What to Expect:
The Carnegie Science Center covers five floors, plus UPMC SportsWorks in an adjacent building and the USS Requin submarine docked at the river's edge. Expect to spend a few hours here, especially if you have children with you. The fourth floor is a good place to visit with the family where the 8,000 square foot Exploration Station offers more than interactive activities for both kids and adults. There's even an Exploration Station Junior for children ages 3-6. The latest permanent exhibit, RoboWorld, is the world's largest permanent robotics exhibition, encompassing 6,000 square feet.The three live demonstration theaters - Science Stage, Works Theater and Kitchen Theater - are always popular with visitors, so be sure to get there a few minutes before show time to get a seat. Other shows include feature movies in the four-story, domed OMNIMAX theater and planetarium shows at the Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium & Observatory (Friday and Saturday nights feature live laser fantasy shows). The Science Center is also a great place for special event rentals and birthday parties.UPMC SportsWorks:
Note: UPMC SportsWorks is temporarily closed for expansion. It will reopen in the fall of 2009.What does it feel like to race down an Olympic bobsled track? Why do muscles 'burn' after a workout? UPMC SportsWorks, a large, permanent exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center, explores the science of sports in a way that's fun and fascinating for people of all ages. Located in its own building adjacent to the Science Center and across from Heinz Field, UPMC SportsWorks contains 40+ exhibits spread out over 36,000 square feet, making it the largest science and sport exhibition in the world.
Omni Max Theater:
The four-story, domed Rangos OMNIMAX theater surrounds the audience with the movie, covering most of your peripheral vision, putting you in the center of the action. There are usually two to three different special engagement or IMAX movies showing during a given time period. Tickets are priced separately, and do not require admission to the Science Center.Shopping at the XPLOR Carnegie Science Center Store:
Take the Science Center home after your visit! The XPLOR store located near the Science Center entrance (there's also a second XPLOR store in UPMC SportsWorks) offers a nice selection of science-related books, games, toys and microscopes, plus a variety of telescopes selected by the expert staff at the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium & Observatory.Dining at the Carnegie Science Center:
The RiverView Cafe at the Carnegie Science Center offers casual, relaxed dining with a cafeteria-type line and help yourself seating. Enjoy sandwiches, soup, salads, hot entrees, desserts and snacks. If you want something more substantial, there are many nice North Side/North Shore restaurants nearby, and downtown Pittsburgh restaurants are about 3/4 mile away via the the Fort Duquesne Bridge (which has a pedestrian walkway if you feel like walking).Hours & Admission:
Hours: Sunday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.The Science Center is closed (or closes early on many days when the Steelers play at home (August - January).
Admission & Tickets:
Science Center: $14.00 for adults, $10.00 for children (3-12) and seniors (62+).
Tickets for OMNIMAX shows and Laser Fantasy shows are priced separately, and can be purchased alone, or in a combo package with Carnegie Science Center admission.
Carnegie Museum members enjoy free admission and discounts on OMNIMAX tickets.
Driving Directions:
The Carnegie Science Center is located on the North Shore next to Heinz Field, just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh.From the North:
Take I-279S inbound toward downtown Pittsburgh to Exit 7A (North Shore). Stay straight through one street light and then move into the left land. Drive under the green overhead sign for Reedsdale St. and at the next stoplight make a left onto Allegheny Avenue. The Science Center will be on your right.
* Alternate route (from Etna, Route 28) - take PA Route 28 South, following signs for the North Shore. Take the North Shore exit and go straight, staying in the center lane. You'll pass PNC Park on your left and drive under a green overhead sign for Reedsdale Street. At the next stoplight make a left onto Allegheny Ave. Carnegie Science Center will be on your right.
From the East:
Take I-376 West and follow the signs to downtown Pittsburgh. Exit at Fort Duquesne Bridge-North Shore (Exit 1A). Stay in the left lane on the Fort Duquesne Bridge and get off at Exit 7A (North Shore). At the stoplight at the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Allegheny Ave. The Carnegie Science Center will be on your right.
From the South and West (including Airport):
Take I-279 N toward Pittsburgh, to the Fort Pitt Tunnel. If you're coming from the Airport/West, follow Route 60 to I-279 N. Get in the left-hand lane going through the tunnel, and after exiting the tunnel move over one more lane to the left, following signs for the Fort Duquesne Bridge. After crossing the bridge, take exit 7A (North Shore). At the end of the exit ramp, make a left onto Allegheny Ave. The Carnegie Science Center will be on your right.
* Alternate route (from the South Hills) - take PA-51/Saw Mill Run Blvd north to the West End Bridge, following signs for the North Shore. Stay in the right lane while crossing the West End Bridge and take the North Shore exit at the end of the bridge. When the exit ramp splits, bear right. Go straight through the first stoplight. Carnegie Science Center will be on your right.
* Alternate route (from Sewickley, Ohio River Blvd) - take PA Route 65 South to downtown Pittsburgh and follow the exit for the North Shore. Go straight through the first stoplight. Carnegie Science Center will be on your right.
Parking
Parking is free in Carnegie Science Center parking lots.
Carnegie Science Center & UPMC Sportsworks
One Allegheny Ave.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
(412) 237-3400
