Game Weekend
PPG Paints Arena’s glass facade with the Stanley Cup mural, a statue of hockey players and the Trib Total Media Gate in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins

PPG Paints Arena

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A Penguins night at PPG Paints Arena, at the edge of Downtown.

Plan my tripJust find a hotel

The local take

An arena at the eastern edge of Downtown, with Steel Plaza the closest of the free Downtown T stations, a soup, sandwich and burger bar on Fifth Avenue, the arena’s street, that opens for every Penguins home game, and the Strip District’s markets to the north.

Most Penguins home games start at 7 p.m. Eastern, and more than half fall on Monday to Thursday nights; a few weekend games start in the afternoon. Doors generally open one hour before the start, entry is by mobile ticket only, and bags aren’t allowed, so plan dinner before you walk over. For a weekend trip, the Strip District, the Heinz History Center and the Duquesne Incline fill the day before.

PPG Paints Arena

Your Pittsburgh weekend

Pick your game, then your hotel, food and things to do, or let a quick start choose them with you.

Which game are you going to?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Exploring the weekend before choosing a game. Dates stay open.

Find your places.

Find your stay, your local pub, and everything around the game.

Each one picks a hotel and food that work together. Change anything below.

My weekend

7 hotels

Pittsburgh places

HotelSuggested

Downtown (Golden Triangle) · 0.38 mi from the arena

A boutique hotel in the 1903 James H. Reed building on William Penn Place, on the arena side of Downtown, with The Commoner restaurant and its rooftop biergarten in the building.

There’s no train, bus or parking to plan: the hotel is on the arena side of Downtown, and The Commoner is in the building for dinner before the game. Condado Tacos stays open until 11 p.m., or midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, for after it.

  • Fees not published here
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Details

Keep in mind: The hotel’s pages publish no parking rate, nightly fee or breakfast policy. Call the hotel before you book if you’re bringing a car.

On game day: Downtown stay: walk to the arena at 1001 Fifth Avenue, or ride the T free within the Golden Triangle to Steel Plaza at Ross Street and 6th Avenue.

620 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

0.38 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Kimpton Hotel Monaco PittsburghOfficial details for Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh
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Hotel

Downtown (Golden Triangle) · 0.37 mi from the arena

A renovated Federal Reserve Bank building on Grant Street, with free hot breakfast and the free 5:30 Kickback of hot food and drinks each evening.

  • Valet only, $40/night
  • Free hot breakfast
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Keep in mind: Parking is valet only, at $40 a night, and oversized vehicles may cost more or be refused.

On game day: Downtown stay: walk to the arena at 1001 Fifth Avenue, or ride the T free within the Golden Triangle to Steel Plaza at Ross Street and 6th Avenue.

745 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

0.37 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh DowntownOfficial details for Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
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Hotel

Strip District · 0.48 mi from the arena

At the Downtown end of the Strip, next to the convention center, with the Level 7 rooftop bar on site.

  • Paid parking, valet available
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Details

Keep in mind: Parking costs extra, and no rate is given. Check the fee with the hotel.

On game day: Strip District stay: request a rideshare to the arena’s zone at Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street, or walk in through Downtown.

1126 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

0.48 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for AC Hotel Pittsburgh DowntownOfficial details for AC Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
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Hotel

Strip District · 0.54 mi from the arena

Despite the name, it sits in the Strip District on Smallman Street. Its listing mentions free parking, free hot breakfast, a fitness center and an indoor pool.

  • Free parking
  • Free hot breakfast
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Details

Keep in mind: The walk to the arena runs through Downtown, and the arena’s T stations are all Downtown. Confirm the parking and breakfast terms with the hotel for your dates.

On game day: Strip District stay: request a rideshare to the arena’s zone at Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street, or walk in through Downtown.

1247 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

0.54 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-DowntownOfficial details for Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
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Hotel

Downtown (Golden Triangle) · 0.90 mi from the arena

A hotel with views of Point State Park at the western end of Downtown, with valet parking and in-and-out privileges.

  • Valet from $35/night
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Keep in mind: It’s at the far end of Downtown from the arena, so it’s the longest walk of the Downtown hotels; the free T to Steel Plaza is the alternative.

On game day: Downtown stay: walk to the arena at 1001 Fifth Avenue, or ride the T free within the Golden Triangle to Steel Plaza at Ross Street and 6th Avenue.

600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

0.90 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh DowntownOfficial details for Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
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Hotel

Oakland · 1.9 mi from the arena

A hotel in Oakland, Pittsburgh’s university district, with Spirits & Tales, a French-inspired restaurant with city views, on site.

  • Valet parking, rate not published
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Details

Keep in mind: Valet parking is offered, but the hotel publishes no rate. The arena is a bus or rideshare trip away.

On game day: Oakland stay: ride Routes 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 71A, 71C or 71D inbound on Fifth Avenue, and back outbound on Forbes Avenue.

