Best Museum Tours In Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is known for its sports, food and even exports, both old and new. But what one might not know is that Pittsburgh boasts a rich cultural fabric and is home to many notable museums. Take a trip to one of these five museums in the Steel City and enjoy a fun and educational tour.
The Mattress Factory Art Museum
500 Sampsonia Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 231-3169
www.mattress.org
The Mattress Factory Art Museum offers guided group visits for all ages, with a variety of programs for your party to choose from. During tours, the knowledgeable staff encourages visitors to subjectively observe their surroundings - perhaps in more "out of the box" ways than you had thought possible. Educators promote an open discussion forum so visitors may better appreciate the Mattress Factory's Artist-Residency program. Call or go online to schedule your trip today.
The Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 237-8300
www.warhol.org
Rest assured that the content or outing will always be appropriate for your party when you visit the Warhol's hallowed halls, as each of the museum's educators (some of whom are also resident artists) will ensure that the program you're experiencing will be age-appropriate and fitting to your school or organization's curriculum and final product, or members of your party. One-hour tours include an introduction to the life and work of Andy Warhol, Pittsburgh's most famous export, and are complemented with a narrow discussion on specific themes, related social issues and that month's installation, with a Q&A session to wrap up your trip.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15215
(412) 622-3131
www.carnegiemnh.org
Available year-round, (Tuesday through Friday during regular museum hours and Mondays in the summer after Independence Day and before Labor Day), the Carnegie Museum's tours will simply not be beat. Its fully equipped hands-on classrooms and expansive exhibitions will offer your party an understanding of the earth and its inhabitants, and kids simply cannot get enough of these cool artifacts. Customized tours are also available, as the guide will be able to skillfully point out areas of interest in each exhibition that are perfectly tailored to your curriculum or goal. The guided tour fee includes admission to Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History for each participant.
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Fort Pitt Museum
601 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-9284
www.heinzhistorycenter.org
Located in historic Point State Park downtown, the Fort Pitt Museum is a 12,000-square-foot structure that recants the story of Western Pennsylvania's arduous fight during the French & Indian War, its pivotal role in the American Revolution and its role in history as the birthplace of Pittsburgh - a fact that, surprisingly, very few Pittsburghers know. The purposeful location of the fort, standing staunchly at the forks of the Ohio River, is exemplary of how the land we now know as Pittsburgh helped to shape the course of American history. Interactive exhibitions, thoroughly detailed historical figures and beautifully preserved artifacts await your guided tour that is available by calling or emailing here.
Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 622-3131
www.cmoa.org
Allow art to bring a variety of lessons or subjects alive for your classes and students, or even just your group of friends. In-depth, student-centric guided gallery tours at the CMA center on content such as art and writing, visions of America & Pittsburgh and civics and government. Guided tours also offer more depth than a self-guided jaunt through the Carnegie's arguably most famous museum. See for yourself what you've been missing and schedule your tour today.
Related: Cool Museums For Every Taste
Nikki Tiani-Moroney is a full time mum of two boys, wife of a professional poker player/photographer/amateur pencil-sharpening competitor and writer from Pittsburgh, PA. When she isn't studiously neglecting her housework in favor of a good book, she's out simultaneously fighting crime and picking up sidewalk litter while savoring an occasional cigarette. Her work can be found at http://www.examiner.com/.
