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Close to Hotel
 Most popular among Pittsburgh's tourist stops is the summit of Mt. Washington, where restaurants and an observation tower offer great views of the Golden Triangle, the rivers and surrounding hills. Wonderful day and night. Ride the beautifully restored incline cars (Monongahela or Duquesne) to the top, just across the river from the hotel.
Duquesne Incline. Built in 1877, this beautifully restored historic incline car climbs Mt. Washington and provides a spectacular view of the city's skyline. phone 4123811665.
Monongahela Incline, which links Station Square with Mt. Washington, is the oldest and steepest passenger incline in the U.S. phone 4124422000.
The Carnegie Science Center, often called "an amusement park for the mind," has more than 250 handson exhibits. Also an OMNIMAX Theater, an interactive planetarium, a miniature railroad, a health science theater and the USS Requin, a World War II submarine. Located on Pittsburgh's North Side, the Carnegie Science Center is dedicated to educating, entertaining, exciting and inspiring the widest possible audience through programs in science and technology. Cafe, gift shop and more. (North Side), phone 4122373400. http://www.csc.clpgh.org/
Pittsburgh Plate Glass Building (PPG). The Gothiclike headquarters of PPG Industries, designed by Philip Johnson, dominates the city's skyline. Four sixstory buildings and one 14story tower (all sheathed in glass—not surprising for a company that started out making glass) surround a grand plaza, Wintergarden.
Point State Park sits opposite the Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers. It is a fixture of the Pittsburgh skyline. The computercontrolled 200- ft. fountain is fed by a fourth river underground. The park commemorates the arrival of the AngloSaxon civilization in 1754. Enter the park on foot from Commonwealth Place, opposite the Hilton Hotel and Towers. The park's Ft. Pitt Museum has more than 70 dioramas and other displays that depict Pittsburgh's military past. (412) 281-9285
Mexican War Streets are named after the battle sites (Palo Alto, Monterrey, Buena Vista) and heroes (Jackson, Taylor) of the Mexican War. Houses in the neighborhood are a mixture of twostory, preCivil War Greek revival houses and threestory houses with mansard roofs. On the North Side, directly across the Allegheny River from downtown.
The Andy Warhol Museum honors the king of pop art. Warhol was a Pittsburgh native, educated at the Carnegie Institute and CarnegieMellon University. This is the largest museum in the U.S. devoted solely to one artist. More than 500 of his works are on display. On the North Side, phone 4122378300.
The Mattress Factory. A contemporary art museum with challenging exhibits and installations. Often the space is turned over to artists in residence, who create sitespecific works. The permanent collection contains pieces by such artists as William Anastasi, Winifred Lutz and Bill Woodrow. (North Side), phone 4122313169.
Further from the Conference Headquarters
Trinity Cathedral is a 120 year old Gothic church with magnificent stained glass windows. It's on the site of an 18th century burial ground, which contains the grave of Red Pole, a Shawnee chief who died at Ft. Pitt in 1797. Selfguided tours.
Allegheny County Courthouse and Jail, national historic landmark and important Pittsburgh building in the Romanesque revival style., is considered one of architect Henry Hobson Richardson's greatest works. Tours can be arranged through the Allegheny County Bar Association.
Heinz Memorial Chapel is one of the foremost examples of French Gothic architecture in the U.S. The stainedglass windows are lovely.
The Carnegie is a vast cultural center, housing a museum of art, a museum of natural history, music hall and library, the Heinz Architectural Center and the Hall of Architecture all under one roof. Recognized collections of dinosaurs, Egyptian artifacts, French impressionist paintings, works by western Pennsylvania artists and contemporary art.
The Frick Art and Historical Center includes the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, the Clayton Historical House and the Henry Clay Frick estate grounds. The Art Museum houses primarily European works, but also traveling exhibits (which are popular, always original and of a high quality). Free. The Car and Carriage Museum showcases a collection of nearly 20 historic automobiles, which hail from 18981940. Clayton Historical House is a turnofthecentury house featuring Frick's original art collection and furnishings. Reservations requested.
The Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, a massive complex dedicated to the historic preservation of western Pennsylvania. There's a museum, library, archives, cafe and museum shop.
One of the last Victorian conservatories of its kind in the country, the Phipps Conservatory keeps 2 acres/1 hectare of gardens under glass and has 13 show houses with collections of tropicals, cacti, orchids and bonsai. Seasonal shows, gift shop.
The Pittsburgh Zoo offers the natural habitats of more than 4,000 animals, including an Asian forest, African savanna, tropical forest and the always popular Aqua Zoo.
The National Aviary in Pittsburgh is one of only two aviaries in the U.S. Exhibits include more than 500 different birds (250 species), including many endangered ones. Tropical birds, as well. All in natural habitats from marsh to desert.
The Allegheny Observatory, built in 1902, was the city's first observatory and housed the telescope of the Allegheny Telescope Association. Today it has three telescopes. Tours are free, but reservations are required. Nationality Rooms. Twentyfour authentically designed and decorated classrooms developed by the ethnic communities in the region. Selfguided tours available.
Self-Guided Walking Tours : Guided walking tours are planned by the Historical and Landmarks Group who produce maps to help you conduct your own walking tour. Call 4124715808. |
