Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, forming the Ohio River.  With so much water surrounding the City, it is important to have a unit dedicated to not only water rescue, but also enforcement of boating and fishing regulations. Pittsburgh's answer to this unique need is its River Rescue Unit.  

Go behind-the-scenes of Pittsburgh River Rescue at their boat house on the Allegheny River, where this specialized unit combines Emergency Medical Services, SCUBA Search & Rescue, and River Patrol into a single unit to protect and serve.   

Tour highlights will include the history of the River Rescue Unit, insight into the specialized training required of unit members, and a look at some of the equipment they use.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The River Rescue Unit was formed in March of 1986 by combining the efforts of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services' SCUBA Search & Rescue Team with those of the Bureau of Police River Patrol.

The Paramedics who staff the River Rescue Units are certified as Public Safety Divers and are responsible for surface and subsurface water rescue, They also administer ALS emergency medical care to victims until they are transferred to the care of a land-based Medic Unit for additional treatment and transport.

The Police Officers assigned to River Rescue are responsible for piloting the various water rescue craft as well as for enforcing the regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Code.

The primary mission of the River Rescue Unit is to prevent and to respond to waterborne emergencies in the waterways in and around the City of Pittsburgh.

The Unit is also an integral part of the waterways community by providing assistance to the largest number of registered recreational boats in Pennsylvania and providing port security for the second-largest inland port in the United States. Partnering with federal, state and other agencies, River Rescue remains dedicated to incident prevention as well as emergency response.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: North Shore River Walk, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed

• Guests will be required to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) which will be provided by River Rescue personnel.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh follows CDC guidelines for the safety of our ticket holders; in addition, we do require a mask for entry to any building that requires a mask be worn--regardless of vaccination status.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, forming the Ohio River.  With so much water surrounding the City, it is important to have a unit dedicated to not only water rescue, but also enforcement of boating and fishing regulations. Pittsburgh's answer to this unique need is its River Rescue Unit.  

Go behind-the-scenes of Pittsburgh River Rescue at their boat house on the Allegheny River, where this specialized unit combines Emergency Medical Services, SCUBA Search & Rescue, and River Patrol into a single unit to protect and serve.   

Tour highlights will include the history of the River Rescue Unit, insight into the specialized training required of unit members, and a look at some of the equipment they use.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The River Rescue Unit was formed in March of 1986 by combining the efforts of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services' SCUBA Search & Rescue Team with those of the Bureau of Police River Patrol.

The Paramedics who staff the River Rescue Units are certified as Public Safety Divers and are responsible for surface and subsurface water rescue, They also administer ALS emergency medical care to victims until they are transferred to the care of a land-based Medic Unit for additional treatment and transport.

The Police Officers assigned to River Rescue are responsible for piloting the various water rescue craft as well as for enforcing the regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Code.

The primary mission of the River Rescue Unit is to prevent and to respond to waterborne emergencies in the waterways in and around the City of Pittsburgh.

The Unit is also an integral part of the waterways community by providing assistance to the largest number of registered recreational boats in Pennsylvania and providing port security for the second-largest inland port in the United States. Partnering with federal, state and other agencies, River Rescue remains dedicated to incident prevention as well as emergency response.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: North Shore River Walk, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed

• Guests will be required to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) which will be provided by River Rescue personnel.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh follows CDC guidelines for the safety of our ticket holders; in addition, we do require a mask for entry to any building that requires a mask be worn--regardless of vaccination status.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, forming the Ohio River.  With so much water surrounding the City, it is important to have a unit dedicated to not only water rescue, but also enforcement of boating and fishing regulations. Pittsburgh's answer to this unique need is its River Rescue Unit.  

Go behind-the-scenes of Pittsburgh River Rescue at their boat house on the Allegheny River, where this specialized unit combines Emergency Medical Services, SCUBA Search & Rescue, and River Patrol into a single unit to protect and serve.   

Tour highlights will include the history of the River Rescue Unit, insight into the specialized training required of unit members, and a look at some of the equipment they use.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The River Rescue Unit was formed in March of 1986 by combining the efforts of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services' SCUBA Search & Rescue Team with those of the Bureau of Police River Patrol.

The Paramedics who staff the River Rescue Units are certified as Public Safety Divers and are responsible for surface and subsurface water rescue, They also administer ALS emergency medical care to victims until they are transferred to the care of a land-based Medic Unit for additional treatment and transport.

