da 'Burgh...
When you get back from your steel-island, I'll give you a lowdown on da 'Burgh... it was a long pitstop in my adventurous past! It can be a fun city if you're in the right places!
Based on the addie of the
Holiday Inn D), it's northeast Pittsburgh near Fox Chapel (an area more-or-less like our Westlake). A sleepy but swank 'burb close to town, if you will.
If you got a rental, you're not far from the Strip District (eating/drinking establishments, warehouse/industrial type of vibe in the general area).
There's nearby Squirrel Hill & Shadyside areas (kinda like the Triangle & the Arboretum areas we have here, eating/drinking/shopping).
Otherwise, The South Side area (namely Carson Street, similar to our Warehouse District) & nearby Station Square are lively & entertaining places (eating/drinking/etc), both located on the other side of the river across downtown. Also, you can grab a nearby incline-trolley & head up to Mt. Washington, a very scenic spot w/ the best view of any city anywhere, along w/ great restaurants & cafes.
And then there's Oakland, which is where Pitt & CMU are; typical urban campuses but w/ very scenic buildings & landmarks, and nice museums/parks nearby (Carnegie Museum, Phipps Conservatory, Frick Fine Arts, Schenley Park, etc').
Not sure if any sporting events happening when you're around, but PNC Park (Pirates baseball), Heinz Field (Stillers & Panthers football), Peterson Center (Panthers basketball), Consol Center (Pens hockey) are all excellent venues to take in a game.
No need to meander over to East Pittsburgh, Hill District, Wilkinsburg, Homewood, etc'.