Pittsburgh has an amazing cultural district. I know what you're thinking- Pittsburgh? really? Maybe if culture is painting your face black and gold and donning a Polamalu wig....on non game days.
But no, dear reader, I mean actual culture! And the BEST part is- it's cheap!
Monthly, there are free gallery crawls (often with complimentary snacks and drinks!) (for example: art all night in Lawrenceville), free outdoor concerts basically daily if you look for them (for example- the summertime first fridays at the Frick), reduced museum rates, just 'cause (like the reduced Friday rates at the Warhol).
But what I'm talking about is middle of winter, classic, get your Grandma, put your butt in a seat, eat, drink, and be merry cheap culture. Nothing avant garde, nothing that requires movement, no theater in a warehouse or for a cause. Broadway baby. And the symphony. For example, got theater tickets at one of the great theaters downtown? (just click here for what I'm talking about). You can park your car in any of the local theater square garages for $6 after 5pm. Perfect for dinner and a show.
But what about those pricey show tickets? Fear not! With a student ID, you can get tickets to any Pittsburgh Public Theater show for just $15, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra offers $14 deals, Pittsburgh Opera offers half-price tickets 2 hours before curtain- any available seat in the house! The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera has $15 student tickets for all of their summer shows.
"But I'm not a student!" you say. Really? whip out your student ID. If you took a class at a local University within the last 2-4 years, chances are, the expiration date on your ID has not passed. That's right- if you take a class at Pitt, for example, you get an ID valid for 2 full years!
Still doesn't work for you? Group rates! The PSO and Broadway Series both offer 10-25% ticket prices for groups of 10 or more.
Ok, Not cheap enough for you? Well, with that student ID, you can take the bus- FOR FREE- anywhere Port Authority travels. The buses converge around our lovely golden triangle, so you'll likely have no trouble finding one that gets you close to the theater of your choice.
Bus not for you on those cold winter nights? Planning to go out to dinner anyway? Why not try the free limo service from the Carlton restaurant in the BNY Mellon Building to the theater? Park in the BNY Mellon garage- dont be scared off by the $10 parking rate- it will be comped in the restaurant. Enjoy your dinner (caveat here- these places arent my usual cup of tea- a bit stuffy, obvious menu of salmon, beef, and chicken, but for a blustery night out with the parents and grandparents, especially if yours balk at food with spice or anything fusion- it definitely fits the bill!) Tell the limo driver where you are going, and you get a personal ride to the theater, and "home" again (back to the parking garage) after the show. No outdoor walking necessary!
Reggie and I love to take advantage of these deals. We never feel bad treating ourselves to a nice dinner out on our 1-income household salary when parking is less than the price of a martini and we can see a show for under $30 total.
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