Cathedral of Learning

The basics

Although this 42-story building houses classrooms and administrative offices for the university, it’s open to the public for a few hours Monday through Saturday—however, only certain sections are accessible: the 1st floor Commons Room, the Nationality Rooms on the 1st and 3rd floors, and the 36th floor. Each of the 30 Nationality Rooms showcases a global culture, though they’re also active classrooms and closed to visitors when class is in session.

Tour options include guided group tours and self-led tours with optional paid audio guides, and the landmark is featured on hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus routes.

Things to know before you go

• While you can’t go to the very top of the Cathedral of Learning, you can visit the 36th floor for sweeping city views.
• Since the Cathedral is on campus grounds, all campus rules apply, including the prohibition of smoking.
• The 1st-floor Nationality Rooms require a small paid admission, while the 3rd-floor rooms are free to access as long as no university students or professors are using the space.

How to get there

The Cathedral of Learning is on the University of Pittsburgh campus at 4200 Fifth Avenue. From downtown’s Market Square, simply follow Fifth Avenue east for 3 miles (5 kilometers). There’s paid metered parking on all roadsides surrounding the building, and the nearest garage is the Soldiers and Sailors Garage. Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses also run multiple routes with stops surrounding the Cathedral Of Learning.

When to get there

Get to the Cathedral of Learning as early as possible, as tours are only available into the afternoon hours. Traffic might increase on the weekends and the campus is busy with students on the weekdays, including class sessions in the National Rooms. Keep in mind that the neighborhood of Oakland is also home to businesses and other major city attractions, so parking availability may be limited in the afternoon.

How to have an educational experience in Oakland

If you’re hoping to discover some of Pittsburgh’s notable educational sites, you’ll be grateful for Oakland’s safe, walkable, and family-friendly location. The Cathedral of Learning is adjacent to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens are also within walking distance.

Ways to explore

Although the Cathedral of Learning houses lecture halls and administrative offices for the university, certain sections of the building are open to the public. Guided tours of select Nationality and Heritage Rooms are offered Wednesdays through Mondays, while self-guided visits with key cards and a downloadable audio guide are available on weekends and academic breaks. Many city sightseeing guided tours take in the Cathedral of Learning building from the outside, or you can visit on your own after covering Pittsburgh’s downtown sights.

Accessibility

The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users via elevators. Travelers who are deaf or hard of hearing may arrange for an ASL interpreter to accompany them on guided tours; notice must be given at least one month in advance.

Age limits

Children 5 and under can join tours for free.

What to pack

Camera and battery pack, credit card (cash is not accepted for tours), earbuds to follow the smartphone audio tour

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, layers

Not allowed

Visitors cannot access halls and rooms where classes are in session. Open food and drink containers are also not allowed inside the Nationality and Heritage Rooms.

Amenities

Visitor center, restrooms, changing stations, lactation room, café, souvenir shop, audio guide app

Address 

The Cathedral of Learning is on the University of Pittsburgh campus, and it is easy to reach by car or public transportation. You can also walk from sights on the Carnegie Mellon campus.

Driving

From downtown’s Market Square, simply follow Fifth Avenue east for 3 miles (5 kilometers). There’s paid metered parking on all roadsides surrounding the building, and the nearest garage is the Soldiers and Sailors Garage.

Public transportation

The Cathedral of Learning is well served by the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). Multiple buses stop right next to the educational building, including the 67, 69, and 71B buses.

Best times to visit

Visitors can only access the Nationality and Heritage Rooms on a guided or self-guided tour, so check the official website for available tour times.

Best days to visit

The Cathedral of Learning is closed for guided tours on Tuesdays, and self-guided tours are only available on Saturdays and Sundays during the academic year.

Best months to visit

If you prefer a self-guided tour, plan to visit in the summer, fall, or winter academic breaks, when the Nationality Rooms are open during the week.

Special events

The building hosts a wide variety of social and academic events. The Nationality Rooms are decorated for the holidays each December.