Black Book Bargains

Ten fabulous ways to live the high life in the Pittsburgh region without breaking the bank.

Written by Melissa Rayworth
Illustration by Reghan McChesney

1. Clear your social calendar for high tea: Put on your best outfit and spend an afternoon enjoying high tea at the posh William Penn Hotel (530 William Penn Place, downtown; 412/281-7100, omnihotels.com). It's served every day except Sunday from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m., and the cost is just $17 to $24 per person for your choice of tea, pastries, scones and tea sandwiches in the splendor of the grand lobby.

2. Dine in the midst of designer clothing, handbags and shoes: Lunch for two at Nordstrom's Marketplace Café at Ross Park Mall (1000 Ross Park Mall Drive, Ross Township; 412/548-4300, shop.nordstrom.com) is surprisingly affordable. Take your best friend and channel the "ladies who lunch" feeling without the painful price tag.

3. Step back into the Gilded Age: Admission to The Frick Art & Historical Center, including the Frick Art Museum and the Car and Carriage Museum, is free. For a minimal charge, you can get a docent-led tour of Clayton, the Henry Clay Frick home (7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze. Reservations recommended: 412/371-0600; info: frickart.org), and see how the family of an industrial baron once lived.

4. Take time out to browse fine art: Ogling art, no matter how high the price tag, doesn't cost you a dime. During the FirstFriday ArtWalk, on the first Friday night of each month, a selection of galleries along Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside stay open until 9 p.m. (412/441-6005). Participants vary slightly each month but usually include Mendelson Gallery, Bella Arte, Morgan Contemporary Glass and Gallerie Chiz (owner Ellen Chisdes Neuberg founded the ArtWalk more than a decade ago).

5. Grab a show at the "Met": Cinemark 18 and IMAX Theater at Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills (425 Pittsburgh Mills Circle, Frazer Township; 724/274-0155, metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast) have been offering live, on-screen performances from New York's Metropolitan Opera, as well as Met encore performances for an admission price ($18) that's a fraction of what you'd pay to see these performers live in New York City (up to $375). Upcoming live streams include Tosca (Oct. 10); Aida (Oct. 24); Turnadot (Nov. 7); Les Contes d'Hoffman (Dec. 19); Carmen (Jan. 16, 2010) and Hamlet (March 27, 2010).

6. Listen to live music on the lawn: In the summer, there are many swanky performances on Sunday nights at Hartwood Acres, on the grounds of the Hartwood Mansion (200 Hartwood Acres, Indiana Township; 412/767-9200, alleghenycounty.us/parks/hwfac.aspx). These free outdoor shows include Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and many others.

7. Swirl, sniff and sip at a wine tasting: You don't have to travel to northern California to visit wine country. You only have to venture as far as the North Hills. La Casa Narcisi Winery (4578 Gibsonia Road, West Deer Township; 724/444-4744, narcisiwinery.com) offers free wine tastings, winery tours and a café that serves up sandwiches, pizza, pasta and salads.

8. Enjoy a fine vintage: The Vintage Grand Prix at Schenley Park brings a dash of European glamour to the area each July, including the Cocktails and Tailpipes event at Fox Chapel Golf Club and the Invitational Car Show on Walnut Street in Shadyside. Many of the events are free. There's plenty of time to admire the sleek roadsters, motorcycles, foreign cars and more and enjoy the pre-race excitement. Info: 412/299-2273, pvgp.org.

9. Get a posh new look: If you're looking for star treatment, there's nothing better than getting makeup advice and a free makeover from skilled makeup artists (with the purchase of a makeup product). Pay a visit to Saks Fifth Avenue (513 Smithfield St., downtown; 412/263-4800, saksfifthavenue.com) and get glam.

10. Pamper yourself from head to toe: Indulge affordably during Pittsburgh's Spa Week, during which spas throughout the Pittsburgh area offer top-shelf treatments for just $50 each. The list of participating spas appears on spaweek.com one month in advance. So check the list this September, then contact your spa of choice to book some luscious treatments between Oct. 12 and 18.