Worried about your holiday season in Pittsburgh without hockey? Don’t be. Here’s a winter to-do list sure to make this season full of adventure!
1.
Spice up your taste buds at Pittsburgh’s Restaurant Week 2013! January 10 kicks off the food celebration, located at the Mini of Pittsburgh Dealership in Bloomfield from 6pm to 8pm. Indulge in samples from more than 50 Pittsburgh restaurants. Tickets are being sold online at PittsburghRestaurantWeek.com for a discounted half-off the $50 ticket value.
2.
Let’s indulge in the lush Tropical Forest India, while enjoying brunch at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Brunch admission is $24.95 for adults, $11.95 for kids ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger. Members receive 10% discount and Conservatory admission is included. To make a reservation or learn more, call (412) 651-5281.
3.
What comes to mind when we hear muscles, leather, and lubricant? The World of Wheels Custom Car Show of course! 😉 Returning for its 52nd year, join all the revved up women and men of Pittsburgh at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The show runs from January 25-27. Admission is $14 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger. To learn more visit PittsburghCC.com.
4.
Whiskey, whiskey, makes our girls get frisky? WE’RE IN! Come to the first whiskey tasting of 2013 at the Allegheny HYP Club. January 25, let’s warm ourselves with a multitude of different whiskeys that will surely take the bite from the bitter weather. Tickets are $40 in advance, $75 at the door. For more information call (412) 281-5858.
5.
Nothing delights us more than a wintery romance. Seven Springs Mountain Resort is an ideal location. With rustic cottages available for us and up to 20 of our friends, we plan to spend our days skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing, and spend our nights kissing in the hottub. To make a reservation call the Reservations department at (866) 473-1300 or visit 7Springs.com. Prices vary based on group number.
6.
Intimate Friction is the 16th Mattress Factory Gestures exhibition. The upcoming installment brings together a diverse cross-section of talents. Past contributors have included tattoo artists and wig-makers. Don’t pass up this truly unique opportunity to experience some friction. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $9 for students (Pitt, CMU & Point Park are FREE with I.D!) and the exhibit runs through January 6.
7.
Strap on our ice skates and let’s head down to Penguins Pond at Highmark Stadium, where the view of the city’s skyline is enough to knock us off our feet. Happening now through January 13, we can ice skate while viewing our beautiful city Monday through Thursday from 11am-5pm, Friday and Saturday from 3pm-11pm and Sunday from 3pm-7pm. It is $7 for adults, $5 for youth and $3 if need to rent skates. For more information call (412) 818-7310 or email pensoutdoor@magiciceusa.com.
8.
Dance the night away with the L’s in the LGBT community at Impulse Pittsburgh’s: I Survived the Apocalypse party. It’s $5 at the door and the venue is CAVO Restaurant Lounge Nightclub. Drink specials for 21+. Find out more about this event and all of Impulse upcoming events at impulsepittsburgh.com.
9.
Having some “cabin fever”? Let’s check out the Robert Morris Island Sports Center, which features ice skating, hockey, miniature golf and an indoor driving range. The center is open Sunday – Saturday from 6 am-11 pm. Prices vary based on activity. For more information check out rmu.edu.
10.
How about a day-cation to Laurel Ridge Cross-country Ski Center?! It is located on one of the highest mountain ridges in the Laurel Highlands region of South Western Pennsylvania. Cross-country center and trails are open daily Thursday-Monday from 9am-5pm. The trail fee is $8 for adults and $4 for 12 and under. Ski rental rates are $20 for adults and $10 for 12 and under. For more information call the Laurel Hill State Park Office at (814) 455-7725.
11.
Now through January 6, experience the exquisite decorations and the breath-taking beauty of the Hartwood Acres Mansion. Weekday tours are from 10am-3pm and Sunday tours are from 12pm- 4pm. Admission ranges from adults at $6 to children at $1. For more information you can call the Mansion at (412)767-9200.
12.
What else can I do in the winter weather? Tie up my boots, throw on my Steelers hat and scarf, grab my sled and go sled-riding at one of the many awesome spots right here
in the city! We can try Squirrel Hill Blue Slide Park in Frick Park (located off Beechwood Avenue), Oakland at Flagstaff Hill (across from Phipps Conservatory) or Shadyside Mellon Park (next to Phipps Garden Center).
13.
Dancing counts as exercise, right? Why not burn some calories and work up a sweat when New York DJ Scotty Tompson comes to town on January 12 at Cruze Bar. For info, head to Cruze’s Facebook page or visit cruzebar.com.
14.
Bernard Dog Run, Lawrenceville’s new dog park, is the perfect place to play fetch in the snow and meet some fellow animal lovers. Plus, it was named for our community’s Jay Bernard, a Lawrenceville resident, businessman and abandoned dog advocate. bernarddogrun.org.
15.
Cozy up to that special someone during a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Holly Hill Belgians takes groups (or couples) out on snowy rides, hot chocolate in tow (don’t forget your flask). For more information and pricing please call (814) 438-8112.
16.
To get an inside look at Pittsburgh’s drag community through an artist’s eyes, make sure to check out Jeremy Kost: Friends with Benefits installation at the Andy Warhol museum. This experience runs until January 27th. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for students with valid ID. Find more information Warhol.com
17.
Spend a weekend at the Morning Glory Inn in the South Side. The Victorian style rooms and homey feel give the Morning Glory an edge that can’t be beat. Sit bedside as our partners and we enjoy a breakfast in bed that is truly one of a kind. Rates vary for more information please visit gloryinn.com.
18.
Come gaze at an interesting and fresh take on superhero Pop culture artwork at David LeBlanc’s New Action Evolution. The exhibit will be shown at the Toonseum art gallery downtown through January 6th from 10am-3pm. Admission price is $5, free for members.
19.
Belvederes in Lawrenceville is considered to be the ultra-dive bar; taking a step back in the 80’s every Thursday, serving up $1 PBR pounders from 10-midnight. Let’s not forget to bring our dancing shoes! Cover fee is $2 until after 10 where it becomes $4.
20.
Break out the suits and dresses; it’s time to get classy with Grand Night for Singing. This event is being held at the Cabaret Theater and will surely make our hearts melt. Broadway’s tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein showcases the timeless music of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. This event is perfect for lovers of classical music. Tickets are available online at CLOCabaret.com, by calling (412) 456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square.
In August 2012, Washington-based retailer REI endorsed marriage equality as a way to build support for the upcoming ballot initiative that would prove to be victorious in November. We were so moved by this gesture that most of what our models in our winter guide are wearing is clothing and outerwear from REI. They are located in the SouthSide Works, and they’ve earned our support. REI.com