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    Kamin Science Center

    4.0 (247 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Kamin Science Center Photos

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    Photo 1: Montage of images from Kamin Science Centrr
    Ed U.

    It wasn't a surprise to me that this was a kids' attraction. It was more of a surprise that I would find myself here paying a somewhat exorbitant $25 admission fee on a wintry Sunday morning. I was walking the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and in need of an excuse to get out of the bitter cold. Besides which, I saw the center houses a miniature replica of Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater (Photo 2). That appealed to me since I just visited the real thing. It turned out to be a part of the Miniature Railroad & Village, an expansive display of moving trains in a model of the greater Pittsburgh area (Photo 10). Otherwise there were some marginally interesting exhibits focused on the human body and the life of an astronaut. There was also a display of famous robots and a model of the surface of Mars. Several of the more immersive exhibits appeared closed for renovation. Just by chance, I caught a documentary short about volcanoes in the Buhl Planetarium. It wasn't the most visually interesting subject for their convex projection system, but it passed the time. I think the center is best suited to families with pre-adolescent kids. They were the most willing visitors. An hour plus was enough for me. RELATED - Exploring Pittsburgh? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/h0m3wFlCdJ

    Train Table
    Avery G.

    We love visiting the science center! On this particular trip our favorite exhibit (water works) was closed for construction to bring something new. But we also got to experience something different this time! We attended a family story-time in the planetarium/theater dome. That was fun! The train room is always a big hit too - we notice something different every time!

    Jessica A.

    What a fun museum with lots to do. The Kamin Science Center is fun for all ages! From shooting off rockets to live animals to exploring a submarine, watching a planetarium show or a movie on the big screen, there's plenty to do and lots to learn. I loved the 4 season model train set with such incredible attention to detail. We spent several hours here on a Sunday, which wasn't very crowded. We were able to park right out front.

    Halloween at the miniature railroad
    Stephanie W.

    Carnegie Science Center re-opened as the Kamin Science Center. Over $100 million in new exhibits are planned for the next decade and I can't wait to see what they come up with!

    What's up!
    Marissa R.

    The name here is soon changing because of the donor, but this museum really is wonderful. I've brought the kids here on several occasions. It is situated in a very central spot that is on your way to any sporting event in the city. Four floors to explore, and some of the exhibits change from time to time. Don't forget to see the big train that features miniatures of all of your favorite Pittsburgh locations. You also won't want to miss the second building that is dedicated to motion and how the human body works. Enjoy.

    Liz G.

    The Carnegie Science Center is located on the North Shore in the midst of the stadiums. They have a paid parking lot. My son is just over one year old so the fourth floor toddler area is perfect for him. There's a water table area, button wall, tumbling area with foam blocks, and more. He could've stayed in the tumbling area for an hours! He also loved the huge train display. It has immaculate details, it was really interesting to look at. Excited to keep coming back as he gets older!

    Ron J.

    Carnegie Science Center is a must-visit! Mind-blowing exhibits, hands-on fun, and a vibrant vibe. Highly recommend seeing it for yourself--pure science magic! Can't wait to go back

    Bubbles in Blue
    Amber M.

    This center has an incredible location on the river, some good exhibits, and a small parking lot. I have a STEM background and am glad for anything that supports science education and am pretty thrilled that this place is still here. As noted, the view from the center over the river is really nice. There's also an outdoor sub exhibit that is open weather permitting. It was too cold the day we went, so we missed it, but it's nice that it's a thing. I hadn't been here since high school and was surprised how familiar the place felt. I'm sure some things have been updated (the Mars exhibit was definitely newer) but some things have been here for a while (the train exhibit, which always felt more history oriented to me than science). Also, a fair number of interactive exhibits were not functional. Maintenance or a total overhaul is needed in some instances. My 15 year old sister loved the human body exhibits and I loved the planetarium. I rather wish we'd visited the Pixar exhibit, but at $25 a pop for General Admission, this place is a little expensive so we couldn't manage add-ons. Also, we didn't eat here, so I can't speak to the food. I was glad we arrived early because the lot is tiny and when we left lots of people were driving circles trying to snag a spot. Overall, this is a good place, but some maintenance is in order, especially in the section about the water cycle. Exhibits should be functional!

