HISTORY
Today, the Waterfront is a vibrant place for going out to eat, shop, watch a movie and much more.
While walking through the Waterfront one can see numerous smoke stacks that were once used as ventilation for coke ovens at US Steel’s Homestead Steel Works mill. The steel industry, once the pride of Pittsburgh, was centralized around the Homestead Steel Works mill. More than 200 million tons of steel was produced until 1987 and can be seen in several buildings, railways and infrastructure around the world. The most notable structures are the Golden Gate Bridge, former World Trade Center Towers 1 and 2 and former Norfolk Railway lines. A famous labor strike occurred in 1892, known as the Battle of Homestead, where workers attacked detectives, hired by Henry Clay Rick, in fear of losing their jobs and homes. The carnage resulted in sixteen workers and detectives losing their lives and injuries of 23 others. The Battle of Homestead is noted as one of the greatest labor disputes in American history and began the revolution for unionization of iron and steel workers.
The Waterfront, as seen today, came into view during the revitalization process which began in 1999. The open-air mall spans three neighborhoods (Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall) and is easily accessible.
WHEN TO GO
- The Waterfront offers so much to do no matter what time or season. For shopping needs it is best to go on a weekday afternoon or early on weekends. It is busy at night and at times hard to find parking in the 400,000 square feet of retail space known as the City Center.
- To catch a movie or eat it is best to go on weeknights or early on weekends. The local restaurants fill up quickly and wait times can exceed two hours based on the size of your group. In terms of movies, the parking lot around AMC Lowes is large which fills up fast on weekends and results in long walks.
RESTAURANTS
A comprehensive list of Waterfront restaurants can be found here.
Whether you are just having cocktails with the girls, lunch with the coworkers, beer with the guys, or a fun date Rock Bottom is sure to please. With an array of specialty burgers, sandwiches, and a dangerous portion of nachos, this is one restaurant and bar that is always crowded. Rock Bottom has a wide selection of beers to please everyone’s unique palate, from a fruity “red ale” to rich “dark ale” that are brewed in house and offer a variety of taste. Rock Bottom can be enjoyed by families and party goers alike.
If you are looking for a fun night out where you can let loose and be a kid again Dave and Busters is the place to be. B&B offers a wide selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts at reasonable prices. Dave and Busters, known for its famous games and prizes, allows for fun for all ages. Think of Chuck-E-Cheese without the ball pit, screaming children and with alcoholic drinks. Feel like singing? D&B also has you covered with karaoke nights on Saturdays.
The best time to go to Dave and Busters is weeknights when traffic is low. Additionally, the eat and play combos are priced well and allow you to have fun after eating, playing D&B’s wide selection of games. If going on weekends, show up prior to 7 PM while wait times are low and the game floor is not as crowded.
T. G. I. Friday’s is the place to go if you want a great deal and large portions. This restaurant provides a great friends and family style environment for all ages. The food will melt in your mouth without melting your wallet. The decorations are always fun to observe; pieces of antiques, instruments, signs, even exhaust pipes hang right next to you, giving you an out of this world eating experience.
Uno Chicago Grill is a great place to dine with foodies of all ages. It is well known for their individual specialty Chicago-style deep dish pizzas, a relaxing environment, and refreshing beverages, all the while pleasing empty stomachs.
SHOPPING
The Waterfront is an open-air mall spread over 256 acres. There is plenty of variety of stores and boutiques when shopping at the Waterfront. You can find the retail discounters Target and Costco for all your needs. For technology needs, Best Buy and Radio Shack offer a selection of electronics and video games. There are mainstream clothing stores including Old Navy, Gap, Macys, Marshalls and many others to offer wide selections for all types of budgets. For groceries, Giant Eagle houses a wide selection of fresh produce and products needed to everyday lifestyles. For specialized products, the Waterfront offers Dicks Sporting Goods, Visionworks, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Petco, Michael’s Arts and Crafts, as well as Mattress Discounters.
The Waterfront contains several other stores that cater to all needs. Complete listings can be fond at www.waterfrontpgh.com. Students can use the directory to locate stores and restaurants based on their needs.
Many of the shops are open till 9pm, which may not be the most convenient time for busy college students.
THINGS TO DO
Catch a movie at AMC Loews Theatre. With a wide selection of movies and viewings (such as 3D, IMAX, etc) one is sure to find a great way to spend some time with friends.
Sand Castle is located on the Monongahela River at the west end of the Waterfront. In the summer, on a hot sunny day, cool down by riding fourteen major water slides, enjoying splashes in the wave pool, living the easy life on the lazy river or enjoying a spa day.
BUS TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM OAKLAND
Routes between Oakland and the Waterfront include: