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