Location

The Nationality and Heritage Rooms Visitor Center is located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning just inside the 5th Avenue entrance.


The Visitor Center for the Nationality and Heritage Rooms is located on the First Floor of the Cathedral of Learning, just inside the Fifth Avenue entrance, and is accessible without stairs.


There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance on the Heinz Chapel-facing side of the Cathedral of Learning (to the left of the Fifth Avenue entrance). Guests may temporarily stop in front of the Cathedral of Learning at the pull-in areas at the Bigelow Boulevard entrance to drop off passengers who may require an accessible entrance. The Visitor Center and all the Nationality and Heritage Rooms may be accessed via elevator.


Due to the historic nature of the spaces, a few rooms have portions that are not ADA compliant. Guests are invited to share specific questions and needs with the Visitor Services staff at check-in or prior to your visit by writing to [email protected]. [email protected]

Visitor Center Hours

Sunday: 11AM - 4PM


Monday: 9AM - 4PM


Tuesday: CLOSED


Wednesday: 9AM - 4PM


Thursday: 9AM - 4PM


Friday: 9AM - 4PM


Saturday: 9AM - 4PM

Parking

There is metered parking available on all four sides of the Cathedral of Learning. The nearest parking garage is the Soldiers and Sailors Garage, located at Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard. Please note that there is no area for permanent bus parking, although large groups may disembark a bus on Bigelow Boulevard to enter the building. Buses would need to secure parking elsewhere in Oakland.

Driving Directions

From Pittsburgh International Airport (From the West)
  • Take I-279 toward Pittsburgh. Pass through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, stay to the right, and bear right at the first ramp over the bridge onto I-376
  • Exit I-376 at the Oakland/Forbes Avenue Exit (2A)
  • Merge onto Forbes Avenue toward Oakland
  • Continue on Forbes Avenue and make a left onto Bigelow Boulevard.
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike (From the East)
  • Take the Pittsburgh/Monroeville Exit (Exit 57). Follow I-376 toward Pittsburgh
  • Take the Oakland Exit (3B). Proceed up the hill through the first traffic light
  • Continue on Bates Street where you can reach Forbes Avenue by turning left on ANY of the following roads off of Bates: (in order of which you would drive by) McKee Place, Semple Street, Atwood Street, or S. Bouquet Street
  • Continue on road of your choice until you reach the intersection with Forbes Avenue
  • Continue on Forbes Avenue and make a left onto Bigelow Boulevard.
From the North
  • Take I-79 South to I-279 South to I-579 (Veterans Bridge – Exit 8A)
  • Follow Signs to Oakland/376 East onto the Boulevard of the Allies exit.
  • Follow the Boulevard of the Allies, staying in the left lane. After the Monroeville split, look for an immediate right onto the Forbes Avenue exit.
  • Continue on Forbes Avenue and make a left onto Bigelow Boulevard.
From the South
  • Take I-79 North to I-279 North towards Pittsburgh
  • Pass through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, stay to the right, and bear right at the first ramp over the bridge onto I-376
  • Exit I-376 at the Oakland/Forbes Avenue Exit (2A)
  • Merge onto Forbes Avenue toward Oakland
  • Continue on Forbes Avenue and make a left onto Bigelow Boulevard.