Skip to content
Provided by ASME Logo The American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Venue/Travel

Travel and Transportation

The Pittsburgh International Airport (“PIT”) is the primary airport serving the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and is located only 17 miles (20-30 minutes) from downtown Pittsburgh and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (DLCC). PIT services more than 8 million passengers annually and handles a daily average of approximately 360 arriving and departing flights, making it the 45th busiest airport for passengers served in the United States.

Airlines at PIT currently serve 61 airports non-stop from Pittsburgh, including 56 domestic and five international locations (Paris, Frankfurt, Reykjavik, Toronto-Pearson, and Cancun). During the past two years, the airport has increased its nonstop destinations 75 percent to include 72 markets during peak travel season. PIT started non-stop service to two new international destinations in June 2017: Frankfurt, Germany via Condor Airlines and Reykjavik, Iceland via Wow Airlines. Non-stop service to Montreal and Seattle will begin in 2018 via Air Canada and Alaska Airlines, respectively.

Air Transport World magazine recently named PIT as its “2017 Airport of the Year,” the first U.S. airport to win this prestigious award. PIT joins the ranks of Hong Kong International, London Heathrow and Singapore Changi, respectively, since the airport category was added four years ago. Air Transport World, part of the Aviation Week Network, has awarded the aviation industry’s best-in-class for 43 years and is recognized in the industry as a key source industry professionals rely on for analysis, marketing and intelligence.

J.D. Power ranked PIT in its Top 10 medium-size airports in its 2015 North American Airport Satisfaction Study. Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast both named PIT a Top 10 Domestic Airport in 2016. In addition, TripAdvisor ranked PIT a Travelers’ Choice Favorite for Shopping in 2016. 

Pittsburgh also is ideally situated from a drive-in perspective. More than 50% of the U.S population resides within 500 miles of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh is within a day's drive of more than 70 percent of the U.S. population. In fact, attendees from nine states, Washington, DC and parts of Canada can drive to Pittsburgh in less than six hours. The ASME attendees will be able to travel to/from Pittsburgh with ease.

Thirteen (13) commercial passenger airlines currently service PIT. The number beside each airline represents that airline’s rank at PIT with regard to the current number of operations/market share (as of December 2017).

  • Air Canada (9)
  • Allegiant (10)
  • American Airlines (1)
  • Condor (13)
  • Delta Air Lines (3)
  • Frontier (11)
  • JetBlue (7)
  • OneJet (6)
  • Southwest Airlines (2)
  • Southern Airways f/k/a Sun Air Express (5)
  • Spirit Airlines (8)
  • United Airlines (4)
  • WOW Air (12)

For complete details regarding air service at PIT, please visit the following links:

Private and public transportation options to| from PIT are as follows with current fares noted:

  • Port Authority of Allegheny 28X Airport Flyer Bus Service: $2.75 one-way. View 28X Airport Flyer schedule:
    SuperShuttle: $24.00 one-way/$46.00 roundtrip
  • Taxi: $45.00 estimated one-way fare;
  • zTrip (formerly Yellow Cab):
  • Uber and Lyft. $30.00 estimated one-way fare. The ride-sharing companies provide service to/from PIT.

For complete details regarding Amtrak service to/from Pittsburgh:

Light Rail T Service

The Port Authority of Allegheny County offers a free fare zone within downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore. On the Light Rail T system, rides between downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore are free at all times. View the Light Rail System map.

View the downtown made easy for a comprehensive “Getting Around Downtown” map of downtown Pittsburgh. This map also shows the location of the Light Rail station stops that don’t require a fare.

Pittsburgh Parking Authority

For current rate information for the parking facility at the DLCC visit Alco Parking Corporations Convention Center Garage. The DLCC also has an extensive list of parking options available upon request.

  • Overview of parking options and rates offered by the Pittsburgh Parking Authority. Several options are within close proximity of the DLCC, Westin and Omni.
  • View current rate information for the downtown parking facilities managed by Alco Parking Corporation and for information on the Commuter, Strip District and North Shore parking facilities which are less expensive.
  • ParkPGH provides real-time parking availability information.

Restaurants/Lounges and Shopping

Pittsburgh has over 200 dining/lounge options within the Central Business District, Strip District, North Shore and Station Square. The diversity of restaurants/lounges will not only please the palates of your attendees but offer a range of price points for those looking for value to those looking for an upscale experience. The majority of restaurants/lounges are in close proximity to the DLCC, Westin and Omni.

Comprehensive Overview of dining in downtown Pittsburgh and Downtown Pittsburgh Shopping & Dining Guide, produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

About Pittsburgh

Restaurants/Lounges and Shopping

Pittsburgh has over 200 dining/lounge options within the Central Business District, Strip District, North Shore and Station Square. The diversity of restaurants/lounges will not only please the palates of your attendees but offer a range of price points for those looking for value to those looking for an upscale experience. The majority of restaurants/lounges are in close proximity to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Westin, and Omni.

A list of restaurants that are within walking distance of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

A comprehensive overview of dining in downtown Pittsburgh.

Downtown Pittsburgh Shopping & Dining Guide produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

Places of Interest

Downtown

  • Market Square: Located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, this historic city square is home to an extensive variety of dining options (over 25 eateries) and several of the city's premier events - Holiday Market and St. Patrick's Day Celebration. Market Square Farmers Market.
  • PPG Paints Arena: Home to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, the PPG Paints Arena (formerly known as CONSOL Energy Center) is a leading entertainment venue for premier music acts.

Downtown - Cultural District

The Cultural District is a 14 square block area along Penn and Liberty Avenues in downtown Pittsburgh that offers a multitude of performing arts venues, art galleries and restaurants to enjoy. The David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the majority of participating hotels are within easy walking distance of The Cultural District.

