Museums and galleries in Pittsburgh

Museums and galleries in Pittsburgh

1. SeeOakland

   Alumni Hall

   Freely accessible to the public, Alumni Hall is a restored former Masonic Greek Revival temple completed by Benno Janssen in 1915. The facility contains many of its original elements, the University's Legacy Gallery of electronic kiosks in its lobby, a gallery of portraits of the university chancellors stretching back 200 years on the Connolly Ballroom's balcony, and an exhibit of “365 Views of the Cathedral of Learning” by renowned Spanish artist Felix de la Concha on the 7th floor.

2. SeeNorth Side

   Andy Warhol Museum

   This seven-floor museum is like no other art museum, to say the least. The collection covers Warhol's entire life, and as you walk through the galleries you'll hear the sounds of Velvet Underground, the Rolling Stones, opera singers, classic Hollywood movies and many other influences on Warhol's career as you view celebrity portraits, films, room installations, album covers, and many other works from one of America's greatest pop artists.

   Tue-Thu Sat Sun 10AM-5PM, Fri 10AM-10PM, closed Mon and major holidays·$20 adults, $10 students/children; half-price Friday evenings

3. SeeNorth Side

   Carnegie Science Center

   A great place to learn about science, this huge (five floors) museum has exhibits aimed toward both children and adults dealing with many aspects of science and technology. Some of the highlight exhibits include a model railroad village, an aquarium, a robot exhibit, and numerous theaters and stages for science demonstrations, as well as a large-screen theater. Another attraction is a World War II submarine, the USS Requin, moored in the Ohio River just aside of the Science Center itself.

   Sun-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat 10AM-7PM·$18.95 adults, $11.95 children; theater shows extra

4. SeeNorth Side

   Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

   A children's museum with a pretty wide variety of great, interactive exhibits, including a recreation of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, a hall full of optical illusions, a waterplay area, a stage, a workshop full of pulleys and gears, as well as plenty of art and outdoor exhibits.

   Daily 10AM-5PM·$14 adults, $13 children/teens/seniors, children under 2 free

5. SeeDowntown

   Fort Pitt Block House

   A former redoubt - a structure that extends the line of fire beyond the walls of a fort - the Fort Pitt Block House is the only extant relic of Fort Pitt and is the oldest European-built structure west of the Allegheny Mountains. It has functioned as a museum of the French & Indian War era since 1894 and has a small gift shop.

   Wed-Sun 10:30AM-4:30PM (Fri-Sun only during the winter)·Free

6. SeeDowntown

   Fort Pitt Museum

   Housed in a recreated bastion above the remains of one of Fort Pitt's structures, the museum explains some of the history of the forts on the Point, from the French and Indian War to the Whiskey Rebellion after the American Revolution. While parts of the museum may seem a bit bare, some of the exhibits and artifacts are very interesting and give a good insight into the history of the site.

   Daily 10AM-5PM·$10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 students/youth, 5 and under free, $2 discount for military. Bring receipt to Heinz History Museum on the same day or next day for a discount

7. SeeOakland

   Frick Art & Historical Center

   A complex of museums and historic buildings including: Clayton (the home of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick), the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, and the Greenhouse.

   Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM·The grounds, museums, and greenhouse are free, tours of Clayton cost $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 children

8. SeeOakland

   Frick Fine Arts Building

   Designed to reflect an Italian Renaissance villa, this building contains in its cloister a large collection of scale reproductions by Russian artist Nicholas Lochoff of 15th-century Italian Renaissance masterpieces, considered to be among the best copies in the world. The building is open to public and free to explore. It is also home to the University Art Gallery, which contains rotating exhibits and is free to the public. (M-F 10AM-4PM; +1 412 648-2423) There are also several sculptures on the grounds around the building, including the popular photo spot of the Mary Schenley Memorial Fountain, titled A Song to Nature, by Victor David Brenner.

9. DoNorth Side

   Manchester Craftmen's Guild

   MCG Jazz

   Great live jazz from some of today's living legends and an eclectic gallery featuring renowned contemporary artists and student showcases.

10. BuyOakland

    Maser Galleries

    Much of the art is contemporary, but the collection is eclectic, including sports art, traditional oil paintings, and work by the finest national and international masters.

