Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4.8(4.6K)google
4.7(213)yelp
KidsIndoorMust-SeeEducationalScienceFossilsArchaeology
Overview
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh stands proudly as one of the top natural science research and exhibition institutions in the country, founded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1896. The museum is globally celebrated for its magnificent 'Dinosaurs in Their Time' exhibition, which houses an unparalleled collection of real, fossilized dinosaur skeletons displayed in scientifically accurate prehistoric ecosystems. Beyond prehistoric giants, travelers can explore halls filled with dazzling gems and minerals, intricate wildlife dioramas, and ancient Egyptian artifacts. It delivers an educational, awe-inspiring journey through deep time and planetary history, captivating curious minds of all ages.
Practical Info
Mon–Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri–Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeHighly recommended weekday mornings right at 10:00 AM opening. Renowned worldwide for housing the world's premier Jurassic dinosaur bone collection (including the holotypes of Diplodocus and T-Rex), early morning grants you zero-line entry to stand inside the monumental bi-level dinosaur hall alone before student field trips arrive.
Getting ThereLocated in the historic Oakland university cluster at 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh. Take the high-frequency municipal bus Route 61 or 71 east from downtown straight to the Forbes Avenue cultural circle plaza; the grand museum gates sit steps from the stop, fronted by a large commercial paid indoor multi-level parking garage structure behind.
Travel Tips
- Housed in the same historic interconnected complex as the Carnegie Museum of Art, a single general admission ticket grants access to both facilities on the same day; note that the entire building is closed on Tuesdays.
- Navigate to 4400 Forbes Ave in Oakland; the official covered parking garage entrance sits at the intersection of Forbes Ave and South Craig St, charging a tiered fee. Arrive at the 10:00 AM opening to secure a space.
Photo Tips
Gear
- Photographing the Dinosaurs in Their Time hall is complicated by high-intensity overhead museum incandescent lighting; bring a white-balance card or adjust your camera's custom Kelvin settings to counter yellow color casts.
Reviews
Positive
- The ultimate dinosaur paradise! The 'Dinosaurs in Their Time' hall houses an immense world-class array of real T-Rex and Diplodocus fossils.
- Beyond paleontology, the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems is dazzlingly opulent, ranking among the top educational gem arrays in the nation.
- A single ticket includes the adjacent Carnegie Museum of Art; two world-class institutions interconnected, offering jaw-dropping ticket value.
- Located in the university cultural district; the grand historic spaces feature smart interactive displays, smooth ADA access, and modern restrooms.
Heads up
- The combined twin museums are so overwhelmingly massive that walking them blindly involves immense mileage, easily exhausting young toddlers.
- Weekend lunch blocks see the dinosaur galleries packed with screaming children and strollers, creating eco-heavy noise and crowd chaos.
- The dedicated on-site parking garage has limited availability and high fees; entry lanes easily back up onto adjacent complicated one-way grids.
- A few historic wildlife diorama display cases are dimly lit and feel a bit dated, carrying a legacy design that lacks modern digital interactive flair.