CLOSED: COVID-19 Update

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Sensory Friendly Saturdays

children pointing at dinosaur display

During Sensory Friendly Saturdays, the museum will open its galleries at 8:30 a.m., 90 minutes before the museum opens to the general public. Families with members on the autism spectrum or who otherwise easily experience sensory overload are welcome to visit the museum for a quieter experience in a more controlled environment.

Museum experts will give tours of the exhibitions and be on hand to answer questions throughout the morning. Designated quiet zones will allow visitors to decompress and experience the museum at their own pace.

To provide the most sensory-friendly environment possible, advance registration is required for Sensory Friendly Saturday.

Upcoming Sensory Friendly Saturdays

October 2019

Sensory Friendly Saturday: Booseum Trick-or-Treat

October 5, 2019, 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Join us in investigating the creepy and awesome creatures that call the museum home! Meet live animals, learn spooky facts about our tarantula, and enjoy a Halloween movie on the big screen! Trick-or-treat around dinosaurs and mummies at stations throughout the museum and wear a costume* to receive a small prize!
*Please, no masks, weapons, or backpacks

Please register in advance so we can provide a sensory friendly setting.

Saturday, October 5, 2019
8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

December 2019

Sensory Friendly Saturday: Holidays Around the World

December 28, 2019, 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Travel around the world as you explore holiday-themed stations throughout the museum. Learn about the holiday traditions of many different cultures through amazing artifacts, festive holiday foods like Italian pizzelles, and hands-on crafts. See the museum all decorated for the holidays, pet Sven our friendly reindeer, and send a letter to Santa! Please call 412-622-3288 to register in advance so we can provide a sensory friendly setting. Saturday, December 28, 2019 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Adult: $9.95 Child 3-18:…

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April 2020

CANCELED – Sensory Friendly Saturday

April 4, 8:30 am - 10:00 am
Portal Entry

Carnegie Museum of Natural History prioritizes the health and safety of our visitors, their families, and the community. To better serve you and your families during regular admission hours, we have decided to cancel the Sensory Friendly Saturday: Egg-cellent Egg Hunt. We are following guidance on preventative measures from the Allegheny County Health Department. Our museum leaders are in regular communication with state and county health experts. Updates about the museum’s covid-19 response are available here. Current ticketholders will automatically receive free tickets to the rescheduled event. For questions about ticketing, please contact Visitor Services at programregistration@carnegiemuseums.org or 412-622-3288.” US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Allegheny County Health Department. Our museum leaders are in regular communication with state and county health experts.
Updates about the museum’s covid-19 response are available.

Current registrants will be contacted as soon as possible (please be patient with us). For questions about ticketing, please contact Visitor Services at programregistration@carnegiemuseums.org for faster response or 412-622-3288 for a response when staff returns to the building.

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