Pittsburgh Facts

To quote local singer/composer Jimmy Sapienza, Pittsburgh is a big-time city with a small-town heart.

HISTORY

Pittsburgh was named in 1758 by Gen. John Forbes in honor of British statesman Sir William Pitt. It was incorporated as a borough in 1794 and chartered as a city in 1816.

In 1890, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names deemed that all cities ending in "burgh" would drop the "h." "Pittsburgers" protested the change for two decades and in 1911, the "h" was restored. The spelling still confuses people. In an ePodunk.com survey Pittsburgh topped the list of the ten most misspelled cities.

WEATHER

We love to complain but the weather in Pittsburgh is relatively mild (for the Northeast at least). The average high temperature in November is 53 degrees, the low, 33 degrees. The average precipitation is 3.05 inches. In summer, things warm up a bit with an average high temperature of 82.7 degrees and a low of 62.4 degrees. The average precipitation is 3.96 inches.

DOWNTOWN

Downtown is very pedestrian friendly in terms of its size. Those who like to walk can park the car and stroll to the various shops and sites and walk over the Clemente Bridge on Sixth Street to PNC Park. At many Downtown intersections, motorists cannot turn right on red, but crossing on foot at some intersections still can be crazy. Keep your eyes open.

PARKING

There are more than 20,000 spaces Downtown and several lots available on the North Shore next to or near PNC Park.

Fees at North Shore lots/garages range from $10 to $20, but may be higher during special events.

Most of the Downtown lots charge $5 on weekends, but often charge higher rates during special events. All-day parking Downtown on weekdays can be high -- up to $14 a day in some garages. Cheapest are $6 flat fee at the Second Avenue lot and $8 flat fee on the Mon Wharf.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Port Authority Transit (412-442-2000, www.ridegold.com) operates buses throughout Allegheny County (blue-and-white signs at stops). The light-rail transit system ("T") connects Downtown with Station Square, Allentown and the South Hills. The base fare is $1.75 (exact change). Transfers are 50 cents, and zone fares go up to $2.75. The T is free Downtown, and buses are free Downtown until 7 p.m.

Children under 5 ride free; seniors ride free except 7-8 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m. weekdays. Half fares for children 6-11 and people with disabilities during nonpeak hours. Weekly, monthly and yearly passes and discounted 10-ride tickets available.

PAT's 28X Airport Flyer provides service between Oakland and the Pittsburgh International Airport. Fares are $2.25 one way.

For PNC Park: Fifteen Port Authority bus routes serve the stop on Sandusky Street at Isabella Street, just one block east of PNC Park. Those routes are 1A New Kensington, 1B Saxonburg Boulevard, 1C Middle Road, 1D Mt. Royal, 1F Millvale, 6A Troy Hill, 6C Spring Garden, 6D Spring Looper, 11A McKnight, 12A North Hills Shopper, 16A Ohio River Boulevard, 16B Brighton, 16F City View, 17B Avalon-Shadeland and 500 Highland Park-Bellevue.

Pirates fans can access those routes at one of four downtown stops: Liberty Avenue at Seventh Street, Liberty Avenue at Sixth Street, Liberty Avenue at Tito Way or Penn Avenue at Eighth Street.

Six Port Authority bus routes serve the stop on Anderson Street at Isabella Street, just two blocks east of PNC Park. Those routes are 11C Perry Highway, 11D Perrysville, 11E Fineview, 11F West View, 16D Manchester and 501 Manchester-Wilkinsburg. Pirates fans can access 16D and 501 service from the stop on Liberty at Wood Street, while the other routes serve the stop on Penn Avenue at Tito Way.

Most buses returning to Downtown from the North Shore will serve the stop on Sandusky Street at Isabella Street approaching the Andy Warhol Bridge.

Port Authority's Wood Street Subway Station is located near all the above stops and is just two blocks from the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which provides pedestrian access to PNC Park.

CAB SERVICE

Cabs can be accessed outside most Downtown hotels. Approximate fares from Downtown to Pittsburgh International Airport:

Yellow Cab (412-321-8100) -- $31.
Checker Cab (412-664-5600) -- $33.
People's Cab (412-441-3200) -- $33

AIRPORT

Pittsburgh International Airport, west of Pittsburgh on Route 60 in Findlay, 412-472-3525, or www.pitairport.com. Parking information 412-472-5050.

AIRPORT SHUTTLES

Shuttle service by Express Shuttles USA or other operators are available between the airport and the following hotels:

Double Tree Hotel Pittsburgh City Center, One Bigelow Square, 412-281-5800

Hilton Pittsburgh and Towers, 600 Commonwealth 412-391-4600.

Marriott Pittsburgh City Center, 112 Washington Place, 412-471-4000

Omni William Penn, 530 William Penn Place, 412-281-7100

Renaissance Pittsburgh Marriott, 107 6th St., 412-562-1200

Sheraton Hotel Station Square, 300 W. Station Square, 412-261-2000

Westin Pittsburgh Convention Center, 1000 Penn Avenue, 412-281-3700

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Pittsburgh-South Side, 412-488-1130

Courtyard Marriott, Shadyside, 412-683-3113

Shadyside Inn, 412-441-4444

ROLLIN' ON THE RIVER

The Gateway Clipper Fleet (412-355-7980, www.gatewayclipper.com/shuttle.html) provides service for North Shore sports events. Shuttle service begins two hours prior to a Pirates game and three hours before a Steelers game. Tickets are $6 round trip and can be purchased on the Station Square dock prior to boarding. Shuttle tickets are sold day of the event only.

ALCOHOL SALES

Pennsylvania law requires that liquor and beer be sold separately. State Liquor Stores sell liquor. Private distributors sell beer.

Downtown Pittsburgh Liquor Store, 1601 Liberty Ave., 412-565-7606
North Side Liquor Store, 3202 Brighton Road, 412-732-3323
Squirrel Hill Liquor Store, 1824 Murray Ave., 412-420-2000
Shadyside Liquor Store, 5430 Centre Ave., 412-688-1938
Pittsburgh Liquor Store, 1160 Park Manor Blvd., 412-747-6061
Oakland Liquor Store, 219 Atwood St., 412-688-1943