From dinosaurs and pop art to hidden manor houses and interactive science exhibits, Pittsburgh’s museums cover just about every interest imaginable. Some museums are world-famous destinations while others feel like hidden gems tucked into neighborhoods you may have never visited before. No matter which ones make it onto your itinerary, each museum offers its own unique look into art, history, culture, and creativity. Plus, our constellation of museums is another reminder of why Pittsburgh is such an interesting city to explore.
Your Guide to Pittsburgh’s Museums
The Andy Warhol Museum
Bananas, soup cans, and plenty of pop art, The Andy Warhol Museum is home to the works of Andy Warhol and the legacy he left. Walk through multiple floors that take you through physical art mediums and the technological advancements like screen tests. You’ll be surprised at the war of his tender early years, and dazzled by the audacity of his latter years.
Carnegie Museum of Art
Over in Oakland, the Carnegie Museum of Art is one of two connected Carnegie museums. Whether it’s perusing a timeline on local artists or a looking at works that give insight into some of the most important moments in art history, the galleries in this museum are fascinating. Be sure to check out their events, too, for exclusive tours and hands-on experiences.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Did someone say dinosaurs? The Hall of Dinosaurs at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History puts you right by life-size dinosaur and skeletal models. Plus there’s the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems with some of the most stunning specimens on Earth as well as exhibits on North American Wildlife, African Wildlife, and more.
Museum of Illusions
Prepare to have your mind blown. The Museum of Illusions flips everything you know on its head through interactive displays. Have your cameras at the ready to see your head served on a silver platter, walk through an upside down house, and watch static images come to life in a 3D way.
Heinz History Center
Curious about the history of Pittsburgh? At the Heinz History Center you can learn about all eras of the city by engaging with exhibits on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the journey from slavery to freedom in Western Pennsylvania, a timeline of Pittsburgh inventions, and of course, the history of Heinz Ketchup.
Mattress Factory
Contemporary installation art is at the center of the Mattress Factory in North Side. Head through various levels and houses full of modern art in the most intriguing of displays. You’ll never know what you’ll find in their newest exhibitions but you can always count on the Yayoi Kusama mirror room full of mannequins and red dots, and the small house full of artist Greer Lankton’s creations. You might enjoy James Turrell’s light installations, too.
Fort Pitt Museum
As you walk through Point State Park and look down at the tiles that mark the location of Fort Pitt, you may wonder how the 18th century version of Pittsburgh looked. At the Fort Pitt Museum you can get to know Western Pennsylvania’s role during the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution.
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and MuseumLab
Waterplay, a maker’s workshop, and so much more, fill the halls of the Children’s Museum with hands-on exhibits that get kids curious about art and science. After you’re done exploring, head over to MuseumLab where kids can gain skills in workshops like mending, soldering, and more.
Kamin Science Center
The Kamin Science Center isn’t just for kids, adults will find themselves mesmerized by the exhibits as well. Learn the science and mechanics behind every day occurrences like weather phenomenons, robots, and even how our bodies function. There’s even the new Sports360 exhibit that contains 25 different challenges to put your body to the test and learn the science of sports.
The Frick Pittsburgh
Made up of gardens, art galleries, and the Henry Clay Frick house, The Frick Pittsburgh not only gives deep insight into the history of Pittsburgh and one of its most famous families, it also introduces visitors to a variety of rotating art exhibits. An extra bonus: the gardens are simply gorgeous. They’re filled with blooms for every warm season, as well as a renovated greenhouse for the cooler ones.
Moonshot Museum
Did you know Pittsburgh has its own space museum? The Moonshot Museum takes visitors through the details of the 21st century space industry. Visitors can check out simulated lunar landings and rover missions and interactive VR taking you beyond Earth’s surface. You can also learn about real aerospace careers from professionals.
The Clemente Museum
This tour-only museum takes you through the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates. This baseball star pushed past race and language barriers to be one of the best players in history. Now you can step through his childhood and his career days. And you can glimpse impact of his passing as you look through historical documents and artifacts.
Bayernhof Museum
Have you ever seen a musical instrument play itself? Well mark that off your bucket list! The Bayernhof Museum is the home of automated musical instruments from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also holds quite a few music boxes. You’ll have fun with the museum’s secret passages and hidden doors. Tours are by appointment only.
Trundle Manor
The odd, the strange, the macabre, it all awaits you at Trundle Manor in Swissvale. This private collection fills the manor with taxidermy, jarred specimens, medical implements, and bizarre weapons. The manor is also an artist’s residence. Each time you come in you’ll find new exhibits and projects to walk through.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
Whether it’s American art from early historical centuries or modern American art from today, The Westmoreland Museum houses it all. Walk through some of the lesser known artists of Pittsburgh, expand your knowledge on early portraiture, and so much more. The museum also holds events practically daily. Check out their calendar and plan your visit around what intrigues you most.
Bicycle Heaven
It sounds odd to say a bicycle museum has to be on your must-do list in Pittsburgh. Rest assured: Bicycle Heaven is unlike anything else you’ve ever seen. Hanging from walls, ceilings, and all around, you sit racks of vintage bikes. There’s even Pee-wee Herman’s bike from the movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Plus you can stop in to get your own bikes fixed, rent out one of theirs, or simply pick up a new accessory too.
August Wilson African American Cultural Center
The Claude Worthington Benedum Gallery at The August Wilson African American Cultural Center features talented African American artists from all walks of life. But if the gallery isn’t quite you’re thing, there’s also August Wilson: The Writer’s Landscape, the permanent exhibition that walks you through the life and works of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. While you’re there, consider taking in one of their dance, art, or music performances.
Pittsburgh Tattoo Art Museum
A Tattoo Art Museum? Yes, it’s real and it’s your insider view of how the history of tattooing has changed over the years. Check out some of the first flash artwork and stencils from the 20th century, view old tattoo machines from some of the first days of tattooing, and you can even take a piece of history home by getting a tattoo done while you’re there.
American Jewish Museum
Inside the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill, the American Jewish Museum presents contemporary Jewish art in a variety of mediums. Whether it’s photography, painting, fabric-art, or a medium you might not know existed, the museum presents exhibits on a rotating basis promoting interfaith and intergenerational explorations.
Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History
Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Lantern Slides, Stereo Views as well as paper process photos line the cabinets and walls of the Museum of Photographic History. The museum’s archive give you a look at photographs from Pittsburgh, the Civil War, and Native American history. Not to mention they have over 2,000 cameras on display as well.
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo From Mattress Factory
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