Museums & Cultural Activities
There's not too much to preface this with except to say that I am focusing here on activities. There are plenty of Pittsburgh neighborhoods that have a distinct cultural/ethnic make-up (Bloomfield/Italian; Squirrel Hill/Jewish & Russian; etc...) but I am not mentioning the neighborhoods unless there is something specific to see there.
That said, as always, please add things I've overlooked in the comments. Let's dive in...
Downtown
Gateway Clipper Cruise: Leave from the Station Square dock for a river tour of Pittsburgh that includes sightseeing, food, and entertainment. If you’re strapped for time and want a compact experience of the city, you wouldn’t go wrong opting in for one of these cruises.
North Side
The Warhol: This museum is devoted to the ground-breaking artist Andy Warhol and contains over 12,000 pieces of his art between its current exhibits and its extensive archives.
Mattress Factory: A gallery of contemporary installation art (room-sized exhibits constructed on-site). I’ve never been, but have heard only good things. And if you go, consider taking a walking tour of the historic Mexican War Streets while you're there.
Mexican War Streets Neighborhood: This Victorian-era neighborhood was laid out in 1848 by a general returning home from the U.S. war with Mexico. It was nearly demolished in the 1960’s when the population declined and left many of the homes in ruins. Fortunately, that didn’t happen and the area is being revitalized. They have a house tour every year to show off the gorgeous architecture and internal renovations, but you’d have to stick around Pittsburgh about three more weeks to catch it. Still, a walk around the neighborhood will still give you a good feel for the place, and plenty to look at.
Colorful Homes in the Mexican War Streets Neighborhood
Deutschtown Neighborhood: Another historic district on the North Side. Use this handy map to check it out along with other Downtown and North Side attractions.
Observatory: This observatory, in operation since 1861, has been under the purview of the University of Pittsburgh since 1867. Its original 13" refracting telescope helped prove that Saturn’s rings are not solid in nature, but made up of orbiting fields of particles. Over the summer there are free Thursday and Friday night tours (but you must make a reservation).
St. Anthony’s Chapel in Troy Hill: Slightly off the beaten path, and off the normal touristy path as well, is St. Anthony’s Chapel in Troy Hill. It contains over 5,000 relics and, I believe, is the largest reliquary outside of the Vatican. Additionally, it has life-size wooden carvings of all 14 Stations of the Cross.
St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Church in Millvale: Unfortunately, this church is closed, and possibly demolished at this point. I had the good fortune of visiting about 4 years ago. All of the inside walls and ceiling were painted with murals by Croatian artist Max Vanka during the 1930’s and 1940’s. It was religious-themed art, but infused with social commentary on class and warfare. An absolutely amazing place that fell into ruin and whose parishioners and advocates could not find the money to save it. A real loss. Check out this link to see an interactive panorama of the murals or use the link above to read about Vanka and the church.
Oakland
Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History: The Carnegie Museums are the mothership of Pittsburgh’s museums and they include Art, Natural History, the Science Center, and the Warhol. The Warhol (mentioned above) and the Science Center (to be discussed in the "For the Kids" diary) are both on the North Side. The Art & Natural History Museums are adjacent to one another and located in the university neighborhood of Oakland.
The Museum of Art is comprised primarily, though not exclusively, of European and American fine art from the late 1600’s to the present. It also has an extensive collection on American architecture.
Fountains in front of the Carnegie Museum of Art
While I was originally going to discuss the Museum of Natural History separately, under the "For the Kids" diary, it seems silly to split them up that way. The NH museum contains many fantastic exhibits, of which you’ll want to prioritize the following:
Dinosaurs in Their Time is the first permanent exhibit in the world to feature scientifically accurate, immersive environments spanning the Mesozoic Era—the Age of Dinosaurs—arranged chronologically and filled with actively posed original fossil specimens. See dinosaurs like they haven’t been seen in 66 million years!
Additionally, there is a great gem and mineral collection, an interactive paleontology installation called "Bonehunters Quarry" where you can do some hands on excavating, and the wonderfully in-depth Hall of the American Indians. There is a temporary exhibit on display called "DoublExposure" that places pictures of glaciers side by side – a then and now type exhibit sure to knock the doubt out of any global-warming skeptics (not that we’ll have any in this bunch).
