MFPS 2016

Local Information

General Information

General information about Pittsburgh can be found at the Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

Weather

May temperatures in Pittsburgh tend to be fairly high -- in the 70's and 80's, possibly even into the 90's during daytime, dropping into the 60's at night. Humidity is also usually high, and there may be heavy rain showers and thunderstorms. 
You can find more details at
 this site. The zip code for campus is 15213.

Getting to Pittsburgh

The closest airport is Pittsburgh International Airport. To get to CMU or the hotels from the airport, there are several options for ground transportation, including taxi, limousine or shuttle, and bus. These all depart from just outside the baggage claim area. The 28X Airport Flyer bus stops on the corner of Forbes and Morewood, right next to campus. Check the airport website  for details. 
Car rental desks are located next to the baggage claim area at the airport. 

Carnegie Mellon University is in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. The neighborhood includes museums and libraries, and is adjacent to Schenley Park. Nearby on South Craig Street are several cafes, restaurants, and shops. Fifth Avenue and Forbes Avenue also offer a number of stores and restaurants within walking distance of hotels and campus. Slightly further away, accessible by a longer walk or a short cab ride, the Shadyside neighborhood has many up-scale restaurants and boutique shops. 

Things to Do and See

Here is a list of some of the local attractions within easy walking distance of the hotels and the CMU campus. You can find more information from the CMU website together with a CMU campus map, directions, 
and a
 visitor parking map.

Near campus

Phipps Conservatory 
One of the largest botanical conservatories in the US opened in 1893 as a gift to Pittsburgh from industrialist and philanthropist Henry Phipps.

Carnegie Museum of Art 
A distinguished collection of art, film and video, including late nineteenth century American art, French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, and decorative arts from Europe and America. The Hall of Architecture contains the largest collection of plaster casts of architectural masterpieces in the US. The museum is currently exhibiting "Life on Mars: The 55th Carnegie International".

Carnegie Museum of Natural History 
One of the largest natural history museums in the US, with more than 20 million specimens. Highlights include the Hall of Dinosaurs, a wonderful ornithology wing, an extensive Native American gallery, and the Hillman Hall of Minerals and Gems.

Carnegie Library 
The Oakland library is the main branch of the Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh, "Free to the People", first opened in 1895.

Cathedral of Learning 
A historic landmark, this "Gothic skyscraper" is the second-tallest education building in the world. The Cathedral contains the internationally renowned Nationality Classrooms.

Soldiers and Sailors Military Museum and Memorial 
One of the country's largest museums dedicated to honoring and remembering our Veterans, with exhibits that range from the Civil War to the present day, including a mural based on the Gettysburg Address.

Schenley Park 
Located right next to the CMU campus, not far from Baker Hall and Phipps Conservatory, the park offers pleasant walking trails and a variety of sports activities.

Many further attractions are reachable by car or bus, but not within walking range of campus.

Downtown Pittsburgh

Downtown Pittsburgh sits in the Golden Triangle formed by the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, which merge to form the Ohio at Point State Park. Consol Energy Center (new home of the Pittsburgh Penguins) is in the uptown area. Across the Mon from Point State Park, the North Side contains Heinz Field (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and PNC Park (home to the Pittsburgh Pirates). 

Senator John Heinz History Center 
Pittsburgh celebrates its 250th anniversary this year. The History Center is devoted to the history and heritage of our region. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum contains hundreds of artifacts related to Pittsburgh sports, including Franco Harris' "Immaculate Reception" shoes, and Mario Lemieux's hockey skates.

Warhol Museum 
Located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. Opened in 1994, the Museum features extensive permanent collections of art and archives on one of the most influential American artists of the twentieth century.

Carnegie Science Center 
Carnegie Science Center inspires and entertains by connecting science and technology with everyday life. The Science Center is located on Pittsburgh's North Shore along the banks of the Ohio River.

National Aviary 
America’s only independent indoor non-profit bird zoo. Located in historic North Side’s West Park, the Aviary is home to 600+ birds of more than 200 species, many threatened or endangered in the wild.

The Mattress Factory 
A museum of contemporary art presenting "art you can get into" — room-sized environments, created by in-residence artists. Located in the historic Mexican War Streets of Pittsburgh’s North Side.
 

Further afield

Pittsburgh Zoo 
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is a 77-acre facility located five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of diverse species, some threatened or endangered. One of only six major zoo and aquarium combinations in the country.

Kennywood Amusement Park 
Founded in 1898, often described as America's Finest Traditional Amusement Park, Kennywood is proud to be a National Historic Landmark. Located in West Mifflin, PA.
 

Fallingwater 
One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most acclaimed works, a supreme example of organic architecture, a design so well integrated with its site that buildings, furnishings, and surroundings form a unified, interrelated composition. The only great Wright house open to the public with its setting, original furnishings, and art work intact. Fallingwater is approximately 1.5 hours’ drive from Pittsburgh.