Should we rent a car?

We%26#39;re going to a wedding over Labor Day weekend in Pittsburgh. We%26#39;re being housed at the Wyndham University Place, the rehearsal dinner is at the Concordia Club and the ceremony is at Temple Beth Shalom. We have most of the day free Sunday (evening wedding) and are wondering whether we should rent a car, or rely on taxis or public transportation. TIA.

Should we rent a car?

I think you%26#39;re better off without a car - you can explore downtown, the South Side or the Strip much better while walking, and the cab rides anywhere shouldn%26#39;t be too much from where you are staying.

You would probably pay more in parking fees than you would in cab fees, and Pittsburgh traffic is truly a nightmare to drive in - one way streets, alleys, construction. Not worth the headache!

Should we rent a car?

Respectfully disagreeing - I would get a car. I%26#39;ve heard several people tell me how hard it is to get a cab in Pittsburgh, and how they%26#39;ve almost been stuck at different places. And I would not want to rely on bus service over a holiday weekend. Yes, Pittsburgh is confusing to get around but it%26#39;s not impossible and I think deciphering a Port Authority schedule would be just as difficult.

Anyone with a tiebreaking opinion?

I vote for a car. Pittsburgh isn%26#39;t THAT hard to get around, it just isn%26#39;t based on a grid. Therefore, intuition isn%26#39;t helpful but a map will be. Public transportation is pretty good for commuting purposes, but much less useful for sightseeing.

Of course, it also depends what you want to see. If you%26#39;re staying in Oakland and just want to go to Phipps Conservatory and the Carnegie Art Museum, you don%26#39;t need a car to see them so long as you don%26#39;t mind some walking. The dinner is in Oakland too, but the synagogue is in Squirrel Hill, about 2 miles away.

I%26#39;d call the Wyndham and see what type of shuttle service they offer. There will be cabs lined up near the hotel - there always are, and I%26#39;m sure you could arrange for a return trip with the same cabbie.

If you%26#39;d like to hit the suburbs, then I do recommend a car, but if you want to stay downtown I still think it%26#39;s more a hassle than not.