Must See Attractions
Long considered the cultural center of Pittsburgh, Oakland is home to a variety of galleries and museums all within an easy walk from great shops and restaurants.
Art lovers must see the collections at the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, one of the first museums built by the steel tycoon and native Pittsburgher Mr. Andrew Carnegie www.carnegiemuseums.org. A true Mecca for artistic talent, the Regina Miller Gallery millergallery.cfa.cmu.edu and the Frick Fine Arts Gallery vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/uag showcase new talent emerging from the prestigious art and architecture programs of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Art lovers can find public art throughout Oakland. In the heart of the business district, a unique art project called the Doors of Oakland celebrates art on the commercial doorways of nine prominent businesses located along Forbes and Fifth Avenues, Atwood and McKee streets. Stroll thru the Pitt and CMU campuses and you will find a variety of public art as well form sculpture to land art www.publicartpittsburgh.org. The Kraus Campo landscape is a public garden on the campus of Carnegie Mellon University an example of recently installed public art project www.cmu.edu/cfa/aboutgarden.html.
Nature lovers, you must not miss the spectacular collections at the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (link to: www.phipps.conservatory.org) featuring one of America’s most unique collections. Directly across the street from the Conservatory are two grand outdoor public parks: Oakland’s recently completed Schenley Plaza, www.pittsburghparks.org, and the grand Schenley Park www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks/index.html, Pittsburgh’s largest public park. In the summertime, both parks are hopping with entertainment and activities with outdoor movie performances offered on Flag Staff Hill in Schenley Park.
If you are looking for an evening of gripping drama in Oakland, The Carnegie Music Hall www.carnegiemuseums.org, the Pittsburgh Playhouse www.pointpark.edu, and the Stephen Foster Memorial www.pitt.edu/~amerimus/museum.htm offer a variety of theater performances throughout the year. While visiting the Stephen Foster Memorial, a must see is the one of a kind Center for American Music museum housing the world’s largest musical collection of Pittsburgh native Stephen Foster.
Architecture lovers, you can not miss the grand classical architecture styles lining Fifth Avenue and juxtaposed throughout Pitt’s campus. Breaking from the neo-classical tradition, the Cathedral of Learning, the world’s 2nd tallest tower of classrooms, brings back the beauty of Gothic architecture. Of course, do not miss the interior architecture and unique multi cultural classroom designs known as the Nationality Rooms www.pitt.edu/~natrooms. Located on the same grounds is the beautiful Heinz Chapel, the blending of the spiritual and the aesthetic wonderment www.heinzchapel.pitt.edu. CMU’s campus, designed by architect Henry Hornbostel, celebrates the timeliness of the Beaux Arts style.
This activity is being funded by the Oakland Business Improvement District, the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Special thanks to Pennsylvania State Senator Jay Costa.