11. SeeNorth Side

    Mattress Factory

    The Mattress Factory is a museum of contemporary art that exhibits room-sized works called installations.

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 1-5PM·$20 adults, $15 seniors/students, $10 veterans, children under 6 free; half-price Tuesdays

12. SeeOakland

    Miller Gallery

    A very nice and often intriguing contemporary art gallery with constantly changing exhibits.

    Tue-Sun noon-6PM·Free

13. DoStrip District-Lawrenceville

    Pittsburgh Glass Center

    A nonprofit, public access glass studio and gallery dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting glass art. The more-than 16,000-square-foot building is one of the top glass art facilities in the country and houses state-of-the-art studios in hot glass, flameworking, coldworking, casting and kilnworking.

14. SeeStrip District-Lawrenceville

    Senator John Heinz History Center

    An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. Featuring 6 floors of permanent and changing exhibitions, this museum gives a very detailed look at the past 250 years in Western Pennsylvania, with displays on Pittsburgh-area innovations, people, and industries. Notable exhibits include artifacts from the French & Indian War, a hall dedicated to the Heinz company, a room full of old vehicles, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum - a two-story exhibit dedicated to a wide variety of Pittsburgh-area sport legends.

    10AM-5PM daily·$20 adults, $18 seniors/military, $11 students, children 17 and under free; admission is good for two days

15. SeeOakland

    Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

    Housed in a historic Beaux-Arts temple inspired by the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the museum explores the evolution of equipment and technology as well as the effects that military conflicts have had on society, honoring and educating about the sacrifices made during wartime.

    Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM·$10 adults, $5 seniors/children, active military/veterans/children 5 and under free; family of military serving in a current conflict free

16. SeeOakland

    Stephen Foster Memorial

    Serves as a memorial, museum, and archive of the works of American folk songwriter Stephen C. Foster ("Oh! Susanna", "My Old Kentucky Home"). The Gothic Revival building also houses the two primary theaters for the university's Department of Theatre Arts. A schedule of shows is available on their website.

    Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM·Admission is free and guided tours are available for a small fee when reserved in advance ($5 adults, $2.50 seniors and children)

17. SeeOakland

    The Frame

    A student-run art gallery featuring the work of Carnegie Mellon students.

18. DoDowntown

    Wood Street Galleries

    A contemporary art gallery with some interesting exhibits, with a focus on new media.

    Tue-Thu 11AM-6PM, Fri Sat 11AM-8PM

19. EatSouth Side

    Zenith Tea Room

    Offers an all-vegetarian Sunday brunch, with salad, fruit, bread, pastries, and an amazing vegan dessert table. It's also an antiques store and art gallery.

20. BuyStrip District-Lawrenceville Not mapped

    16:62 Design Zone

    Stretching from the Strip District up to Lawrenceville, this arts and interior design district is the home of many antiques shops, art galleries, and specialty boutiques housed in restored turn-of-the-century storefronts or repurposed industrial buildings. Many businesses also include working studios, offering visitors the chance to see artists in action.

21. DoStrip District-Lawrenceville Not mapped

    First Fridays

    Unblurred

    The first Friday of every month, especially from April to October, Penn Avenue between Allegheny Cemetery and Pacific Ave comes alive with galleries opening to the public from 6 to 10 and sometimes later. Eclectic art exhibitions, frequently with complimentary beer, wine, and light refreshments (bring small bills for the donation jar), open to the public. Especially notable are VaultArt Studio, featuring works by artists with disabilities (often at affordable prices for purchase) and LIKELIKE, a short block off the main drag, exhibiting experimental, independent video games. Be prepared to bump into temporary street booths promoting causes, selling homemade food, or selling their own artistic products.

22. SeeOakland

    Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History

    Museum of Art. Museum of Natural History.

    Mon-Wed, Fri-Sat 10AM-5PM, Thu 10AM-8PM, Sun noon-5PM (closed Tue Labor Day-Memorial Day)·$25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students/children/teens, children under 3 free (admission includes entry to both museums); 1/2 price after 15h

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Pittsburgh (CC BY-SA 4.0).