The Police Officers assigned to River Rescue are responsible for piloting the various water rescue craft as well as for enforcing the regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Code.

The primary mission of the River Rescue Unit is to prevent and to respond to waterborne emergencies in the waterways in and around the City of Pittsburgh.

The Unit is also an integral part of the waterways community by providing assistance to the largest number of registered recreational boats in Pennsylvania and providing port security for the second-largest inland port in the United States. Partnering with federal, state and other agencies, River Rescue remains dedicated to incident prevention as well as emergency response.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: North Shore River Walk, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed

• Guests will be required to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) which will be provided by River Rescue personnel.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh follows CDC guidelines for the safety of our ticket holders; in addition, we do require a mask for entry to any building that requires a mask be worn--regardless of vaccination status.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Pittsburgh sits at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, forming the Ohio River.  With so much water surrounding the City, it is important to have a unit dedicated to not only water rescue, but also enforcement of boating and fishing regulations. Pittsburgh's answer to this unique need is its River Rescue Unit.  

Go behind-the-scenes of Pittsburgh River Rescue at their boat house on the Allegheny River, where this specialized unit combines Emergency Medical Services, SCUBA Search & Rescue, and River Patrol into a single unit to protect and serve.   

Tour highlights will include the history of the River Rescue Unit, insight into the specialized training required of unit members, and a look at some of the equipment they use.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The River Rescue Unit was formed in March of 1986 by combining the efforts of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services' SCUBA Search & Rescue Team with those of the Bureau of Police River Patrol.

The Paramedics who staff the River Rescue Units are certified as Public Safety Divers and are responsible for surface and subsurface water rescue, They also administer ALS emergency medical care to victims until they are transferred to the care of a land-based Medic Unit for additional treatment and transport.

The Police Officers assigned to River Rescue are responsible for piloting the various water rescue craft as well as for enforcing the regulations of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Code.

The primary mission of the River Rescue Unit is to prevent and to respond to waterborne emergencies in the waterways in and around the City of Pittsburgh.

The Unit is also an integral part of the waterways community by providing assistance to the largest number of registered recreational boats in Pennsylvania and providing port security for the second-largest inland port in the United States. Partnering with federal, state and other agencies, River Rescue remains dedicated to incident prevention as well as emergency response.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: North Shore River Walk, 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed

• Guests will be required to wear a PFD (Personal Flotation Device) which will be provided by River Rescue personnel.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh River Rescue Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh follows CDC guidelines for the safety of our ticket holders; in addition, we do require a mask for entry to any building that requires a mask be worn--regardless of vaccination status.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Experience your own bit of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” with a walking tour of Millionaires’ Row along Fifth Avenue in Shadyside!

Join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh with tour host Jay Steele as we learn some of the history behind the expansive homes along Fifth Avenue, see how they have been maintained through the present, and enjoy the beautiful architecture along the Oakland/Shadyside border.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Jay Steele is a retired adjunct professor of Health and Physical Education at CCAC. He is a Pittsburgh native and born and raised in the Observatory Hill section of the North Side. He currently lives in Ross Township with his wife Carol and pug Charlie. He has taught lifelong learning development walking courses since the fall of 1998 for CCAC, Pitt and CMU Osher, and Doors Open Pittsburgh. He developed these walking tours/classes throughout the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County which combines his love of exercise, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County history and architectural design.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Rodef Shalom Synagogue, 4904 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

Additional events you may be interested in:

History, notoriety, and happenstance merge to form a quilt pattern as American as apple pie on this walking tour of Sewickley Secrets!

You can't get There from Here, but you can imagine. Every block has its secrets and the streets of Sewickley are no exception. Join Meghan Snatchko, a woman who has walked every street in Pittsburgh, Coraopolis, AND Sewickley on a 1 mile loop of unraveling secrets. History, notoriety, and happenstance merge to form a quilt pattern as American as Apple Pie; which you can get a slice of at the Ultimate Pastry Shop in the heart of this adorable village.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Meghan Snatchko is a former librarian and amateur historian. She enjoys exploring obscure places and has walked every street in Pittsburgh, Sewickley, and Coraopolis. She knows a little about a lot and loves to learn new things.

TOUR STARTS: 200 Broad Street Sewickley, PA 15143

TOUR ENDS: Chestnut Street boat ramp

• This is a walking tour: less than 1.5 mile of walking; there are hills/some degree of incline along the route.