Cathedral of Learning: There are not many places in Pittsburgh from which you can’t see the Cathedral of Learning. This massive stone tower is one of the main academic buildings on the University of Pittsburgh campus with over 40 stories of classrooms, academic offices, and study areas.
The Cathedral of Learning
While well worth a visit all on its own, this architectural feat has a second one embedded inside – the nationality rooms. These were created when Pitt’s Chancellor Bowman invited the various ethnic communities of Pittsburgh to imagine classrooms that architecturally captured the spirit and history of their culture. 26 such rooms now encircle the common area at the base of the tower. While the rooms may be browsed at your leisure on a visit to the Cathedral, they are not always unlocked. If you really want to see them, check the link for official tour hours.
Soldiers & Sailors National Military Museum & Memorial: A short walk from the Cathedral is
...the Nation's only Military Museum dedicated to honoring the men and women of all branches of service, the citizen as well as the professional soldier.
I’ve been in the concert hall to see the Dalia Lama speak, but have never toured the museum itself. But after browsing their site, I’d like to. They have cultural artifacts, uniforms and more from various conflicts in the 19th & 20th centuries. I particularly like that they say "Our goal is not to idealize war but to honor and educate about the sacrifices during it."
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens: Simply put, Phipps is amazing. The 17 various botanical gardens are wonderful all on their own (don’t miss the Butterfly Forest!), but they are usually enhanced with some interesting art installations as well. There is currently a glass-sculpture-space alien exhibit on display (check the top link out for yourself to see what I mean) that looks like a lot of fun.
Outside of Pittsburgh
Monroeville Mall: This isn’t a call to go shopping in order to save our economy or anything so crass. This is about zombies, plain and simple. If you’re a fan of George Romero’s films, or of the zombie-genre in general, this is where Dawn of the Dead got made. Swing by for a new pair of chinos, some Pittsburgh memorabilia like a Terrible Towel, or just to grab yourself some Braaaiinnnssssss!
Zombie Head (courtesy of Spoon Graphics blog)
And if you do drive out that way, as you are passing through Penn Hills keep your eyes open for a lovely Hindu temple situated on the hillside.
Shadyside
Chatham University: Chatham University, successively known as the Pennsylvania Female College (1869), the Pennsylvania College for Women (1890), and then Chatham College (1955), was founded to be a premiere institution of learning for Pittsburgh’s daughters. It was granted university status in 2007 and today houses three distinct colleges, including Chatham College, which is still a female only undergraduate institution.
The 39-acre Shadyside campus is 32-acres arboretum, and combined with the lovely brick and Tudor-style architecture makes this a nice place to go for a stroll. Recommending it further is the fact that Rachel Carson, considered by some the mother of modern environmentalism, is an alumna (1929).
UPDATE: From Deep Harm in the comments, the Rachel Carson Homestead is about 30 minutes outside the city.
Tours of the home are "available by appointment." One can also take a self-guided tour of the grounds, where one can replicate "Carson's childhood rambles in the woods and fields surrounding the family house. Or, hike the 34-mile Rachel Carson Trail.
Frick Art and Historical Center: Museum with a Gilded Age focus. Haven’t been, but hear it’s worth a visit.
Strip District
Heinz History Center: I’ve already touched on the Western PA Sports Museum, which is housed here, in a previous diary. The History Center itself covers 250 years of Pittsburgh history and is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania. Two great exhibits, among many, include one on Abraham Lincoln that displays the furniture he used when he visited Pittsburgh, one of his top hats, and much more; the other is Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation that examines many of the city’s historic accomplishments.
Combine a visit to the Heinz History Center with a stroll around the Strip District which has some lovely shops and restaurants to recommend it.
Sunset in the Strip District
Past and Future Diaries (Posted Mondays and Wednesdays)
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2A: Pgh History through 1800
Part 2B: (Soon) Pgh History 1800 through 1900
Part 2C: (Soon) Pgh History 1900 through the Present Day
Part 3: If You Do Nothing Else, Do This ...
Part 4: Cool Things Close to Pittsburgh
Part 5: For Sports Fans
Part 6: ---Today's Diary---
Part 7: (Mon 8/03) For the Kids
Part 8: Culinary Delights
Part 9: Outdoor Activities
Part 10: (Optional) Anything forgotten or that doesn’t fit above
Pittsburgh Point of Interest #6: At 535 feet, Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning is the second tallest university building in the world surpassed only by Moscow State University in Russia (787 feet).