Experience one of the best views of the city at PNC Park

One of the things I talked about in a previous blog is enjoying the local area in-between traveling. In between vacations I love to get out there and experience as much as I can. I enjoy the scenic views of nature or architecture. An unexpected place to find that is at a ballpark but PNC park delivers. It has the city buildings outlining the stadium and great views of the river.

You can experience one of the best views of Pittsburgh while you attend a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They have been in Pittsburgh for 115 years. As of 2001 they have a new stadium design that kept the classic with yesteryears charm. It is one of the smallest stadiums in baseball giving it an intimate feel. The stadium offers fantastic views of the Pittsburgh skyline. It has tremendous opportunities for fabulous pictures that have the scenic and famous Pittsburgh skyline behind it. PNC park is ranked as one of the most beautiful stadiums in all baseball. Even if you are not a baseball fan going to the park is still a great experience and an event to enjoy. This is a great way to enjoy Pittsburgh.

PNC Park offers behind-the-scenes tours.

I took the behind-the-scenes tour once. The tour guide explained the park history and what goes on during the game that the fans don’t see. Some of the places on the tour we were able to see are the locker rooms, dug out, announcers’ station, and the club house. We were allowed to take as many pictures as we wanted as well. This was a very enjoyable tour. That I highly recommend doing.

View of the field from the dugout

Attending one of their games can be an exciting and enjoyable experience for fans and visitors. 

Here's what you might expect:

1. Choosing a Game and Getting Tickets:

   The Pirates play their home games at PNC Park, a beautiful stadium located on the shores of the Allegheny River that opened in 2001. Tickets can be bought online, at the stadium's box office, or through third-party ticketing platforms. PNC Park has a lot of different promotions that go on for the games. For a list of the scheduled promotions check their website. For 2023 Examples of promotions are:

1. Kids days- kids get to run the bases postgame and there is a family fun zone with activities for the whole family.

2. Miller Lite Happy Hour- Consists of pregame drink specials and photo ops from an hour before the game until the first pitch.

3. Fireworks – there are two different types of shows Fireworks night and Sky blast Extravaganza. The extravaganza offers fireworks to music and they surround the stadium as well as the skyline.

   Getting to the Stadium:

   PNC Park is easily accessible by various means of transportation, including driving, public transit, and even by walking if you're staying in the downtown area. The locals’ favorites ways to get there are:

1. The gateway clipper

   1. Park at Station Square across the river. Station Square is a plethora of shopping and dining activities to keep you busy until the game. About an hour before the game starts, you will ride the gateway clipper over to the stadium.

      Less than a mile from station square is a Pittsburgh favorite experience the Duquesne Incline. Learn about its impact on the community and see the panoramic views of the city from the top. Group tours also are available if you want more in-depth history and sights.

   2. The “T”

      1. This is the Light Rail Service but it is referred to in Pittsburgh as the T. It connects downtown’s the North Side and South Side together.

         3. Rivers Casino

         The Casio offers you a place to gamble and maybe win big before or after the game. It is open 24 hours and has dining options to choose from including Wheelhouse, Martorano’s Prime, Flipt, & Mian. They also offer concerts and shows in their event center.

1. Arriving at the Stadium: As you approach PNC Park, you'll likely see excited fans wearing Pirates gear and enjoying the atmosphere. The area around the stadium might be bustling with activity, including pre-game festivities, food vendors, and street performers.

2. Entering the Stadium: Upon entering the stadium, you'll need to go through security checks. Once inside, you'll experience the breathtaking view of the field and the Pittsburgh skyline beyond it. Go early and take selfies with the skyline behind you. Walk around the stadium for different views and backdrops for your pictures before the game starts.

3. Exploring the Stadium: PNC Park is known for its fan-friendly design and scenic views. Take some time to explore the various sections of the stadium, including the different seating options, the team store, and the patio

4. Food and Drinks: Baseball games are known for their diverse food options. PNC Park offers a variety of traditional ballpark snacks like hot dogs, popcorn, and peanuts, as well as more unique offerings that represent Pittsburgh's culinary scene.

1. Some of the places to eat inside the stadium are Manny’s BBQ (named after the former pirate’s catcher), Chicken on the Hill & Cannonball Burger, Pops Plaza, Pirmanti Brothers, The Market (offers healthier options) and the Sweet Spot (is the place to go for dessert).

2. Quench your thirst at Fat Heads and the Bullpen Bar which features flavors that are brewed in Pittsburgh.

1. Enjoying the Game: Find your seat and get ready to enjoy the game. The atmosphere in the stadium can be electric, with fans cheering, chanting, and raising the jolly roger (a pirate ship flag) during exciting moments. Keep an eye out for any mascots or on-field entertainment during breaks between innings. Look for the Pirate Parrot and the Pittsburgh Pierogies running around the field.

2. Between Innings Entertainment: In between innings, you might be entertained by various activities on the big screen, contests, and promotions involving fans in the stands. Watch out for the cannonball fired T shirts that go blazing into the crowd in between innings.

3. Pirates Traditions: The Pirates have their own set of traditions, like singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch or raising the Jolly Roger (the Pirates' flag) after a victory. Another tradition is giving back to the community. The Pirates support multiple charities and the community around them. During the games they do a 50/50 raffle where 1 fan wins half of the money raised and the rest of the money goes to charity. They also spotlight different community events that are charity based. Some of the outreach they do is for youth baseball & softball, Military appreciation, Mental health awareness & cancer support.

4. Game Outcome: Enjoy watching the game unfold. If the Pirates win, you'll experience the excitement of the crowd celebrating. If they lose, fans might still stick around to appreciate the overall experience and the love for the game.

5. Post-Game: After the game ends, you can make your way back to your mode of transportation or stick around the area to continue enjoying the atmosphere. There are a lot of bars and restaurants within a 5 min walk of the park. Between the restaurants before and the game day food inside the park you may want to take a little walk and stretch. This is a great time to see the local history around the park. You will find a lower walkway by the Clemente bridge that shows Pirate players history. There are also statues around the park to celebrate different former Pirates.

Remember that the specifics of the experience can vary based on the game, the opponent, the time of year, and other factors. Attending a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game can be a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the excitement of America's pastime while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow fans.