PPG Place
PPG Place
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Downtown
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Best nearby
Restaurants
845 within 5 kms
Attractions
351 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
246 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
91
Average
20
Poor
4
Terrible
2
William S
Clinton, NJ401 contributions
Dec 2022
It was a cold night around the Holidays when we visited, and the Place was lit up with holiday lights and skaters were enjoying the ice rink. There are many restaurants and bars close by. The architecture of steel and glass are also awesome.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shellerenee
108 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We took a group of teenagers here to go ice skating. It was very well maintained, clean and most importantly with all the kids, I felt like they where safe. I noticed several security members constantly patrolling the area. Reasonably priced with close parking. I think I had more fun than the kids.
Written 13 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jared H
Scenery Hill, PA179 contributions
Dec 2020
Went last night, it was wonderful. Still has the magic it would pre pandemic. They even got the Santa displays up. You cannot skate without a reservation but it is still nice to go see the tree, and get out of the house.
Written 1 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynn S
Pittsburgh, PA32 contributions
Sept 2021
The Wintergarden at One PPG Place in Downtown Pittsburgh near Market Square is a beautiful place for weddings. As a MOB, I just wanted to say our recent event was flawless. Food was excellent. We served salad and rolls along with a choice of short ribs, chicken or fish. The all-glass venue itself is spacious and very well managed. Special shout out to Shauna (event planner) and Tiffany (food manager) and bartenders. Everyone was attentive and professional. Bathrooms are large and clean. Bridal suite was large. Parking everywhere, but look for the "PPG Place" parking garage (down 3rd Avenue on the left) .... there are specific elevators for the Wintergarden lobby if you have older folks getting to the venue. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on Forbes Avenue .... a 5 minute walk thru Market Square.
Written 27 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tiger1127
Saint Louis, MO317 contributions
Mar 2021
It is a very cool place. the black and white color of the buildings made the square so uniqure and very european feeling.I went during day, there was no one there and evening I can see many people like to hang around the square and the plaza north of PPG place. we missed two days for the ice rink, otherwise would be a great experience for the kids.
Written 24 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
evangeline57
Pittsburgh, PA496 contributions
Jan 2013 • Friends
In case you are wondering, PPG Place should be considered a "destination" for Visitors to Pittsburgh. Located between the Blvd of the Allies, Market Square and Stanwix St in Downtown, PPG Place is comprised of 6 reflective plate glass buildings, and crowned by the formidable 40 story high PPG Tower with it's turreted Castle-like silhouette.
On the ground level, in front of the Tower, on Market St, is the open-air 1 acre square PPG Plaza, with its substantial obelisk in the center. If this site seems familiar to you, perhaps you've seen it in the movies ("Inspector Gadget", among others, was filmed here). In the warmer months (roughly April-September) a dancing water display surrounds the obelisk and is popular with children who like to play here, and with office workers, who gather here to sit at the numerous free-to-all tables, and watch them.
There are several restaurants at PPG with everything from Bagels to Prime Rib located on the ground level of the various buildings, as well as a full Food Court in the lower level of PPG Bldg#2 (enter from the Market Sq side, across from Dunkin' Donut). Here, if you are sight-seeing, you may also be relieved to find a large, clean Public Restroom. And, speaking of "Market Sq", there it is, just literally next door to PPG Place; so, why NOT stop here for a peek when you are sure to be in the area anyhow? Of course, this means all the Market Sq restaurants are also nearby enough to grab a sandwich or salad, and then head over to join the Pittsburgh locals for lunch in the shadey, lovely PPG Plaza. PPG also houses several small business on its ground floor, among them the quirky "Serendipity" where you can buy unique gifts to take home to jealous friends and family members.
Undoubtedly, the best time to visit PPG Place is from Light-Up Night (generally mid-November) thru mid-January, when Pittsburgh's Holiday frenzy is in full-swing. Christmas Music in the Plaza and inside the beautiful (enclosed) Wintergarden, on the ground level of the PPG Tower, is plentiful and free. Also, located inside the Wintergarden, is the truly gorgeous "Spirits of Giving" Santas-from-Around-the-World exhibit, which is free to the public, and includes the handmade Gingerbread House project, a fundraiser for Childrens' Hospital. There is also an extensive model train exhibit here, along with various treats and surprises. Again, admission to this splendid exhibit is free for all and, I believe, these are the best Christmas decorations anywhere in Downtown. Magical!