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

• Tour content is not suitable for children under 18.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Step back in time as the doors are opened to the historic Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios, currently in their 114th year of continual operation – 111 of which has been in its current location. See examples of the Studios' work created in a bygone era, as well as contemporary and current projects. Methods, materials and tools used to create traditional stained-glass windows will also be discussed and on display.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Kirk Weaver, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, is the 3rd generation of his family to be at the helm of Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios. He completed his apprenticeship under the tutelage of his grandfather, father and a host of artisans, who provided a unique perspective into the art, craft, and business of stained glass.  In over forty years working with stained glass Mr. Weaver has been President of the Stained Glass Association of America and, Controller of Stained Glass the oldest continually published magazine dedicated to stained glass.

Works from Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios have been included in prestigious Landmark Buildings and hundreds of churches throughout the country.  In addition to designing and creating new original stained glass windows, the Studio is a leader in the restoration, conservation, preservation, and protection of stained glass windows. Over the past several decades, they have returned hundreds of historic stained glass windows to their original glory.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studio, 160 Warden Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed.

• The tour will be confined to the first and second floor of the building. Neither floor is ADA compliant.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Step back in time as the doors are opened to the historic Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios, currently in their 114th year of continual operation – 111 of which has been in its current location. See examples of the Studios' work created in a bygone era, as well as contemporary and current projects. Methods, materials and tools used to create traditional stained-glass windows will also be discussed and on display.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Kirk Weaver, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, is the 3rd generation of his family to be at the helm of Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios. He completed his apprenticeship under the tutelage of his grandfather, father and a host of artisans, who provided a unique perspective into the art, craft, and business of stained glass.  In over forty years working with stained glass Mr. Weaver has been President of the Stained Glass Association of America and, Controller of Stained Glass the oldest continually published magazine dedicated to stained glass.

Works from Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios have been included in prestigious Landmark Buildings and hundreds of churches throughout the country.  In addition to designing and creating new original stained glass windows, the Studio is a leader in the restoration, conservation, preservation, and protection of stained glass windows. Over the past several decades, they have returned hundreds of historic stained glass windows to their original glory.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studio, 160 Warden Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed.

• The tour will be confined to the first and second floor of the building. Neither floor is ADA compliant.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Step back in time as the doors are opened to the historic Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios, currently in their 114th year of continual operation – 111 of which has been in its current location. See examples of the Studios' work created in a bygone era, as well as contemporary and current projects. Methods, materials and tools used to create traditional stained-glass windows will also be discussed and on display.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Kirk Weaver, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, is the 3rd generation of his family to be at the helm of Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios. He completed his apprenticeship under the tutelage of his grandfather, father and a host of artisans, who provided a unique perspective into the art, craft, and business of stained glass.  In over forty years working with stained glass Mr. Weaver has been President of the Stained Glass Association of America and, Controller of Stained Glass the oldest continually published magazine dedicated to stained glass.

Works from Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios have been included in prestigious Landmark Buildings and hundreds of churches throughout the country.  In addition to designing and creating new original stained glass windows, the Studio is a leader in the restoration, conservation, preservation, and protection of stained glass windows. Over the past several decades, they have returned hundreds of historic stained glass windows to their original glory.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studio, 160 Warden Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed.

• The tour will be confined to the first and second floor of the building. Neither floor is ADA compliant.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Please join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pittsburgh’s Mounted Police. 

Officers will show you their daily activities and let you meet their equine partners! 

Tour highlights will include the history of the City of Pittsburgh and its use of horses specifically within the Bureau, how the Mounted Unit was revived, where the horses come from, their background, and how the city acquired them, as well as training of the horses, including their exclusive training for police work in an urban environment.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit is responsible for carrying out the basic functions of the Bureau, participating in community outreach programs, assisting and serving as a support unit in special operations including search and rescue and civil disorder/crowd dispersal, and training incoming officers to the unit to be proficient in all equine skills.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Riverview Valley Stables, 834 Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh will donate a portion of ticket proceeds to the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Please join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pittsburgh’s Mounted Police. 

Officers will show you their daily activities and let you meet their equine partners! 

