Andrew Carnegie gave Pittsburgh a cultural palace, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History in Oakland are its heart. The two museums share one vast building and one admission ticket, so a single visit can take you from Jurassic giants to Impressionist canvases without stepping outside. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History is famous for its dinosaurs, one of the great collections in the world, displayed in scenes that show them in their own time, along with halls of gems and minerals, Egyptian antiquities, wildlife dioramas and galleries on the peoples of North America. The Carnegie Museum of Art holds European and American painting, decorative arts, photography and contemporary work, and is home to the Carnegie International, its long-running survey of contemporary art. Do not miss the Hall of Architecture, a towering room filled with full-size plaster casts of famous building facades, or the Hall of Sculpture next to it. The museums sit beside the Carnegie Library and Music Hall, and the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning is a short walk away.
Hours and tickets: the museums open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Thursday from 10am to 8pm, and they are closed every Tuesday. They also close on Thanksgiving (26 November), Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter. One ticket covers both museums: adults pay in the mid-twenties in dollars, with discounts for seniors, students and children aged 3 to 18, and under-3s go free. A useful tip from the museums themselves is that admission is half price after 3pm on weekdays. Timed ticketing is in use, so book a slot online for weekends and holidays.
Getting there: the building is on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, about fifteen minutes from downtown by car or by the frequent buses along Forbes and Fifth Avenues. The museums' own garage is behind the building and charges hourly; it is cashless, so pay by mobile, at a pay station or at the exit gate with a card. Phipps Conservatory is a pleasant walk away through Schenley Park.
How to see it: give yourself at least three hours and pick a focus. Families should head straight for the dinosaurs, then the gems; art lovers should combine the Hall of Architecture with a few painting galleries and whatever exhibition is on. If time allows, walk over to the Cathedral of Learning, a Gothic Revival skyscraper whose ground-floor Nationality Rooms reflect the city's immigrant communities.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to two connected museums in one building, natural history and art, with special exhibitions and a café.
Best time
A weekday after 3pm for half-price entry, or Thursday evening, when the galleries stay open to 8pm.
How long
Three to four hours for a good look at both, or a full day with lunch.
Tips
Avoid Tuesdays, book a timed slot for weekends, choose dinosaurs or art as your main focus, and bring a card for the cashless garage.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, art lovers and anyone who wants two world-class museums for the price of one ticket.
- Families
- The dinosaur halls are among the best anywhere and children 2 and under go free.
- Couples
- A Thursday evening among the paintings and the Hall of Architecture, then dinner in Oakland or Shadyside.
- Pair with
- Phipps Conservatory across Schenley Park and the Nationality Rooms in the Cathedral of Learning.
- Time needed
- Half a day at least, and a full day for museum lovers.
Good questions
Does one ticket cover both Carnegie museums in Oakland?+
Yes, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History share a building and a single admission. You can move between them freely during your visit.
When are the Carnegie museums closed?+
They are closed every Tuesday and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter. Thursday is the late night, open to 8pm.
Is there a cheaper time to visit the Carnegie museums?+
Yes, admission is half price after 3pm on weekdays. That leaves two hours on most days, or five on a Thursday.
Where do you park for the Carnegie Museums in Oakland?+
The museums have a garage behind the building with hourly rates. It is cashless, so pay by mobile, at a pay station or with a card at the exit.
What are the highlights for first-timers?+
Most people head first for the dinosaur halls and the gems and minerals. On the art side, the Hall of Architecture with its giant plaster casts is unforgettable.
