A & E

When traveling to other cities, it's always fun to plan a day in a neighborhood that offers a variety of sites and attractions. We like to look at our own city with the same admiring curiosity.

This week, Great Dates explores Oakland with a theme that combines something old, something new.

Dress in layers -- you'll be experiencing a range of temperatures, including tropical humidity -- and be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

9:30 a.m. Saturday

Begin your day at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where the Fall Flower Show will be in its final weekend. By arriving early at opening time, you'll avoid the crush of visitors. Buy your admission online, and you'll also skip the line at the ticket booth. Free parking is available in a "lot" in the middle of the street across from the entrance.

Stroll through a kaleidoscope of chrysanthemums, including the standard-size potted mums, cascading mums and spider mums. The mums complement many parts of the "Chocolate!" exhibit, which opened in May.

Built in 1893, Phipps has been expanding and updating its original Victorian glass house to include an Amazon rain forest among its many exhibit rooms.

Stop at Cafe Phipps on your way out for a caffeine jolt and an energizing snack.

Admission is $10; $9 for senior citizens and students; $7 for ages 2 to 18. Details: 412-622-6914 or online

11 a.m.

Move your car to the parking lot behind the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, where you'll leave it for the rest of the day. Walk around the library wing to Schenley Drive, cross the street and make a visit to the brick wall just past the 1918 "A Song to Nature" fountain.

The 230-foot-long, 12-foot-high brick wall is what remains of Forbes Field, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1891 until it was torn down in 1973. Pause to touch the wall where Bill Mazeroski made history with his 1960 World Series-winning home run against the Yankees.

11:30 a.m.

Wipe the tears from your eyes and walk toward Forbes Avenue and the 42-story Cathedral of Learning on the University of Pittsburgh campus.

Use the entrance facing Bigelow Boulevard, where you'll climb the stone steps to enter the common rooms. You'll feel as though you're in a medieval castle, with Gothic Revival stone arches stretching to cathedral-like heights, the hanging iron light fixtures and rugged wooden tables below. The building was begun in 1926, 11 years prior to its 1937 dedication.

Along the perimeter of the common rooms are the Nationality Rooms. The National Room Program began in 1938, with individual classrooms designed, decorated and dedicated to a single country of origin. The latest room to join the lineup of 27 is the Welsh room, completed in June of this year.

Stop by the information desk in the center of the Cathedral for the self-guided audio tour ($3, $1 for ages 8-18) and access key, which is needed on Saturdays and Sundays. Plan about 90 minutes for the tour. Pick up a remembrance of your experience with an ethnic item or keepsake book from the gift shop, which is open until 4 p.m.

Details: 412-624-4000 or online

1 p.m.

By now, you're starving.

Leave the Cathedral and head toward South Craig Street and its eclectic lineup of shops and eats. Cast an eye towards the Heinz Memorial Chapel as you pass. You'll be sure to see bridal parties arriving and departing for the intricately scheduled wedding ceremonies that take place here every weekend.

For lunch, try something a little different with a savory crepe at Crepes Parisienne (207 S. Craig St.). This casual bistro offers crepes that fit the bill from breakfast (Ham and Cheese) to lunch (Smoked Islandic Salmon) to dessert (Macaroon). Bring cash -- no credit cards are accepted.

Details: 412-683-19121

2 p.m.

Stroll down Craig Street toward Forbes Avenue and browse through shops along the way. You'll find old stuff from the New World and new stuff from the Old World.

The Irish Design Center (303 S. Craig St.), celebrating its 30th anniversary, features knitwear from lambswool sweaters to mohair throws, Celtic jewelry, Inis fragrance and Mullingar pewter, all imported from Ireland.

Caliban Book Shop (410 S. Craig St.) is a few steps above your average used book store. The shop specializes in literary first editions, Americana, philosophy, fine press and leather-bound editions.

For more exotic tastes, visit Kohli's Indian Imports (319 S. Craig St.), which carries Indian clothing and jewelry, as well as authentic Indian spices and groceries.

2:30 p.m.

At Forbes Avenue, cross the street to the Carnegie Museum of Art and enter through the glass doors behind the fountain. Once inside, head to the right toward the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in the adjoining building.

Here, the plan is to go back to the prehistoric times and visit the new Dinosaurs in Their Time exhibit. The new space triples the size of the original Dinosaur Hall, which opened in 1907. The $36 million, 18,500-square-foot facility replicates the ecosystems they lived in, down to the plants, mammals, birds and sea creatures.

Admission is $15, $12 for senior citizens, $11 for students.

Details: 412-622-3131 or online

5 p.m.

Head back to South Craig Street for a leisurely dinner.

Enjoy American fare at Union Grill (413 S. Craig St.) where the crowd tends to be boisterous and noisy. Enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait for your table. The menu offers excellent burgers and steaks, Turkey Devonshire and fresh fish, among its long list of choices.

Vegetarians and the more adventurous can stop in Ali Baba (404 S. Craig St.) for deliciously authentic Greek and Middle Eastern offerings. Moussaka, shish kebab, Loobee and stuffed grape leaves are a few of the highlights.

7:30 p.m.

Time to finish up dessert and make your way back to the Cathedral of Learning, where the University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theatre is presenting an ancient Greek comedy with its student cast.

"Lysistrata" -- written in 411 BC by Aristophanes, the Father of Comedy -- is a naughty romp in which the women of Athens decide to end an unpopular war. How do they do it? By keeping their legs crossed in an ancient form of "just say no." Some 2,000 years later, the silliness prevails as a laugh-producing crowd-pleaser.

The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Studio Theatre, on the ground floor of the Cathedral at the corner pointing toward Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard. Tickets are $10, $7 for students.

Details: 412-624-7529 or online

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