The Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh is quite possibly the best museum of its kind. Off the top…read moreof my head, I can't think of another major city among the many I have been to across the country that does a better job of encompassing its city's history so well in a museum. I'm glad I finally took the time out to visit, as I had not visited on my many prior visits to Pittsburgh. The museum does have a few exhibits dedicated to Heinz ketchup, but there's so much more from natural history to sports history to the periods of time where Pittsburgh was a national leader in steel and glass-making. I especially liked the "Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation" area and the small space they have dedicated to Mister Rogers Neighborhood. The Pittsburgh sports exhibits are really comprehensive, covering non-traditional sports in addition to their major teams (Penguins, Steelers, & Pirates). Even if you don't care for sports, there's a decent variety of exhibits that are sure to catch your interest. The facility itself is wonderfully modern and well organized, such that it's easy to get from exhibit to exhibit without getting lost. There is a decent gift shop and cafe on the first floor. I'd highly recommend a visit to the Senator John Heinz History Center if you're interested in learning about the history of the city of Pittsburgh, or are a first time visitor.

More of a 3.8…read more This place came up over, and over, and over again on lists of places to go to when visiting Pitt. And, I get why. The place has a bunch of random (could choose a better word here) history pieces. Where the place could do better is expand on some of these pieces. Example, as a huge fan of Mr. Rogers and saying you have a part of the set, ok, yeah, you do, and it was awesome to see, but it was such a small fixture, there could have been more. At 20/person to enter, it's worth the trip since it's relatively affordable compared to some 40-50/pp spots. Can easily do 1.5 hours here.

The Depreciation Lands Museum is a nonprofit village that teaches visitors about local life in the…read more1700s to 1800s. Many people do not understand what "Depreciation Lands" means. American soldiers who had fought in the Revolutionary War had been paid with paper money called Continental Currency that had depreciated so much that is was almost worthless. As a result, in 1783, the Pennsylvanian government purchased the Depreciation Lands--720,000 acres in the counties of Allegheny, Butler, Beaver, Lawrence, and Armstrong--from Indians in order to compensate the soldiers. Currently, the Depreciation Lands Museum is open on Sundays from 1-4 PM from May through October. Some special events, such as ghost-hunting and the Hydref Fall Festival, are held at other times. The suggested donation is $5 per adult and $3 per child, and these donations can be paid with cash or check in person or with PayPal or credit card on the website. My husband and I parked our vehicle in a parking lot that was near a bank across the street. We spent one hour at the museum, although other people might want to visit for a longer time. We felt interested in seeing the church, cemetery, tavern, barn, workshop, log house, blacksmith shop, Indian wigwam, herb garden, bake oven, smokehouse, and schoolhouse. All staff members were volunteers. The staff members wore costumes, and they reenacted work such as processing flax into linen thread, weaving the linen thread into cloth, cooking pumpkin soup in a hearth, making nails out of iron, etcetera. The volunteers spoke nicely to us, and they communicated educational information.

This place is super cool. Honestly it's right off the side of a busy highway but not many people…read moreknow it's there. They require at least a $5 donation to tour the museum. Honestly it's worth it. They are open on Sundays from 1-4pm except when it's winter. And seriously you could spend the whole 3 hours there. The workers are extremely knowledgeable and they act like they came right out of a history book for that time period. It's great for all ages.

Attended a 1 hr Behind the Scenes of Dinosaur Bones tour advertised to members. $50 per person 10…read morepeople per group. Limited number of tickets. Well worth money spent. Our tour was led by the head pf the department. The breadth of her knowledge of the museum, her predecessors, and collection was impressive. Did you know that England has a copy of our T Rex in their Natural History museum? Dippy's extra bones need a new resting place. Currently they have been resting on this shelf since 1800's. The wood is injuring the bottom of the fossil. (I think dinosaur lovers would donate the $30k to get Dippy's bones a new resting place.) Researchers come to study the collection. Fork lifts are used to transfer the bones from one surface to the next. A local college student found an undiscovered amphibian while searching for fern fossils on FedEx property by Pittsburgh International Airport. It was named after FedEx and the student: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/100315-new-fossil-amphibian-fedex Great experience! Would definitely attend again. I wonder what is Behind the Scenes of the art museum ...

