Submitted by da_london_09 t3_11db6bt in pittsburgh
Comments
drunkenviking t1_ja7o7ub wrote
The Heinz History Center really is fantastic. I haven't been there in years but every time I go there there's always more to see. It's one of those places where you could see everything in a day, a week, or a lifetime.
Lil_Phantoms_Lawyer t1_ja7plfe wrote
I'm surprised the Children's Museum is there tbh. It's nice, but I've been to a lot and most of them are nicer. The Clay Center in Charleston, WV was a surprisingly awesome Children's Museum that I wish we had in Pittsburgh. The imaginative play area was just so wonderful and something our Children's Museum lacks.
Heinz History Center is truly a gem though and I'm glad both made the list.
vincent_wigglesworth t1_ja7r2ug wrote
Wow, excuse me, the natural history museum is RIGHT THERE
raptorthebun t1_ja7si9g wrote
This is really surprising to me. I can't comment on the history museum, but I've moved around quite a bit in the last 10 years while having kids and the children's museum in Pittsburgh was one of our least favorite ones. The Carnegie Science Center /Sports Museum on the other hand was amazing and we went there all the time. I even enjoyed those as an adult.
[deleted] t1_ja7t0ml wrote
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WellTimedPoop t1_ja7vmsp wrote
Check out the Strong Museum of Play up in Rochester if you've never been. We took our toddler back in september, and it was incredible. It's also massive, and the top floor has a museum of toys and video games which was awesome for the adults
Lil_Phantoms_Lawyer t1_ja7yhp9 wrote
That ones good, there is a cool music-centric one in Toledo, and Indianapolis is just entirely next level.
WellTimedPoop t1_ja7ytg1 wrote
Oh sweet, I starred them both in google maps to keep in mind for future road trips. Most of my team is in the indy area and the ones with kids rave about their museum but I assumed it was local bias
Lil_Phantoms_Lawyer t1_ja7zjej wrote
Indy's museum is just massive. Pittsburgh Childrens Museum is 80,000 sq ft, the Carnegie natural history is 115,000 and Indianapolis Children's Museum is 374,000.
FreeCashFlow t1_ja80hft wrote
I love that museum. Was just there yesterday. But even I will admit some of the exhibits are feeling a little tired. I wish they would rotate and update them a bit more often. I get it's tough to do when so many of the exhibits are essentially permanent.
happyjazzycook t1_ja81zge wrote
herr_oyster t1_ja849bb wrote
Thanks. Tried clicking the link but there seems to be a painful scab on my finger
sonofatruckload t1_ja85xlc wrote
The children's museum is fine but c'mon, really
da_london_09 OP t1_ja85zq8 wrote
Last time I was there they still had Russia labeled as the USSR on their display.
rhb4n8 t1_ja87uic wrote
The Met the national gallery and the art institute of Chicago are easily the three best art museums in the country and the gap between them and number 4 is quite wide
m0nkeybl1tz t1_ja887rz wrote
Yeah, reading the title I was like Natural Hostory Museum and Mattress Factory, right?
_Booster_Gold_ t1_ja88ku9 wrote
Yes, this one is cool. They're adding on to it right now, too.
The video game section was slightly disappointing to me. But we enjoyed it overall.
gishgob t1_ja88utv wrote
The visible storage with all the artifacts from different ethnicities is an absolute treasute trove and you could spend hours in that room alone.
NineFootEightWeight t1_ja88vsl wrote
I don't understand how our Andy Warhol Museum isn't ranked the best Andy Warhol Museum in the country.
vincent_wigglesworth t1_ja89zag wrote
lol, it's true, we're doing our best tho! Check back in mid-April and we'll have a sweet new bug exhibit on the 3rd floor. Simmons gallery rotates every ~4 months and the first floor kids' area is getting updated this spring as well.
The birds hall is a little faded, sure, but where would we be without the corpses of Tweety and Toucan Sam?
Willow-girl t1_ja8dxxm wrote
Just realized how lucky I am to have visited all 3!
Willow-girl t1_ja8e2tt wrote
It may be again ...
aMaleNurse2000 t1_ja8f99k wrote
Museums are great. The zoo owners should be jailed though.
Vanessa279 t1_ja8kwgm wrote
The outdoor section with all the sports is amazing! My kids could have stayed there all day.
South_Barnacle_9760 t1_ja8nwud wrote
you speak facts
bryguypgh t1_ja8tse4 wrote
I heard they're revamping the digging area? That's been my kid's favorite for years and I'm sure he's not alone. It's a bummer to go there when it isn't open.
bryguypgh t1_ja8tws0 wrote
It was but only for 15 minutes
FreeCashFlow t1_ja8u5z5 wrote
Haha I legit love the bird hall. And my kids are fascinated by the "Section of Mystery." Can I ask if the archeology sand digging pit will reopen soon? My poor son cried when we went and it was closed.
Watchyousuffer t1_ja90l4a wrote
bugs sound great, I'll be sure to check it out! I love all of the old taxidermies and dioramas
vonHindenburg t1_ja95544 wrote
I love the bird hall. Never let it change. There's little interpretation, little explanation, but just a wonderful showcase of the old naturalist's joy at simply collecting things.
wagsman t1_ja96nb4 wrote
The children’s museum is a slam dunk. I’ve been to a couple, and they aren’t even close. We’ve been there 4 times in the last 2 years and will certainly be back again.
Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_ja96okb wrote
Baltimore children's museum is awesome too. worth a mnitrip.
nopantsforfatties t1_ja973jf wrote
Our Children's Museum and the connected Museum Lab have some extremely innovative and inclusive programming that you won't find at other museums, which is probably why it made the list.
Sybertron t1_ja99fh8 wrote
and just my 2 cents but they used to do much more events. Now it seems they just wanna cash in on the kiddos.
PittsburghChris t1_ja9aeqa wrote
WellTimedPoop t1_ja9r9uf wrote
Good to know! I’ve got friends in Baltimore and were planning on going this summer just for the aquarium. We’ll have to do both!
pieface100 t1_ja9t4uc wrote
Philadelphia Museum of Art is pretty incredible too
choptheair t1_ja9ulbo wrote
Aggravating_Foot_528 t1_ja9wl9i wrote
science center is a 5 min walk away and is awesome too
enoughstreet t1_jaa9o7x wrote
What idlewild park told us employed again I worked for 4 months before pandemic. That they get voted number 1 kids park as there might be 3 kids parks in the us and the campaign is strong
I’m glad for Heinz and I haven’t been to children’s museum in Pitt since I was a kid so I’m not the one to talk
cwfutureboy t1_jaahq82 wrote
I've probably been to the Heinz three times since I moved here in '20 and have yet to see that Mister Rogers exhibit. Where the hell is it?
FuzzPunkMutt t1_ja7mp7z wrote
The Children's Museum and the Heinz History Museum.
I do like both of them. I'll admit that I just haven't been to many children's museums, so I can't comment as to the accuracy of the report, but regardless of how they stack up nationally I think most the museums here in Pittsburgh are pretty great.