic Smithfield Street Bridge and transports people from the shops and restaurants at Station Square up to the top of Mt. Washington where more restaurants and several city overlooks await them. The Duquesne Incline, serving Pittsburgh since May 20, 1877, still transports passengers on the original incline cars with gorgeous hand-carved cherry panels and stained glass transoms. The Incline is also a working museum with historic photographs and displays of both the Incline and the City of Pittsburgh as well as pictures of other cable and rail cars from around the world.

All Duquesne Incline riders pay at the Lower Station (this is the one you can see from the Hilton)
Speed: 6 miles per hour
Passenger: Capacity 23 per car
Fares:
$2.00 cash fare each way
$1.00 Child (age 6-11) or Disabled, cash fare each way
Group rates are available upon request (Call 412-381-1665)
Hours:
Monday through Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
Sundays and Holidays 7:00 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.

All Mon Incline riders pay at the Upper Station (this is the one you can walk to from Station Square)
Speed: 6 miles per hour
Passenger: Capacity 23 per car
Opened: May 28, 1870
Renovated: 1882 (with steel structure)
Renovated: 1982-83 new track structure, cars and stations
Renovated: 1994 upper, lower stations, restored cars, replaced electric motors and controls

Fares:
$2.00 cash fare each way (roundtrip $2.50 with transfer valid for three hours)
$1.00 Child (age 6-11) or Disabled, cash fare each way (roundtrip $1.25, with transfer valid for three hours)
Hours:
Monday through Saturday 5:30 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.
Sundays and Holidays 8:45 a.m. to Midnight

Bringing your laptop?

Yes, the Pittsburgh Hilton has free wireless! You'll receive their password when you arrive.

You might also like to check out WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh
WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh offers two free hours of wireless Internet access daily in outdoor locations throughout the the entire downtown Pittsburgh area.

If you sit near a window, you can pick up the free WiFi in some indoor locations as well.
Connecting Step-by-Step
1. Locate the wireless icon on your desktop toolbar and right click.
2. Click on "Viewable Wireless Networks."
3. Select "WiFi Pittsburgh" and click "Connect."
4. Once connected, click on your Internet browser (you will receive the WiFi Downtown Pittsburgh page).
5. If not already registered, click on the "Register Now" box and follow the instructions.
6. Once registered, you can surf the Internet anywhere outdoors Downtown for two hours free. The two free hours of Wi-Fi is good for a single 24-hour period.
7. Next time you use the network, just type in your password and go!

Need a good cup of coffee?

Pittsburghers definitely love their coffee. Did you know that according to AC Nielsen, Pittsburgh supermarkets sell about 3.4 pounds of ground coffee per capita each year, more than those in any other big U.S. city! Most Pittsburgh coffee houses sell coffee beans by the pound as well as coffee by the cup. Nicholas Coffee Co. has been roasting and selling gourmet coffee beans in Pittsburgh since 1919. Their Market Square landmark store in downtown Pittsburgh (just a few blocks from the Hilton) is a great place for a cup of coffee, and also offers teas and specialty foods from all over the world. You can buy Nicholas Coffee on the Internet, too - they roast it fresh and ship it the same day.


Starbucks Coffee Shops are also located in Market Square and on the corner of 6th and Penn.

For a shorter walk try Crazy Mocha located in Gateway Center (in the plaza directly behind the Hilton) or in their second location in PPG Place.

Need to take a walk?

Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle occupies a compact 50-acre area bordered by Grant Street to the east, Penn Avenue to the north and the Boulevard of the Allies to the south. You're never more than a few blocks to your destination, and downtown is easy to walk and nicely scaled for pedestrian enjoyment. There are parks and plazas spaced conveniently between office towers and retail corridors.

With this walking tour guide in hand, you can walk the route in whatever way is most convenient for you.

This route will be marked on a map found inside your Delegate bag.
1. Begin at Point State Park.
2. Follow Liberty Avenue to Stanwix Street.
3. Enter the Gateway Center Station and ride the FREE “T” to Steel Plaza.
4. Explore Grant Street and take Seventh Avenue to William Penn Place and Mellon Square.
5. Walk through Mellon Square to Sixth Avenue and continue on Sixth to Wood Street.
6. Follow Wood Street to Forbes Avenue, Market Square, and PPG Place.
7. Return to Stanwix Street, Liberty Avenue, and Point State Park.


