Because the conference, and therefore most of your activities, will be in Oakland, we have put together this mini-guide to Oakland. This guide is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive but is meant to provide you with an orientation of your surroundings and suggestions if you want or need to go out and about. The first section presents a geographic and social description of Oakland with links to some of the places most worth visiting if you have time. The next section describes some of the best stores, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops nearby in case you need to pick something up before or after the conference or wish to go out with some fellow participants. Although the addresses for all of these places are included, we also give brief directions from Posvar Hall (see picture to the left), where the conference will be. If there is something we missed on the guide that you are interested in, just ask one of the conference organizers or your host and they'll be happy to help you make the most of your stay here.

 

Oakland is the Pittsburgh neighborhood where the conference, and the University of Pittsburgh, is located. It extends along and outward from the Forbes Avenue-Fifth Avenue corridor and is surrounded by the Pittsburgh neighborhoods of Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Greenfield, Bloomfield, Hill District, and Bluff. Oakland is divided into two parts: North Oakland and South Oakland. North Oakland tends to be somewhat quieter and residential while South Oakland tends to be where most of the University of Pittsburgh undergraduates live. Although there is no firm or formal dividing line between them, Forbes Avenue tends to demarcate the two.

You can find some of the most interesting and enjoyable elements of Pittsburgh in Oakland. With University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Carlow College, there is a wealth of educational institutions and opportunities in the area. Other aspects of Oakland worth noting (and seeing) include Schenley Park, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carnegie Music Hall. All of these sites are within a five minute walk from the conference (for more specific directions, check the map or ask any of the conference organizers). These institutions along with university students from over 90 countries, make Oakland one of Pittsburgh's primary cultural centers.
 

Although the University of Pittsburgh is spread out across Oakland, the buildings you should be most concerned about are all located in one particular area. The most important building, because it houses the conference, is William Pitt Union (denoted as WPU on many campus maps). It is on Bigelow Blvd. between Forbes Ave. and Fifth Ave., just across the from Soldiers and Sailors Memorial and the Cathedral of Learning The Cathedral of Learning is the most recognizable and useful landmark in all of Oakland. Its gothic architecture reaches up 42 stories and can be seen from nearly everywhere in Oakland (see picture to the left). If you get lost or disoriented, look in the skyline for the Cathedral of Learning and walk toward it. Once you get there, you are only 100 yards from William Pitt Union.

If you are looking to get something to eat or drink, there are many places to choose from, most of which are listed in the "Only in Oakland" pamphlet included in your packets. If you need help finding one of these, or any other, places either check the Oakland map in the "Only in Oakland" pamphlet, the campus map included in your packet (reproduced above), or ask one of the conference organizers.

If you'd rather minimize the search time and maximize the eating and drinking time, we've created a short list of places that are both close and excellent (see below). For the places on Forbes, you'll want to walk away from the Cathedral of Learning.. To reach Craig Street, walk down Forbes or Fifth past the Cathedral of Learning. and then turn left from Forbes or right from Fifth onto Craig Street (10 minute walk at most from the Conference). Oakland Avenue can be found by walking down Forbes, away from the Cathedral of Learning, for about 2 blocks and then turn left (on the corner will be Joe Mama's restaurant). Each of these streets has many restaurants and bars so keep your eyes open for anything that may strike your fancy.

Restaurants

Fuel and Fuddle
212 Oakland Avenue
412-682-3473
Bar/restaurant with good food, reasonable prices (~$10), and over 100 beers from around the world. Salads and sandwiches are particularly good.

The Original Hot Dog Shop (aka "The O")
3901 Forbes Avenue
412 621 7388
Legendary Pittsburgh restaurant that serves huge portions of food at super-cheap prices and open very late. Most famous for its hot dogs, French fries and pizzas.

Pamela's
3703 Forbes Avenue
412 683 4066
THE breakfast place in Pittsburgh (with a second location in Squirrel Hill) that also serves dinner all at reasonable prices (~$10).

Hemingway's Café
3911 Forbes Avenue
412 621 4100
Favorite bar for business and political science graduate students that also serves great sandwiches, among other food, for relatively cheap (~$10). Very close to Hillman Library.

Primanti Brothers
3803 Forbes Avenue
412 621 4444
Another legendary Pittsburgh restaurant that serves huge sandwiches, Pittsburgh style (French fries in the sandwich). ~$10.

Lulu's Noodles & Yum Wok
400 South Craig Street
412 687 7777
A favorite of University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University students that serves a variety of noodle dishes, such as Pad Thai, for cheap ($10 and less).

Ali Baba Restaurant
404 South Craig Street
412 682 2829
Traditional Middle Eastern dishes at reasonable prices (~$10).

Joe Mama's
3716 Forbes Avenue
412 621 7282
Retro Italian diner with good drink prices and big food portions all reasonably priced ($10-20), especially late at night when food is half priced.

Star of India
412 South Craig Street
412 681 5700
One of Pittsburgh's favorite Indian restaurants and after 11p get the regularly reasonable prices (~$10) for even cheaper.

Qdoba Mexican Grill
3712 Forbes Avenue
412 802 7866
Fresh Mexican fare, made to order, very fast, reasonably priced ($10 and less), and has excellent vegetarian options.


Coffee Shops
Kiva Han
410 South Craig Street/412 687 6355
3533 Forbes Avenue/412 682 5354

Starbucks Coffee
3618 Forbes Avenue
412 682 3868


Stores of Convenience
Eckerd
Forbes and Atwood Streets
412 681 1332

Kinko's Copies
3710 Forbes Avenue
412 687 2752

Mailboxes, Etc.
414 South Craig Street
412 687 6100