Category: Pittsburgh Love

Are TripAdvisor Tour and Attraction Tickets Worth it?

Karyn Locke
Booking tours and attraction with TripAdvisor: Worth it or not? Hard Rock Cafe Pittsburgh

TripAdvisor is undoubtedly one of the first and foremost websites for finding out exactly what travelers think. Most are happy to give their honest opinion. The others? They’re elated to do so. But did you know that TripAdvisor now offers tours and ticket packages in addition to honest reviews? Yeah, neither did I until recently. So, what’s it like to book one? And furthermore, are TripAdvisor tour and attraction tickets worth it? Here’s the scoop. Disclosure: I was given a complimentary promo code to book a tour with TripAdvisor. All…

Take Our Money! 5 Donation-Worthy Pittsburgh Food Non-Profits You Need to Know About

Karyn Locke
Farm to Table For the Love of Pittsburgh Community Kitchen Pittsburgh

When it comes to non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh, there are so many that are worthy of your well-earned money. I also understand how difficult it can be to narrow down ones you feel passionate about. Last weekend, Mr. Locke and I had the pleasure of attending Farm to Table of Western PA’s For the Love of Pittsburgh local food tasting event. Not only did we sample locally-grown and prepared foods, we learned that non-profit organizations are passionate about getting healthy food into the hands of Pittsburgh residents – that’s something…

Wicked in Pittsburgh Tickets Too Expensive? There’s a $25 Solution

Karyn Locke
Wicked in Pittsburgh lottery

Broadway plays can cost an arm an a leg, especially if you’re planning on taking the entire family. While the traveling versions are more cost-effective, the cost can still rack up. Thankfully, in line with the Hamilton Lottery on Broadway, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has just released word of a WICKED lottery. Giving a budget-friendly option, tickets are only $25 a piece. Here’s the scoop on affordable WICKED in Pittsburgh lottery tickets. How Do I Get $25 Wicked Tickets? The WICKED in Pittsburgh lottery is taking a cue from the Hamilton…

Braddock’s Pittsburgh New Year’s Eve Menu 2017: Worth the Splurge?

Karyn Locke
Braddock's Pittsburgh New Year's Eve Menu 2017 : Braddock's Templeton Old Fashioned

This is the second year we’ve had the pleasure of taste-testing Braddock’s Pittsburgh New Year’s Eve menu. From the start to decadent finish, the prix fixe menu was filled with creative culinary endeavors and classics. But what about the plating? Always a sucker for good plating, it didn’t disappoint, either. Here’s our take on five tasty courses that rang in 2018. Mr. Locke and I are happy to call Braddock’s one of our go-to restaurants when we head into Pittsburgh proper. The reason? We’ve never, ever been disappointed in a…

Why Kids Will Love How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at Heinz Hall

Karyn Locke
Stage Decoration for How The Grinch Stole Christmas! at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was a Christmas book and cartoon staple in my home growing up. I remember cringing at the sight of poor, old Max having to pull the Grinch’s sleigh up the mountain! Happily, the next generation of kiddos love it as much as we did. Its huge following has seen a live-action movie and plenty of versions of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” on the radio around Christmas. To add more fuel to the Grinch flame, how the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical has been touring…

2017 Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory: A Walk in Holiday Magic!

Karyn Locke
A walk through Phipps Flower Show and Light Garden.

When it comes to holidays in Pittsburgh, I’m just like you are – there’s so many things to see and do, where do I start first? This year, I made it a point to check out the 2017 Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory and man, am I happy I did. I made it a girls night by taking my bonus mama with me to see the beauty of Phipps in winter both indoors and out. Here’s highlights from our visit. Phipps Winter Flower Show and Light Garden:…

Pittsburgh Holiday Guide | 2017

Steven Locke
Pittsburgh Holiday Guide

Families all bundled up whirling their way around a giant Christmas tree surrounded by the clippity-clop of horse hooves. Kids staring at the sky, mouths gaped open in awe of the tens of thousands of Christmas lights. A German Market and fireworks lighting up the night. Can you picture it? Every holiday season, Pittsburgh goes all out and sets this picturesque scene for its visitors and residents. Beginning November 17th and spanning from Point State Park to Kennywood Park, Pittsburgh holiday events are not to be missed! Check out our 11…

Pittsburgh-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Slider Recipe: Simple and Delish

Karyn Locke
pittsburgh style bbq pulled pork sliders recipe

This Pittsburgh-style BBQ Pulled Pork Slider recipe sponsored post was written by me on behalf of Smithfield® Marinated Pork as part of an Influence Central campaign. All opinions expressed in my post are my own. #RealFlavorRealFast #IC  #ad I adore BBQ pork sandwiches and sliders. I also adore Pittsburgh-style sandwiches topped with meat, cole slaw, and French fries. So, a no-brainer recipe was to meld the two together and create a Pittsburgh- style BBQ Pulled Pork Slider! Using only a handful of ingredients, the simple recipe can be jazzed up in so…

Back to School with South Hills Village Mall: What’s Hot for 2017

Karyn Locke
South Hills Village Disney Store

I love mall shopping. And, while that could be an entirely different story, one of the reasons is that I get to spend time with my teen daughter. The Kid and I got down to back-to-school-shopping business on a recent visit to South Hills Village Mall in Pittsburgh, PA. We hunted for bargains and necessary items, but what we ended up doing the most was having fun! Here’s the scoop on what’s hot for back to school in 2017! We had such a fun time partnering with the folks at…

From Steel City to Culinary Cool: 5 Pittsburgh Foodie Finds

Karyn Locke
Butcher and the Rye Charcuterie

Our love for all-things Pittsburgh is definitely not covert – and that includes its booming foodie scene. On a recent press trip, we discovered hip, new restaurants and re-fell in love with a couple of Pittsburgh standards, too. Here’s five restaurants in Pittsburgh to let you wet your culinary whistle. Butcher and the Rye If you’re planning to catch a show in the Cultural District, Butcher and the Rye is a hot spot. With its creative menu offerings (think charcuterie with rabbit rillette and foie blonde pate), there’s plenty of…