Even if you’ve lived in Pittsburgh your entire life, there’s always something new to be learned. With these city tours, plunge into local history when out-of-towners come to visit or if you’re looking to expand your knowledge of the City of Bridges.
‘Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tours
Multiple Locations
Food-tasting tours of Pittsburgh’s historic neighborhoods, including an international food tour in the Strip District, an all-ages tour through Brookline, and more.
Carrie Blast Furnace Heritage Tours
801 Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin-Swissvale
Dive into Pittsburgh’s steel-industrial past with nonprofit heritage organization Rivers of Steel’s guided tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Love art? Opt instead for the Arts & Grounds Tour, which includes a stop at the famous Carrie Deer, a massive sculpture made of tubing and metal.
City Steps Walking Tour
Multiple Locations
Pittsburgh is famously known for its 700-plus sets of city-owned steps, the most public staircases in any US city. Join Laura Zurowski, aka Mis.Steps, and North Side-based cidery and bottle shop Threadbare Cider & Mead on this historical two-hour walking tour through city steps in two North Side neighborhoods. Bonus: each tour ends with a glass of cider!
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Tour
100 West Station Square Drive
This nonprofit historic preservation organization offers a variety of informative tours, including both self-guided and customized tours. Want to set out on your own? We recommend downloading the self-guided Bridges & River Shores Walking Tour available as a free PDF via their website. Interested in a more guided experience? Register for a Specialized Architectural Tour.
Pittsburgh Cemetery Tours
Pittsburgh is home to multiple park-like cemeteries, which encourage residents to enjoy the grounds while paying respect to those who have made it their final resting place. We recommend taking a self-guided tour, with the help of a guided map available online, through the historic Allegheny Cemetery, featuring an array of tree-lined paths and wooded hillsides. Also worth a visit is the Homewood Cemetery, which offers seasonal guided tours led by historian Jennie Benford.
Molly’s Trolleys
2524 Penn Avenue
Hop on an iconic bright red vintage-style trolley for a public sightseeing tour through some of Pittsburgh’s most popular neighborhoods. Two 90-minute tours depart daily from the Strip District and include a ride on the Duquesne Incline.
Doors Open
Multiple Locations
Since its launch in 2016, this nonprofit boasts an impressive 22,000+ visitors on its tours of local landmarks, historic buildings, and interesting spaces. Join Doors Open for tours of the Poale Zedeck Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, the historic Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studio in the West End, Millionaire’s Row in Shadyside, and more.
Explorer Riverboat Tour
Rivers of Steel Dock
The Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour is another offering from nonprofit heritage organization Rivers of Steel. This 90-minute seasonal tour takes guests on board the Explorer riverboat, combining beautiful views of the Downtown skyline with unique stories of the region’s history.
Story by Lisa Cunningham
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