    Perfect day for a submarine tour!
    Jennifer W.

    I took my kids to the Carnegie Science Center on a Sunday at 2:30 and it was great! There weren't many people there so we got to do a lot in a little bit of time. Extra bonus today! We got to go on the submarine!! This was a super cool experience and my kids loved it. The train room had some extra Halloween themed objects to find which was also really fun for the kids.

    Forbes Field, Model Trains
    David B.

    Extraordinary community asset, educational resource and a place to go for an engaging and entertaining afternoon. My favorite parts are the submarine and the Works Theater. The staff are always enthusiastic, well trained, and engaging storytellers. The model train section is something I keep going back to, especially because it often gets updated. It was cool to see a replica of the Rachel Carson Homestead, for example, as well as Kennywood and the Incline. The gift shop has some amazing educational games and gifts, so save some time to see what's there. The Science Center is also an excellent venue for outside events and meetings

    Winnie C.

    The science center is connected to the art museum. The science center has probably the largest collection of dinosaur bones I have seen in one place. Everything was well presented with a lot of information given. The art museum has a very nice diverse collection of classical to modern art. Everything was a bit unusual and gave me a bit of different perspective into some of these masters' works that are a little different than how I've known their work. It kept me pondering and thinking about some of the questions regarding the "art world". Though our visit was short, but the impact on me hasn't been.

    The sub as closed so no tour for us.
    Pat B.

    My overall impression is that the Science Center is a little worn and in need of a facelift. We got the general admission but if you pay more there are a few bonus movies and attractions. We thought it was a good place to take children and there were many groups there from the local summer camps.

    Fun and informative displays with the train exhibit
    Brittany S.

    This was probably our third or fourth visit to the Carnegie Science Center and it was such a blast to experience it through our toddlers eyes. We spent two hours exploring the four floors of fun and learning that the museum offers. Our adult tickets were $25 each and kiddos under two are free. The biggest draw for our visit was the large train exhibit. We probably spent thirty minutes in that room alone. There are so many intricate details and history factoids to soak in. I love how the exhibit showcases not only the four seasons but the lights change to experience both day and night. It's a beauty and fun for both adults and kids. The museum also features an outer space exhibit, shows, hands-on water features, small water creatures, Lego exhibits and more. I especially appreciated the section dedicated to those six and under with musical instruments, a climbing space, small tables, etc. I thought this museum does an exceptional job of catering to all ages. The cherry on top? Parking was $5 - not shabby.

    Reconstructed Viking boat

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    Kids should find it fun enough. The quick walk through the USS Requin submarine is cool.

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    Kamin Science Center Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kamin Science Center

    What age kids is the Carnegie Science Center best for? We have a soon to be 6th grader and a soon to be 3rd grader.

    It's great for kids of all ages. Little kids have a ball there.

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    Review Highlights - Kamin Science Center

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Here is a short list of reasons to go to the Carnegie Science Center: 1.

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    Museum of Illusions - Pittsburgh - Another great illusion

    Museum of Illusions - Pittsburgh

    4.1(66 reviews)
    0.5 miNorth Side

    This was the moment I realized I overstayed my welcome in Pittsburgh, an indisputably great city…read more However, even indisputably great cities can have disappointing attractions. My first clue was that I discovered this museum was not specific to Pittsburgh. In fact, it's part of a privately owned museum chain, one of over sixty identical museums across over 25 countries. I came here because I had a free morning trying to avoid the wintry weather. I decided to make stops on the North Shore along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Clearly, not every stop is a landmark. This museum appears to be targeted to either young families with hyperactive kids and Instagram-addicted tourists. Falling somewhat into the latter category, I found the admission rather steep at $25 for what looked to be a relatively small scale space. I paid that same amount for both Carnegie Museums (Art and Natural History). This museum consisted of a series of interactive exhibits that create optical illusions. There were several spinning wheels, tilted spaces, distorted rooms, and mirrored illusions. My walkthrough lasted around fifteen minutes. Kids were anxious to go through the exhibits at breakneck speed, and my attention span was rarely stimulated by the exhibits. In visiting this museum, at least I won't be curious about the sixty other Museums of Illusions. RELATED - Exploring Pittsburgh? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/h0qh7n2Ol5

