You're going to get a lot of suggestions, but I've lived here virtually my entire life, and my job takes me to every inch of the city every week, as well as the surrounding area. You can over-flood your mind with 10 million websites to suggest this and that, but given your situation (only a few days, staying down town, much of each day tied up on business), here's some indispensible Pittsburgh experiences that are convenient to your situation, some that would take a little effort, and a few that will only work out if you can get maybe a half day off work. GREAT CONVENIENT EVENING IDEAS ----------------------------------- #1- Treat yourself and/or a guest, to dinner on Mt.Washington at one of the great restaurants overlooking what may be North America's most stunning urban vista. Make reservations for just a little before sunset at the Tin Angel, The LeMont, Monterrey Bay Fish Grotto, or for a slightly less expensive (but no less stunning view), the Kohl Hill Steakhouse. Rather than park on Mt.Washington (which can be crowded), park off Carson Street at the parking lot at the base of the Duquesne Incline, taking the most historical route to the top of the mountain. There, you will find a brilliant pictoral history of the city, as well as an observation deck that will whet your appetite of what a stunning view you'll get for your dinner. This is a flat-out indispensable experience, and no words due the view justice until you're up there. #2- Experience a night on Pittsburgh's North Shore. Wrap up work around 4 or 5 one afternoon and park over at one of the large parking lots near PNC Park for about 12 bucks (or just walk the Clemente Bridge over if you have no rental. From there, you're in a safe, entertainment centered area along the Allegheny Riverwalk. Make your first stop the Andy Warhol Museum only about 100 yards from PNC Park if you're an art fan of perhaps the 20th century's most legendary artist. Even if you're not a sports fan, if you're a lover of stunning archetecture and aesthetic gorgeousness, drop 20 dollars (yes, that cheap) and go to one of the Pirate games who'll be at home during your stay against the Florida Marlins with gametimes at 7:05 nightly. The reason, beyond baseball itself, is PNC Park was voted the Nicest Ballpark In America by ESPN Magazine, and it's outfield is arguably an even more breathtaking view of Pittsburgh than Mt.Washington. The game will end around 9:30 or 10, but your fun on the North Shore isn't over yet, because you can walk 400 yards west down the Riverwalk past some chic new cantinas and bars for a couple cocktails en route to the new 800 million dollar waterfront casino at the end of the Riverwalk which features table games, restuarants, slots, live music, and more. Or if you want your Pre-Pirate game activity over there to be less cultural than the Warhol Museum, and more active, just outside PNC Park by the water's edge is a Kayak rental facility that allows you to paddle the Three Rivers of Pittsburgh, for a summery view of the city unattainable any other way. And should you end this night of North Shore fun a little tipsy, fear not, for the aforementioned Casino has a valet crescent buzzing with taxis into the wee hours to take you back over to the downtown area and save you the walk/drive. #3- Browse the Strip District, located on the south shore of the Allegheny River. It is Pittsburgh's "market-centered" area, with unique pottery stores, locally grown produce markets, candy stores that are ancient to the area, artist galleries, truly unique stores like one that specializes in macaroni, one that specializes in popcorn, one that specializes in fish, and on and on, for some very UN-strip mall shopping. But perhaps most importantly, the Strip District is home to Pittsburgh's most famous eatery, Primanti Brothers, home of sandwiches that have been featured on countless tv travel shows, football game side-bits, and on and on. I'd tell you what's special about these sandwiches, but that would ruin the fun. #4- If you're early 30's or under and looking for maybe a more rowdy wild brand of nightlife than the tamer more family oriented North Shore, then you are looking for a night on the South Side, where Pittsburgh's famed Carson Street is in the Guiness Book of World Records for hosting the most liscensed alchohol establishments along 1 mile of roadway of anywhere in America. Whether you want a local sports bar, a biker bar, a punk rock bar, a trendy yuppie bar, a quiet bistro, a japanese steakhouse, or whatever your pick is, somewhere on the South Side along Carson Street is a fun place to imbibe. #5- If you want a night of ever-varying views of Pittsburgh, with