Welcome to Pittsburgh! Stuff to do before, during and after the convention!

Hello everyone! Pittsburgh and the local furry community are looking forward to welcoming you back to our city this year. We thought we'd provide a list of things to do and what is going on in and around the "Golden Triangle" while you're visiting.

First off! Anthrocon shares Pittsburgh, Fourth of July weekend, with the Annual Pittsburgh Regatta! This is the countries largest inland regatta and features extreme water sports, freestyle motocross, powerboat racing, children's activities, national-act concerts, and the dramatic Fourth of July fireworks show. Better yet, it's ALL FREE!!

For more information, follow this link: http://pittsburgh.about.com/cs/events/p/regatta.htm

Fourth of July Fireworks are on Saturday, July 4th; "Flashes of Freedom" Fireworks Fantasia 9:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Music to accompany the fireworks will be broadcast on KDKA-AM 1020. The fireworks will be fired off from a barge at the confluence, just offshore from Point State Park. The roof of the DLCC (technically the "North Terrace") will be open for anyone to watch, though the view may be partially obstructed by the downtown buildings. Best views the closer you get to "the Point" anywhere along the Allegheny River Walk, adjacent to Ft. Duquesne Blvd or on the yellow bridges. (Add'l info thanks to Duncan.)

Major League Baseball: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com
For you early birds, the Pirates are in town with games against the Chicago Cubs Monday, Tuesday, June 29 & 30, and Wednesday, July 1. All games are 7:05pm starts. On Thursday, July 2nd, the Pirates play a make up game against the New York Mets in a "businessman's special" at 12:35pm in the afternoon. Tickets are as low as $9 a piece for General Admission, Outfield bleachers, $12 & $16 for Grandstand seating. It's one of the least expensive Major League baseball parks to buy tickets at.
The Pirates are out of town for the rest of the week, weekend and the following week.

Museums within walking distance:
Heinz History Center and Western PA Sports Museum: www.heinzhistorycenter.org

Andy Warhol Art Museum: www.warhol.org
"The Museum features extensive permanent collections of art and archives on one of the most influential American artists of the twentieth century. It is also a primary resource for anyone seeking insights into contemporary art and popular culture.

National Aviary: www.aviary.org
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is home to over 600 birds of more than 200 different species, many rare or endangered in the wild.

Ft. Pitt Museum and Blockhouse: http://www.fortpittmuseum.com/WelcomePage.html
The Fort Pitt Museum plays a unique and vital role in preserving and interpreting an important historical era and key events that shaped the destiny of much of North America.

Other local attractions:
The Strip District: http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com
The Strip District is best known for its retail produce and ethnic food stores, restaurants, art boutiques and coffee shops.

Station Square Shops and Bessimer Square: www.stationsquare.com
Station Square is Pittsburgh's most popular tourist attraction. Pittsburghers would argue that the Square is the hippest place for shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment in the burgh!

Just Ducky Tours: http://www.justduckytours.com/
For more than 10 years Just Ducky has been taking riders on Pittsburgh's only ADVENTURE through the city on LAND and WATER. All the while The Just Ducky Team will keep you on the edge of your seat with fun facts that some Pittsburghers might not even know. And of course, there are jokes. Our guides will have you laughing until you're all quacked up...

The Monongahela Incline: http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/CustomerInfo/Inclines/tabid/119/Default.aspx
The Monongahela Incline was built at a cost of $50,000 and opened on May 28, 1870. The incline opened up Mt. Washington to development, enabling people to live 600 feet above the city and still have easy access to factories and businesses along the river.

There is a great deal of other places to visit while you're in town also: The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium (http://www.pittsburghzoo.com), The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Museum of Art, and Science Center (http://www.carnegiemuseums.org), The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (http://www.pa-trolley.org), Kennywood Park (http://www.kennywood.com) and Sandcastle Waterpark (http://www.sandcastlewaterpark.com).

Many of these places can be reached by car or by transit. For more information on getting around Pittsburgh using public transit, visit http://www.portauthority.org. There's a handy Trip Planner right on their site.

We hope you have a safe trip to and from our fine city and enjoy your visit to the region.

Swift Fox