Did you know that you can use your Carnegie Mellon ID card for free entrance to several museums in Pittsburgh? Present your ID card at the Andy Warhol Museum downtown to view its extensive permanent collections of art and archives on one of the most influential American artists – and Carnegie Mellon attendees – of the twentieth century. On the North Shore, you can visit the interactive Carnegie Science Center, home of the UPMC SportsWorks, the world’s largest science and sport exhibition, the four-story Rangos Omnimax Theater, and the Buhl Planetarium. Also on the North Side is the Mattress Factory, where room-sized contemporary installation art is always on display.
If you’re looking for something closer to campus, try the Carnegie Museum of Natural History of the Carnegie Museum of Art. Both are located near Forbes and Craig in Oakland. The Museum of Natural History is home to the third largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world and an exhibit of African wildlife, among other earthly exibits. The Museum of Art offers contemporary art, as well as French Impressionist works, sculptures, and an architectural center. Finally, visit the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park. A National Historic Landmark, Phipps is among the nation's oldest and largest Victorian glasshouses, featuring lush tropical plants, palms, orchids and a miniature orchid collection, ferns and succulent plants, seasonal flower shows, and butterflies. An expansion to the Conservatory is currently in progress, though the gardens remain open. Bus transportation – also free with your ID card – is available to each museum.