Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
An oasis of lush greenery and vibrant blooms in the heart of Pittsburgh, the Phipps Conservatory transports visitors to a living explosion of natural beauty. Dating back to 1893, this glass-enclosed botanical garden houses incredible collections of plants from around the globe, including the iconic Palm Court filled with swaying palm trees reaching toward the historically designed iron-and-glass domes. Beyond the classic Victorian grandeur of the historic conservatory lie even more unique spaces to discover. Don’t miss the mind-bending Stove Room filled with peculiar desert plants, or the ethereal Butterfly Forest where colorful winged creatures flutter amidst lush tropical flora. Phipps is also a leader in sustainable horticulture, featuring incredible living exhibits like the cutting-edge Center for Sustainable Landscapes.
Address: 700 Frank Kurtz St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: (412) 622-6914
Randyland
You haven’t seen vibrant, eccentric art until you’ve been to Randyland! This iconic Pittsburgh landmark is quite literally a radiant burst of color and visual energy in the heart of the Mexican War Streets neighborhood. What began as a single brightly painted house by artist Randy Gilson has since expanded into an entire complex of homes and courtyards overflowing with whimsical artworks, murals, and recycled accents. Creativity and joy exude from every inch of Randyland, transforming an entire city block into an ever-evolving masterpiece celebrating expression and community. From the grinning art car out front to the mind-bending illusions inside the houses, Randyland is a delightfully disorienting world that has to be seen to be believed. Guided tours are available most days to provide full insight into Gilson’s artistic vision and the deeper meaning woven throughout his work. Just be prepared to capture your minds being blown in all sorts of kaleidoscopic ways!
Address: 1501 Willow St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: (412) 350-4437
The Nationality Rooms at University of Pittsburgh
If your group craves cultural immersion, few places allow you to globe-trot as efficiently as the Nationality Rooms inside the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. This extravagant Gothic Revival building hosts an incredible collection of 30+ classrooms meticulously designed to capture the architectural, cultural, and artistic traditions of cultures from every inhabited continent. You’ll be spellbound as you travel room-by-room, marveling at the intricate woodcarvings, stained glass, tapestries, and artifacts that bring each nation’s heritage to vivid life. From a Syrian study modeled after a courtyard in Damascus to an Early Renaissance-inspired Chapel gleaming with Florentine frescoes, each Nationality Room is an astonishing portal to another land without ever leaving Pittsburgh.
Address: 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 624-6000
The Bayernhof Museum
Nestled into a residential neighborhood of Troy Hill, this unassuming house hides one of Pittsburgh’s most whimsical surprises inside. Step across the threshold and be instantly transported to a classic 19th century Bavarian village Setting, with historically preserved rooms recreating various businesses, workshops, and rustic living spaces you’d encounter in rural Germany centuries ago. Whether it’s the authentic 1700s country kitchen, the cobbler’s workshop, or the traditional beer garden and wine cellar tavern settings, the magic is in the astounding level of historical detail that leaps out from every nook and cranny of the Bayerhof. Costumed docents assume period roles and readily spring to life sharing the tales and traditions of each room. You’ll leave feeling like you truly journeyed back through time.
Address: 225 Ursina St, Pittsburgh, PA 15210
Phone: (412) 921-3329
Trundle Manor
Embracing your love of all things eerie and macabre, Trundle Manor elevates experiencing the haunted and unexplained to an artform. Delightfully over-the-top and gleefully committed to dread, this sprawling Victorian mansion in Swissvale doubles as the home base and backdrop for paranormal investigation, haunted tours, horror movie prop displays, and more spirited thrills. From intensely personalized ghost hunts to ghoulishly decorated seasonal exhibits and even hearse rides, Trundle Manor offers a shockingly vast array of unsettling options for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers. Even if the idea of summoning spirits gives you chills, you can’t help but be charmed by the dedication to theatrical horror and cheesy-spooky atmosphere dripping from every shadowy corner of the house and grounds.
Address: 7724 Dickson St, Swissvale, PA 15218
Phone: (412) 512-8222
Bicycle Heaven
Gear up for an awe-inspiring blast from the past at Bicycle Heaven! This one-of-a-kind museum celebrates the golden age of two-wheeled transportation through the world’s largest collection of bicycles and cycling memorabilia from over a century ago. Founded by lifelong antique bike enthusiasts and curators, the towering multi-story warehouse houses row after row of fully restored vintage bicycles from America’s cycling craze of the late 1800s and early 1900s. From ultra-rare penny farthings to ornately designed safety bikes from the Victorian era, you’ll be utterly captivated by the exquisite craftsmanship and pioneering innovations that brought modern bikes to life.
Address: 1800 Preble Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: (412) 734-4034
Cathedral of Learning Nationality Rooms Holiday Tours
Few places get more magical during the holiday season than the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning. Revisit this iconic Pittsburgh gem in late November through January for a very special way to experience dozens of diverse cultural winter celebrations throughout a single unforgettable tour! The historic Nationality Rooms get decked out in full festive regalia, each one lavishly decorated to highlight the unique holiday traditions and customs from the country and era it represents. You’ll journey through sparkling depictions of a Russian Christmas overflowing with lavish ornaments, to an intricate Austrian Alpine Village Nativity scene surrounded by snow-dusted evergreens and wooden cottages. From twinkling Czech glass ornaments and a life-sized Swedish Tomten keeping watch, to the mischievous German Belsnickel waiting to judge the year’s behavior of children, these annual Holiday Open Houses offer engaging insight while putting you right in the middle of these incredible preserved traditions. Check out Pitt.edu to reserve your spot on this merry multicultural adventure!
Address: 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Phone: (412) 624-6000
Carrie Blast Furnaces
Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy is brought to striking, larger-than life reality at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Now a dedicated historical landmark, this sprawling remnant of the Homestead Steel Works mill is an evocative monument to the back-breaking mill culture that fueled the region’s 20th century boom and growth into the world’s steel capital. Two imposing blast furnaces named for a beloved employee’s daughter still defiantly loom over the Monongahela River. Scale a series of stairs and raised platforms to stare up in awe at the weathered iron behemoths, imagining three centuries of furnace workers baking in the searing heat as molten iron forged the steel behind Pittsburgh’s rise. Graffiti murals sprawled throughout the 20+ acre complex speak to the gritty spirit of this enduring site.
Address: 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd, Munhall, PA 15120
Phone: (412) 464-4020
Plan Your Trip With Party Bus Pittsburgh
While so many of Pittsburgh’s top attractions showcase the vibrant culture and history tucked throughout its neighborhoods, getting to all these one-of-a-kind destinations can be a headache without the right group transportation. Let Party Bus Pittsburgh provide the perfect party bus or limo bus for your crew so you can easily explore all the amazing hidden gems the Steel City has to offer! We’ll match your group with a luxurious bus equipped with the latest comfort amenities like plush seating, flat-screen TVs, thumping sound systems, coolers stocked with refreshments, and even bathrooms for those longer journeys. Our professional team stays dedicated to your schedule, ensuring you reach every eccentric art installation, quirky museum, and awe-inspiring view without the stress of navigating traffic or finding parking. Simply give Party Bus Pittsburgh a call at 412-566-8465 and let our team put together the ideal bus rental for your unforgettable tour through some of Pittsburgh’s most amazing hidden gems. We’ll make sure the ride is as much a blast as the destinations!