The Best Places

By Pitt News Staff
November 9, 2005

Best hotel for parents: Holiday Inn Select Runner-up: Hampton Inn

Seeing as a parental visit usually entails free food, shopping and maybe even laundry assistance, it pays to find mom and dad cushy lodgings. A suite-style room, soft pillows, comfy chairs, continental breakfasts and a functioning thermostat all conspire to create well-rested, cheerful parents. The rates are reasonable, so parents can channel the excess cash that may have been spent elsewhere to Pitt memorabilia. The ideal place for end-of-semester lodgings fills up quickly, so be sure to book early.

Kristen Dilemmo, Assistant A’E Editor

topBest place to hook up: Cathedral lawn Runner-up: Hillman Library

Public bathrooms, the shower, your car, a kitchen counter – all very fun places to get it on with someone special (or not so special), but after experiencing multiple hookups in these random places, they aren’t so random anymore. If you’re looking to spice up your hook-up environment, search no further, my friends. Just walk right across Bigelow Boulevard to Pitt’s very own landmark – the Cathedral of Learning.

You might be thinking, that’s crazy, ridiculous, absurd! Think again. The Cathedral lawn is the newest hot spot for late-night hookups; the spontaneity of getting it on outside in the middle of campus will get both you and your partner in the mood. It’s scandalous and riveting, yet there is no great risk of getting caught. There are endless bushes, trees and crevices to hide behind, giving you plenty of variety when choosing the perfect area to get down and dirty.

I mean, let’s face it: When it comes to hooking up, bedrooms are out and random places are in. So when you’re walking back to your dorm room, apartment or house after a long night of partying with a “special someone,” walk on over to the Cathedral lawn for a good time. Hey, you might even learn something.

Sarah Kaufman, contributing editor

topBest spring break: Cancun Runner-up: Home

Cancun: Mecca for all spring-breaking college students. This Mexican oasis of pleasure has all the amenities of a cosmopolitan city: Senor frogs, tequila flowing like the waters of the Allegheny and, dare I say it – the all-inclusive. Where else can you find a dueling piano bar that has managed to work a wet T-shirt contest into the act? Yes, my friends, Cancun. The juxtaposition of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea with the strobe lights of Coco Bongo’s overwhelms the senses. And if that’s not enough to tempt you, Cancun – also known as the little Hollywood of Mexico – has been launching the careers of many young coeds into the adult entertainment industry for years.

Sarah Bingler, staff writer

topBest place to break up: Schenley Quad: Runner-up: Towers

Just imagine the different types of sanctuary you can claim after breaking up with your significant other in the Quad.

You can gallop up the steps, sprint across the skywalk and disappear into a sea of people coming out of Posvar. Or, you can duck into the Union, grab the latest copy of The Pitt News, and make yourself scarce in the crowd venturing to and from Schenley cafe.

Or, should you be lucky enough to have the proper ID, you can stow away in either Brackenridge or Holland, evading your newfound ex by getting your ID swiped and rushing to the other side of the door. If you’re one for eliminating the middleman, just invite them to the Quad and break up with them via window shout.

With so many possibilities, there is no reason to come out of your breakups at Pitt with so much as a scratch.

Geoff Dutelle, Sports Editor

topBest place to do laundry: Towers Runner-up: Relax ‘n’ Wash

Well, mom’s not around to do your laundry anymore, but don’t worry, the Towers laundry facilities are almost as cool. They’re open all the time, and if it’s not crowded, you can do all your laundry at once. They’re cheaper and more convenient than some Laundromat down the street, and you don’t even have to put on shoes. Just watch out for that weird guy from intro to psych who keeps trying to look at your undies.

Jessica Lear, Editor in Chief

topBest place to see live music: Mr. Small’s Theater Runner-up: The Rex Theater

Pittsburgh may be the only city in the United States where you can see scary shockrockers GWAR perform in a church. Mr. Small’s Theater has become the unconventional venue for your favorite music in Pittsburgh. The church that houses the Theater and Recording Studio in Millvale, just a few minutes from Oakland, provides good sound quality and an eerie sense of “should I be doing this in a former house of the Lord?”