    A group of us went on Monday and it worked out well because there were very few other people there…read more I've been to a Museum of Illusions before in Montreal and was excited that there was one in Pittsburgh. Parking can be tricky but thankfully it wasn't a game day so we were all about to street park right in front. When you go inside, they stamp your hand and you're allowed to wander inside for as long as you'd like. Some of the exhibits are really cool and great photo ops and some are just okay. The inside is fairly small and five adults blew through it all in about 20 minutes. I think if we were children we would've spent more time in there. The inside is basically a loop and you end up at the shop adjacent to where you started. There were plenty of staff on hand throughout to explain things to use or even to take pictures which was nice. It is a little expensive for how small it is bit I do think it's worth going once.

    Photos
    Museum of Illusions - Pittsburgh - The boys.

    The boys.

    Museum of Illusions - Pittsburgh
    Museum of Illusions - Pittsburgh - Was I really standing on my head?

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    Was I really standing on my head?

    Mattress Factory Art Museum - Azza El Siddique's Echoes to Omega

    Mattress Factory Art Museum

    3.9(248 reviews)
    0.9 miNorth Side

    The Mattress Factory excels at site-specific imersive installation art, and their permanent…read morecollection has some origami art by some of the biggest names in installation art. The museum also hosts private events, a few of which I've attended, and they were outstanding. The staff are very welcoming. The museum gives back to the local community in a big way.

    I've visited the Mattress Factory many times over the years, and it's always a place I enjoy…read morereturning to. I love the main building and how the exhibits are constantly changing, while some of the iconic spaces--like the mirror rooms--remain favorites that you can always count on seeing again. During this visit, I noticed the Dollhouse building has been completely redone. The new exhibit is much darker and heavier in tone, which honestly made me a little disappointed since the dollhouse installation used to be a staple of my visits and something I always looked forward to. The third building had construction going on on the first floor, but from what I could see it looks like it's going to be an incredible new display once it's finished. I was also a little sad to see the delayed recorder projector piece gone, but the new installation in its place was still interesting. One thing I still absolutely love is the water flowing down the handrails--it's such a small detail but always one of my favorite parts of the experience. Overall, it's still a place I enjoy visiting and seeing how the exhibits evolve over time.

    Photos
    Mattress Factory Art Museum - Small wall work from Luke Stettner's State of the Sky

    Small wall work from Luke Stettner's State of the Sky

    Mattress Factory Art Museum - Lots like junk, right?

    Lots like junk, right?

    Mattress Factory Art Museum - This is an exhibit of trash.

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    This is an exhibit of trash.

    Bayernhof Museum

    Bayernhof Museum

    5.0(27 reviews)
    6.5 mi

    We were looking for a fun experience for my husband's big sis, and boy did we find it at Bayernhof!…read moreI couldn't recommend this museum more highly. Lisa, our tour guide, was just perfect - entertaining, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and fun. Our 2-hour experience was a joy - it passed so quickly! You call ahead to arrange a tour, and Lisa returned my call maybe a day or 2 later. We arranged it for a Tuesday morning at 10am (the other option was something like 2pm). The 19,000 square foot Bavarian-inspired home is atop a large hill outside Sharpsburg overlooking the Allegheny - and with a lovely view of downtown. You come thru the gate and park near the door. Inside, Lisa talks a bit about the foyer - chock full of collectibles - and takes you to the main room with that fabulous view, a comfy room with a bar just off the kitchen. You settle in to wait for everyone to arrive. The lecture there takes about 30mins, & you learn about the wealthy, quirky eccentric, Charlie "Chuck" Brown, who built this quirky home in 1982. He was a total prankster who had very little sense about how to build a really stable home. After his death, the board would save the home for all to enjoy. The real treat is hearing from some of the 165 music machines spread thruout the house - some Chuck collected, some purchased by the board set up by Chuck's lawyer, Dave, who - with Chuck's faithful secretary - took on the Herculean task after Chuck's death of fulfilling his dream of turning the home into a museum. The mysteries of the home reveal themselves as you go - and Lisa relishes in showing them off - from the hidden doors, wet bars (in almost every room! Chuck loved to entertain though he was socially awkward!), observatory, below ground cellar, cave, and pool room with a waterfall. It's great. Lisa shares tons of stories, knowledge, anecdotes, and more. Our favorite of the fabulous musical machines: the cylinder player on the landing that has a tiny dancing black bird figure inside; the singing birds with real feathers (!!) in the bird cage upstairs; the uber-art deco Decap machine downstairs with the purple velvet pool table; and the fringe lamp victrola in the upstairs guest room. As you're walking thru the house, you can't believe all there is to see and learn. We were fascinated! Just go! You won't regret it.

