Sight guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Visiting Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Andrew Carnegie's twin museums share a building and a ticket.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art is a museum in Oakland, Pittsburgh. Allow 3–4 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Oakland
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, art, history and rainy day
- Best months
- January and March–April
About Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Andrew Carnegie's twin museums share a building and a ticket. The natural history side is famous for its Jurassic dinosaur skeletons, including the original Diplodocus carnegii, and the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems; the art museum has Impressionist paintings, contemporary galleries and the Hall of Architecture's huge plaster casts of European monuments.
Tip: Start in Dinosaurs in Their Time, then cross to the Hall of Architecture; allow a full afternoon for both.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 3–4 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Oakland, universities, hospitals and the Carnegie museums around Schenley Park.
Best time to visit Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- January: 2°C (36°F) highs, about 15 rainy days, very quiet crowds.
- March: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 14 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 14 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Pittsburgh has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Pittsburgh itinerary visits Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art on day 2, together with Cathedral of Learning, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Grandview Avenue overlooks.
- No. 3 of the 18 sights in our Pittsburgh things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Pittsburgh.
- One of the picks in pittsburgh on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Pittsburgh.
- A family favourite in Pittsburgh with kids.
Near Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Also in Oakland, so you can walk between them:
- Cathedral of Learning — 1 hour, free
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced
If you like Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
- Duquesne Incline — Mount Washington, 1 hour
- Andy Warhol Museum — North Shore, 2–3 hours
- Senator John Heinz History Center — Strip District, 2–3 hours
- Carnegie Science Center — North Shore, 3–4 hours
Staying near Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Stay in Oakland ($$) to walk here: universities, hospitals and the Carnegie museums around Schenley Park. All areas to stay in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art?
Plan 3–4 hours. With Cathedral of Learning nearby, it fits a half-day in Oakland.
+Is Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art?
January and March–April, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Start in Dinosaurs in Their Time, then cross to the Hall of Architecture; allow a full afternoon for both.
+Do I need to book Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a good-value family destination, with the inclines, dinosaurs at the Carnegie, the Science Center's submarine, the National Aviary and Kennywood.