But leave your apprehensions behind! Mr. Small’s Theater brings in national acts while still showing love to the local acts of Pittsburgh. Artists like Ryan Adams, Built to Spill and Howie Day have proven that Mr. Small’s is the place to perform in Pittsburgh.

Kaitlin Wingard, staff writer

topBest museum: Carnegie Museum Runner-up: The Andy Warhol Museum

Are there any other real museums in Pittsburgh? Indeed, there are, but the Carnegie Musuem is by far the best. The current engaging exhibit of the “Bog People” is an example of the intrigue this museum always manages to work into an educational exhibit. The Carnegie Museum is a staple in the Pittsburgh cultural scene, thanks to its trendy and interesting displays.

John Nigro, staff writer

topNationality Room: Italian Runner-up: English

When judging Pitt’s nationally known nationality rooms, it’s hard to choose the best. But as the results came in, it became clear that most of those who voted have seen the Godfather too many times. But seriously, I assume that it’s easier to have the names of great philosophers and thinkers on the wall when you’re taking a particular Italian-oriented philosophy or history class.

The runner-up is a room that is as historically accurate as it is uncomfortable. Taken from the design of the British parliament, the English nationality room’s straight-backed chairs and straight-laced atmosphere make it a perfect place to sit properly and politely reflect on the rise and fall of nations.

Andy Medici, Assistant News Editor

topBest place for a nap: Bed Runner-up: In class

Nothing beats the warm, cozy feeling of a blanket and pillow in the morning, or even the late afternoon. So when you get a little tired, just remember that you, the voter, can curl up in bed knowing that your voice has been heard. Just don’t sleep too long.

As for the runner up, its hard to realize why people use the phrase “nodding off” until you watch other people in any boring class. When it happens to you it’s a combination of fright and surprise as your head snaps back and you feel awake for just a couple of minutes until you doze off again.

Andy Medici, Assistant News Editor

topBest place to escape to: Cathedral of Learning Runner-up: Hillman Library

Whenever you’re having a bad day, there’s really no better place to go than the Cathedral. It wouldn’t be tough to find a little nook that few other people know about, hole up with a sweater, a book and a cup of coffee and let your worries slip away.

Even if seclusion isn’t your thing, you could always sit on a bench somewhere in the commons room and people watch or daydream.

Annie Tubbs, contributing editor

topBest place to play pool: The Union Runner-up: Shootz

Oh, we’ve got trouble. Right here in Three Rivers City, with a capital “T” and that rhymes with “P” and that stands for pool.

Why, sure, I’m a billiard player, certainly mighty proud to say.

I consider the hours I spend with a cue in my hand (in the William Pitt Union) to be golden – they help to cultivate horse sense and a cool head and a keen eye. Did you ever take and try to give an iron-clad leave to yourself from a three-rail billiard shot (in the William Pitt Union)?

But just as I say it takes judgment, brains and maturity to score in a balk-line game, I say that any boob can take and shove a ball in a pocket. And I call that sloth, the first big step on the road to the depths of degradation (not in the William Pitt Union).

But seriously, “The Music Man” is a good show and the William Pitt Union is a great place to play pool.

Adam Fleming, News Editor

topBest Place to Study: Hillman Library Runner-up: Cathedral of Learning

If there’s a choice between studying in comfort and just plain studying, go with the lesser of two evils. When it comes to crunch time, there’s no place like the Hillman. With its 24-hour policy during finals week, you can trudge pajama-clad down its entryway to seek out your very own nook. Cutely named computers lurk behind every corner, and there’s always the computer lab for your printing needs. If staring at books grows tiresome, check out the art collections, or peruse the plethora of coffees and pastries in the monument to academic punning, the “Cup and Chaucer.”

Kristen DiLemmo, Assistant A’E Editor

topBest Residence Hall: Sutherland Hall Runner-up: Litchfield Tower B

It’s the residence hall so sweet, the University is almost constantly building more residence halls close to it.

Sutherland Hall houses 768 students on Pitt’s upper campus. It’s got doubles. It’s got triples. It’s got suites. It’s got it all. Sutherland even has its own dining hall.

There’s an Honors College Living Learning Community for students who love to get their study on. It’s full of athletes for students who love to get their game on.

