Put on your jacket and walking shoes! It’s time to tour historic homes, industrial sites, city skyscrapers, and more. (And of course, Pittsburgh has a few seasonal tours with a spooky twist.)
Sept. 12-14
The borough of Churchill, just east of Pittsburgh, features an array of Midcentury Modern homes, and residents are showing them off with a series of tours and speaker events. Start the weekend with a special soiree and fundraiser, then marvel at the neat designs of houses built between the 1950s and 1970s.
Sept. 13
Dormont Borough is inviting neighbors to gather on porches for the first-ever Porchmont — it’s like trick-or-treating meets a house tour meets a block party. Look forward to drinks and snacks, lawn games, and jam sessions.
Ongoing
Get a glimpse of our region’s industrial past at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark — stretching between Rankin and Swissvale along the Monongahela River. Rivers of Steel hosts ongoing tours of the site, including special events like the hands-on graffiti tour Sept. 13, where visitors can learn about the art and try it for themselves.
Fridays & Saturdays, Sept. 19 - Oct. 25
Discover stories lurking in the shadows on a tour with Dark History PGH. A Spirit Guide will lead you on a one-mile trek through some beloved boroughs, where you’ll go inside interesting buildings and hear strange and curious tales — all based on true, historical events.
Sept. 20-21
Get a special opportunity to see inside 24 ceramic studios, learn about the craft, and shop from local makers on the Pittsburgh Potters Tour. The tour is self-guided, and you can stop at as many studios as you wish. Look for demonstrations and hands-on activities along the way!
Prime Stage Theater holds seasonal tours in Allegheny and Homewood cemeteries. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Sept. 27
Walk through the winding paths of Homewood Cemetery while learning about the notable Pittsburghers who chose these grounds as their final resting place. It’s part tour and part theater, as Prime Stage actors dress up, take on characters, and resurrect the stories of local legends.
Oct. 4
Get in the Halloween spirit with tours of charming homes, all decked out in mystical and macabre decor. Before you start the tour, grab a pumpkin spice latte from nearby California Coffee Bar to sip while you mosey through this quaint North Side neighborhood.
Oct. 5
Whether you’re a fan of history or interior design, you’ll love to see inside Victorian- and Edwardian-style houses in Friendship. The self-guided tour starts at Baum Grove Parklet, and docents will share stories of the homes along the way.
Walking tour Oct. 11, rooftop tours Oct. 25-26
See Pittsburgh's historic skyscrapers from all new angles — and check out their stellar rooftop and balcony views — on tours led by historian and author Mark Houser, plus our own 🌟 City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris 🌟
- All proceeds from the guided Fourth Avenue walking tour go to charity, and the rooftop series shares fascinating stories and new perspectives on the history behind the Koppers, Oliver, Clark, and Frick buildings.
Nov. 8
Step inside beautifully restored Victorian homes, European-style courtyards, and creatively repurposed buildings in this historic section of East Allegheny. You’ll be stunned by intricate woodwork, stained-glass windows, marble mantels, and more architectural gems.
September-October
Pittsburgh Park Rangers are offering a series of themed tours in Hays Woods, the city's newest park. Go mushroom foraging, learn about industry history in Hays, or go on a red light flightlight hike to find nocturnal critters. Remember to pack water and wear sturdy, closed toed shoes!
Ongoing
While Walk the Burgh’s tours are available year-round, fall is the perfect time to get a little spooky on a nighttime walking tour of historic Downtown landmarks — and learn about the rumored spirits that haunt them!
Fridays & Saturdays through October
Seeing Pittsburgh from the rivers is something special, and it’s even more fascinating at night! Sip on cocktails aboard a "haunted riverboat" while you hear tales of ghosts and mysteries in the Golden Triangle.