Tour highlights will include the history of the City of Pittsburgh and its use of horses specifically within the Bureau, how the Mounted Unit was revived, where the horses come from, their background, and how the city acquired them, as well as training of the horses, including their exclusive training for police work in an urban environment.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit is responsible for carrying out the basic functions of the Bureau, participating in community outreach programs, assisting and serving as a support unit in special operations including search and rescue and civil disorder/crowd dispersal, and training incoming officers to the unit to be proficient in all equine skills.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Riverview Valley Stables, 834 Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh will donate a portion of ticket proceeds to the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Please join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pittsburgh’s Mounted Police. 

Officers will show you their daily activities and let you meet their equine partners! 

Tour highlights will include the history of the City of Pittsburgh and its use of horses specifically within the Bureau, how the Mounted Unit was revived, where the horses come from, their background, and how the city acquired them, as well as training of the horses, including their exclusive training for police work in an urban environment.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit is responsible for carrying out the basic functions of the Bureau, participating in community outreach programs, assisting and serving as a support unit in special operations including search and rescue and civil disorder/crowd dispersal, and training incoming officers to the unit to be proficient in all equine skills.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Riverview Valley Stables, 834 Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh will donate a portion of ticket proceeds to the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit.

Additional events you may be interested in:

What makes Pittsburgh, well, Pittsburgh?  Explore our city up close and personal with tour guide, Alan Irvine.  Walk through the streets of Downtown and discover some of the history, events, and people that shaped Pittsburgh.

Explore the roots of our city up close and personal with tour guide, Alan Irvine. Learn about the Great Fire of 1845, Mr. Frick's Revenge, the Wall Street of Pittsburgh, and our first great victory over Cleveland! Alan reveals the answers to ongoing mysteries like who is buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler and why the Allegheny Courthouse lions lounge so high up in the air. Explore magnificent buildings, uncover quirky public art, discuss the best places to eat, and find answers to some of Pittsburgh's intrigues.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Alan Irvine is an acclaimed storyteller and tour guide. He has been telling stories of Pittsburgh history for over 30 years. 

Lonely Planet guidebooks gave Alan's tours their Top Choice ranking in 2012. He has also recorded two CDs of stories regarding area history and has many award-winning CDs of other types of stories. 

When not telling stories about Pittsburgh, he teaches courses in Pittsburgh history for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Pittsburgh. He also teaches Sociology at Robert Morris University.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Market Square Clock, 431 Market Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking.

• Photography is allowed.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Please join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pittsburgh’s Mounted Police. 

Officers will show you their daily activities and let you meet their equine partners! 

Tour highlights will include the history of the City of Pittsburgh and its use of horses specifically within the Bureau, how the Mounted Unit was revived, where the horses come from, their background, and how the city acquired them, as well as training of the horses, including their exclusive training for police work in an urban environment.

TOUR HOST BIO:

The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit is responsible for carrying out the basic functions of the Bureau, participating in community outreach programs, assisting and serving as a support unit in special operations including search and rescue and civil disorder/crowd dispersal, and training incoming officers to the unit to be proficient in all equine skills.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Riverview Valley Stables, 834 Grand Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

NOTICE: Dates and times are subject to change under emergency circumstances beyond the control of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit. In the event of cancellation, ticket holders will be notified at the earliest opportunity and tour times affected will be rescheduled.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh will donate a portion of ticket proceeds to the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Mounted Unit.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Take a walk through the scenic and historic Squirrel Hill Neighborhood while learning about some of the iconic stops along the way. From the Squirrel Hill Merchant District to visiting a Sukkah at Beth Shalom Synagogue, there is something for just about everyone to appreciate in one of Pittsburgh's bustling neighborhoods.  

In honor of Sukkot, this tour will also include architecture, history and culture of one of Squirrel Hill's oldest, largest synagogues located along the walking route.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Maria Cohen is a resident of Squirrel Hill and the Executive Director of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC). SHUC gives voice to the hopes and concerns of its residents, institutions, businesses and visitors and works to preserve, improve, and celebrate the quality of life in the vibrant urban Squirrel Hill neighborhood.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Parking lot at Forbes and Shady Avenues (behind the Dunkin Donuts)

• This is a walking tour: up to 2 miles of walking; a portion of this tour is uphill along Beacon Street with an approximate half-mile incline.

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Photography is allowed.

