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PNC Park, Pittsburgh
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PNC Park

What a visiting fan needs to know: where to stay, getting in from PIT, parking and tailgating, what to eat and where to sit.

  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Home of the Pirates
  • Fly into PIT
  • Stadium tours
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Games at PNC Park

Where to stay near PNC Park

Where visiting fans stay

From a specialist guide
  • Downtown
    Little Feather Wittentale, Google Maps

    DowntownVisiting fans pick this

    10 min by walk. The most rooms in the city. Walk across the Clemente Bridge to the gates, or ride the free T from Gateway, Wood Street, Steel Plaza or First Avenue to North Side Station.

  • North Shore
    David Murray, Google Maps

    North ShoreVisiting fans pick this

    3 min by walk. The Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and Hyatt Place North Shore are within about a quarter mile of the ballpark, next to the Federal Street bars. Rooms cost more and sell out first on big dates.

  • Strip District
    Paul Azarakel, Google Maps

    Strip District

    15 min by rideshare. Close to the food markets, Primanti Bros., Pamela's and Wigle Whiskey. A short ride or about a 30 minute walk along the river to the ballpark.

  • Station Square and the South Side
    Steve B, Google Maps

    Station Square and the South Side

    15 min by transit. Station Square has the Gateway Clipper boat shuttle to the ballpark and a T stop. East Carson Street in the South Side has 15 blocks of bars and restaurants for after the game.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The North Shore wraps the ballpark, with Federal Street bars like Mike's Beer Bar and North Shore Tavern across from the gates and North Shore Drive running toward Acrisure Stadium. The Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and Hyatt Place North Shore all sit within about a quarter mile, and downtown hotels are a 10 minute walk across the Clemente Bridge.

Map of the area

Tap a pin to see the place.

Getting to PNC Park

From Pittsburgh International

From a specialist guide
PIT (Pittsburgh International) sits about 17 miles west of downtown, roughly 25 to 35 minutes to the ballpark by car. The 28X Airport Flyer bus costs $2.75 and runs every 30 to 40 minutes from about 5am to midnight to downtown, where the free T crosses the river to North Side Station.

On game day

Checked at the source
Walk across the Clemente Bridge, about 10 min. Federal Street, at the center field side of the ballpark. The bridge closes to cars for many home games, including weekend games. The T light rail (free zone), about 5 min. North Side Station on West General Robinson Street, about a block from the home plate entrance. 28X Airport Flyer bus, then the T, about 60 min. Downtown. The fare is good for 3 hours with free transfers, and the T to North Side Station is free from downtown. Gateway Clipper shuttle boat, about 10 min. The North Shore riverfront, steps from PNC Park. Boarding starts 1.5 hours before first pitch. Boats are cashless and have bars on board.

Parking and tailgating at PNC Park

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Alco Parking allows moderate tailgating in North Shore surface lots, at your car only. Folding chairs and tables are fine. Glass, other furniture, tents in some lots, personal port-a-johns and oversized vehicles such as RVs are not allowed. Every space must hold a car. Garages do not allow tailgating or open flames, and you cannot put anything on the garage ledges. The lots by the science center allow only limited tailgating: no tents, no grilling, no beer pong and a $1,000 littering fine. You cannot enter or wait on the street before the lots open. Leave within one hour after the game ends.

Game day at PNC Park

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: One soft-sided bag per person, 16 x 16 x 8 inches or smaller (purses, fanny packs and backpacks all count). Diaper bags and medical bags are allowed after a search. Bags do not need to be clear.
  • Cashless: PNC Park is fully cashless. Pay with a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Free reverse ATMs behind sections 119 and 319 turn cash into a prepaid card.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
About 90 minutes and 1.5 miles of walking, rain or shine. Stops can include Legacy Hall, the warning track, bullpens, dugouts, batting cages, suites and the press box. Book online through the Pirates tours page or call 412-325-4700. Tickets are mobile only in the MLB Ballpark app and payment is card only. Tours enter at the Allegheny Health Network Gate on Federal Street. The Pirates also sell gameday, pregame, clubhouse and group tours. Dates and prices show on the tours page, and groups should book ahead since tour sizes are limited.

After the final whistle

Checked at the source
Most fans walk back over the Clemente Bridge to downtown, which takes about 10 minutes. The T from North Side Station to downtown is free. Gateway Clipper boats back to Station Square start loading in the bottom of the 7th and run until 30 minutes after the game. North Shore lots ask you to leave within an hour of the end of the game.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Driving to a North Shore lot at the last minute. Lots fill, cars get directed into set spaces and the exit crawl is slow. Park in a downtown garage and walk over the Clemente Bridge, or ride the free T.

Food and drink at PNC Park

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source
  • Mike's Beer Bar
    Mike's Beer Bar, Google Maps

    Mike's Beer Bar

    110 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

    A craft beer bar across Federal Street from the ballpark with 80 rotating taps and more than 500 beers, 300 of them from local breweries. It has an 11 foot video wall and more than 30 TVs.

    Away fans: a packed home crowd before first pitch, but Pittsburgh fans are friendly to visitors who come to drink and watch baseball.

  • North Shore Tavern
    North Shore Tavern, Google Maps

    North Shore Tavern

    120 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

    A sports bar directly across Federal Street from PNC Park, built around baseball. Its signature dish is Steak on a Stone, seared at your table.

    Away fans: a baseball-themed home bar. Visitors in away colors will get some ribbing and not much more.