zero walking, zero honking, the freedom to have a few drinks, and have no idea where you're going, book an evening trip on one of the paddleboats of the Gateway Clipper Fleet, Pittsburgh's premier waterway entertainment fleet. Pay attention on their website for which boats are non-alchoholic family centered boats, which are small, which are large and intended for nightlife, and book one that represents a way YOU would like to spend a couple hours cruising the Three Rivers seeing brilliant views of Pittsburgh's skyline and detail in the process. IF YOU CAN AFFORD A 1-DAY EXCURSION ---------------------------------------- Should you be able to, realize that about an hour to an hour and a half southeast of Pittsburgh, the lush rolling hills grow into full fledge Appalachian Mountains. This section of those mountains is called the Laurel Highlands, and is home to perhaps America's greatest archetectural masterpiece, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterwork known as Fallingwaters. Be warned. You won't want to leave once you're there. As a home set in a lush mountain forest with a bubbling clear mountain stream literally running through the basement of the house, before falling off a waterfall, it's one of the most iconic images in the history of archetecture, but a house tour which takes an hour or two will need booked on their website, though very reasonably priced. Angelina Jolie actually rented Fallingwaters for archetecture buff boyfriend Brad Pitt for his birthday a few years ago and the couple wined and dined friends there during a heavy snow. If you make the trek to Fallingwaters, stop at nearby Ohiopyle State Park for options that include some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern U.S. down the Youghigheny River, along with many breathtaking waterfalls, great hiking and horseback riding, and a great way to spend an afternoon escaping the bustle of the city. Along with neat spas and resorts in the Laurel Highlands such as Seven Springs and Hidden Valley, if you wish to make a 24 hour excursion from the city at some point during your stay, that area is the best outside the city. Note, I have left out things that you can find here in any city, such as our great city zoo and aquarium, a great botanical garden at Phipps Conservatory, perhaps the best aviary in the eastern U.S. in the National Aviary, etc. I figure with only a few days here, you'll want to do things that are unlike experiences anywhere else, and the 5 I listed, plus a day trip to the Laurel Highlands, fit that bill. One important note. Pittsburgh gets it's fair share of summer thunderstorms and such, so if you plan an evening of outdoor-dependent fun, you might want to check the 5 day forecast to pinpoint the most promising forecasted evenings prior to determining when to focus on outdoor activities. As others mentioned, I could go on with unique additional options such as a Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh and their amphibious vehicles, or taking in a night in our Arts District with one of our many great venues to watch our symphony or catch a play at places like Heinz Hall or the Benedum Center, but great acting troupes and symphonies you can find many places. Views like Mt.Washington, the sun setting over the outfield skyline at PNC Park, Fallingwaters, the Warhold Museum, the Strip District, etc...these are UNIQUELY Pittsburgh experiences. One final note: if you want some great Pittsburgh neighborhoods that are safe and have wonderful 100 to 150 year old archetecture, take a walk in Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, or visit the university area of Pittsburgh called Oakland, which is home to University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon, and one of Pittsburgh's most famous tall buildings, the universities' Cathedral Of Learning, with its famed "nationality rooms" inside with a room uniquely styled and designed to represent each country. August is a great time to visit The Burgh. I hope the weather cooperates for a great trip. Have a sunset meal overlooking Pittsburgh on Mt.Washington on your first night in town after entering the city through the Fort Pitt Tunnel (by far the coolest entry into any city I've ever seen), and it'll be all the motivation you need to do something fun each night after work while you're here. By the way, where are you staying downtown? The Sheraton behind Point State Park is a good call, so is the Omni Penn Hotel which is our oldest, and there's a couple newer ones on the North Shore that are convenient too. Enjoy your stay, in one of America's most archtecturally stunning and topographically zany cities!