Tours

Local tour guides make 125 years of Big Steel come alive on tours. See how the steel industry played a major role in shaping not only the economy but also the culture and environment of the Monongahela Valley communities.

Carrie Furnace Hard Hat Tours

Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area is operating public Hard Hat Tours of the Carrie Furnaces at the former U. S. Steel Homestead Works!  Constructed in 1906, the furnaces stood at the heart of U.S. Steel's Homestead Works until 1979.  At one time, the furnaces and the steelworkers who labored in them produced more than 1,000 tons of iron a day. Now, these 92-foot-tall structures stand as sentinels to Pittsburgh's steel heritage.  Tours are approximately 1.5 hours long.  

August 28, September 18, and October 9:   8:30 a.m., 9:15 a.m., 10 a.m.  and 10:45 a.m. 

Spaces are limited!  Purchase online or reserve a spot by contacting Stacy Drane at 412.464.4020 ext. 32 or sdrane@riversofsteel.com.  $25 per person

Cycle Through Pittsburgh's Industrial Heritage

This active and eco-friendly excursion takes participants on a trail-side ride through Pittsburgh's industrial past and present.  The tour takes advantage of local riverside trails to give riders a look at industry from the vantage point of its development along the Monongahela River. 

After meeting at Bessemer Court at Station Square, the group progresses at a leisurely pace through the South Side, across the Hot Metal Bridge, and through a typical workers neighborhood before looping back to Station Square along the Eliza Furnace Trail.  At various stops along the route, guides identify and discuss the visible vestiges of former industrial sites and share stories of the workers who once made this region the Steelmaking Capital of the World.  Trail access allows visitors to view several remnants of industry that remain hidden from everyday sight. 

May 22, June 19, July 24, August 21, and September 11, 2010:  9:00 am to 11:30 am.  Tours leave from and return to Station Square.  You must have your own bike and helmet; water bottles are recommended.

Spaces are limited!  Reserve a spot by calling 412-464-4020 ext. 32 or purchase online.  $10 members; $20 non-members

Babushkas and Hard Hats

The Babushkas and Hard Hats Tour traces the experiences of the immigrants that poured into the region, from the heights of Mount Washington into the heart of the Monongahela Valley.  This tour includes a hands-on culinary experience using recipes that represent Pittsburgh's best ethnic food traditions. Don't let another season go by without joining this tour! 

June 12, July 10, and August 14, 2010:  9:00 am to 12:30 pm.  Motor coach leaves from and returns to Station Square.  

Reservations are required.  Reserve your seat by calling 412-464-4020 ext. 32 or purchase online.  $35 per person