So we went to the Children's Museum here in Pittsburgh today

[Orrex]

It's in a part of town mostly unfamiliar to me, so it's always a bit of a puzzle getting there, even with a MapQuest print-out.

One thing that doesn't help at all is that we saw only one sign posted anywhere to indicate where the museum is, and the museum itself is actually visible from the place where that sign is posted.

Pittsburgh is designed to be unnavigable to anyone not already intimately familiar with its layout, and of course there is therefore no way to become familiar with the layout.

[RetroLounge]

1. Agreed.

Pittsburgh is not made for strangers...

RL

[Orrex]

17. Almost all of the town's traffic problems would be solved by a beltway

Instead, to get anywhere near the city, you have to go straight through the city. Who was on that planning committee?!?

[MorningGlow]

2. Come to the Strong National Museum of Play here instead

Smaller metropolis, attractions easier to find, and the Strong Museum KICKS ASS. We're members because MG Jr. loves going as many times as possible--it never gets old. :hi:

On edit: Linkie http://www.strongmuseum.org/

[Orrex]

16. Thanks, but Rochester is kind of a long haul for a day-trip

Sounds like fun, though. And while we're there we could take them to see Susan B. Anthony's grave!

[MorningGlow]

18. Mmmm a cemetery

Fun for the whole family!
:rofl:

Actually the Mt. Hope Cemetery (which is on the National Register of Historic Places) does really great tours, especially around Halloween. It's actually a beautiful place. http://www.fomh.org/

[Orrex]

19. I had a friend at U of R years ago who lived in the Susan B. Anthony dorm

She once got lost while walking after dark with her friend, and they asked a campus cop to direct them to "Susan B. Anthony."

"Right over there," said the cop. "Under that tree." (Or some near equivalent.)

[tigereye]

3. it used to be worse - if it wasn't for the All Star game here back when

there wouldn't be ANY signs at all.


I used to joke that you have to know where you are going, and I've lived here for decades.


It's a lovely museum, isn't it?

[Richardo]

5. I was walking behind two businessmen in the Pittsburgh airport once time...

...and one guy was saying to the other "Have you ever asked for directions around here? They say things like 'Turn left where the big oak tree used to be.'"

Made me laugh. :) :hi:

[tigereye]

6. one time some folks asked me to tell them how to get to one of the local

hospitals near downtown

I was working where our ballpark is now located - and I had to tell them to go so far and then ask someone. It's quite difficult to describe certain routes here since we don't really have many grid-like streets, as you well know.

[SoxFan]

11. New Orleans is like that

The layout of the city is Kafkaesque, and asking for directions is an exercise in futility.

[Orrex]

7. We had a blast!

It was our second time there, and this time around our younger son was big enough to enjoy it, too.


The worst sign-placement I've ever seen anywhere is on the Fort Pitt Bridge, where you have to be literally under a sign before you can read it, and then when you realize that you should be three lanes over, it's too late.

Love that town!

[tigereye]

10. yup, that's the Ft. Pitt. - "where you want to go is 3 lanes away, 3 lanes away"

( with apologies to Lucinda Williams)


There are a couple of Parkway ramps with stop signs on em, too. :crazy:


Glad you had a great time!

[arbusto_baboso]

4. Children's Museum?

How many children are on display? Are they live or stuffed? :hide:

[Orrex]

15. They have rotating displays, so it really depends on when you go

As I mentioned below, we got to see the formalin specimens. Most impressive!

[miss_american_pie]

8. But it was so worth it

Except I always get all weepy walking up Mr. Roger's front porch.

:hi:

[bif]

9. Is that the one in an old post office?

We went there years ago. It's okay, but nothing special. I wish we had gone to the
Andy Warhol museum instead.

[Orrex]

13. I don't think so--I believe it was built specifically to be the museum

Lots of fun, interactive exhibits and suitable for a wide range of ages.

We had the misfortune of getting there at about the same time as an entirely out-of-control kindergarten class with only one apparent chaperone. Of course, my children would never misbehave in public. O8)O8)

[mitchum]

12. Were you pissed off that they didn't have preserved children there?

I was.
Fucking misleading naming.

[Orrex]

14. You obviously didn't see the right exhibit

Row upon row of the little devils preserved in formalin. Quite a sight!