Castle Ridge

Enjoy Dinner and a Movie near your Pittsburgh Apartment

2012-10-12T13:26:05Z

Don't fill up too much on dinner! Get popcorn, soda, and candy at the concession stand and get ready for the show!

The city of Pittsburgh is the largest city in Pennsylvania, known for the various industrial establishments flourishing mainly in the outskirts of the city. These Pittsburgh apartments are situated along side of picturesque hills is a perfect abode for nature lovers. One can enjoy the panoramic view of the hills in the comfort of their homes.

We’re not very far from the Pittsburgh International airport, and other major hubs of the city, making it a very convenient place to stay.

There is no scarcity of places in the vicinity where one can relax over the weekend watching a movie followed by a delicious dinner.

The most popular cinemas are Carmike Galleria 6, Hollywood Theater, SouthSide Works Cinema. These cinemas play all the latest Hollywood flicks.

If you are fond of Mexican food, walk into Cocina Mendosa; this popular joint dishes out the best Mexican food in the city. Food lovers may also relax and dine at the Piacquadio’s Restaurant & Lounge or Carbonara’s Restaurant. These diners have a lovely ambience and serve a variety of mouth watering dishes.

Photo by o5com

Go For a Stroll at These Outstanding Parks in Pittsburgh, PA

2012-10-12T15:23:09Z

Schenley Park is perfect for relaxing and taking pictures. It's beautiful!

Our Pittsburgh apartment residents have access to amazing parks that offer nature and entertainment for all ages and interests.

Frick Park is the largest regional park in Pittsburgh. 561 acres of trails, wooded slopes and steep valleys are home to the Frick Environmental Center and the famous Blue Slide Playground. It further boasts the only public lawn bowling green in PA, baseball fields and red clay tennis courts.

Highland Park is home to beautiful Reservoir No 1 and the favored Reservoir Loop Trail. You will also find a swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, a bike track, Pittsburgh Zoo, and PPG Aquarium here.

Riverview Park is 287 acres of wooded trails, steep hillsides, a space-themed playground, a ball field, and a swimming pool. The Allegheny Observatory, two-mile Riverview Loop, and Mairdale watershed are additional features to enjoy.

Schenley Park provides 456 acres of year-round entertainment with its ice skating rink, swimming pool, and trails. You can also tee-up for golf at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course or kick back on Flagstaff Hill.

With all of these options within 10 to 17 miles from your Pittsburgh apartment, you can indulge for just a few hours or spend the day frolicking through the parks.

Photo by KitAy

Don’t Miss these Concerts Coming in the Pittsburgh Area

2012-10-11T20:39:40Z

See The Smiling Moose live in Pittsburgh

The area around our Pittsburgh apartment homes have no lack of great concert venues to choose from this fall season. Between the Consol Energy Center, the Benedum Center, Petersen Events Center, Stage AE, Mr Small’s Theater, The Palace Theater, and MCG Jazz there are plenty of incredible concerts planned that will appeal to all ages and sensibilities. Here is a list of a few of the best ranging from classical to hip hop to jazz:

Consol Energy Center; Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Carly Rae Jepsen & Justin Bieber, The Who
The Palace Theater; Blondie, Tanya Tucker, Rick Springfield
Petersen Events Center; Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Los Lobos, Elton John
Heinz Hall, Benedum Center; Esperanza Spalding, Mary Poppins, Stomp, Capitol Steps, BB King
Stage AE; Lecrae, Trip Lee, Fiona Apple
Mr Small’s Theater; The Culture Vultures, Drive By Truckers, Donavon Frankenreiter
MCG Jazz; Earl Klugh, Bela Fleck, Eliane Elias
Pittsburgh Children’s Theater; If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, The Ugly Duckling, The Tortoise & the Hair, Cinderella

Pittsburgh apartment residents have lots of opportunities to scout out new cutting-edge acts in places like Altar Bar, Brillo Box, and The Smiling Moose too so get your calendars out and plan your incredible fall Pittsburgh concert season today!

Photo by rdissell

Dine Out this Weekend in Pittsburgh

2012-10-11T20:16:22Z

The Pitts-burgher cheese steak at Primanti Bros!

Enjoy life’s simple pleasures and have a delicious dining experience near your Pittsburgh apartment. You and your friends and family can enjoy a great night out with lively conversation at a number of affordable eateries around the city.

If you want a classic, yet still inexpensive hometown favorite, a visit to Primanti Bros. is in tall order. When you are in the mood for a good sandwich, this famous spot will feel like you have reached mecca once you have tried the deluxe double egg and cheese or the Pitts-burgher cheese steak. The dining experience can’t be beat either so you get a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

Lulu’s Noodles is another dining treat on a shoestring in Pittsburgh near your Pittsburgh apartment where you will find plenty of variety and bang for your buck. Choose from an assortment of noodle dishes from Thailand, Korea, China and Japan. Variety is the spice of life at Lulu’s and you will leave with change to spare.

