Our Night with George Strait in Pittsburgh: A Family-Friendly Honky-Tonk Adventure

There’s just something about a George Strait concert that makes the night feel a little more magical—and when it happens practically in your backyard, even better.

On May 31st, 2025, my husband and I headed to Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh to see George Strait and Chris Stapleton live in concert—a bucket-list experience for us both. We’d seen George Strait once before in 2023 in Glendale, Arizona, but this time felt extra special. We knew opportunities to catch him live again might be few and far between. Plus, Chris Stapleton was part of the lineup—and who can resist that voice?

Making a Weekend of It

Rather than just coming in for the show, we decided to turn it into a little staycation at our own place—Doc’s Family Pittsburgh, our future retirement home and one of our Airbnb properties. It gave us the perfect excuse to spend time there, bring our dogs (no boarding fees or pet sitters needed!), and enjoy a relaxed weekend.

Originally we considered taking the Clipper boat across the river to the stadium, but the weather had other ideas. It was cold and damp—not exactly ideal for standing out on deck or being crammed inside with a crowd. So we opted to Uber instead—easy, warm, and flexible.

Arriving at Acrisure Stadium

The concert officially kicked off at 5:45 PM, though we knew George wouldn’t take the stage until around 9 PM and Chris Stapleton would go on around 7 PM. We timed our arrival a little too early, but for the future, 6-6:30 PM, would work perfectly.

Getting into the venue was a breeze with the Ticketmaster app. At first we saw the long lines wrapping around the stadium and had a bit of dread, but we made our way over to the Art Rooney side of Acrisure and magically they opened up a new entrance just as we were coming around the corner. Security lines moved quickly, and soon we were inside exploring. We wandered the stadium looking for concert memorabilia (sadly, no posters this time!) and checked out the various food and beverage options. Acrisure is super easy to navigate, especially since we’ve been there before for both football games and other concerts.

The Atmosphere

The vibe inside the stadium was electric—people everywhere were in great spirits, excited for the music, grabbing drinks, and enjoying the night. There’s something really fun about country concerts—everyone is there for a good time and it feels like one big family gathering.

Our seats were in Section 113 near the railing—perfect for both a great view and the option to take a break from standing without missing any of the show. Pro tip: if you’re heading to Acrisure, try for seats with a clear line of sight and space to rest—you’ll thank yourself later.

The Concert

One unexpected highlight of the night was discovering a new artist. Parker McCollum opened the show with a long and lively set—and though we hadn’t heard of him before, we really enjoyed his music and style. By the end of his performance, we were adding his songs to our Apple Music playlist. What an incredible opportunity for him to open for George Strait—talk about a career moment!

Chris Stapleton delivered an incredible set with both familiar favorites and some newer tracks. The stadium may have been chilly that night (even George Strait himself looked a little surprised at the cool weather!), but the music more than made up for it.

When George finally took the stage, it was like a warm hug from classic country itself. His voice sounded stronger and clearer than when we last saw him in Arizona, and he treated us to a longer set full of timeless hits. The encore, as always, was a highlight—there’s something so iconic about seeing George return to the stage and give the crowd just a little bit more.

Chris Stapleton joined George on stage for a few songs, just like they’d done on the last tour stop we attended, and the crowd loved every second of it.

After the Show

Once the concert wrapped up, we made a quick and easy exit from Acrisure and strolled over to the nearby casino. Having done this before, we knew traffic and Uber demand would be intense immediately after the show.

Here’s a little tip: be patient and strategic. We hung out at the casino for about an hour and a half, enjoyed a drink, and watched the Uber prices on the app drop steadily as the crowds thinned. In the end, we saved about $20-$25 on the ride home—well worth the wait! Earlier that evening, the Uber ride to the stadium had been only $15. Our ride home ended up around $38—reasonable considering the post-concert surge.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about catching a big concert in Pittsburgh (and especially a legend like George Strait), we absolutely recommend it. The experience felt like one big honky-tonk family night, and staying at Doc’s Family Pittsburgh made the entire weekend so much easier and more enjoyable.

Our advice?
✅ Stay close to the stadium if you can—we loved having our own home base.
✅ Uber instead of driving—it saves parking headaches.
✅ Don’t be in a rush to leave—enjoy the post-show atmosphere and avoid surge pricing.
✅ And most importantly—dress for the weather! Pittsburgh likes to keep you guessing.

In the end, we had the best of both worlds: a night filled with iconic music and a cozy home to return to just 15 minutes away. Until next time, George—thanks for another unforgettable night. 🎵🤠