Additional events you may be interested in:

With a focus on art, nature, and the urban landscape, this tour will take Doors Open Pittsburgh visitors to key riverfront parks and projects along the Allegheny River in and around downtown Pittsburgh. Riverlife staff will guide attendees along and over the river and discuss art-filled sites, including one of the first major projects by famed landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh in collaboration with artist Ann Hamilton, the nation’s first riverfront sculpture park, the Andy Warhol bridge (and its sister bridges), new art installations celebrating local nature and Black Pittsburghers, and the iconic Point State Park. 

Along the walk, Riverlife will share historic information about the riverfronts and their transformations and outline future projects poised to reshape the Allegheny River for the new millennium, infusing it with restored natural habitats, new places for gathering, and enthralling art for all. The tour takes its name from a new Riverlife initiative, in partnership with Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and the Allegheny County Regional Asset District, called ArtWalk on the Allegheny.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Riverlife creates, activates, and celebrates Pittsburgh’s riverfronts, connecting people through exceptional places and experiences. Since 1999, Riverlife has led a $132 million investment that has transformed decaying and abandoned spaces along Pittsburgh riverfronts into 15 miles and 1,055 acres of award-winning, nationally recognized parks, trails, and green space. Through hundreds of public meetings and feedback from thousands of residents and visitors, Riverlife introduced the Completing the Loop plan for a community-driven and transformative vision that centered on a continuous riverfront park system.

Over the years, plans and projects have invited people to the rivers, honoring the varied range of hopes, expectations, and uses in the original vision. Today, the riverfronts are much closer to achieving the original vision of a network of parks and open spaces, but much work remains to fill gaps in the system and ensure their benefits are enjoyed by everyone.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: 39 Isabella Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Meet in the upper plaza of Allegheny Landing, on Isabella Street, between Federal Street and Sandusky Street (the Andy Warhol and Roberto Clemente Bridges)

• This is a walking tour: up to 1.5 miles of walking.

• Photography is allowed.

• A restroom is available.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Have you ever wondered about the rich history and hidden architectural gems in Pittsburgh’s historic Wilkinsburg neighborhood? Then join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh for a walk through the federally designated Hamnett Historic District and a reviving downtown Wilkinsburg. Your guides on this new walking tour are Pat DiRienzo and James Weddell.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Pat DiRienzo has a long involvement in the Regent Square community. Her contributions were recognized in as part of the series, "90 Neighborhoods, 90

Good Stories" produced by WESA90.5 in 2017.  She has led and developed architectural & historical tours for multiple organizations.

James Weddell was a docent on Wilkinsburg's Vacant Home Tours. He was involved in efforts to restore the Wilkinsburg train station. He has led and developed architectural & historical tours for multiple organizations.

TOUR STARTS: 708 Whitney Street, Pittsburgh, 15221. Please note this is adjacent to the Hamnett Station stop on the MLK Busway where parking is available at the Park N' Ride lot. The start point is at the Wilkinsburg entrance to the Whitney St. tunnel under the busway.

TOUR ENDS: Corner of Hay St. & Ross Avenue (between Wilkinsburg Train Station & the Borough Building).

• This is a walking tour; less than 1.5 miles of walking; some sidewalks in this area are in poor condition and care is needed.

• Photography is allowed. 

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Join DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh for an exciting tour of Carnegie, the town named for Andrew! Some highlights of this tour include the Honus Wagner Museum, Indian Community Center, The Carnegie Library/Civil War Room, and much more!

TOUR HOST BIO:

Jay Steele is a retired adjunct professor of Health and Physical Education at CCAC. He is a Pittsburgh native and born and raised in the Observatory Hill section of the North Side. He currently lives in Ross Township with his wife Carol and pug Charlie. He has taught lifelong learning development walking courses since the fall of 1998 for CCAC, Pitt and CMU Osher, and Doors Open Pittsburgh. He developed these walking tours/classes throughout the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County which combines his love of exercise, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County history and architectural design.

TOUR STARTS: Carnegie Library at 300 Beechwood Avenue

TOUR ENDS: Historical Society / Honus Wagner Museum at One West Main Street

• This walking tour is less than 1.5 miles of walking; there are hills/some degree of incline along the route.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

Additional events you may be interested in:

History, notoriety, and happenstance merge to form a quilt pattern as American as apple pie on this walking tour of Sewickley Secrets!

