For a relatively small city of only 300,000 residents, Pittsburgh has an astounding per capita ratio of museums to people. Boasting some of the most impressive, internationally-lauded museums, a trip to Pittsburgh is well worth your time. Let’s explore some of the more interesting museums this great town has to offer.
Bicycle Heaven
Gearheads, rejoice! Bicycle Heaven is the world’s largest bicycle store and museum in the world. Cycling enthusiasts from around the globe visit this North Shore bicycle mecca to see thousands of vintage bikes along with the newest in cycling technology.
Among the vintage bicycles lining the floor and hanging on the walls are four extremely rare Bowden Spacelander bikes from the 1960s. Only 500 were ever made, so it is a real treat to see these pristine examples up close.
Upstairs you’ll find more vintage bikes and even some famous cycles, such as a scooter used by The Three Stooges. Several examples from the early 1900s round out this fascinating collection.
Andy Warhol Museum
Among its more notable native sons, Pittsburgh’s own Andy Warhol’s museum is dedicated to the life and works of this great artist. One of the most popular attractions in Pittsburgh, it draws over 100,000 visitors each year wishing for an up-close glimpse of his iconic self-portraits.
The museum holds the world’s largest collection of Warhol’s works including 350 preserved films and paintings, drawings, illustrations, and sketchbooks spanning his entire career.
The museum hosts a number of programs to introduce the works of Warhol to school-age children, seniors, and others in the community who wish to learn more about this legendary artist.
Mattress Factory
The Mattress Factory was founded in 1977 to support artists-in-residence looking to create site-specific works. Since its opening, it has expanded its mission as a contemporary art museum and experimental lab for site-specific art installations.
Mattress Factory installations and exhibits allow for maximum creativity and work that pushes the boundaries. The unique residence program encourages emerging artists to create works that will be viewed by the public within the space it is designed. Since 1977, Mattress Factory has provided residencies to over 750 artists, generally lasting from one week to two months. Eight to 12 completed works are put on display each year for four to six months in a public exhibition.
Highmark SportsWorks
As part of the impressive Carnegie Science Center, Highmark SportsWorks is a fully interactive exhibit that encourages curiosity and learning through the lens of sports and physical activity. Visitors can take part in nearly 30 activities within the three primary centers of LifeWorks, Physics of Sports, and Sports Challenge.
LifeWorks showcases the benefits of an active lifestyle with such activities as learning CPR to the tune of rock anthems. In the Physics of Sports, adventurous participants can scale a rock wall or take on the challenges of the thrilling Ropes Program. And the Sports Challenge engages visitors to try their hand at sports while learning about gravity, balance, and speed.
Image via Flickr by Glam
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