10 Historical & Heritage Tours in Pittsburgh That You Shouldn't Miss

April 14, 2022 Claudia Navarrete

Pittsburgh has been remade and reimagined. Think 24 miles of riverfront trails, beautiful parks and historic attractions. Home to 90 neighborhoods, the ‘Burgh feels authentic and unpretentious. No visit is complete without a trip to the Strip District or PNC Park, a ride up the Duquesne Incline or a stop at The Andy Warhol Museum. Architecture buffs love Pittsburgh for the amazing downtown buildings. Hollywood producers, do, too—the city has even been called the “Hollywood of the East."
Restaurants in Pittsburgh

1. Best of the Burgh Walking Tour

1049 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Walk the Burgh Tours
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5.0 based on 45 reviews

Join us in this urban adventure where we'll show you some memorable sites, accompanied by a great narrative that will give you a profound understanding of this city. Learn all about the outstanding architecture, fascinating history, the lives of former titans of industry as well as fun hidden public art pieces of the Steel City. Get to see the main sites but also discover gems off the beaten paths. - Our tour guides are locals who truly love their city, they are very knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for you if you are particularly interested in something. Groups are kept small to provide a personal experience. Kids and dogs are welcome as well!

Inclusions: Bottled water, Coupons from our restaurant partners, Local guide, A whole lot of fun! :-)

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuity

Reviewed By chadgF4175EO

It was a good time and a good way to see the city. We had a large group and the tour guide made sure to include everyone. I would recommend checking it out.

2. Whiskey Walking Tour

1049 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Walk the Burgh Tours
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5.0 based on 16 reviews

​Love whiskey? Walking? Pittsburgh? This sounds like the tour for you! From the mill to the still, whiskey has been a cornerstone in Pittsburgh's history. Join our whiskey history tour, where you will discover how whiskey has fueled political, labor and social movements throughout the region. We start the tour with a sample of the oldest and longest continuously produced whiskey in America (or a hot toddy for the colder days) As we walk the streets of Downtown, you'll learn about the violent Whiskey Rebellion, hidden former (as well as existing!) speakeasies around the city, how Prohibition affected the region, the revival of craft spirits, and Wigle’s own history as local and family-owned business. You will get 3 additional samples of whiskey from Wigle at the end of the tour. - Please note: This is NOT a bar crawl but a whiskey history tour with a final tasting. Adults 21+ only; children welcome with supervision; approx. 1 mile of walking

Inclusions: Coupons from our restaurant partners, Bottled water, 4 small samples of locally distilled whiskey, Hot tea on colder days, Local guide, A whole lot of fun! :-)

Exclusions: Whiskey cocktails after the tour for $5 (optional), Gratuity

Reviewed By chadgF4175EO

It was a good time and a good way to see the city. We had a large group and the tour guide made sure to include everyone. I would recommend checking it out.

3. Fire in the Valley- Carnegie Steel and the Town That Built America

Duquesne Incline, 1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA DeBolt Unlimited Travel
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

Pittsburgh's Steel Valley along the Monongahela River made the steel which built America and fueled the Arsenal of Democracy for two World Wars. It was also the site of the Battle of Homestead 9 July 1892, the most consequential armed confrontation between workers and company-employed strikebreakers in American History.

Inclusions: Certified guide, Private transportation, Extraordinary extensive personal narration the length of the Experience

Exclusions: Gratuities, Landing and facility fees

Reviewed By Lisagerm

George was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and pleasant! We had a wonderful time exploring the great city of Pittsburgh!

4. Simply Steps: A City Steps Tour of Troy Hill and Spring Garden

16th St + Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Walk the Burgh Tours
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

While Pittsburgh is commonly known as the "City of Bridges," it also tops the charts in the number of public city steps. ​​With over 800 stairways throughout many of its 90 neighborhoods, these "paper streets" can be a fun place to explore. Join us on a stairway adventure through Troy Hill and Spring Garden.You'll learn about the history of this special form of pedestrian travel and two neighborhoods that played essential roles in the city's early economic development. Comfortable and sturdy shoes are required. Please note that two flights on this tour require participants to climb up ~150 steps, go down two flights of ~100 steps, and occasionally navigate uneven terrain.

Inclusions: Coupons from our restaurant partners, Local and knowledgeable guide, A whole lot of fun! :-)

Exclusions: Gratuity, Lunch

Reviewed By chadgF4175EO

It was a good time and a good way to see the city. We had a large group and the tour guide made sure to include everyone. I would recommend checking it out.

5. Essential Pittsburgh Experience - The One Tour to Take

Duquesne Incline Parking West Carson Street Pittsburgh, 1197 W Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA DeBolt Unlimited Travel
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4.9 based on 162 reviews

Pittsburgh is One of the Coolest Cities on Planet Earth...and the Mission of Pittsburgh's Best Tour Guide will be to convince you why! You will see the sights, learn the stories, and hear oral history delivered in a bright and breezy style from a 7th Generation Pittsburgher whose ancestors "Greeted the Indians".

