 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| ||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Rediscover Pittsburgh
By Kathleen Ganster
With gasoline prices hitting $2.25 a gallon in recent weeks, a long drive to the beach or the mountains looks less and less appealing, particularly in a mini-van or SUV. Instead of venturing too far out of town, why not rediscover our own home town? There are several great hidden treasures that don’t require a second mortgage just to pay for the gas to get there!
Tucked up on Troy Hill is a remarkable place - Saint Anthony’s Chapel located on Harpster Street. According to Sister Margaret Liam Glenane, Assistant Director of the Chapel, there are more than 5,000 religious relics -- more than anywhere else in the world with the exception of the Vatican. The chapel was dedicated on June 13, 1883 – the Feast of St. Anthony. There is also life size Stations of the Cross housed in an addition to the Chapel. Fortunately, Saint Anthony’s Chapel is open to the public. Chapel Visiting Hours are: Sunday open at 12:30 p.m., tours at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Chapel closes at 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1 to 4 p.m. Closed on holidays. The Chapel Gift Shop and Father Mollinger Museum is open Sundays, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Group tours may be made in advance by calling Most Holy Name of Jesus Rectory at 412-231-2994 or Chapel Office at 412-323-9504. Mass is held on Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. and at 7:30 p.m.
Take a Ducky Tour and learn all about Pittsburgh from a different view – from inside a vintage World War II amphibious vehicle. Go from land to water and back again while learning about the history and current day Pittsburgh. Perfect for a hot summer day! This is also great entertainment for out of town guests or those new to Pittsburgh. Contact 412- 928-2489 or www.justduckytours.com.
On hot, humid summer days visit the new South Side Works. The new entertainment complex is located on the banks of the Monongahela River – in the same site where LTV once operated a steel mill! Visit the 10-screen movie theater, an ice cream franchise, retailers and several restaurants.
I’m not much of a shopper but my teenage daughter and her friends are happy that the Pittsburgh Mills retail and entertainment center is in town. Located on 28 north, Pittsburgh Mills will include nearly 200 manufacturers’ and retail outlets, unique specialty stores and casual dining and entertainment venues.
Want to try kayaking? How about dragon boating – one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Maybe a beer hike is just up your alley. Venture Outdoors is a non-profit organization that offers endless outdoor opportunities for all ages and fitness levels. My favorites are the All Terrain Hikes on portions of the Rachel Carson Trail. Call 412 – 255-0564 or www.ventureoutdoors.org. For more information.
Have you visited the new Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens? In the middle of a huge expansion and update which includes a new environment-friendly visitor welcome center and a 12,000 square-foot tropical forest conservatory. The project will be completed in 2007. Telephone 412-622.6914 or www.philpps.conservatory.
One son is a true football fan and the other loves track. A trip to the new Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is on our list of things to do a rainy summer day. The Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center recently opened this expansion which is not only an education center and theater but has both local sports exhibits plus imported exhibitions from the Smithsonian. Visit www.pghhistory.org or 412-454-6000.
A great resource for news about Pittsburgh, events, and other fun facts about our city is the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau. For more information www.visitpittsburgh.com or 1-877-LOVE-PGH or 412-281-7711.
Kathleen Ganster writes travel for Pittsburgh Boomers. You may contact her at www.thetravelingbag.com or ganster@connecttime.net.
