Museums are places of rest and peace for many of us. They are also a mecca of learning, especially for children, but also for those who know that no matter how old you are, you can never truly stop learning.
Best Museums in Pittsburgh for Adults
If you want to push the boundaries of your thinking, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the place to be. From the bizarre and spooky to those that test your stamina and peek into the lives of Pittsburgh’s art heroes, these are Pittsburgh’s best museums for adults to make your shortlist.
1. Carnegie National Museum of History
Committed to teaching us that we are all part of nature, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History (CMNH) is the place to visit in Oakland for lovers of the past. Its multiple floors are filled with rooms that visitors will love to explore, including my favorite, the Hall of Hillman Minerals and Gemstones, where you can peek at beautiful pieces from around the world. can do.
If that’s not reason enough to visit, the most famous exhibit, The Age of Dinosaurs, features a large fossil display. Mesozoic era.This includes some famous diplodocus carnegie, also known as Dippy the Dinosaur. Named after philanthropist and Pittsburgh businessman Andrew Carnegie, it also includes 230 additional objects. Finally, don’t forget to check out the exhibits on Egypt and the North Pole on the third floor. Temperatures may fluctuate in opposite directions, but interactive displays create lasting memories.
2. Carnegie Museum of Art
The Carnegie Museum of Art is located in the same building as Oakland’s CMNH, and you can access both with paid admission. The atmosphere is different, here with pristine antique furniture and very ornate decorations. If you don’t like the old school vibe, don’t worry. There are plenty of galleries filled with contemporary art pieces, movies, and videos to entertain you.
3. Warhol
Another Pittsburgh hero, artist Andy Warhol’s claim to fame was making the commonplace extremely cool. Remember those iconic Campbell’s soup cans? A rotating tour of Warhol’s history through his seven levels, including a glimpse into his love of hoarding everything and making it into an official archive. It provides a different experience every time. Before you leave, take a photo on Warhol’s famous couch and have a “life imitating art” experience.
4. Trundle Manor
My favorite quirky and quirky museum, Trundle Manor, doesn’t need to advertise itself. Visitors and fans promote it. Created by a love of the macabre, owners Anton and Rachel Mirello, aka Mr. Arm and Velda, offer a personal guide through their prized possessions, including a singing tumor, a taxidermied pet cat, and other bizarre medical equipment. I love showing it off on tour. More than I imagined. There is no special admission fee, but the couple is asking for donations in the form of museum additions, unusual artwork, and alcohol.
5. Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center on the North Shore is home to the largest miniature train exhibit showcasing western Pennsylvania’s seasonal topography. And while there are lots of kids here no matter what day you go, some events and parties, like monthly Friday night themed fun and a 21+ night where you can freely browse the exhibits, are open to 18+ Intended only for people over the age of 1. If you’re a fan of trippy shows, Langos Giant Cinema also often hosts laser night shows.
6. Bicycle heaven
You don’t have to own a bike to love two wheels, especially if you’re visiting North Shore bike heaven. This huge store opened in Bellevue in 1996. pittsburgh It is now considered the world’s largest bicycle store and museum. If your bike needs a tune-up or tweak, fine, but the reason I visit here is to see the collection of famous bikes, including the red beauty from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure .
7. Post Natural History Center
Another museum dedicated to the bizarre, the Post Natural History Center, is about living things that have been “deliberately and genetically modified by humans.” These include genetic engineering, domestication, and selective breeding. Popular species include goats whose milk has been modified to produce golden orb weaver spider silk, photosensitivity, etc. E. coli, ribless mouse. The center is only open for a few hours on Fridays and Sundays, but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the city over the weekend.
8. Phipps School of Music
Strictly speaking, this is not a museum. But Phipps School of Music is so beautiful that we had to include it on this list. Located in Auckland, the indoor and outdoor flower and plant displays remain beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. I wrote that winter vacation is a time when cute elements increase. Every year, it is Holiday magic! The Winter Flower Show and Light Garden offer different themes and are each even more magical than previous years’ versions.
9. National Aviary
Although not technically a museum, the National Aviary is considered a zoo specializing in birds. You’ll see more avian friends than you’ve ever seen before, but encounters with animals like sloths, owls, and penguins are on your shortlist for something unique and fun. pittsburgh experience. If you want a quieter visit, aim for a weekday afternoon.
10. Roberto Clemente Museum
The Clemente Museum pays tribute to the Puerto Rican who wore No. 21 for 18 seasons as a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and showcases his skills and humanitarian side in the sport. Clemente’s most extensive collection of baseball memorabilia will satisfy any American baseball fan or enthusiast. His Fire Department Engine House 25 in Lawrenceville has been renovated and beautifully restored to honor this man and baseball legend.