    What an incredibly unique and wild place. Just go! It's cool, quirky, weird, and surprising. This…read moreis not to be missed!

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    Bayernhof Museum
    Bayernhof Museum
    Bayernhof Museum

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    Senator John Heinz History Center - Pittsburgh Sports Display at Heinz History Center

    Senator John Heinz History Center

    4.5(262 reviews)
    1.4 miStrip District

    Pittsburgh Hienz Museum…read more Whether you are new to the Pittsburgh area, or are returning there after years away, or you are a lifelong "Yinzer," I highly recommend that you visit the Heinz History Center. It covers the history of the Native Americans, to the French Indian War, through the Revolutionary War, and the role Pittsburgh played in the two World Wars! It also celebrates the sports accomplishments of its Professional and College Teams. Finally, a tremendous history of everyone's favorite, Heinz Tomato Ketchup!

    I think this Museum deserves 5 stars. Its really a "History of Pittsburgh" Museum and they have…read moreexhibits ranging from contributions of Pittsburgh people and industries (such as to WWII, the Moon landing), cultural exhibits (Mr Rodgers Neighborhood), Pittsburgh history including a focus on the French and Indian Wars, and of course, an exhibit to the Heinz company itself. The exhibits are well titled and display, the trolly is really cool. There is a kids area and an interactive play area. I have visited this Museum twice, once before we had kids, and once after and it really is a different experience each time, something for people of all ages! Also kids are FREE! If you visit Pittsburgh and have time for only one Museum, this is it. My only complaint is the cafe is underwhelming, and the gift shop is prohibitively expensive. Finally, if you enjoyed the exhibit on the French and Indian wars be sure to check out the Fort Pitt Museum, which has lots of collections from the era!

    Photos
    Senator John Heinz History Center - Pittsburgh icon in a great new home

    Pittsburgh icon in a great new home

    Senator John Heinz History Center - Fun Room for Kids at Heinz History Center

    Fun Room for Kids at Heinz History Center

    Senator John Heinz History Center - Horse-Drawn Fire Truck in Lobby at Heinz History Center

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    Horse-Drawn Fire Truck in Lobby at Heinz History Center

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Explore nature's beauty at Phipps, encompassing 15 acres including a 14-room glasshouse and 23 distinct gardens.

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

    4.7(598 reviews)
    3.8 miOakland

    Absolutely incredible…read more I don't go to botanical gardens much so I don't really have qualifications to compare or rate any particular place but Phipps blew me away. I like plants. I have some. I thought seeing a bunch of plants might be fun but I wasn't expecting it to be such a wonderful experience! The place is quite large considering most of it is inside. It is organized for a few different environments and a little something for everyone depending on what your floral preferences might be. It took us about an hour and a half to go through the whole thing. Got a lot of pictures. Saw a lot of interesting and cool plants as well as beautiful flowers. Highly recommend this as a stop on any and every Pittsburgh trip.

    Pgh Candle & Phipps partnered for an evening at Botany Hall…read more We selected our scented oils and were able to create our own soy candles. The vessel was a lovely shade of green and had some weight. Simple instructions for those of us who were not-crafty. While our candles were solidifying, we were able to go see the Spring show. Lovely evening. Definitely would do again.

    Photos
    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Ornate bonsai fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Ornate bonsai fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens - Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

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    Hundreds of stunning blooms fill a colorful tropical paradise at this year's Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show. Photo © Paul g. Wiegman

    Kamin Science Center - museums - Updated June 2026

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