Enjoy all of the pleasures of Pittsburgh while living in your Pittsburgh apartment.

Photo by martinbowling

Rockin’ Rock Climbing Gyms in Pittsburgh

2012-09-28T18:52:46Z

There’s a growing popularity of rock climbing in Pittsburgh. There’s not much you can do these days without running into a rock climbing gym or facility all around town. If you’ve been looking for something to jump start your workout routine or just a new challenge to take on, rock climbing could be the exercise just for you! Here’s a look at some of the best rock climbing gyms in Pittsburgh.

Source: Yelp
Name: The Climbing Wall
Location: 7501 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Reviews: 14

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
What a new climber will enjoy:
-Lots of bouldering, which means even if you don’t have top-rope experience, you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.
-Prices are…Read More…

Went to this place on a Groupon and fell in love. It reminds me of the days when I lived in Denver. I miss it! The routes are decently hard and allow me to…Read More…

I love the Climbing Wall. There are tons of routes which change fairly regularly in both the bouldering and top roping areas. There’s also a wide variety…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Climb North
Location: 2468 Wildwood Rd Wildwood, PA 15091
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Great gym. Friendly staff, reasonable rates (or good rates if you get the monthly thing), challenging routes, good variation.

The biggest downside to Climb…Read More…

Friendly staff, reasonably priced. Change the routes often. Great bouldering and top roping area. Something to climb for all skill levels.Read More…

Tips for Decorating Your Apartment for Thanksgiving

2012-09-28T14:41:14Z

Decorate your apartment for Thanksgiving with these ideas!

Let your Castle Ridge apartment shine this Thanksgiving by having great Thanksgiving decorations throughout your apartment.

You will find that when you shop at Pat Catan’s Craft Center located on Curry Hollow Road that you can get everything you need to make your apartment Thanksgiving ready. You can choose from assorted styles and sizes of pumpkins, pilgrims and scarecrows to create that festive look you want. You’ll be able to choose just what you need to liven up your apartment.

JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores on McKnight Road is also a great place to choose some great Thanksgiving decorations for your Castle Ridge apartment. If you’re feeling crafty you can purchase the items to make your own Thanksgiving creations for your apartment. All of your neighbors are going to comment on how great your apartment looks with the Thanksgiving decorations that you’ve selected. You may inspire them to decorate their apartments as well.

Feel free to contact us at with any questions or information regarding decorating your Castle Ridge apartment for Thanksgiving, regarding what you can and can’t do.

Photo via Flickr

Antique Shopping in Pittsburgh

2012-09-26T20:45:50Z

What’s old is new again. With vintage items back in style in nearly every creative aspect of life, there’s plenty of places where you can go to get that look. Whatever you’re looking for, you can find something vintage or antique to fit your apartment right here in Pittsburgh. And you don’t have to wait for the weekend garage sales to go shopping. Here’s a look at some of the best places for antique shopping in Pittsburgh.

Source: Yelp
Name: Pittsburgh Antique Mall
Location: 1116 Castle Shannon Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15234
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Neat little place located on the corner of 88 and Castle Shannon Blvd next to the Martin Auto Gallery. It’s kind of like most of the antique places that…Read More…

I randomly saw this place driving by and pulled in to see what it was like. I really liked this place it has a lot of variety and prices ranging from…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: The Accentique
Location: 406 Station St Bridgeville, PA 15017
Reviews: 3

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
great place and selection and reasonsable prices. i am from california and have been antiquing around beaver falls, pa , pittsburgh area etc….——-this…Read More…

**Cash only**

I love my mother, but I fear that years from now I will see her on an episode of “Hoarders.” The woman has never met a…Read More…

It’s hard to notice this place from the road. I drove around looking for a while the first time I went here. It’s in the basement of a building with a tiny…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Elements
Location: 5171 Butler St Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Reviews: 6

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Good food, good service. Classy place, nice view. Great outdoor patio when the weather is nice. Try it.Read More…

This place is awesome. If you like cool, unique items you have to check this place out. The store is much larger than it looks on the outside. When you are…Read More…

Elements is NOT out of business, but it has moved! 5171 Butler – about 13 blocks up the same street….Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Antiques of Shadyside
Location: 4806 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I heard about the Swetts, who own Antiques of Shadyside, from a friend who said they had the best prices in town for both buying and selling. Could not have…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Mahla & Co Antiques
Location: 17th & Smallman St. Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
This is by far one of the nicest antique stores I’ve been to in the area. It’s cozy but clean and well laid out with a great variety of vintage and antique…Read More…

This is a great antique store. It consists of two large showrooms and has great stuff. Lots of big, solid furniture and the prices are very reasonable. They…Read More…

Pumpkin Carving: Fun Fall Activity Around Pittsburgh

2012-09-26T14:11:52Z

Learn how to carve a pumpkin with these tips!