  • Heinz Hall: Cornerstone of the Cultural District, Heinz Hall is home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and is an outstanding concert hall and showplace. 
  • Benedum Center: Home to the Pittsburgh Opera and Broadway productions, the Benedum Center is the largest performing arts venue downtown at 2,800 seats. 
  • Byham Theater: The Byham offers a variety of programming from musical acts to dance and seats 1,313 people. 
  • O'Reilly Theater: Home to the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the O'Reilly features theater with a contemporary edge and seats 650 people. 
  • Cabaret at Theater Square: The Cabaret offers unique live music and theatrical performances year-round and seats 150 people.
  • August Wilson Center for African-American Culture: Home to a 472-seat theater and education center. August Wilson Center is in the process of re-opening under the new owner, the African-American Cultural Center.

Other unique venues in The Cultural District include the Toonseum, a museum devoted exclusively to the cartoon arts. The Cultural District also is home to the Wood Street Galleries, the Trust Arts Education Center, SPACE, the 707 & 709 Galleries, 943 Gallery and 937 Gallery.

There are several outstanding restaurants in The Cultural District that would enable attendees to enjoy a fantastic night of dinner/theater entertainment. Visit the Cultural District website for complete details and information on downtown Pittsburgh. View spaces available for rent in downtown Pittsburgh.

Downtown - Strip District

The Strip District is a one-half square mile area northeast of downtown Pittsburgh that was home to the area's wholesale produce business. Named for the narrow strip of land that it occupies, the Strip District is now home to a wonderful collection of ethnic food stores, restaurants and coffee shops. 

  • Senator John Heinz History Center: The largest history museum in Pennsylvania offers extensive permanent and rotating exhibit collections and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The Heinz History Center is within a short walk of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
  • Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum: The Sports Museum is located within the Heinz History Center and captures the history of Pittsburgh sports. 
  • 'Burgh Bits & Bites Tour: This company offers wonderful cultural food/history tours throughout the Strip District and attendees can sample many of the area's eateries and learn about the history of the Strip District. 
  • The Roberto Clemente Museum: Engine House 25 (a former firehouse) houses the Roberto Clemente Museum and special event space. The museum tells the story of Roberto Clemente, one of the most noted athletes in Pittsburgh history. A wine tasting of Engine House 25 Wines can be arranged in the museum’s cellar. 
  • Wigle Whiskey: Explore Pittsburgh’s history as the birthplace of American whiskey and the craft distillery located on-site. Wigle Whiskey’s private event information,
  • Society for Contemporary Craft

North Shore

The North Shore is the area directly across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh and is the hub of sports and entertainment activity in the city.

  • Heinz Field: Home to the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. The Great Hall offers an array of exhibits and memorabilia tracing the history of the six-time Super Bowl champions.
  • PNC Park: Home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.
  • Stage AE: Stage AE is a multi-purpose entertainment complex located between PNC Park and Heinz Field that hosts concerts year-round. 
  • Carnegie Science Center/Highmark Sportsworks: Located adjacent to Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center is one of the four prestigious Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Science Center is home to the Rangos Omnimax Theater and the Buhl Planetarium. 
  • Rivers Casino: Located adjacent to Carnegie Science Center, Rivers Casino is Pittsburgh's premier destination for gaming, dining and entertainment. 
  • Andy Warhol Museum: One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Andy Warhol Museum is the largest museum dedicated to a single artist and celebrates the art and life of Andy Warhol. 
  • National Aviary: The National Aviary is the nation's premier bird zoo. 
  • The Mattress Factory Art Museum: The Mattress Factory is a unique contemporary museum of room-sized installation art. 
  • Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Station Square

Station Square is a restaurant/entertainment complex located directly across the Monongahela River from downtown and can be accessed easily by the Light Rail "T" service or walking over the Smithfield Street Bridge.

  • Gateway Clipper Fleet: The Gateway Clipper Fleet has five boats available for public cruises and private charter rentals. The Gateway Clipper Fleet is based in Station Square by the Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square. 
  • Highmark Stadium: Home to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League. The stadium opened in 2013 and seats approximately 5,000 people.
  • Duquesne Incline: This century-old cable car has been in operation since 1877 and is only one of only two inclines remaining in Pittsburgh. Ride the cable car to the top of Mount Washington and enjoy a view of downtown Pittsburgh that has been rated one of the top ten cityscape views in the world. 
  • Grand Concourse: This historic restaurant is located across the Monongahela River from downtown in the Station Square complex. This venue can accommodate up to 700 ppl. 
  • Just Ducky Tours: Offering Pittsburgh’s only land and water tour. 
  • Segway Pittsburgh Experience Center: Offering guided tours with its highly trained Segway PT tour guides.
  • Molly’s Trolleys: Molly’s Trolleys is a leader in the Pittsburgh tour/sightseeing market

Oakland

Located east of downtown Pittsburgh, Oakland is home to the campuses of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University.

  • Carnegie Museum of Art: Located in the Carnegie Institute complex, the Carnegie Museum of Art is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Situated in the same building as the Carnegie Music Hall and Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
  • Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: One of the nation's oldest and largest Victorian greenhouses. Phipps also has become a strong advocate for advanced green-building practices and is home to the Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a dynamic education, research and administration facility. 
  • Frick Pittsburgh: The museum and its collections are the legacy of Helen Clay Frick, daughter of Henry Clay Frick, one of America’s greatest industrialists and art collectors. Guests can view fine and decorative arts and artifacts, magnificent exhibitions and vintage cars and carriages. 
  • Pittsburgh Center for the Arts: Home to contemporary art installations and a wonderful gift store. 
  • Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: Located in the Highland Park neighborhood, the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a refreshing and invigorating setting for a group event. It also is one of a select group of zoos that have an aquarium on-site (six total).