Outside, in the PPG Plaza, the Winter transforms the usually solemn obelisk into an enormous magnificently decorated Christmas Tree, while the fountain becomes a lovely old-fashioned Ice Rink with music and snacks, skate rental (@$3.00), and skating (@$7/adults and $6/kids). Even if you don't skate, it's fun to sit and watch all the young and young-at-heart twirling and leaping, creeping along the edge, and falling down. Everyone has a good time here, and so will you. Be sure to check the PPG Place website for dates/details if you are coming and don't want to miss the activities described above.
On the ground level, in front of the Tower, on Market St, is the open-air 1 acre square PPG Plaza, with its substantial obelisk in the center. If this site seems familiar to you, perhaps you've seen it in the movies ("Inspector Gadget", among others, was filmed here). In the warmer months (roughly April-September) a dancing water display surrounds the obelisk and is popular with children who like to play here, and with office workers, who gather here to sit at the numerous free-to-all tables, and watch them.
There are several restaurants at PPG with everything from Bagels to Prime Rib located on the ground level of the various buildings, as well as a full Food Court in the lower level of PPG Bldg#2 (enter from the Market Sq side, across from Dunkin' Donut). Here, if you are sight-seeing, you may also be relieved to find a large, clean Public Restroom. And, speaking of "Market Sq", there it is, just literally next door to PPG Place; so, why NOT stop here for a peek when you are sure to be in the area anyhow? Of course, this means all the Market Sq restaurants are also nearby enough to grab a sandwich or salad, and then head over to join the Pittsburgh locals for lunch in the shadey, lovely PPG Plaza. PPG also houses several small business on its ground floor, among them the quirky "Serendipity" where you can buy unique gifts to take home to jealous friends and family members.
Undoubtedly, the best time to visit PPG Place is from Light-Up Night (generally mid-November) thru mid-January, when Pittsburgh's Holiday frenzy is in full-swing. Christmas Music in the Plaza and inside the beautiful (enclosed) Wintergarden, on the ground level of the PPG Tower, is plentiful and free. Also, located inside the Wintergarden, is the truly gorgeous "Spirits of Giving" Santas-from-Around-the-World exhibit, which is free to the public, and includes the handmade Gingerbread House project, a fundraiser for Childrens' Hospital. There is also an extensive model train exhibit here, along with various treats and surprises. Again, admission to this splendid exhibit is free for all and, I believe, these are the best Christmas decorations anywhere in Downtown. Magical!
Outside, in the PPG Plaza, the Winter transforms the usually solemn obelisk into an enormous magnificently decorated Christmas Tree, while the fountain becomes a lovely old-fashioned Ice Rink with music and snacks, skate rental (@$3.00), and skating (@$7/adults and $6/kids). Even if you don't skate, it's fun to sit and watch all the young and young-at-heart twirling and leaping, creeping along the edge, and falling down. Everyone has a good time here, and so will you. Be sure to check the PPG Place website for dates/details if you are coming and don't want to miss the activities described above.
Written 15 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonbonwalden
Aurora, OH165 contributions
Sept 2019
great place to wander around, beautiful buildings to see and nice streets to walk. take a long walk and see the river !!
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maggie G
Delaware, OH99 contributions
Nov 2014 • Business
Visit this area in the winter for Ice skating and the Winter Garden displays. It is beautiful! Gingerbread houses and model trains everywhere.
Written 13 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine K
Pittsburgh41 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
This building is home to several businesses located in Pittsburgh, but it was originally commissioned, built and owned by PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, whatever...), a Fortune 200 company whose corporate headquarters still command the top floors. It is truly beautiful, but not much of a destination in & of itself (other than for architecture buffs). However, the square in the middle of the complex is a lovely place in all seasons... in the winter it has an ice skating venue where you can rent & skate around the "holiday tree", and during the other seasons it is much like a plaza in Europe, lots of tables for eating, resting & people watching. Sometimes you can find entertainment or political speakers holding court. It is very near Market Square, a great place to buy carry-out (or dine in) food, and venue for lunch time entertainment in the warmer months.
Written 14 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gerard a
Allentown, PA121 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
Downtown Pittsburgh has several attractions to choose from, and more than I know about. I have done over 50 hours of research, planning a Holiday getaway, and Pittsburgh has plenty of choices. The final of our 4 day holiday weekend was spent in the Cultural District area.
Having enjoyed the "Musical, A Christmas Carol", we walked to the Market Square area that presented some special attractions this year. Unlike New Your City, walking through Pittsburgh's Cultural Center was not a threat or concern to us. This area is made for your pleasure and safety, not business traffic.