5130 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

1.9 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for The Oaklander Hotel, Autograph CollectionOfficial details for The Oaklander Hotel, Autograph Collection
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Hotel

Airport · 14.7 mi from the arena

Right at the airport. Its listing says it’s four minutes from the hotel lobby to the security gates.

  • Courtesy shuttle listed
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Keep in mind: A long way from the arena. You either drive and park, or take the 28X bus Downtown and walk or ride the T.

On game day: Airport stay: drive to a lot you’ve bought ahead through ParkWhiz, or ride the 28X Airport Flyer to Downtown and walk or take the free T to the arena.

1111 Airport Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15231

14.7 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International AirportOfficial details for Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport
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Your weekend

2 adults, 1 room
Stay
Not chosen
Food
None chosen
Do

Choose a hotel first

Travel & full itinerary

The full plan, stop by stop

2 adults · 1 room

Choose a hotel to plan travel.

Your home base

No hotel chosen yet

Your hotel sets the area, both arena journeys and the travel between your stops.

Nothing is in your plan until you choose it. A quick start above the list can choose one for you.

Make time for a good meal

Food for the weekend

Compare and choose food

No food picks yet. Add places in the comparison above when you’re ready.

Check opening hours for your dates and reserve directly where needed.

The reason for the trip

PPG Paints Arena

Pick your game when you’re ready.

Nights open · 2 adults, 1 room

A different hotel?

Your arena travel updates to match. Any food you picked yourself stays.

Get to know the areas

Downtown (Golden Triangle)Walking to the game and the most restaurant choice

Stay in the Golden Triangle and walk east to the arena on Fifth Avenue, or ride the free T to Steel Plaza, the closest station.

Office towers, theaters, Market Square and the free Downtown T stations

To the arena
Walk east to Fifth Avenue and the arena, or ride the T to Steel Plaza. Doors generally open one hour before the start.
After the game
Walk back the same way, or ride the T from Steel Plaza. There’s no re-entry once you leave the arena.
The tradeoff
The Downtown hotels here list valet parking only, or no parking terms at all. Ask the hotel before you arrive with a car.

Hotels in this area

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Strip DistrictFood and a lively neighborhood the night before

Stay among the markets, food stalls and breweries on Smallman Street and Penn Avenue, north of Downtown.

Markets by day, breweries and sandwich counters at night

To the arena
Take a rideshare to the arena’s pick-up and drop-off zone at Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street, or walk through Downtown to Fifth Avenue.
After the game
Walk back to the Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street zone for a rideshare, or find a taxi outside the F.N.B. Gate.
The tradeoff
The arena’s T stations are all Downtown, not in the Strip, so on game night you walk through Downtown to the arena or take a rideshare.

Hotels in this area

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OaklandA university-district base on a direct bus line

Stay in Pittsburgh’s university district and ride a Pittsburgh Regional Transit 61 or 71 bus to the arena’s inbound stops along Fifth Avenue.

University campuses, hospitals, student bars and restaurants

To the arena
Board an inbound 61 or 71 bus toward Downtown; the arena’s page lists its inbound stops along Fifth Avenue.
After the game
Board the same routes outbound on Forbes Avenue, or take a rideshare from Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street.
The tradeoff
It’s a bus or rideshare trip to the arena each way. The arena names the bus routes but not how often they run or the last trip back.

Hotels in this area

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AirportShort trips by air

Stay beside Pittsburgh International Airport if you fly in late or leave early.

Airport hotel

To the arena
Drive I-376 into the city and park in the lot you booked, or take the 28X from outside Door 9 to Downtown.
After the game
Walk back to your lot and drive out, or ride the 28X back to the airport. Check PRT’s 28X timetable for the last trip.
The tradeoff
The airport is well outside the city, so every trip to the arena is a long one by car or by bus.

Hotels in this area

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Upcoming games at PPG Paints Arena

Visiting with the away team? Each game has its own page.

To the game and back

Choose a route from the area you’re staying in.

From Downtown on footDowntown (Golden Triangle)walk
Getting there
Walk east to Fifth Avenue and follow it to the arena at 1001 Fifth Avenue. Doors generally open one hour before the start, and entry is by mobile ticket only.
Getting back
Walk back the same way. There’s no re-entry once you leave the arena.

Bags aren’t allowed apart from small wallets, medical bags and diaper bags, so leave yours at the hotel. If you don’t have a mobile ticket, go to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Box Office inside the Highmark Gate.

Route information
From Downtown on the free TDowntown (Golden Triangle)transit
Getting there
Ride the T to Steel Plaza, the station closest to the arena, at Ross Street and 6th Avenue. The arena lists Steel Plaza, Wood Street and First Avenue as its Downtown stations, and service within the Golden Triangle is free at all times.
Getting back
Walk back to Steel Plaza and ride to your Downtown station.