You can't get There from Here, but you can imagine. Every block has its secrets and the streets of Sewickley are no exception. Join Meghan Snatchko, a woman who has walked every street in Pittsburgh, Coraopolis, AND Sewickley on a 1 mile loop of unraveling secrets. History, notoriety, and happenstance merge to form a quilt pattern as American as Apple Pie; which you can get a slice of at the Ultimate Pastry Shop in the heart of this adorable village.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Meghan Snatchko is a former librarian and amateur historian. She enjoys exploring obscure places and has walked every street in Pittsburgh, Sewickley, and Coraopolis. She knows a little about a lot and loves to learn new things.

TOUR STARTS: 200 Broad Street Sewickley, PA 15143

TOUR ENDS: Chestnut Street boat ramp

• This is a walking tour: less than 1.5 mile of walking; there are hills/some degree of incline along the route.

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

• Tour content is not suitable for children under 18.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Use the buttons below to sort the participating buildings to help you better plan your day!

Or, download a complete building list here as an excel document.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh thanks these community partners for their generous support:

These tours are supported, in part, by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council through its Allegheny Arts Revival Grant and by the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.

Additional events you may be interested in:

Join the award-winning Greater Hazelwood Historical Society of Pittsburgh on an enlightening exploration of Hazelwood's rich history -- from the 18th century John Woods House built in 1792, to wealthy suburban estates from the Industrial Revolution and a futuristic robotics facility at Mill 19. 

TOUR HOST BIO:

Award-winning historian and USMC Veteran, JaQuay Edward Carter, has a long history of community service, military service, and human services advocacy. JaQuay began his post-secondary education at the Community College of Allegheny County, earning an associate degree in Ethnic and Diversity Studies. Soon after, JaQuay enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a bachelor’s degree in History Education and Africana Studies. 

In 2018, JaQuay was directed back to his hometown of Hazelwood through a passion for history and neighborhood pride. He founded the Greater Hazelwood Historical Society of Pittsburgh and Cultural Center to “preserve the pillars of our community’s past.” The following year, he formed the Black History Society of Western Pennsylvania, which is dedicated to the research and serves as a repository for our region's African American experience.

JaQuay began working with Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation in 2020 as a consultant on African American Industrial Heritage and Diversity Initiatives, and in June of 2021, he became the first person of color to guide industrial tours at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark. JaQuay is currently pursuing dual degrees in Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM) at Carnegie Mellon University.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Mill 19, 4501 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking; there are hills/some degree of incline along the route.

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

Additional events you may be interested in:

We invite you to explore the Three Rivers with DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh, as we showcase our rivers, buildings and bridges.

Engineer Todd Wilson and Architect Paul Tellers will be your guides for this riverboat journey through time. Pittsburgh’s amazing bridges and impressive architecture will be explained as the scene unfolds from the vantage point of the riverboat’s viewing decks. Be immersed in Pittsburgh’s history as seen from the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio.

DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh boat tours sail for 90 minutes from Station Square.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Paul Tellers is an architect and planner. Paul was the University Architect at Carnegie Mellon University, the Director of Planning at WTW Architects, Facilities Planning Director for a CUNY college in New York, and a Project Manager for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Paul’s community service included the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Oakland Task Force, Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission, Mt. Washington Community Development Corp., Mt. Lebanon Planning Board, Chatham Village Charitable Trust, and the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh Board. In addition to Doors Open Pittsburgh, Paul currently serves as a guide for historical Pittsburgh tours for Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Rivers of Steel, and Bike the Burgh. Paul is a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art and a member of the Bach Choir.

Todd Wilson, MBA, PE, is an award-winning transportation engineer, named one of Pittsburgh Business Times’ 20 Engineers to Know in 2022. He has co-authored two books on Pittsburgh’s bridges, Images of America Pittsburgh’s Bridges and Engineering Pittsburgh a History of Roads, Rails, Canals, Bridges, and More. An engineering graduate of Carnegie Mellon, Todd has extensive knowledge on bridges, having photographed them in all 50 states and 25 countries, and he has presented at many conferences. Check out his Pittsburgh bridge photography on Instagram @pghbridges. 

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Gateway Clipper Fleet Docks, 350 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

• Photography is allowed. 

• A restroom is available. 

• Itinerary subject to change due to changes in weather. Rain or Shine. No refunds.

• Indoor/outdoor seating is available. First come, first served.

• Food/Beverage is available for sale by the Gateway Clipper.

