In town for Steelers Game Nov 20

Some friends and I are flying into Pittsburgh to watch the Steelers game that night (Thursday). We are flying in that afternoon (4pm) and kickoff is at 8pm. We haven%26#39;t booked a hotel yet, but will likely book something downtown as near Heinz Field as possible.

I am wondering if you would recommend us renting a car and driving in from the airport to the hotel (or directly to the game), or would a cab/shuttle be a better option? There are 5 in our group, but none of us are very familiar with the Pittsburgh area, and are unsure of what traffic/parking will be like.Are we pushing our luck by flying in at 4pm for an 8pm kickoff?? We are only there for the one night (we%26#39;re flying out to Montreal the next day to catch the Grey Cup in Montreal), so we probably won%26#39;t use the car for much more then going back and forth between the airport and hotel (unless there is a ';must see if your in Pittsburgh for only one night'; kind of place that isn%26#39;t within walking distance).

We would probably look to go out to a pub or sports bar kind of place. Are there any places that would be near Heinze field?

Thanks.

In town for Steelers Game Nov 20

I don%26#39;t know if it%26#39;d be worth it to rent a car or not. The travel from the airport to Pittsburgh isn%26#39;t bad, but then again it%26#39;ll be rush hour on a Thursday (although, you are going into town when many others will be heading out). Parking is horrible, but if you stay in one of the hotels near by, I%26#39;m sure they would have parking for you.

There is a bus that runs from the airport downtown called the airport flyer, I%26#39;d check into that to see how much it is. It may actually be cheaper to rent a car than pay for 5 bus tickets downtown then back to the airport.

I don%26#39;t know for sure, but I doubt most downtown hotels provide a shuttle to the airport. You could check their sites to make sure, but my guess would be no.

Any hotel in downtown would be pretty close to Heinz Field. The closest is the Springhill Suites. A friend of mine stayed there a couple weeks ago and paid between 150-200(forget what he said exactly) and it was 18 to park. The second closest would be the Renaissance. The other hotels you could walk or taxi to the field, but I%26#39;d look at those two first.

As for nightlife, there is a nightclub/bar McFadden%26#39;s right beside PNC Park (a couple blocks from Heinz) and Jerome Bettis has a restaurant/bar right beside Heinz.

Check out all your options, but I would probably look into renting a car and staying at the Springhill Suites. Then, after the game, heading to one of McFaddens or Bettis%26#39; for a few drinks (I would say McFaddens would probably be more of a fun atmosphere). It%26#39;ll be an easy drunken walk back to the hotel.

In town for Steelers Game Nov 20

You are pushing it a bit by arriving at 4...not that you won%26#39;t make kickoff but traffic is a nightmare for Steelers weekday night games. Given that you%26#39;re not going to use a car to go anywhere but back and forth, I would opt for a cab (it will be expensive) or the Airport Flyer. Here is the Port Authority (bus) web site. http://www.portauthority.org/paac/

One thing I would do is leave a lot of time to get back to the airport. It is always packed the day after Steeler games. Good luck! Steeler games tend to be a ';critical mass'; time in Pittsburgh so you need to plan for that. I would also make your hotel reservation quickly. (And there are plenty of bars between Heinz Field and PNC Park)

I%26#39;d also vote against renting a car, unless you find an amazing deal. Factoring in cost and aggravation of driving during peak traffic in an unfamiliar city, cab or shuttle is probably the best bet.

Last time we were in for a Steelers game we stayed at the Quality Suites in Green Tree. Not spectacular, but good and with big rooms. They had a free shuttle van to take guests to the Steelers game, and it was much cheaper than the downtown or North Shore hotels.

I would get a shuttle from the airport and stay at the Springhill Suites-North Shore it is a beautiful hotel and in walking distance to Heinz field. If you are only going to be here for the one night there is really no need for a car cause you can just get a shuttle back to the airport in the am. As far as night life you have a few options right around Heinz Field as previously suggested I would go to McFadden%26#39;s or Bettis place. Again no need for a car you can walk to Heinz Field from the Springhill Suites and there are bars and restaurants right there as well. Have Fun!!! Pittsburgh is a GREAT city!!!!!!

If it were my 1st time to Pittsburgh, I%26#39;d want to enter the city thru the tunnels with someone else driving. It is one of the most wonderful sights for native Pittsburghers and I%26#39;m sure for many visitors. I%26#39;d suggest either a taxi or even a limo from the airport (more room in a limo for 5 of you). Check out www.pitairport.com for listing of transportation companies with phone numbers. I don%26#39;t think any of them have website links :(. Have fun - and don%26#39;t forget to bring your TERRIBLE TOWEL!

I would take the airport flyer bus 28X only a couple bucks one way...stay somewhere either downtown or the north shore...there is spring hill suites like mentioned earlier....hilton downtown...sheraton in station square.....