Dinosaurs are the big attraction at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, one of four Carnegie museums in Pittsburgh. The museum's Dinosaurs In Their Time exhibit features immersive displays from the Mesozoic Era, and several complete dinosaur skeletons. The museum also has permanent displays dedicated to geology, wildlife, botany and anthropology.
Best and worst time to go
On a midweek visit you're likely to have exhibition halls almost to yourself — as long as you can steer clear of school children on class visits. The museum is open late on Thursday nights, when you have the best chance of avoiding both weekend crowds and school groups, and half-price admission applies after 3 p.m. It's open every day in summer and reduced hours in winter.
Must see/do at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Discovery Basecamp interactive exhibit offers the chance to touch and explore real and replica specimens, talk with museum staff, and learn about their work. It's one of two interactive exhibits, including Bonehunters Quarry, where children can take part in a realistic fossil dig recreating the Dinosaur National Monument dig in Utah.
Admission to Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Admission to the Natural History museum includes same-day entry to Carnegie Museum of Art next door. The admission price may not include some temporary exhibitions. Discounts are available for seniors and students, and members and children under 3 are free.
Parking and public transportation
From downtown Pittsburgh, the 61 bus (A,B,C or D routes) leaves every five minutes and drops off on Forbes Ave., outside the museum. The museum has a six-level paid carpark at the rear of the building.
Food at Carnegie Museum of Natural History
The Fossil Fuels Cafe, on the lower level, offers basic sandwiches, snacks and drinks. The Carnegie Museum of Art's cafe, overlooking the front entrance and fountain, has a more extensive menu. On Thursday evenings it's open for wine, beer and snacks while the museum is open late.
Insider tip for visitors to Carnegie Museum of Natural History
For a great way to capture the scene in the dinosaur exhibition hall, head upstairs to the Jurassic Overlook, where you'll get a great birds eye view of the enormous skeletons — and it's the perfect place to take a photo of the family pretending to run from a charging T-Rex.
Author's bio: Heather McCracken is a freelance journalist based in Pittsburgh.
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