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What makes Pittsburgh, well, Pittsburgh?  Explore our city up close and personal with tour guide, Alan Irvine.  Walk through the streets of Downtown and discover some of the history, events, and people that shaped Pittsburgh.

Explore the roots of our city up close and personal with tour guide, Alan Irvine. Learn about the Great Fire of 1845, Mr. Frick's Revenge, the Wall Street of Pittsburgh, and our first great victory over Cleveland! Alan reveals the answers to ongoing mysteries like who is buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Bowler and why the Allegheny Courthouse lions lounge so high up in the air. Explore magnificent buildings, uncover quirky public art, discuss the best places to eat, and find answers to some of Pittsburgh's intrigues.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Alan Irvine is an acclaimed storyteller and tour guide. He has been telling stories of Pittsburgh history for over 30 years. 

Lonely Planet guidebooks gave Alan's tours their Top Choice ranking in 2012. He has also recorded two CDs of stories regarding area history and has many award-winning CDs of other types of stories. 

When not telling stories about Pittsburgh, he teaches courses in Pittsburgh history for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Pittsburgh. He also teaches Sociology at Robert Morris University.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Market Square Clock, 431 Market Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking.

• Photography is allowed.

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Andrew Carnegie's gift of a technical school in Schenley Park has grown into a university that is recognized internationally in technology and the arts. On this tour, we will visit the early 20th century buildings designed by Henry Hornbostel, alongside buildings of the postwar modern period as well as today's newer sustainable buildings and other green campus features.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Paul Tellers is an architect and planner. He was the University Architect at Carnegie Mellon University, the Director of Planning at WTW Architects, the Facilities Planning Director for a CUNY college in New York, and a Project Manager for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Paul serves as a guide for historical Pittsburgh tours for the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Rivers of Steel, Bike the Burgh, and DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh. He is also currently a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art and a member of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts Terrace, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. The terrace is in front of the main entrance on the west side of the College of Fine Arts building. Parking is available on Frew Street or in the East Campus Parking Garage on Forbes Avenue.

• This is a walking tour; 1 mile of walking.

• Tour is accessible.

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Take an evening walk through Downtown Pittsburgh to see the city's glowing collection of light-based public artwork. Participants will experience six artworks such as "The Puddler," a neon light piece from the 1930s; "Cell Phone Disco," an interactive work in Tito Way by the artist collective Informationlab; and "For Pittsburgh," an LED artwork on the roof of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center by artist Jenny Holzer.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Rachel Klipa is a Pittsburgh-based arts administrator, curator, and writer.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Agnes R. Katz Plaza, 667 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• This is a walking tour: less than 1 mile of walking

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Take an evening walk through Downtown Pittsburgh to see the city's glowing collection of light-based public artwork. Participants will experience six artworks such as "The Puddler," a neon light piece from the 1930s; "Cell Phone Disco," an interactive work in Tito Way by the artist collective Informationlab; and "For Pittsburgh," an LED artwork on the roof of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center by artist Jenny Holzer.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Rachel Klipa is a Pittsburgh-based arts administrator, curator, and writer.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Agnes R. Katz Plaza, 667 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• This is a walking tour: less than 1 mile of walking

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Homewood Cemetery has a history all its own. Experience the Cemetery on foot with tour guide Jay Steele and hear the captivating stories it holds. 

This tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about the Pittsburgh-famous location that was once the site of Judge Wilkins' mansion. Now the final resting place of some of Pittsburgh's movers and shakers like Mesta, Frick, Mellon, Heinz, Benedum, Clark, Pitcairn, Bigelow, Pie Traynor, and Errol Garner, this tour offers a deeper look at the Cemetery’s connections to the City of Pittsburgh. Learn about the history and stories that once made the Cemetery's residents successful.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Jay Steele is a retired adjunct professor of Health and Physical Education at CCAC. He is a Pittsburgh native and born and raised in the Observatory Hill section of the North Side. He currently lives in Ross Township with his wife Carol and pug Charlie. He has taught lifelong learning development walking courses since the fall of 1998 for CCAC, Pitt and CMU Osher, and Doors Open Pittsburgh. He developed these walking tours/classes throughout the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County which combines his love of exercise, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County history and architectural design.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Entrance Gates at South Dallas and Aylesboro, Homewood Cemetery, 1599 S Dallas Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking.

• Photography is allowed for personal use only.

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What wonders does the Cultural District contain? Discover the galleries, theaters, and quirky art filling the blocks between Penn and Liberty!

