Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Science Center’s operating hours? Is Highmark SportsWorks® open at the same time?
Carnegie Science Center Hours
Open 10 am–5 pm. Closed Tuesdays.
We are closed or close early for some Steelers home games, and we may close for other major events at Acrisure Stadium. Check our Daily Calendar of Events prior to your visit.
Requin (SS 481) Hours
Open 10 am–4:20 pm. Closed Tuesdays.
(weather and river conditions permitting)
Self-guided tours are included with General Admission on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Tours operate at a 20-minute interval with a limited capacity. Timed tickets are required and can be obtained on the day of your visit at the Requin Gateway located on the Ground Floor. Full mobility is required for this experience.
How much is general admission?
General admission prices vary for adults, children, and seniors. Current pricing can be found here. Members enjoy free General Admission to the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, as well as other benefits. Information on membership can be found here 
.
All tickets will be sold for timed entry every 30 minutes. We recommend arriving as close to your entry time as possible.
What discounts do you offer?
We offer university discounts with a valid student ID, military discounts with valid United States military ID, discounts for those with EBT cards and photo ID, and other discounts throughout the year.
Do I need to buy tickets ahead of time before coming to Carnegie Science Center?
We strongly encourage that you purchase your tickets online in advance of arriving – all tickets will be timed reservations to ensure we can maintain limited building capacity while reducing any wait time for our visitors. If you find that your time slot is sold out, a limited number of tickets may be available for on-site purchase at the ticket counter on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Tickets are being sold up to two weeks in advance.
If you must purchase your tickets on site, we ask that you use a credit card or touchless payment method.
What can I expect at Carnegie Science Center?
Enjoy a self-guided museum visit including sensory-friendly demos and hands-on activities, adjusted exhibit lights and sound effects throughout the museum, and special guests! View the Adventure Guide to help prepare for a stress-free visit. A Quiet Room is available for use during Sensory Hours; sensory backpacks are always available to borrow free of charge (at the Admissions Desk and in our Theaters spaces).
What is Highmark SportsWorks®?
Highmark SportsWorks® is located adjacent to the Science Center’s main building and contains interactive exhibits on the physics of sports, health and fitness, and sports challenges. More information can be found here.
Can I buy tickets at Highmark SportsWorks®?
No, you cannot buy tickets in the Highmark SportsWorks® building. All ticketing is done online or in the Main Lobby of Carnegie Science Center, and ample directional signage is available.
What does general admission mean?
General admission includes Highmark SportsWorks®, Mars: The Next Giant Leap®, USS Requin*, and four floors of hands-on exhibits, planetarium shows, and live demonstration shows. It does not include movies or laser shows, but these can be purchased for a special add-on price when you purchase General Admission. Please visit our pricing page for current rates.
*Self-guided tours of the USS Requin (SS 481) are included with General Admission on a first-come, first-served basis, and are subject to availability. Tours operate at a 20-minute interval with a limited capacity. Timed tickets are required and can be obtained on the day of your visit at the Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor. Full mobility is required for this experience.
Is Highmark SportsWorks® included when I come to the Science Center?
Yes, it is included with General Admission.
How do you get to Highmark SportsWorks®?
The building is bright red and is located directly adjacent to the main building. You can exit on the ground floor by Group Services or exit through the main set of automatic doors to reach paths to enter. You must show your wristband upon entering Highmark SportsWorks®.
How do you get to the submarine?
Self-guided tours are free to members and visitors who have purchased General Admission and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability as well as weather and rover conditions. USS Requin (SS 481) self-guided tours operate every 20 minutes with a limited capacity. Timed tickets are required and can be obtained on the day of your visit at the Requin Gateway located on the Ground Floor. Full mobility is required for this experience.
Highmark SportsWorks® is appropriate for what ages?
Highmark SportsWorks® is appropriate for all ages, although some experiences have height and weight requirements. If you are unsure what exhibits are right for you, ask a staff member dressed in red.
Are movies or laser shows included with General Admission?
Movies and laser shows are not included with General Admission, although each is available for an add-on price when you purchase General Admission. Please visit our pricing page for current prices.
Do members have to pay for movies?
Yes, members do need to pay for movie tickets, but they do enjoy discounted prices. Please visit our pricing page for current prices.
What University and College Student discounts apply?
I’m a high school student with a valid ID. Can I get $3 off admission?