Ride beyond the free zone and you pay a fare. Neither the arena’s page nor PRT’s how-to-ride page gives a last train; check PRT’s trip planner for your date.

Route information
From the Strip District by rideshareStrip Districtrideshare
Getting there
Set your drop-off to the arena’s rideshare zone at Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street. Lyft is the arena’s official rideshare partner. You can also walk in through Downtown to Fifth Avenue.
Getting back
Walk to the Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street zone, or find a taxi outside the F.N.B. Gate or call 412-321-8100.

Post-game prices and waits are set by the app; the arena publishes no pickup times.

Route information
From Oakland by busOaklandtransit
Getting there
Board Route 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 71A, 71C or 71D inbound toward Downtown. The arena lists these routes’ inbound stops along Fifth Avenue, the arena’s street.
Getting back
Board the same routes at the arena’s listed outbound stops along Forbes Avenue, back toward Oakland. A rideshare from Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street is the alternative.

The arena doesn’t publish how often these buses run or when the last one leaves. Plan your trip back with PRT’s timetables or trip planner for your game date, and check the fare there.

Route information
From the airport by carAirportdrive
Getting there
Drive I-376 into the city and park in a lot you’ve bought ahead: the arena’s lots are cashless and it strongly encourages pre-purchasing through ParkWhiz. For Penguins games, the arena points you to the Penguins’ own parking information.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot and drive out.

The arena says parking in its garage is for non-hockey events, and it says only that event parking rates vary. For event parking questions, call 412-804-3371.

Route information
From the airport by busAirporttransit
Getting there
Take the 28X Airport Flyer from outside Door 9 on the airport’s ground level to Downtown, then walk to the arena or ride the free T to Steel Plaza.
Getting back
Walk or ride the T back to a Downtown 28X stop and ride to the airport.

The airport says 28X buses leave about every 30 minutes. The fare is $2.75, valid for three hours with transfers; cash needs exact change, and the ticket machine near Door 8 takes cards. Check PRT’s 28X timetable for the last trip after a night game.

Route information

At PPG Paints Arena

Mobile tickets only

Entry is by mobile ticket on a smartphone. Tickets carry a rotating barcode, so screenshots and printouts won’t work; a ticket in Apple Wallet scans even though no barcode shows. Without a mobile ticket, go to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Box Office inside the Highmark Gate.

Arena information
No bags

Bags aren’t allowed. After inspection, the arena admits medical bags, diaper bags and wristlets or wallets no larger than 4 × 6 × 1 inches (the Penguins’ page gives 1.5 inches). Backpacks, coolers, cans, bottles and flasks are prohibited. Compact umbrellas under 8 × 5 inches that fit under your seat are allowed.

Arena information
Doors, cards and re-entry

Doors generally open one hour before the start, including for Penguins games. The arena is cashless: cards and Apple Pay or Google Pay only. Free reverse ATMs turn cash into a prepaid Visa card in the Highmark Lobby, the F.N.B. Club, the Captain Morgan Club and Sections 106, 119, 206 and 234. Once you leave, you can’t come back in.

Arena information
Parking for Penguins games

The arena’s lots are cashless, and it strongly encourages buying parking ahead through ParkWhiz. Its parking garage is for non-hockey events, and it says only that event rates vary; for Penguins games it points you to the Penguins’ parking information. Event parking questions: 412-804-3371.

Arena information
The T is free Downtown

Steel Plaza, at Ross Street and 6th Avenue, is the T station closest to the arena. The arena says service within the Golden Triangle is free at all times, and PRT lists the stations between First Avenue and Allegheny as free to ride between.

Arena information
Rideshare and taxis

The arena’s rideshare pick-up and drop-off is at the corner of Wylie Avenue and Fullerton Street, and Lyft is its official rideshare partner. After an event, taxis wait outside the F.N.B. Gate, or call 412-321-8100.

Arena information
From PIT airport by bus

The 28X Airport Flyer leaves from outside Door 9 on the ground level about every 30 minutes. The fare is $2.75, valid for three hours with unlimited transfers, or $7 for a day pass. Pay exact cash on board, by card at the ticket machine near Door 8, or with the Transit or Ready2Ride apps.

Arena information

Find your game & tickets

Use the team schedule for home dates and puck drop times.

Pittsburgh Penguins schedule

Useful things to know

Can I bring a bag into PPG Paints Arena?

No. Only medical bags, diaper bags and small wristlets or wallets are allowed, after inspection. Strollers are allowed, and the arena prefers fold-up ones because storage is limited.

Can I pay with cash inside?

No. The arena is cashless, but free reverse ATMs in the Highmark Lobby and several sections turn cash into a prepaid Visa card you can use anywhere.

Can I leave and come back in?

No. The arena doesn’t allow exit and re-entry, so eat before you go in or plan to eat inside.

Do I pay for the T to the arena?

Not within the Golden Triangle. The arena says T service there is free at all times, and Steel Plaza is the closest station.

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