Well, I work(ed) in the area, I know Pittsburgh pretty darned good!

Sadly I may not be there this year, but if I do show up for a day, don't be shy!

Thanks to high parking taxes imposed by the former mayor and not repealed by the current, most of downtown Pittsburgh shuts down after 5 and on weekends.

Food places, hit the Steel City Grill which is about a 2-minute walk from the hotel on Liberty Ave. They'll be PACKED, but they are VERY Anthrocon-friendly!

AVOID the Chinese buffet restaurant a few doors up from it. Overpriced, NO service to speak of, and they can't keep their piddly buffet filled.

Up about a block from there is a Subway. A few blocks further you'll find a McDonald's; there are 3 of those splattered over downtown.

Going the other way up Penn Avenue you'll find a Sushi Kim, I'm told they're really good; in fact last year I ate someone's leftover from there are they *are* really good. If you don't mind a hike, go to 18th Street and you'll find Primanti Brothers, open 24 hours, local place that's been there for decades. Their sandwiches come with hand-cut fries and homemade cole slay served on thick Italian bread and it's ALL ONE SANDWICH!!

Between there and Sushi Kim there's a sandwich shop, and a local bar/restaurant that usually has a sign during AC weekend that says "WELCOME FURRIES!". I ate there once, GOOD food!

AVOID the snack bar at the Convention Center in the Dealer's Room. Talk about anal rape, their prices are IN-F'KING-SANE!!

Those are the eateries I recommend and condemn that're within walking distance

Feel free to contact me directly for anything else or for getting around the 'burgh, n'at!

I'm at the quadrupletree

and yeah bring the tie :D

Bring toiletries. Razors, toothbrush, soap, deodarant, etc. Pack more clothes than you think you need (it gets hot and as sch, sweaty at these things!). And some food to snack on (trail mix, granola bars, chips, anything) so that you dont starve. its not uncommon to only eat once a day during AC.

ONCE A DAY? Damn, I'd be like.. wow.. :c

You actually dont tend to feel the effects until the last couple days due to the adrenaline high ya get from the energy everybody gives off at the cons. I only ate twice during FC and I was there four days (I dont count when I ate before and after the con >.>)

For some good eating, go to Steel City Dinner, that's a block away from the main hotel. There are other places in the area, like Arby and two Chinese food places (good ones mind you) if you want fast food. iirc, there's a Wendys and I know there's a Mc Donalds not to far either. There's also a 7/11. If you don't mind the distance, there's a Dave and Busters too.

As for where I'm staying. In the main hotel, the Westin.

I'm a native of the Pittsburgh region, and I've been to AC in the past, so I'll be glad to help.
Things to definitely pack: Deodorant, extremely comfortable shoes (you will walk over three miles every day inside the convention, guaranteed), a water bottle, toothbrush, toothpaste. Expect temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees. I say bring the tie, it'll help us pick you out of the crowd better, fashion sense or no.

As for eating, I have a couple good tips.
Based only on price, the cheapest place in the downtown region is Wendy's. It's a bit of a hike, but if you only have a dollar it's the place to go. Just be aware that they close early in the evening, like most downtown restaurants.
For the best Chinese take-out, I suggest Hong Kong Express 2. Yes, the 2 is part of the name. It's this hole-in-the-wall stuck in an alley, and the best way to find it is for me to just give you a map. It's got a red awning. http://www.yelp.com/map/hong-kong-e.....-ii-pittsburgh
For something close to the convention, go to Fernando's. It's on Liberty Ave, just around the corner from the convention. They usually have a discount for Anthrocon attendees. Follow the pawprints, if they put them on the sidewalk like they did last year.

As for any other tips I can give you? Well, bus service in the downtown area is free, you're not going to get a better view of the fireworks than the roof of the DLCC, and

...and my comment got cut off. But BondoFox covered everything I missed anyway. Yeah, the "Welcome Furries" place is Fernando's, and the chinese buffet he mentioned I would steer clear of too. Ate there once, never again. Overpriced and bad service.

Mugatu invented that tie. :D

Westin. :O
And hope to see the great Nobu there. :)

If I saw a man with a keyboard tie, I would say "Damn, I want to have sex with that guy."


So in short, if you want to get some, do it.

hurrr

durururuurafaf

oh rly.

TIE PLZ

I'll make you a badge :D

hmm okie doke 8)

if you wear the tie your fans will mob you! Well i`ll beg for a comission/drawing/sketch anyway.

for eating I recommend 2 places Montecellos italian restaurant http://www.montecellos.com/pittsburgh.html (they close early though )

305 Seventh Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

and theres a 24 hour sandwich shop in the strip district not a far walk from the convention center Primanti brothers

http://www.primantibrothers.com/locations/

Bring Tie.

Wear buttons on Tie.

Also a hat.

I am convinced a Tie and a hat would look pretty cool on you.

(Then again what I think looks cool on people does not usually coincide with what other people think looks cool on people)

I really wish I had a black fedora.