Pittsburgh Pinball Dojo Offers All-You-Can-Play Fun

As budding pinball fans, we decided to start checking out places to play pinball in Pittsburgh. Over time, one spot came recommended to us again and again- the Pittsburgh Pinball Dojo in Bellevue.

This modest pinball hall features two rooms loaded with roughly 50 machines, all set to free play mode after your initial ticket fee, and, best of all, is BYOB and BYOB friendly!

So on one rainy Friday night we made our way over to the dojo to check out a free play night and we have to say, we can understand why this one is so popular.

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8 Oktoberfests in Pittsburgh to Celebrate Fall with a Beer

We have a soft spot for all things Oktoberfest, and after getting to enjoy the celebration in Munich for its wild party, we love checking out all of the Pittsburgh Oktoberfest celebrations that take place throughout September (and spill into October).

As there are no shortage of events taking place in breweries and other public places, we thought we would share a few of the top Oktoberfest events you may want to consider. Prost!

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Traveler’s Rest Hotel Review – Boutique Hotel on the GAP

As avid travelers, we've done our fair share of overnight stays in hostels and boutique hotels- from $3 hole-in-the-walls in central China to high-end lodge-esque accommodations dedicated to hikers in Patagonia. Whenever we need to travel economically, we look toward shared dorms and private rooms in order to meet our travel goals.

One thing that always bothered me about the Pittsburgh hotel scene is that our budget and boutique hotel offerings are much more limited compared to higher-priced chains.

Traveler's Rest is one boutique hotel that opened up in South Side near Station Square and it certainly fills a need!

I was invited to the hotel for an overnight stay and wanted to share a bit more about this hidden gem in the South Side.

Note: I was a guest of Traveler's Rest Hotel for this review and have since returned for a tour after the property was upgraded to take updated photos and see the changes first-hand. As always, all opinions are my own.

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10 Reasons to Visit Pittsburgh in September – Fall is Coming

September in Pittsburgh often brings about the first signs of fall. The temperatures start to decrease below 80, fall festivals and seasonal attractions open up, school is back in session, and more.

While the looming season change may first be noticeable in this month, there are still plenty of wonderful things to do during the month, and in this one we wanted to share a few of our favorites!

So if you are looking for things to do in Pittsburgh in September, check out the following options.

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Latin American Cultural Center Showcases a Vast History

The Latin American Cultural Center is part of an outreach initiative put on by the Latin American Studies Association that has called Pittsburgh home since the 1980s.

The group's headquarters can be found in a beautiful and historic building right in the heart of Oakland, and features a modest exhibition space sharing the history and culture of Latin America, a theater space for performances, periodic temporary exhibitions, and more!

So while a visit to this one can be quite brief, if you are looking for a unique museum right in the heart of the city, don't overlook this one!

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JJ Poke Bowl Review – Fast Casual Poke in Oakland

Oakland is becoming a hub of excellent fast casual dining for the large college student, hospital, and office crowd in the neighborhood, and we're always finding new gems on every visit.

JJ Poke Bowl is one such restaurant and focuses on all things poke and Taiwanese bubble tea with large portions, great flavor, and, perhaps best of all, a rather attractive price point!

So if you're looking to feast on seafood for less, don't overlook this great little restaurant right in the heart of Oakland!

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5 Great Mini Golf Courses Near Pittsburgh for a Competition

When it comes to playing mini golf in Pittsburgh, there is no shortage of options in the region. From the historic courses that have been around for years to modern designs with every bell and whistle and some that are just plain unique, we have just about everything here.

So check out a few of our favorite mini golf courses we've tried in southwest PA in this one!

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Puttshack Brings Novel Tech to the Mini Golf Experience

We are big fans of all things mini golf in Pittsburgh, and always get excited when more courses open in the city.

The Strip District is becoming a hub for modern mini golf, with two companies offering unique, themed experiences indoors right in the heart of the city.

Puttshack inside The Terminal building is one such golf company, and this one introduced some fun and smart technology into the mini golf experience to really make for a unique round. We were invited by Puttshack to check out their facility for their anniversary party, and we wanted to share more in this review!

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Enjoy Music All Summer Long in Allegheny County Parks

We love seeing live music in the area, and there are no shortage of great concert venues in Pittsburgh to check out a show.     

But some of the best music experiences in Pittsburgh are when free music performances pop up, and one of our favorites is during the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series which takes place at two great locations in the county!

We made our way up to Hartwood Acres to check out a show and wanted to share a bit more about what you can expect and how to get the most out of these free events!

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Sunset Kayak with L.L.Bean Outdoors at North Park

We love our area parks, and one of our absolute favorites is North Park in Allison Park, about 20 minutes north of the city.

One of the reasons why we love this park so much is because it has something for everyone, be it for walking, running, biking, hiking, kayaking, and so much more.

While we normally go on outings in this park on our own, we were invited by L.L.Bean to check out a sunset kayaking tour as part of their Outdoor Discovery Program to explore North Park Lake on a more intimate guided experience as the sun goes down.

For those who want to take a different look at the lake and park at large, the kayak outing is a must-experience.

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