Or if you want to eliminate paper altogether, click here to download audio and video clips of various Pittsburgh Points of Interest with Moegoes, mobile technology through your handheld or phone.
http://www.mogoes.com/getmo/pittsburgh.php

Where to Eat?

Inside the Hilton you'll find...
The Promenade Cafe for classic American cuisine. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mon-Sat, 6:30am - 10:00pm
Three Rivers Sports Pub
Watch your favorite game and enjoy a Domestic or Imported draft beer or cocktail. Open daily at 11:30am
Scenes Lounge
Conveniently located in the lobby to relax where they offer breakfast pastries and coffee in the mornings and microbeer, martinis or cold beverages in the evenings.

The Hilton also has an electronic Restaurant Kiosk where you can find local eateries and print them.

Outside the Hilton you'll find these restaurants within walking distance
.
Look for a map inside your Delegate Bag with these locations clearly marked.
Breakfast:
Gateway Cafe
also serving Krispy Kremes (1/2 block)
Crazy Mocha in Gateway Plaza use rear Hilton entrance (1/2 block)
McDonalds (2 blocks)
Wendy's (behind McDonalds) 2 blocks
Fifth Avenue Place Food Court across from McDonalds/Wendy's on Liberty (2 blocks) Au bon Pain, 5th Avenue Beanery
Einstein Bagels, Starbucks, Crazy Mocha, Dunkin Donuts 3 blocks in Market Square

Lunch:
On Penn Avenue (2 blocks) McDonalds, Wendy's, Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
Market Square (3 blocks) George Aikens Sandwiches, Moe's Southwest Grill, Cherries Diner, Subway, LaGondola Pizza, Mix Stirs Cafe, Primanti Brothers
PPG Building 2 Food Court adjacent to a bubbling fountain plaza (3 blocks) Au bon Pain, Fernando's Gourmet Eatery, Grecian Isles, Little China, Sbarro's, French Tart, Market St. Deli
Fifth Avenue Place Food Court (2 blocks) Caffe Amante, Au bon Pain, Charley's Grilled Subs, Flamers, Fresh Corner, Sbarro, Wok & Grill
Along Penn Avenue (2 blocks) Six Penn Kitchen, Subway, Vocelli Pizza, India Palace tucked around corner from Vocelli's
Along Sixth Avenue (3 blocks) Giovanni's Pizza, Salonika Gyros

Dinner:
On Stanwix (2 blocks) use rear Hilton entrance through Gateway Plaza to Max & Erma's 412.471.1140
Market Square (3 blocks) 1902 Landmark Tavern 412.471.1902, Original Oyster House for great fish sandwiches 412.566.7925, Cia Baby 412.281.7400
Six PPG PLace (4 blocks) Ruth's Chris Steakhouse 412.391.4800, River City Inn, Cafe Amante 412.391.1226
Along Penn Avenue (3-4 blocks) Six Penn Kitchen 412.566.7366, Bravo Franco's 412.642.6677
Along Sixth Avenue (3 blocks) Lemon Grass Cafe, Christos Greek Taverna, Cafe Milano, Palazzo, Olive or Twist 412.255.0525
Gateway Center behind the "T" station (2 blocks) Palomino 412.642.7711

Parking Notes

The 15thAAC has arranged for discounted parking in the closest lot to the Hilton during your stay in Pittsburgh. Look for the special page of discount coupons inside your Delegate Bag which will entitle you to a $14 discount rate for 12-24 hour parking . This rate (normally $19) is for one vehicle in the InterPark Garage, on 625 Stanwix Street right across from Max & Erma's. It's an easy one block walk through the courtyards of Gateway Center to and from the Hilton Hotel. Each driver must present a coupon to the cashier for validation before proceeding to their vehicle. The Cashier Booth is located next to the "Pay-Station" in the ground floor elevator lobby. There are *** No In & Out Privileges *** however, you will receive a sheet of 4 coupons to be used during your stay.
Inter Park412-355-0414
625 Stanwix St # 1, Pittsburgh, PA
Reviews Map Directions Send to Cell
Your $14 (12-24 hours) coupons are valid here.
Weekdays 4:00a-4:00p
0.5 to 1 Hour $7
1 to 1.5 Hours $10
1.5 to 2 Hours $12
2 -12 Hours $14
12-24 Hours $14 ($19 w/o coupon)
Evenings in after 4:00p out by 4:00am - $5
Weekends less than 1 hour - $5, 1 hour to max - $8