At Market Square, we found an arrangement of German style shops with an assortment of items made from talented local Crafters. Also found were Imported craft items, specialty baked foods that became a Market Square favorite, and talented festive music from around the world. It was a good Holiday walk-about, and it set the stage for what was just ahead of you. Check the PPG web site for the times and list of live music and other activities.
In the next block (just follow the people), is PPG Plaza. (Keep in mind that this is happening at 7 p.m.)
There was no pushing, shoving or people running. It was the best display of a collection of all types of people that I have ever seen. People waiting for others to take their photos, no shoving to see the skaters, and all of the smiles said it all.
Reviews will not fully prepare for what you will be walking into. Make sure that you have your friends or family with you when you go there.
Take the time to watch the skaters take their turn with this winter fun. Scan the mountain of a tree, fully decorated, as it looks over the people who skate around it. See the smiles on all of the faces, and the glimmer of light reflecting in their eyes. Make sure the you stay around long enough to see a Zamboni polish off the ice for the next round of skaters.
And, for the icing on the cake. Along third ave., heading westward, is the PPG building with it's doors open and lights on inside. Go in and step into a "land like no other". Gingerbread house contest, with an assortment of over 1,500 candy topped masterpieces. Standing among them are about 20 lifelike surprises that will have you stopping for each one.
Trains travel back and forth, around the "how did you get it in there" tree.
Lots of holiday color, plenty of eye candy, flashbacks of dreams of your past, and seating to make the evening a little lighter on your feet. I found this treasure trove by accident, by observing several people walking that way. You would never know it was there, and we did not see any signs for it.
If you are at a hotel with shuttle services, have them pick you up at 3rd Ave. and Market St. It is located at the south east corner of the PPG plaza (at the traffic light). About 20 steps and you are in your ride. With traffic patterns and road construction, it cost us each $5 each way to get there and back from our Double Tree Hilton hotel.
The key is to be with family and or friends. To take your time and enjoy every step through this wonderful menagerie of colors, lights, visual surprises, various fragrances from the girls, and the satisfaction of keeping these memories for many years to come.
Happy Holidays, and may it be as fun as ours.
jerryandbarb8
(our reviews are under this name)
Having enjoyed the "Musical, A Christmas Carol", we walked to the Market Square area that presented some special attractions this year. Unlike New Your City, walking through Pittsburgh's Cultural Center was not a threat or concern to us. This area is made for your pleasure and safety, not business traffic.
At Market Square, we found an arrangement of German style shops with an assortment of items made from talented local Crafters. Also found were Imported craft items, specialty baked foods that became a Market Square favorite, and talented festive music from around the world. It was a good Holiday walk-about, and it set the stage for what was just ahead of you. Check the PPG web site for the times and list of live music and other activities.
In the next block (just follow the people), is PPG Plaza. (Keep in mind that this is happening at 7 p.m.)
There was no pushing, shoving or people running. It was the best display of a collection of all types of people that I have ever seen. People waiting for others to take their photos, no shoving to see the skaters, and all of the smiles said it all.
Reviews will not fully prepare for what you will be walking into. Make sure that you have your friends or family with you when you go there.
Take the time to watch the skaters take their turn with this winter fun. Scan the mountain of a tree, fully decorated, as it looks over the people who skate around it. See the smiles on all of the faces, and the glimmer of light reflecting in their eyes. Make sure the you stay around long enough to see a Zamboni polish off the ice for the next round of skaters.
And, for the icing on the cake. Along third ave., heading westward, is the PPG building with it's doors open and lights on inside. Go in and step into a "land like no other". Gingerbread house contest, with an assortment of over 1,500 candy topped masterpieces. Standing among them are about 20 lifelike surprises that will have you stopping for each one.
Trains travel back and forth, around the "how did you get it in there" tree.
Lots of holiday color, plenty of eye candy, flashbacks of dreams of your past, and seating to make the evening a little lighter on your feet. I found this treasure trove by accident, by observing several people walking that way. You would never know it was there, and we did not see any signs for it.
If you are at a hotel with shuttle services, have them pick you up at 3rd Ave. and Market St. It is located at the south east corner of the PPG plaza (at the traffic light). About 20 steps and you are in your ride. With traffic patterns and road construction, it cost us each $5 each way to get there and back from our Double Tree Hilton hotel.
The key is to be with family and or friends. To take your time and enjoy every step through this wonderful menagerie of colors, lights, visual surprises, various fragrances from the girls, and the satisfaction of keeping these memories for many years to come.
Happy Holidays, and may it be as fun as ours.
jerryandbarb8
(our reviews are under this name)
Written 15 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I get on the ice without skates to help out my children that have never been ice skating?
Written 23 November 2023
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