Lord_GG_Byron

Pittsburgh is a great place to visit with kids. Lived there when I was 5. Lots of childrens museums and places to visit.

Bomjeito

Oh, but the VIEW from the NY side to the Canadian side is really nice!

As for crossing over, be sure to take proof of right to be/return in USA - visa, green card, whatever. They care mostly that you are going back and not staying!

Duncan Roberts

I'd say 3-12 is probably the key ages but there is a lot of stuff there that I didn't see. I thought it seemed kind of lame when we first got there but after a while and seeing all the different things you can do it was pretty sweet.

Guindalf

Actually, now, a passport is required!

The passport card is OK for this crossing though.

Yorkieabroad

We've got a bunch of those fancy blue passports - they should work I think
Having said that, I bet I forget them because we'll be getting an internal flight to get there

Yorkieabroad

Update - we spent Spring Break "up there".

Ended up flying in/out of Cleveland for the weekend as it was $200 per head cheaper (Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Pacific Science center both excellent) then driving down to Pittsburgh for Mon-Thurs. A lot of stuff was closed until April, but had 2 days at the Carnegie Science Center, 1 day at the Childrens museum, another riding the inclines, walking the city and the rivers. Also managed to duck into Primanti's. All excellent. Very surprised with the city - a lot nicer than I'd expected - kind of reminded me of a combination of a few northern mill towns back home, even down to some pretty good curry houses!And everyone seemed to be in a good mood - maybe the unseasonably warm weather(?) - can't believe we took the ski jackets "just in case" - it was shorts and t-shirts all the way!
Then drove up to Niagara for 2 nights on the Canadian side, and I'm glad we did. Buffalo and the area around the NY side reminded me of the set from Mad Max. Views from that side of the falls very limited too. Canadian side definitely the way to go, although the "National Park" element was a bit run down to be honest - they could take some tips from some of the US National Parks. Shame the town had turned into an inland version of Blackpool seafront, but I guess they need to suck the money out of your wallet somehow, and they certainly succeeded in that! Restaurant prices were about double what we'd pay around here - not sure if thats the Canadian norm, or just a Niagara inflation element. But all in all, we had a good time there, and the falls were impressive!

Of the trip, the Kids' unanimous favorites were the Pittsburgh museums, which were "free" as we joined the Cleveland Science museum which has reciprocal rights.

So, some excellent tips guys - thanks a lot!

HumphreyC

I went to Pittsburgh airport - actually I should say I got stuck at Pittsburgh airport due to a dodgy connecting flight - and I found everyone there was incredibly friendly and in a good mood. Was taken aback by that; especially as it has the reputation as the epicenter of the collapse of the American steel industry. Everyone I met there was nice, except for one fellow - but judging by his huge mullet and the confederate flag on his leather jacket he was probably from the south.

Carla_California

My other half is from Pitt so well familiar. The kids museum is v good. Andy Warhol museum is worth a visit for adults and other than that there is decent shopping in the south side! If you fancy a drive then Ohiopile is a river that you can swim in, nice scenery. Kids seem to like it.

Sue

Hi Carla,

Don't want to hi-jack the thread but wanted to pop by and say hi and welcome you to the community. Hope you are enjoying it so far

MarylandNed

More like 4hrs and maybe longer if you have kids with you. DC is another option - there's plenty to see and do there. However, why add a long drive to your trip? Why not just research things to do in and around Pittsburgh?

MarylandNed

Not necessarily.

http://www.dhs.gov/files/crossingborders/travelers.shtm

A US citizen can use one of the following:
- Passport book
- Passport card
- Trusted traveler card (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- Enhanced driver's license

Yorkieabroad

You're right, it was more like 4 hours. Nice drive though - different scenery to round here. Washingtons about 4.5-5 in the other direction - hadn't realized it was that close. We may try that next time as it looks like my wife is going to be up that way till at least July.

Yorkieabroad

We were staying not far from the Warhol museum, but didn't make it this time - maybe next.
Thanks for the tip on the river - sounds like one for the summer!

Ethelred_the_Unready

Pittsburgh is statistically one of the safest cities in the US. I was trying to convince my wife to move there instead of Boston. She won.

MarylandNed

Having been there many times, I'd agree that the Canadian side is the best choice if you're only going to one side. However, you get a different look from the US side - Goat Island is worth a visit.