If you don't mind a short walk....Another available lot is a 2 block walk from the Hilton on Penn Avenue at the 6th and Penn Avenue Parking Garage, http://www.alcoparking.com/pldetails.cfm?pid=24
Regular Rates
0 -1/2 Hour $3.00
1/2 Hour - 2 Hours $7.00
2 Hours - 4 Hours $9.00
4 Hours - 24 Hours $12.00
Night Rates: After 4:00pm $5.00
Weekend Rates: Saturday and Sunday $5.00


A 3 block walk from the Hilton and just one block to the left of the Sixth and Penn Garage is the Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Sixth Street Parking Garage. There's a wonderful view of PNC Park and the Clemente Bridge is adjacent. 126 Sixth Street, Pittsburgh PA
Day Rate Charges - Monday through Friday, 6:00a-3:59p
1 Hour or Less -- $ 3.75
2 Hours or Less -- $ 4.75
4 Hours or Less -- $ 7.50
4 to 24 Hours -- $ 9.75
Night Rate Charges - Mon. through Fri. 4:00p-5:59a
Weekend and Holiday Rates - all day Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
1 Hour or Less -- $ 2.00 2 Hours or Less -- $ 3.00 2 to 24 Hours -- $ 5.00

Across the street from the side entrance to the Hilton, near the Pittsburgh Information Booth, on 400 Liberty Ave. is the Gateway Center Garage underground lot. Escort service provided .

Spaces are limited but the prices are:
up to 1/2 hour - $6.00 up to 1 hour - $10.00
up to 2 hours - $14.00 up to 5 hours - $17.00
Daily Max (exit before 7am) - $19.00
Night Rate - Monday Thursday 4:00p-7:00a - $6.00

This garage is a four block walk from the Hilton and near PPG Place in the Kossman Building.
Central Parking Systems412-471-1741
400 Stanwix St, Pittsburgh, PA
Reviews Map Directions Send to Cell
Up to 1 hour - $10.00
up to 2 hours - $16.00
2 hours til closing @ 11:00p or overnight - $19.00

To drive or fly to Pittsburgh?

Did you know that 50% of the US population is within an 8 hour drive or 90 minute flight from Pittsburgh? With fluctuating gas prices you might like to consider these facts.


Erie 126 miles 40 minutes by plane 2.5 hours by car
Cleveland 129 miles 40 minutes by plane 2.5 hours by car
Baltimore 218 miles 1 hour by plane 4.5 hours by car
Washington, DC 221 miles 1 hour by plane 5 hours by car
Cincinnati 295 miles 1 hour by plane 6 hours by car
Philadelphia 295 miles 1 hour by plane 6 hours by car

Toronto 324 miles 1.25 hours by plane 6 hours by car
New York 368 miles 1.25 hours by plane 7 hours by car
Chicago 452 miles 80 minutes by plane 8 hours by car
Boston 593 miles 1.5 hours by plane 10 hours by car
St. Paul 849 miles 2.25 hours by plane 15 hours by car
Omaha 891 miles 2.5 hours by plane 16 hours by car

Miami 1168 miles 3 hours by plane 21 hours by car
Dallas 1228 miles 3 hours by plane 23 hours by car
Seattle 2006 miles 5 hours by plane 44 hours by car
Phoenix 2118 miles 4.5 hours by plane 40 hours by car
Los Angeles 2445 miles 5 hours by plane 48 hours by car
San Francisco 2587 miles 5.5 hours by plane 50 hours by car

Pittsburgh International Airport

Pittsburgh International Airport is only 25 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh.

The cheapest and most efficient airport transportation to the Hilton Hotel is the Port Authority 28X Flyer.
Look for it outside Baggage Claim near Ground Transportation. To download a hand schedule click here.
http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/tabid/241/default.aspx
This bus departs every 20 minutes and carries over 40,000 riders every week. The fare is $2.60.
Operators do not carry change. Exact change is required when paying your fare.
You are responsible for handling your bags both on and off the vehicle.
Because this is public transportation, tipping operators is not permitted.

The Airport Flyer Bus Shuttle conveniently loads and unloads across the street from the Hilton Hotel.