At this time, we do not have a discount for secondary school students.
I’m a visiting scholar/student. Do I get free General Admission?
No, but visiting scholars or students may receive $3 off General Admission with a valid college ID.
I don’t have my student ID with me. Can I still get free admission?
We need to swipe your student ID through your university's scanner. If you do not have your student ID and you can still provide evidence of current enrollment, you may receive $3 off General Admission but without your ID, we cannot offer free general admission.
Can I park at the Science Center for Pirates or Steelers games?
Yes, you can park at the Science Center for Pirates, Steelers, and Pitt games by paying the special event rate posted when you enter.
For what ages is the Science Center geared?
The Science Center welcomes all ages. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The Science Center has hands-on exhibits that are geared for every age level. Whether you are a two-year-old who loves to explore on the fourth floor in Little Learner Clubhouse or a fun-loving adult who loves to learn about astronomy, we have experiences to suit every age and interest.
When is The Rangos Giant Cinema open?
The Rangos Giant Cinema offers showings Thursday through Sunday between 10 am–5 pm with occasional featured film showings after hours. See current offerings and showtimes now.
Is there a separate price for just Highmark SportsWorks®?
No. Highmark SportsWorks® is included with General Admission. Those wishing to visit the exhibit must pay general admission.
Does my membership include entrance to Highmark SportsWorks®?
Yes, it does.
What are the submarine hours?
Submarine hours vary depending on the time of year. Generally speaking, Requin is open when the Science Center is open provided weather and river conditions are favorable. Requin does close annually during the winter months (January-mid March) for maintenance and cleaning.
I’m coming with my kids and do not plan on participating in any of the activities or interacting with the exhibits. Do I still have to pay for general admission?
Yes, you must still pay for General Admission. We cannot monitor those who are interacting with the exhibits and those who aren’t. But we do encourage you to do so, because the Science Center is the perfect place to do something fun with your kids and encourage an interest in learning about the world. All of our exhibits are enjoyable, and all you need to bring is some enthusiasm and a willingness to explore.
How do I find out what programs are available?
Explore our website to learn about various demonstrations or Buhl Planetarium programs. Call our reservation staff to check availability of the programs you are interested in. With advance notice, we can schedule programs for your group.
What can I schedule for?
With advance notice, our reservation staff can schedule Buhl Planetarium programs and demonstrations into your day. All programs and times are subject to availability so call well in advance to reserve your visit. Demonstrations and planetarium shows are only available Monday through Friday.
Are there any restrictions as to what I can bring with me to the Science Center?
We welcome our guests to bring things with them to make sure their visit is comfortable and enjoyable. For the safety and comfort of all of our visitors and the preservation of our exhibits, there are a few restrictions. Firearms and Weapons of any kind are not permitted in our buildings. Our buildings are gum-free facilities and our entire campus is smoke and tobacco free. This includes smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes or vaping devices. Guests are welcome to bring their own food or enjoy food purchased in our RiverView Café. Open food or drink containers are not permitted in our exhibit areas. Strollers are welcome and are available to rent. Several of our theaters and the USS Requin submarine cannot accommodate strollers inside. Ask a staff member for more details and stroller parking options.
Are there lockers?
Lockers are available on the first floor of the main Carnegie Science Center building on a first-come, first-served basis. Lockers are 50-cents per entry.
What is the photo policy?
There are lots of opportunities to take photos at Carnegie Science Center! Strike your best pose in front of our green screen in our H2Oh! Field Station. Take a selfie with the Iron Giant in the Robot Hall of Fame. Tag us in your photos to be featured on our social media channels! Follow us on Facebook or @CarnegieSciCtr on Instagram and X. Happy photo taking!
What is the refund policy?
All sales are final; no cancellations or refunds are available. Please note, there is a separate policy for Summer Camps.
What is the cancellation and refund policy for Summer Camps?
The Science Center reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient registration, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances. All registered participants will have the option of attending another camp (pending availability) or receiving a full refund. We will communicate by email if there are any changes to camps for which you are registered at least two weeks prior to your scheduled camp.
All changes or cancellations to camp reservations must be completed by May 31. Prior to May 31, all cancellations will be subject to a refund of up to the full price of the camp minus a $50 fee, per camp. For those camps purchased after May 31 there will be no changes, cancellations, or refunds issued.