This section of Downtown was not always so desirable; before the theaters and galleries, this was Pittsburgh’s Red Light district! Join tour host, Alan Irvine, and learn about the decades-long strategy that transformed this corner of Downtown into the thriving arts hub we enjoy today.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Alan Irvine is an acclaimed storyteller and tour guide. He has been telling stories of Pittsburgh history for over 30 years. 

Lonely Planet guidebooks gave Alan's tours their Top Choice ranking in 2012. He has also recorded two CDs of stories regarding area history, and has many award-winning CDs of other types of stories. 

When not telling stories about Pittsburgh, he teaches courses in Pittsburgh history for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Pittsburgh. He also teaches Sociology at Robert Morris University.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Corner of 6th and Liberty at the Heinz Hall outdoor garden gate

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking.

• Photography is allowed.

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Join the award-winning Greater Hazelwood Historical Society of Pittsburgh on an enlightening exploration of Hazelwood's rich history -- from the 18th century John Woods House built in 1792, to wealthy suburban estates from the Industrial Revolution and a futuristic robotics facility at Mill 19. 

TOUR HOST BIO:

Award-winning historian and USMC Veteran, JaQuay Edward Carter, has a long history of community service, military service, and human services advocacy. JaQuay began his post-secondary education at the Community College of Allegheny County, earning an associate degree in Ethnic and Diversity Studies. Soon after, JaQuay enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a bachelor’s degree in History Education and Africana Studies. 

In 2018, JaQuay was directed back to his hometown of Hazelwood through a passion for history and neighborhood pride. He founded the Greater Hazelwood Historical Society of Pittsburgh and Cultural Center to “preserve the pillars of our community’s past.” The following year, he formed the Black History Society of Western Pennsylvania, which is dedicated to the research and serves as a repository for our region's African American experience.

JaQuay began working with Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation in 2020 as a consultant on African American Industrial Heritage and Diversity Initiatives, and in June of 2021, he became the first person of color to guide industrial tours at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark. JaQuay is currently pursuing dual degrees in Master of Divinity (M.Div.) at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM) at Carnegie Mellon University.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Mill 19, 4501 Lytle Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking; there are hills/some degree of incline along the route.

• There are parts of this tour that are not wheelchair-accessible.

• Restrooms are available.

• Photography is allowed.

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Cabbage and noodles?  Heinz and ketchup?  Pittsburgh and the Mon?  Some things just go together.  On this 90-minute boat cruise with DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh, go beyond the typical sightseeing tour as we sail past the Hot Metal Bridge and discover how the Monongahela River shaped the Steel City.

Fragments of an industrial past dot its riverbanks, but the Monongahela River began shaping the fortunes of Pittsburgh long before iron and steel. From topography to transportation, from industry to innovation, from tech to tourism, the Monongahela River is central to the story and history of Pittsburgh. Join engineer and local bridge expert Todd Wilson and architectural historian Justin Greenawalt for this immersive look at the mighty Monongahela River.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Justin P. Greenawalt is an architectural historian and historic preservationist with a deep appreciation for the history and development of Pittsburgh and greater southwestern Pennsylvania. Justin is employed within the Cultural Resources practice of Michael Baker International. He is Director Emeritus of Preservation Pittsburgh and a past president of the East Liberty Valley Historical Society. Justin is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (B.A. Architectural Studies, 2008) and Columbia University (M.S. Historic Preservation, 2010).

Todd Wilson, MBA, PE, is an award-winning transportation engineer, named one of Pittsburgh Business Times’ 20 Engineers to Know in 2022. He has co-authored two books on Pittsburgh’s bridges, Images of America Pittsburgh’s Bridges and Engineering Pittsburgh a History of Roads, Rails, Canals, Bridges, and More. An engineering graduate of Carnegie Mellon, Todd has extensive knowledge on bridges, having photographed them in all 50 states and 25 countries, and he has presented at many conferences. Check out his Pittsburgh bridge photography on Instagram @pghbridges.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Gateway Clipper Fleet Docks, 350 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

• Photography is allowed. 

• A restroom is available. 

• Itinerary subject to change due to changes in weather. Rain or Shine. No refunds.

• Indoor/outdoor seating is available. First come, first served.

• Food/Beverage is available for sale by the Gateway Clipper.

Additional events you may be interested in: