Tribune-Review: Downtown an ideal spot for holiday dates

Watching twinkling lights illuminate on tall trees. Holding hands while gliding in a circle along the ice. Snuggling with the one you love during a carriage ride as the snow falls.

December is the perfect month to make the most of this merry time with your significant other, the entire family or a group of friends. And you won't have to travel far to experience the things that have become as much a tradition as Santa Claus coming down the chimney on Christmas Eve.

Downtown Pittsburgh has everything for the perfect holiday weekend date. And most of the attractions are free. Just bring your imagination.

All you'll have to do is park once, because there's a free Fifth Avenue Place Holly Trolley waiting to take you to your destinations. It has seven stops: Fifth Avenue Place, One Oxford Centre, ToonSeum, Grand Pittsburgh (former Hilton), Senator John Heinz History Center, Market Square and U.S. Steel Plaza. The trolley runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays until Dec. 18 and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays until Dec. 19.

"A lot of people think they have to go to New York to have a wonderful holiday experience but you can do everything right here in Pittsburgh," says Hollie Geitner, vice president marketing and communications for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

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