Online Dating Blog

A quick note on these ideas: as I cover in my dating guide, the first date should be used to get to know each other better so there should be as little distraction as possible. Many of the suggested dates below would not make a good first date in most situations.

Find a Great Restaurant
First suggestion isn’t an earth-shaker: have a great dinner at a new restaurant. No need to take a risk picking that new restaurant either! A friend of mine runs a great blog, FoodBurgh, devoted to reviewing restaurants large and small in the Pittsburgh area. Why should his opinion matter? Well, aside from being a #1 ranked blog on the UrbanSpoon, he’s also a great cook himself (which, in my eyes, adds an enormous amount of credibility). Just read a review or two and you’ll see how serious this foodie about his topic!

Hartwood Acres Map
Hartwood Acres is an Allegheny county park that has a large number of events including free concerts, free ballet by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, mansion tours and around Christmas there’s the celebration of lights. You can see a full list of events at the Allegheny County site.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Map
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is home to thousands of amazing animals representing more than four hundred species, including 22 threatened or endangered species. Surprisingly (at least to me), the zoo is open all year round.

Hozak Farms Map
I’ve seen Hozak Farms described as “old fashion Christmas everyday”. Perhaps this place just has a special place in my heart since I’ve been here most years since I was a kid. Hozak Farms is a great place to visit from around Halloween to Christmas and there are plenty of activities going on from hay rides, to pumpkin picking, shopping in the Christmas store or even cutting down your own tree. It’s worth mentioning that some distance from the city proper but if you look at the drive through the country as a part of the date, you’ll have a great time.

Pittsburgh Parks Map
Try visiting one of Pittsburgh’s many beautiful parks. You can find many great suggestions at Pittsburgh Parks. I would also recommend North Park which isn’t listed on the Pittsburgh Parks website since technically it’s not in the city of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Museums
Pittsburgh has several great museums to visit:

• Carnegie Museum of Natural History Map
  The Carnegie Museum of Natural History includes things such as a dinosaur exhibit, an Egyptian exhibit, wildlife exhibits to name a few. There are also unique exhibitions that are always changing.
• Carnegie Science Center Map
  The Carnegie Science Center is my favorite of the Pittsburgh museums. The exhibits are always interesting (and often fun) and the Omnimax Theater provides and experience unlike any other.
• The Andy Warhol Museum Map
  The Andy Warhol Museum provides unique collections that frequently change. Many of the art here is quite eclectic and sometimes strange…but it all provides plenty of date conversations.
• Carnegie Museum of Art Map
  My least favorite of all the museums but maybe you’re more cultured than I am! The Carnegie Museum of Art…well, it provides everything you would expect in an art museum!

PNC Park Map
I would only recommend visiting PNC Park if you’re not a baseball fan or perhaps a fan of a baseball team other than the Pirates. The Pirates set the record for the worst team in history this year by going 17 years without a winning season. Still, PNC Park is a beautiful stadium and spending a day there can be great fun…as long as you’re not emotionally invested in the team!

The Strip Map
The Strip District is a great place to visit on a Saturday morning. The market is bustling and enjoyable. If you’re going to be spending the entire day together, you can use this trip to pick up fresh produce, meat or ethnic foods that you can prepare later in the evening together.

University of Pittsburgh Campus Map
One date idea is to take a relaxing walk together and the University of Pittsburgh is an excellent place for it. Pitt has a beautiful campus with plenty to see while you spend time together. If you’re on campus in the morning or early afternoon, you can visit the Cathedral of Learning which has 24 classrooms reflection each reflecting a different culture and heritage. Tours stop at 2:30PM and cost $3 per person. You’ll also be extremely close to The Carnegie museums of Natural History and Art that were discussed above.

Fun Fore All Map
Fun Fore All is my favorite place for miniature golf in the area. There are two mini golf courses to try, go carts, bumper boats and a pretty good arcade as well. Fun Fore All is located north of the city in Cranberry Township so it may be a drive for some people but if you’re willing to make an evening of it, it’s a great time.

Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh Map

I normally hate loud, rowdy places but the Hofbrauhaus is one of the few exceptions. The environment is a lot of fun. People of all ages are having a great time, dancing on chairs and doing shot-skis. It really is a great time as long as you’re willing to deal with (or interested in!) a loud environment. The restaurant is split in two with the traditional “rowdy” room and a quieter room. I wouldn’t recommend the quieter room as I see Hofbrauhaus as much about the experience as it is about the food. If you go for the quiet room, you’re only getting the food and if I’m honest the food is fine but Hofbrauhaus would never make this list for its food alone!

National Aviary Map
The National Aviary provides over a dozen daily events such as watching and learning about penguins, feeding time where you can feed the wild birds, and tours with an Aviary trainer. There are also ever-changing special events.

Phipps Conservatory Map
The Phipps Conservatory provides 17 unique botanical experiences. Some exhibits have included glass sculptures, tropical forests with exotic plants, even an exhibit of fine wines and edibles.

Mt. Washington and the Inclines Map
Mt. Washington provides a beautiful view of the city. The easiest way to enjoy Mt. Washington at most times of the day is by parking at Station Square and riding the Mon Incline to the top. Station Square has plenty to do in its own right so an entire evening can be had here quite easily.

Gateway Clipper Map
Also located at Station Square, the Gateway Clipper Fleet offers many cruises, from day trips to formal dinner cruises to Halloween cruises. The fleet is believed to be the largest inland riverboat fleet in the United States. The Gateway Clipper Fleet also provides shuttle service to the stadiums when there is a Steelers, Pirates or Pitt game.

Did I miss a great place for a date in the Pittsburgh area? Feel free to share it here.