Inclusions: Private tour, Local guide, Transport by air-conditioned vehicle, Hotel pick-up and drop off

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, Admission to attractions, Souvenirs

Reviewed By H2PDuzz

George has an immense knowledge of the history of Pittsburgh and an enjoyable way of presenting all he knows. He was able to accommodate a group of bigger than 4. Would recommend to anyone (local or from out of town).

6. Black & Ghost Tour

1049 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Walk the Burgh Tours
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4.9 based on 22 reviews

Experience the spookiest of Pittsburgh’s Downtown! Get to see outstanding historic landmarks (often beautifully lit up in the darker and colder months) during the quiet evening hours and learn about their history and which spirits lurk in them. Don't worry about picking up any ghostly travelers; the entirety of the tour takes place outdoors! Ready to get chills and be scared by some obscure ghost stories? - Our tour guides are locals who truly love their city, they are very knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for you if you are particularly interested in something. Groups are kept small to provide a personal experience. Kids and dogs are welcome as well!

Inclusions: Coupons from our restaurant partners, Local guide, A whole lot of fun! :-), a chilled bottle of water on hot days

Exclusions: Dinner, Gratuity

Reviewed By Roam345290

I enjoyed learning about the history and culture of PIttsburgh and the men who influenced it. Seeing all the buildings and different styles if architecture was interesting. Corrie is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable tour guide. Her presentation gave me a new appreciation for the city.

7. Pittsburgh Private Tours

Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Free Pittsburgh Walking Tours
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4.9 based on 152 reviews

There’s no better way to see Pittsburgh than with a private guide to show you the most interesting spots and share their knowledge about the city. Get to know the hidden secrets and fascinating history lying around every corner of downtown, take the Duquesne Incline up Mt. Washington for the best view of the city, see the old Heinz factory, drive up the steepest public street in America, and explore all the coolest neighborhoods of Pittsburgh! Go to the top of the Cathedral of Learning, the tallest educational building in the Western hemisphere. See Andy Warhol’s childhood home, Mr. Roger's home and studio and visit the former Heinz factory while speaking Pittsburghese “so yinz can fit in n’at.” I’ll tell you how Pittsburgh came to be known as the “Steel City,” about legendary Pittsburghers like Andrew Carnegie and Henry J. Heinz, and how the Pittsburgh Renaissance turned Pittsburgh from a smoky, industrial city into “America’s Most Livable City.”

Inclusions: Local guide, Vehicular transportation with air conditioning/heating (Steel City Tour only), Pick-up and drop-off at accommodation (Steel City Tour only), Parking costs during tour (Steel City Tour only)

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Reviewed By acb297

Leila lead an excellent tour! Very highly recommended. We learned a lot about the city's history, architecture, and it's quirks.

8. Bike the Burgh Tour

1049 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, USA Bike The Burgh Tours
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4.9 based on 33 reviews

On this tour you will get a great overview of the city while learning about the rise, fall and most recent comeback of Pittsburgh. You will be introduced to outstanding architecture, interesting historic facts and fantastic views of the city. We will leave the beaten paths with you to also discover some surprising hidden gems. Old and new buildings, city squares and public art will turn this bike ride into a memorable event full of exciting (re)discoveries of The Burgh.

Inclusions: Use of bicycle

Exclusions: Lunch, Please bring your own water, especially if you have a refillable water bottle. We do not hand out bottled water as we try to reduce disposable plastic on this planet!

Reviewed By trw1143

Dave was terrific! An easy ride. Learned a lot about the city and it’s history. A great way to spend 3 hours!

9. FALLINGWATER - America's UNESCO World Heritage Masterpiece!

DeBolt Unlimited Travel
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4.8 based on 4 reviews

Fallingwater stands as one of the greatest architectural triumphs of the 20th Century.  There simply is no other building like it on Planet Earth. This Masterpiece was recently selected as one of Architecture's Bucket-list inclusions. Pittsburgh's Best Tour Guide will take you to its location astride Bear Run in the Laurel Highlands of the Allegheny Mountains.  Along the way you will learn the story of its architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the background of its patron Edgar Kaufmann, and the serendipity which brought it all together.

Inclusions: Transport by private vehicle, Live commentary on board

Exclusions: Fallingwater HOUSE TOUR- The Tour of the House MUST be booked with Fallingwater directly., Gratuities

Reviewed By H2PDuzz

George has an immense knowledge of the history of Pittsburgh and an enjoyable way of presenting all he knows. He was able to accommodate a group of bigger than 4. Would recommend to anyone (local or from out of town).

10. JUST THE TOUR - Once Around Pittsburgh on our double decker bus tour!

436 S 27th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203, USA The Pittsburgh Tour Company
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4.7 based on 63 reviews

Pittsburgh Best City Sightseeing Tour! Go once around our beautiful city on our fun double decker tour!

Inclusions: Live Guide, Open-Top Double Decker Bus, Map of Route and Sites

Exclusions: Attraction entrance fees

Reviewed By 609kevint

Rode on both busses throughout the day. Drivers were safe and patient, both with traffic and customers. Tour guides are knowledgeable and charismatic. Prepare for bad jokes from Shannon.

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