  • Wigle Bar at North Shore
    The Wigle Bar at North Shore, Google Maps

    Wigle Bar at North Shore

    115 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

    The local distillery's bar on Federal Street, built into the ballpark block. It pours craft cocktails made with its own whiskey and vodka, plus beer on tap and pub food.

    Away fans: a mixed pregame crowd on the street outside the gates, easy for visitors.

  • Burgatory North Shore
    Chase Hart, Google Maps

    Burgatory North Shore

    342 North Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

    A local burger and milkshake chain on North Shore Drive between the ballpark and Acrisure Stadium. On big game days it runs an outdoor grill for smash burgers and sells beer from a tub on the patio.

    Away fans: a family crowd in black and gold. Visitors fit in fine.

Things to do around PNC Park

Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.

  1. Drink50 points

    Pregame beer at Mike's Beer Bar

    Mike's sits across Federal Street from the gates with 80 taps and more than 300 local beers. It is the busiest pregame room on the North Shore.

    $$. 2 hours before first pitch

  2. Outing50 points

    Take the Gateway Clipper boat to the game

    A shuttle boat crosses from Station Square to the North Shore, starting 1.5 hours before first pitch, with a bar on board. A round trip costs $15 and boats back start in the bottom of the 7th.

    $. 1 hour 30 minutes before first pitch

  3. Photo40 points

    Stroll the Riverwalk behind right field

    The Riverwalk inside the ballpark runs along the Allegheny River behind the right field wall, with food stands, the kids play area and bridge views. Retired numbers and oversized baseballs sit in the landscaping of the Lower Riverwalk.

    Free. 1 hour 15 minutes before first pitch

  4. Ritual50 points

    Walk the Clemente Bridge to the gates

    The bridge from downtown closes to cars on game days and fills with fans walking to the ballpark. It lands at the center field gate on Federal Street, with the skyline behind you and the ballpark ahead.

    Free. 1 hour before first pitch

  5. Eat65 points

    Eat pierogies at the ballpark

    Pierogies are the city's comfort food, and the ballpark sells them at sections 105, 119, 128 and 142. For something new, try the cold pierogi salad or chipped ham fries at the market by section 118.

    $. 30 minutes before first pitch

  6. Tour75 points

    Take a PNC Park tour

    A 90 minute walking tour covers the warning track, dugouts, bullpens, batting cages and press box. Walk-up tours run only on non-game days and not on Sundays, so plan it for your free day.

    $$

  7. Eat65 points

    Primanti Bros. sandwich in the Strip District

    Primanti Bros. piles the fries and coleslaw inside the sandwich, and the Strip District shop on 18th Street is the classic place to try one. Order a capicola and cheese before you head to the ballpark.

    $

  8. Eat50 points

    Pancakes at Pamela's

    Pamela's has served breakfast in Pittsburgh since 1980, and its Strip District diner is a local favorite for hotcakes. It is open 8am to 2pm every day, so go before a night game.

    $

  9. Drink50 points

    Taste rye at Wigle Whiskey

    Wigle makes whiskey, including rye, at its distillery in the Strip District. Stop in for a drink or book a distillery tour on a free day.

    $$

  10. Outing65 points

    Heinz History Center and its sports museum

    Pennsylvania's largest history museum fills six floors in the Strip District, and its sports museum tells the story of Pittsburgh's champions. Adults pay $20, kids 17 and under get in free, and it is open daily 10am to 5pm.

    $$

  11. Outing50 points

    The Andy Warhol Museum

    The museum of the Pittsburgh-born pop artist sits a few blocks from the ballpark on the North Shore, at Sandusky and East General Robinson Streets. It is closed on Tuesdays, and big bags must go in a locker.

    $$

  12. Photo75 points

    Ride the Duquesne Incline to Grandview Avenue

    Wooden cable cars that first ran in 1877 climb Mount Washington to an observation deck with the best view of downtown and the rivers. Bring exact cash, since the incline takes no credit or debit cards.

    $

  13. Landmark50 points

    See the fountain at Point State Park

    The fountain sits at the tip of downtown where the Allegheny and Monongahela meet to form the Ohio River. It is a 15 minute walk from the ballpark along the river trail.

    Free

  14. Ritual40 points

    Watch the Pierogi Race

    Costumed pierogies race around the field during a break in the middle innings. Pick a flavor and cheer for it with the rest of the ballpark.

    Free. 1 hour 30 minutes after first pitch

Seats and shade at PNC Park

Where the sun lands on a day game, and which seats stay dry when it rains.

Shade and cover

From a specialist guide
  • Lower level first base side, sections 101-114. Rows R and higher are in shade at first pitch, rows E and higher by the middle innings, and every row after about 4pm.
  • Behind home plate, sections 115-117, and toward third base rows AA and higher. The higher rows sit under the upper deck and get shade early.
  • Grandstand, sections 301-312. The upper half of these sections stays in shade for afternoon games, and the lower rows shade over as the game goes on.
  • Lower level rows AA and higher, Grandstand rows R and higher. These rows sit under an overhang and stay dry in light rain. In sections 109-113, rows FF to HH have the best cover.
  • Field level sections 1-32, Baseball Club 201-228, left field bleachers 235-238 and rooftop 335-339. These seats get little or no shade. The third base side and left field stay in the sun, so bring a hat and sunscreen.
  • Third base side and left field stands. The setting sun shines into these seats early in night games. Bring sunglasses.