It’s that time of year again, when our hearts and minds turn towards the glory of Fall and the fun activities that come in the cooler months. One of the greatest activities occurs around Halloween, in the form of pumpkin carving.

Around this time of year, the great folks in Castle Ridge apartments begin picking out their pumpkins and deciding what designs they want to incorporate. There are a few important tips that can help pumpkin carvers to create the perfect pumpkin for their Halloween display:

The first tip to remember is to choose a pumpkin that will sit without wobbling.
Carvers should then carefully cut out the top, making sure that the lid will fit back onto the pumpkin without falling in. Once the guts of the pumpkin have been removed, it is time for the real fun to begin.
You can find tons of design ideas online. These can often be printed and placed on the pumpkin, making designing much easier. The design should be taped on and then each piece should be cut out, following the design.

The possibilities and pumpkin designing fun are endless! Enjoy the fall season in Pittsburgh!

Photo via Flickr

Book Stores in Pittsburgh

2012-09-24T17:45:33Z

Catching up on a good read is always a good way to enjoy your time around town and in your apartment. Whether you’re looking for a used book, a hidden gem, an all-time classic or a bestseller, there are plenty of book stores in Pittsburgh where you can find your next favorite read. Here’s a look at some of the best book stores in Pittsburgh, according to the trusty yelp reviewers. If you know of another one your fellow residents should know about, leave a comment and let us all know!

Source: Yelp
Name: Eljays Used Books
Location: 3233 W Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Reviews: 5

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I had a blast at Eljay’s the other week. I was probably in the store for over an hour looking at all sorts of different books that Eljay’s had to offer. I…Read More…

I love Eljay’s Used Books! It is one of the places I make sure to go when I visit my family in Pittsburgh. Each time I have been to the store, I have found…Read More…

I love this bookstore.

If there is any kind of a store that I really like it is a bookstore. Spending an hour or so browsing random books can be…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Penguin Bookshop
Location: 420 Beaver St Sewickley, PA 15143
Reviews: 2

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
I love independent bookstores, and the Penguin does not disappoint. It’s a LEED Certified Green Building that is comfortable and inviting. They offer a…Read More…

This is a wonderful little store, with an examplary children’s / YA section that takes up the whole second floor. I was impressed with their selection, and…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Moonstones
Location: 2892 W Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Reviews: 7

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
For six years now I have been threatening to purchase a salt lamp for my bedside table. The early spring and late summer when I’m using allergy medication…Read More…

I have to say, as far “new age bookstores” go, this one is the most impressive shop I have had the privilege to visit thus far. Moonstones is deceptively…Read More…

Great shop in Dormont – very large with lots of variety. Seems to cater to all different walks. The shopkeepers are always very friendly and helpful. They…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Beyond Bedtime Books
Location: 1453 Potomac Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Reviews: 3

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
Such a great little local used bookstore! I love this place, and the new owner is very friendly and helpful. If you have children in your life, check out…Read More…

This bookstore is adorable and beats spending time on Amazon when you can have the pleasure of shopping for unique, used books at great prices. The owner is…Read More…

Charming little used book store just down the street from Sugar Cafe and the T stop on Potomac Avenue. They carry a nice selection of gently used books in a…Read More…

Source: Yelp
Name: Caliban Book Shop
Location: 410 S Craig St Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Reviews: 11

Link: Read the Yelp.com Review

More Reviews
This is what an actual bookstore should be. Whenever I walk into Caliban, the scent of the old books reminds me of an old-fashion library. The books here…Read More…

Great used bookstore. I probably frequent this place way too often, and almost always get something.

Don’t let the website mislead you into thinking it’s…Read More…

Chow Down on the Best Pizza in Chino Hills

2012-09-17T19:38:35Z

Nonno's and Il Pizzaiolo are two of the best pizzerias in Pittsburgh.

There is a great deal of good food in Chino Hills. You can find great tacos, exquisite salads, delicious tamales, and so much more. However, some of the best food in Chino Hills is the pizza. With this in mind, the next time you’re hungry and looking for a slice of ‘za, consider either of these excellent pizzerias.

One great pizza parlor is Nonno’s Pizza. Located on Soquel Canyon Parkway, this establishment offers the best traditional style pizza. Nonno’s is a cozy mom and pop shop that uses high quality cheese and dough to construct amazing pizza pies. They also off great discount specials and combo deals.

Il Pizzaiolo is a fantastic Italian restaurant. They heap on the cheese and pepperoni to create hearty pizza that will satisfy even the most hard to please eaters. The beer on tap and the televisions make this a great place to hang out. The service is quick and friendly. This is a great place to enjoy a delicious pizza with friends and family during a playoff game.

What are your favorite Pittsburgh pizza joints? Feel free to comment here or on our Facebook wall.

Photo via Flickr.