Sight guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Visiting Senator John Heinz History Center
Western Pennsylvania's history museum, a Smithsonian affiliate in a former ice warehouse, covers steel, glass and the Heinz company, and holds set pieces from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, filmed in Pittsburgh.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Senator John Heinz History Center is a museum in Strip District, Pittsburgh. Allow 2–3 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Strip District
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, kids and rainy day
- Best months
- January and March–April
About Senator John Heinz History Center
Western Pennsylvania's history museum, a Smithsonian affiliate in a former ice warehouse, covers steel, glass and the Heinz company, and holds set pieces from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, filmed in Pittsburgh. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum inside covers the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins.
Tip: Families should head straight for the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood display, including King Friday XIII's castle.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Strip District, old produce warehouses turned into food shops, markets and new apartments.
Best time to visit Senator John Heinz History Center
Senator John Heinz History 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 Senator John Heinz History Center on day 3, together with Strip District, Point State Park and Fort Pitt and Gateway Clipper riverboats.
- No. 10 of the 18 sights in our Pittsburgh things-to-do list.
- Day 2 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.
Near Senator John Heinz History Center
Also in Strip District, so you can walk between them:
- Strip District — 2–3 hours, free
If you like Senator John Heinz History Center
- Duquesne Incline — Mount Washington, 1 hour
- Andy Warhol Museum — North Shore, 2–3 hours
- Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art — Oakland, 3–4 hours
- Cathedral of Learning — Oakland, 1 hour
Staying near Senator John Heinz History Center
Stay in Strip District ($$$) to walk here: old produce warehouses turned into food shops, markets and new apartments. All areas to stay in Pittsburgh.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Senator John Heinz History Center?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Strip District nearby, it fits a half-day in Strip District.
+Is Senator John Heinz History Center free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Senator John Heinz History Center?
January and March–April, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Families should head straight for the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood display, including King Friday XIII's castle.
+Do I need to book Senator John Heinz History Center in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.