Places: Waterfront

With more than 260 acres of shopping, restaurants, clubs and other entertainment venues, the… With more than 260 acres of shopping, restaurants, clubs and other entertainment venues, the Waterfront outdoor mall in Homestead remains an exciting hot spot for young people in Pittsburgh.

No matter what Pitt’s students need to buy, with more than 70 stores, the Waterfront is equipped to satisfy anyone’s shopping cravings.

Students can try on designer Versace, Prada or Ralph Lauren shades at the Sunglass Hut or browse shoes on the clearance rack at DSW or New Balance Pittsburgh. They can experience innovative electronic media at Best Buy or Radio Shack, upgrade old cell phones at Sprint or Verizon Wireless or pick up work supplies at Office Depot.

To discover the latest fashion trends, students can turn to 15 different clothing stores including Abercrombie ‘ Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, Express, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Limited Too, Dress Barn, The Men’s Warehouse and Wet Seal. The Waterfront is also home to five additional department stores: Filene’s Basement, Macy’s, Marshalls, Target and TJ Maxx.

If students are looking for a more relaxing atmosphere, they may curl up with a book or magazine at Barnes and Noble, pamper themselves at the Venetian Salon and Spa, sample Moonlight Path body lotion at Bath ‘ Body Works, throw a football at Dick’s Sporting Goods or sip an espresso at Starbucks.

Although students can spend entire afternoons traversing through the Waterfront’s lighted walkways, the mall’s buzzing nightlife draws crowds of young people every weekend.

Within the AMC Loews Theater, students may watch movies on one of the theater’s 20 screens. Tickets cost $9 at the door or one may preorder them online at Fandango.com or MovieTickets.com.

For those 21 and older, Dave and Buster’s video game arcade, bar and restaurant is a popular adult playground. With games like Daytona USA, Dance Dance Revolution and Spin-N-Win, students might easily lose themselves in the scene. The Improv Comedy Club also hosts regular and visiting comedians throughout the week who are sure to keep guests hunched over in their chairs with laughter.

When students’ stomachs start growling, they can choose from 20 themed restaurants with different savory cuisines.

For dessert, students may create their own ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery by choosing flavors and toppings and watching the employees mash them together behind the counter.

Throughout the upcoming summer months, the Waterfront will host additional special events that are open to the public. On Thursday, May 15 from Bob Allen from the Dale Carnegie System will speak about networking at the Rock Bottom Brewery. Additionally, on May 8 to 11, Patrice O’Neal from “Arrested Development” and “The Office” will entertain guests at the Improv. From May 15 to 17, Thomas Milas from the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” will visit, and Billy Gardell from “Yes, Dear” is slated to perform June 5 to 8. Students may buy tickets in advance for these events at improv.com.

Beyond these events, the Waterfront will promote a puppy picnic on June 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. for the first time this year. Students of all ages may bring their dogs to the mall and receive free goodies while listening to a concert in the Town Center.

Paws with a Cause, an organization that trains dogs nationally to help people with special needs, will be there with the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society to mingle with guests and answer questions.

The Waterfront in Homestead is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Students can park for free in front of the stores and in the mall parking lot or take a ride from Oakland via the Pittsburgh Port Authority 59U bus with their Pitt IDs.