Sight guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Visiting Carnegie Science Center
On the Ohio River next to Acrisure Stadium, this hands-on science museum has a planetarium, a robotics hall, a big miniature railroad and village, and the USS Requin, a Second World War submarine moored outside that you can walk through.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Carnegie Science Center is a museum in North Shore, Pittsburgh. Allow 3–4 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- North Shore
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, rainy day and history
- Best months
- January and March–April
About Carnegie Science Center
On the Ohio River next to Acrisure Stadium, this hands-on science museum has a planetarium, a robotics hall, a big miniature railroad and village, and the USS Requin, a Second World War submarine moored outside that you can walk through.
Tip: Allow time for the Requin tour and the Miniature Railroad and Village, and check planetarium show times on arrival.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 3–4 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: North Shore, stadiums, the Warhol and riverfront parks across the Allegheny.
Best time to visit Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center 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 Science Center on day 1, together with Andy Warhol Museum, PNC Park and Duquesne Incline.
- No. 11 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 Science Center
Also in North Shore, so you can walk between them:
- PNC Park — 3 hours, mid-priced
- Andy Warhol Museum — 2–3 hours, mid-priced
If you like Carnegie Science Center
- Duquesne Incline — Mount Washington, 1 hour
- Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art — Oakland, 3–4 hours
- Cathedral of Learning — Oakland, 1 hour
- Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — Oakland, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near Carnegie Science Center
Stay in North Shore ($$$) to walk here: stadiums, the Warhol and riverfront parks across the Allegheny. All areas to stay in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Carnegie Science Center?
Plan 3–4 hours. With PNC Park nearby, it fits a half-day in North Shore.
+Is Carnegie Science Center free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Carnegie Science Center?
January and March–April, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Allow time for the Requin tour and the Miniature Railroad and Village, and check planetarium show times on arrival.
+Do I need to book Carnegie Science Center in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Carnegie Science Center 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.