Guide to Pittsburgh: Museums & Cultural Institutions
Welcome back to our Guide to Pittsburgh series! In case you missed our most recent guide, we explored some of the best and most easily accessible (from Chatham) parks and trails in Pittsburgh. Next up, we’re taking a look at some of the need-to-know museums and cultural institutions of the city. Pittsburgh has a wealth of museums, theaters, cultural landmarks, and more must-see spots—in fact, there are simply too many to list them all here. But, we’re giving you a jumping off point with a few of our cultural must-sees, ordered here from closest to furthest from Shadyside Campus.
The famous Hall of Sculpture at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Photo c/o CMOA Instagram.
Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History
📍1.5 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses
The Carnegie Museums of Art & Natural History share a building located on Forbes Avenue in the heart of Oakland and just a quick drive or walk down Fifth Avenue from Chatham. The museums are both free to visit via your student ID. The museum of art boasts a permanent collection as well as a regularly changing exhibition space, as such, it is worth visiting every few months. The art museum also hosts regular evening events that allow you to interact with the collection. The Museum of Natural History is home to incredible permanent fixtures like the dinosaur exhibit, the hall of minerals and gems, and the halls of North American and African wildlife which boast a wide range of taxidermized animals. Similarly, it also hosts temporary exhibits and interactive events.
Cathedral of Learning & the Nationality Classrooms
📍 1.7 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses
The Cathedral of Learning is a massive gothic skyscraper located on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus just down the street from Chatham. It is open to the public and serves as a great space for studying and exploring. The Cathedral is also home to the renowned Nationality Classrooms, a series of real-life classrooms that model what it is like to learn in different cultures from around the world.
The Cathedral of Learning. Photo c/o Lonely Planet.
The Cafe at The Frick Pittsburgh. Photo c/o The Frick Pittsburgh.
The Frick
📍1.7 miles from Shadyside Campus; a five-minute drive or a 30 minute walk
The Frick Pittsburgh is home to the personal collection of Helen Clay Frick and aims to “share authentic experiences with art, history, and nature that inspire and delight,” per their website. It is home to the Frick Art Museum, a Car and Carriage Museum, the Clayton Mansion, a greenhouse and accompanying gardens, and a café. Admission to the museum and the accompanying gardens is free.
The entrance to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Photo c/o Phipps Conservatory.
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
📍 2.5 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses + an 11 minute walk
If you want to see flowers, butterflies, and green space galore, we highly recommend taking a trip to the Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. It boasts a tropical forest, sustainable landscapes, seasonal flower shows, outdoor gardens, and more. Pro tip: visit during the holiday season so that you can experience the indoor and outdoor winter light show. Admission to Phipps is $17.95 with your student ID.
A polar bear swimming above the underwater tunnel. Photo c/o Paul A. Selvaggio.
Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium
📍3.7 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B PRT bus
Is a zoo a cultural institution? We think so. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium are home to a wide range of exotic animals—click here to learn more about popular animals and to see where you can find different species within the zoo. Our zoo is actively engaged in wildlife conservation locally and around the world; some of their initiatives include sea turtle rehabilitation, ocelot conservation, manatee rescue and rehabilitation, elephant conservation, African primate protection, and more. Admission is $19.95.
Participants gather to watch a speaker series at the center. Photo c/o August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
August Wilson African American Cultural Center
📍4.7 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts center dedicated to championing and celebrating the African American experience and honoring work that reflects the canon of renowned playwright and Pittsburgh native, August Wilson. It is home to a wide range of visual art exhibitions that are free and open to the public during gallery hours. You can also attend one of the center’s upcoming ticketed events—see the complete list here.
The Cultural District in full swing. Photo c/o Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Cultural District
📍5.0 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses
Pittsburgh’s Cultural District is located centrally in Downtown Pittsburgh and earned its name as the home to seven world-class theaters, a number of art installations, a variety of art galleries, and a wide range of dining establishments. As such, it is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and see a show at Benedum Center, Heinz Hall, Byham Theater, O’Reilly Theater, Greer Cabaret Theater, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, or The Box Office at Theater Square.
Floor 6 of The Warhol which highlights the 1960s. Photo c/o The Andy Warhol Museum.
The Andy Warhol Museum
📍 5.5 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses + an 11 minute walk
Named for another famed Pittsburgher—artist and cultural icon, Andy Warhol—the Andy Warhol Museum is a seven floor showcase of Warhol’s finest work, including his Campbell’s Soup prints, celebrity portraits, experimental films, personal archives, and a rotating guest artist exhibit. Students receive $10 tickets and it is open till 10 pm on Fridays.
The Carnegie Science Center. Photo c/o the Carnegie Science Center.
Carnegie Science Center
📍 6.2 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses + a brief ride on the T (also free) or a 16 minute drive
The Carnegie Science Center is located in the Pittsburgh North Shore and features four floors of interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, a retired submarine, live theater performances, and Highmark Sportsworks, an interactive space that is meant to create a greater understanding of the science behind sports. We highly recommend stopping by for one of their musical laser shows in the Buhl Planetarium. General admission is $20.
A toucan and resident of the National Aviary. Photo c/o the National Aviary.
National Aviary
📍 6.6 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses + a quick transfer to the 8, 13, 15, 16, or 17 PRT buses or an 18 minute drive
Did you know Pittsburgh is home to the United States’ National Aviary? At the aviary you will encounter a huge array of bird species—check them out here. You can also participate in animal encounters with sloths, penguins, owls, and falcons. The aviary is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm and admission is $17.95.
Guests examine an installation at The Mattress Factory. Photo c/o The Mattress Factory.
The Mattress Factory
📍 6.8 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses + a quick transfer to the 8, 13, 15, 16, or 17 PRT buses or an 18 minute drive
If you’re wondering where you can find truly unique and contemporary art in Pittsburgh, The Mattress Factory is your spot. It is home to ever-changing installations that utilize alternative art forms and site-specific installations. It was founded for artists by artists and strives to support artists in ways that more traditional spaces may fail to. You’re likely to encounter mature themes, boundary-pushing displays, and confounding visuals at the Mattress Factory—all the more reason to visit. Chatham students receive a discounted $15 rate.
Randy in Randyland. Photo c/o Sally Maxson, Penn Live.
Randyland
📍 7.0 miles from Shadyside Campus; accessible for free via the 71B and 71D PRT buses + a quick transfer to the 8, 13, 15, 16, or 17 PRT buses or an 20 minute drive
Randyland is so close to the National Aviary and the Mattress Factory that you might consider stopping by after visiting one of these. It is a colorful, magical wonderland located in Randy Gilson’s side yard in the North Side of Pittsburgh. It features a mesmerizing array of colors, illustrations, yard signs, flamingos, mannequins, and more constructed and designed by Randy himself. Admission is free to all.
In case you missed our 2021 guides to neighborhoods and cultural facts, be sure to check them out at their respective links.