This section of Pittsburgh has a lot to offer. You would have to take an Uber or Lyft from…read moredowntown. This is a World class combined art and history museum. Your admission ticket includes both the art and natural history museums. Admission is half price after 3pm, but the museum closes at 5:00. A few minutes away from the museum you have the Heinz Chapel, Nationality Rooms, and the outfield wall of Forbes Field.

This is one of the absolute highlights of the Science Center!…read moreThe detail on the village is simply astounding. It creates landmarks and landscapes of the Pittsburgh area. Everything from amusement parks (complete with moving/working rides) to Fallingwater! You enter and have one way to walk through to keep the traffic flowing. It can get crowded, but the staff is generally good at keeping it moving or managing when people are trying to see the same areas. I think one of the most interesting features is that the lighting changes so you can get a view of what it looks like with daylight and simulated night. The night really shows off all the details of the street lights, the lights on the rides etc. They seem to add new elements every year. This year there is currently a vote on which Pittsburgh bridge they will add. (I am hoping Smithfield Street Bridge is the one ultimately added). They will often do fun additions when there is a big attraction in town. For example, when Taylor Swift was here, they "hid" her several places throughout the train display. In the back middle, there is a conductor who will let you blow the train whistle. Don't be shy, adults can have fun pressing it too! If you are at the science center, make sure you don't miss a visit here!

Very nice exhibit within the Carnegie Science Center. The live action minuatures and scavenger…read morehunt game they have enhance the experience. Good experience for all ages.

I can't recommend this haunt enough. I tell as many people about it as possible. This is like a…read moreHalloween LARP. The decorations are top notch and the characters there are very well done!

I had so much fun here with my family. The decorations and atmosphere were spectacular, decked out…read morefrom top to bottom. Although I wouldn't say it was a haunted house, there were definitely a few times the actors scared me enough to scream! I definitely recommend visiting here, it's 100% worth it.

I learned about this museum complex thanks to the library program that allows patrons to check out…read morepasses to a variety of local museums. I came to the museum not really knowing anything about it, so I didn't have any real expectations going in. Turns out it blew me away with how interesting it is! The museum is part of a complex of what was a fully functioning and busy town centered around the production of whisky, grist mill and farm. The house is also the birthplace of Henry Clay Frick. I know he is a complicated historical figure, but he is relevant and important to Pittsburgh area history, so it is interesting to learn about that portion of his history. When you visit the museum, you first check in to the museum portion of the experience (which is in the old distillery building). There are exhibits on the first floor and the second floor focuses on whiskey. Your tour guide will take you through the first floor of the homestead where you see recreated historical rooms. You also see the kitchen building on the tour. On the grounds is also a wonderful distillery that actively makes whiskey. You can sample their products along with other PA spirits and can also order a mixed drink. In addition to the museum portions, they also have a huge barn that is used for an events space. It is an interesting place to visit packed with history. A perfect place for anyone interested in learning more about local history.

I have visited twice now, and have seen two different rotating exhibits, plus some of the…read moremanuscripts and models were there both times. On my most recent visit, my favorite manuscripts on display were from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" (see photos). The current rotating exhibits have to do with the life of Abraham Lincoln in illustrated form, and also documents from the Civil War. I think these will be on display until January, when another rotating exhibit will take its place. Admission is free (donations accepted), and the museum is located in the Sheraden neighborhood, housed in a beautiful old church with stained-glass windows, and a giant pipe organ up in the choir loft . . . Cheers!

What a great repurpose for a beautiful building! Many unique documents and exhibits. Best part is…read moreit is FREE!!

As a scare actor, before becoming a cast member, I got a BTS tour and met the owners. The concept…read moreand extreme scare and the original story line sold me. Portals was voted #1 for scariest haunt. This isn't just a biased review, this is the OG Horror Fan in me! Oh yeah, this was the inaugural season.

I didn't know what to expect since it's not as popular but it was AMAZING! Props were fantastic and…read moreactors are on point! I hate when you go to a haunted house and the actors timing is off so you don't get spooked. And there's a midway with food and booze? Hope more people check it out bc it's awesome.