It has a fitness center, air conditioning and basic cable. It’s close to the Petersen Events Center and Trees Hall. Women and men can live on the same floor.

And if that’s not enough, check out the view. Sutherland gives students the ability to survey the entire campus. It’s easy living at the top.

Adam Fleming, News Editor

topBest place to smoke: the Ashtray Runner-up: Cathedral of Learning

No, it’s not literally a giant ashtray that students stand in like so much ash. But it is the place to go when you just can’t stand your warm, comfy room anymore and feel like you need to go stand in the cold, rainy weather to inhale toxic chemicals. Plus, all the cool kids are doin’ it.

Jessica Lear, Editor in Chief

topBest University building: Cathedral of Learning Runner-up: Sennott Square

Let’s face it – the majority of the buildings on campus aren’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. They just serve their purpose with their minimalist architecture, their beige walls and their boring lecture halls.

Fortunately, the one building Pitt can boast about is the Cathedral. Standing tall at 535 feet, it contains about 30 Nationality Rooms, bringing cultures from around the world into one building in Pittsburgh, and you’d be hard pressed to find a room as impressive as the commons room, which occupies the first three stories of the Cathedral.

The basement of the Cathedral also contains three things that are essential to college students – coffee, food and computers, therefore making it the most perfect building Pitt has to offer.

Annie Tubbs, contributing editor

topBest place to take a walk: Schenley Park Runner-up: The Cathedral

With lots of sidewalks, paths and places to explore, why wouldn’t you want to go for a walk in Schenley Park on a nice day? It’s incredibly close to Oakland and it’s usually cleaner. If the city is getting to be too much for you, escaping to the park to spend a little time with nature might be just what you need. You can have your own little getaway on foot and be home in time for night class.

The park’s several playgrounds are fun to go to with friends at any time of the year, as is Phipps Conservatory. The views from the Panther Hollow Bridge are perfect for a romantic walk with your significant other. The swimming pool and free movies on Flagstaff Hill are great summer entertainment and the ice skating rink is sure to provide a good time in the winter; all are well within walking distance of campus and Oakland. Grab your dog, your sweetie, your friends, your iPod or just yourself and head on over to Schenley Park for a dose of nature and fun.

Anna Kissell, contributing editor

topBest place to get arrested: Towers Runner-up: Schenley Quad

When you get rolled in Towers’ lobby, you feel a lot like those people you see on the news being led out of a federal courthouse, swarmed by reporters and photographers, trying in vain to cover their faces with a jacket or a newspaper.

If you should have the misfortune to be detained by police in Towers, remember, you are an American citizen, and being as such, you have rights! However, these rights do not include the right to run away from the cops, head-butt the cops or vomit on the cops’ shoes.

Rather than allow the incident to tarnish your otherwise sterling reputation, use the public forum that is the lobby to rally your fellow students around your cause. Raise your cuffed hands above your head, declare your innocence loudly and call attention to the injustice being done. Even after you are led from the scene, the assembled crowd will remember your struggle against tyranny for at least a good five minutes more. The following Friday, look with pride at the blotter in this paper and remember that you were not taken without a fight.

D. Clark Denison, staff criminal

topBest street to live off-campus: Atwood Runner-up: Semple

Atwood Street, in addition to being right in the heart of Central Oakland while remaining somewhat removed from the noisy debauchery of runner-up Semple Street, provides the discerning college student with all the important building blocks of a healthy student diet: ice cream in the form of Dave and Andy’s, pizza from Antoon’s, booze from the liquor store and Mexican food, from both Mad Mex and La Fiesta. Add to this convenient array of places to spend your money a drugstore that’s open 24 hours per day near the corner of Atwood and Forbes, and you have everything you could possibly need.

Diane McMartin, Assistant Copy Chief

topBest place to study abroad: Italy Runner-up: England

“When you’re here, you’re family.” Oh, no, wait, that’s Olive Garden. This is supposed to be about the real Italy. Some go for the art and architecture, some for the language, some for the food. Whatever the reason, Italy has the most appeal as a study abroad destination. To plan a semester in Italy – or any other study abroad option, for that matter – contact Pitt’s study abroad office or visit the Web site at www.abroad.pitt.edu.

Jessica Lear, Editor in Chief

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