Observatory Allegheny of University of Pittsburgh

I’ve lived in the Obsevatory Hill neighborhood for nearly a decade and yet I had never been inside the actual observatory until this past summer. They offer tours sporadically, and I finally got my act together to see the interior after staring at the outside of this building for so long. It’s really quite impressive! From the marble work to the giant telescopes it’s a really neat place to take a tour! There’s even a super creepy mausoleum in the basement that is the final resting place for some well known astronomers. The Observatory is also a great place to watch the downtown Pittsburgh 4^th of July fireworks without the large crowds.
Apparently a PBS movie was made about the Allegheny Obsevatory recently, but I’m afraid that might be a touch too nerdy for my tastes. But it’s cool to have such a historical landmark in the neighborhood. If you get a chance to take the tour, I’d recommend it.

If you have never taken a tour of the Observatory, you have to go! It’s an historic building with some amazing stories. The tours vary depending on who is on duty at the time, but every time I’ve gone, they have been very smart scientists who can explain things in a very amusing way. There’s a suspended floor in one of the rooms that can be raised or lowered, and of course the domes have portals that open to the night sky. If the sky is clear, you can take turns looking through one of the powerful telescopes. Down in the basement is a crypt where John Brashear and others are buried. The tours are always free, but you have to make your reservation in advance.