Shop, Dine, Play, Escape: The Waterfront ... your Destination Place
Every day of summer provides a new opportunity for fun. Whether it’s shopping for new summer clothes, sharing a round of drinks with friends, or enjoying outdoor live music on a Saturday afternoon, there’s so much to do when the weather is nice. For more active people, it’s refreshing to take a long walk outside and enjoy nature’s beauty. And after a long day in the sun, nothing is better than going inside and taking advantage of air conditioned entertainment.
The good news is, no matter your definition of summer fun, you can find it at The Waterfront.
The Waterfront, situated across three boroughs just outside of Pittsburgh, is an open-air shopping center that offers so much more than just stores. It sits on the former site of the U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works and on the Monongahela River. As described by Emily Wittmer, marketing director for The Waterfront, “It is now home to a vibrant collection of stores, restaurants, hotels, entertainment and community events.”
That is a long list of options, and it’s true that The Waterfront really does have a little bit of everything. The area is home to a variety of big name brands like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, DSW, Carhartt and Bath & Body Works, as well as small local businesses such as Fudge Farm, Boards & Baskets, Paint Monkey, and much, much more. Any shopping trip, from a quick stop at Giant Eagle for groceries to a daylong fashion shopping spree, can be accomplished with the bountiful choices at The Waterfront.
As any experienced shopper knows, it’s easy to work up an appetite after hitting the stores. The good news is, there is something for everyone to eat at The Waterfront. Restaurant options range from fast-food chains like Chick fil-A to sit-down family favorites for special occasions like P.F. Chang’s, Burgatory and Primanti Bros. Any diner’s craving, from burgers to Mexican food to Japanese hibachi, can be fulfilled. Wine tasting is also an option at the Pennsylvania Wine Cellar. For a unique charcuterie and deli spot, try Boards & Baskets.
Dining options can even include entertainment on the side. The Waterfront is home to Dave & Buster’s, where customers can have a meal and play games in the air conditioning. But the choices for fun don’t stop there. “There are several entertainment venues to choose from: The Improv comedy club, AMC Theatre, Paint Monkey and more,” said Wittmer. A lot of memory-making summer days can be spent seeing the latest blockbuster movie or taking a painting class, all in one convenient center. In addition, an Urban Air Adventure Park will be opening in the fall of 2022.
For history buffs and those who love the outdoors, there’s no reason to feel left out. “The Waterfront has several historical landmarks across the property to visit and learn about,” Wittmer said. These include several landmarks left over from the site’s days as a steel mill, like the Pump House, the Dinkey Engine and the Venting Stacks. The Greater Allegheny Passage Trail also runs along the edge of The Waterfront, providing a lovely scenic path for a sunny day’s walk. “Visitors can take a walk along the trail to see the goats from Allegheny GoatScape eating the vegetation along the trail to maintain the weeds,” Wittmer said.
Music lovers can enjoy some summer community events, too. The Waterfront is hosting the Vibes Unplugged music series every second and fourth Saturday from June through September. For an even bigger concert experience, the large-format live show Vibes Under the Bridge will take place Saturday, July 16. For outdoor games lovers, a cornhole tournament will take place at The Waterfront on Saturday, Aug. 20.
The Waterfront is also a great place to get away for the weekend, whether for locals looking for a staycation or out-of-towners who need top-notch accommodations. The Hampton Inn and Suites and The Courtyard Marriott provide convenient stays for a fun escape.
The possibilities for summer fun are endless at The Waterfront. Wittmer suggested popular activities from a girls’ day full of shopping and drinks to an evening with dinner and a comedy show at the Improv. Whether it’s with family, friends, or someone special, there are so many ways to make fun memories right on the Mon River. For more information on the possibilities, visit waterfrontpgh.com.
This has been a paid article submitted by our content partner.
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