Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts: Self-Guided Audio Tours

Welcome to Pittsburgh's lively Cultural District! This audio tour shows how the city now thrives on culture rather than steel as you walk from a theatre to a museum or a gallery and vice versa. You will start the tour at the busy Market Square to tune into the downtown's vibe. Next, you will admire the elegant home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra or the Heinz Hall known as the Temple of the Cinema nearby. Walking further, the hotspot of the local Cultural District and one of the busiest performing arts centers in the U.S. which is the Benedum Center, will pull you in. The tour will guide you through a handful of historic theatres. Passing by the Harris Theater that would screen adult films in the 60s (as a reminder of the neighborhood's erotic past) you will see how the urban environment reflects the repertoire. From there, come explore the admission-free Wood Street Galleries, a contemporary art venue supported by the foundation of the Pittsburgh-born icon Andy Warhol. After the art-looking, learn how the inclusive August Wilson Center for African American Culture fosters African Americans' contributions to American culture. Towards the end of the tour, be amazed that the high-end Pennsylvanian apartment once was the city's Union Station railroad terminal. Finally, you can experience Pennsylvania's largest history museum, the Senator John Heinz History Center. Join the tour and exlore Pittsburgh as a vibrant arts and entertainment center!

Embark on a self-guided audio adventure through Pittsburgh's historic wonders and architectural marvels. This audio tour caters to curious explorers eager to uncover the stories behind the city's iconic landmarks. It begins at the scenic confluence of three rivers, where the Fort Pitt Museum offers a gateway into the city's storied past, and concludes with the charming facade of the Penn Avenue Fish Company, which harkens back to Pittsburgh's days as a bustling market hub. Travelers will traverse the course of time, from the days of hot metal and railroads to the era of great literary and judicial establishments. Each stop reveals a layer of Pittsburgh's rich tapestry, inviting you to witness living history through the eyes of miners, merchants, and moguls who shaped the Steel City. Noteworthy highlights include crossing the remarkable Hot Metal Bridge and absorbing the Romanesque majesty of the Allegheny County Courthouse. As you traverse this urban landscape, you'll encounter the spirit of celebrated figures like Roberto Clemente through the bridge named in his honor. The tour ensures that by its end, travelers will have gained an intimate connection with Pittsburgh, its heroes, and its evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a city of cultural significance. Let each spoken narrative guide you through this captivating urban journey, creating an unforgettable experience of discovery and wonder.