Visiting a Patient at Western Psychiatric
Institute and Clinic of UPMC
Western Psychiatric has long been a leader in the treatment of mental illness and addiction, and is one of the nation’s most respected hospitals for behavioral health care. Western Psychiatric is located in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, near the University of Pittsburgh.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours vary on each of the hospital’s units. Please check with the patient or a family member to learn more about visiting hours.
Parking
Several garages are conveniently located near Western Psychiatric, including the Presby Garage located on Lothrop Street, across from the main driveway entrance to UPMC Presbyterian hospital. The garage is open 24 hours a day.
Valet service operates from the UPMC Presbyterian driveway and can be used by patients of and visitors to Western Psychiatric. Valet service is available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends, valet parking service is available only for emergency patients and patients with state-approved placards indicating handicap. Valets are not permitted to accept tips.
After 5 p.m. and on weekends, free parking is available on the roof of the parking garage behind Western Psychiatric. To enter the lot, travel up DeSoto Street and turn right into the third driveway (the last driveway before the Petersen Events Center). Stop at the booth and tell the attendant you are visiting a patient. The attendant will admit you to the lot.
UPMC's Blue Shuttle runs weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It loops the Oakland campus every 40 minutes. If you have questions about these services, call Parking Operations at 412-647-3194.
Additional Parking Resources
Driving Directions
Get directions tailored to your starting point, or follow these general directions from points west, east, north, or south of Western Psychiatric.
From Points East, Via the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Philadelphia, Harrisburg)
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, take Exit 57 (Pittsburgh/Monroeville Exit) to I-376 West. From I-376 West, take Exit 3B (Oakland Exit). At the first stoplight on Bates Street, turn left onto the Boulevard of the Allies. At the first stoplight on the Boulevard of the Allies, turn right onto Halket Street (you will be at the Best Western Hotel). At the first stoplight on Halket Street, turn right onto Forbes Avenue (a one-way street). Follow Forbes for approximately four full blocks; turn left onto Oakland Avenue. Travel one block; cross Fifth Avenue bearing slightly left (Fifth Avenue is a one-way street for all traffic except buses), and continue on DeSoto Street. Western Psychiatric is at the corner of DeSoto and O’Hara Streets.
From Points West, via the Ohio Turnpike and Route 60 (Ohio, Pittsburgh International Airport)
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike, take Exit 1A to Route 60 South. Follow Route 60 South past the Pittsburgh International Airport to I-279 North. Take I-279 North through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, and follow the signs to I-376 East. Take Exit 2A (Forbes/Oakland Exit). Continue on Forbes for approximately seven full blocks to Oakland Avenue. Turn left onto Oakland Avenue. Travel one block; cross Fifth Avenue bearing slightly left (Fifth Avenue is a one-way street for all traffic except buses), and continue on DeSoto Street. Western Psychiatric is at the corner of DeSoto and O’Hara Streets.
From Points South, via I-79 North (Washington, Pa.; West Virginia)
Take I-79 North to Exit 59A, I-279 North. Take I-279 North through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, and follow the signs to I-376 East. Take Exit 2A (Forbes/Oakland Exit). You will exit onto Forbes Avenue, a one-way street. Continue on Forbes for approximately seven full blocks to Oakland Avenue. Turn left onto Oakland Avenue. Travel one block; cross Fifth Avenue bearing slightly left (Fifth Avenue is a one-way street for all traffic except buses), and continue on DeSoto Street. Western Psychiatric is at the corner of DeSoto and O’Hara Streets.
From Points North, via I-79 (Erie, Western New York)
Take I-79 South to Exit 72 (I-279 South, to Pittsburgh). Take I-279 South to Exit 8A (I-579 South). Take I-579 South past downtown Pittsburgh; follow the signs to Monroeville. Take the Forbes Avenue/Oakland exit; do not exit at I-376 east. Make the right turn onto the Forbes Avenue ramp. You will exit onto Forbes Avenue, a one-way street. Continue on Forbes for approximately seven full blocks to Oakland Avenue. Turn left onto Oakland Avenue. Travel one block; cross Fifth Avenue bearing slightly left (Fifth Avenue is a one-way street for all traffic except buses), and continue on DeSoto Street. Western Psychiatric is at the corner of DeSoto and O’Hara Streets.
From the Northeast (Route 28)
Take Route 28 South to the Highland Park Bridge. As you cross the bridge, get into the left lane. Follow the sign that will take you down the ramp toward Washington Boulevard. As you exit the ramp, ensure that you are in the right lane. Just before the first traffic light, veer right onto Washington Boulevard. Travel on Washington Boulevard through four traffic signals (about two miles). At the fourth traffic light, Washington Boulevard crosses Penn Avenue and becomes Fifth Avenue. Follow Fifth Avenue into the Oakland section of Pittsburgh (about 2.5 miles). At the intersection of Bigelow Boulevard and Fifth Avenue, you will see the Cathedral of Learning, a landmark of the University of Pittsburgh campus. From this point, travel four blocks to DeSoto Street. (Note: Fifth Avenue is a one-way street for all traffic except buses.) Turn right onto DeSoto Street. Western Psychiatric is at the corner of DeSoto and O’Hara Streets.