Updated July 21, 2020.
It’s the Year of Movie Moments, and if you haven’t already heard, Tom Hanks is making a movie about Mr. Rogers set to come out later this year! Mr. Rogers truly inspired us all. He taught us all that we’re all worthwhile, and we all have good inside us. He told us that when things go wrong, we should “look for the helpers.” So on your next trip to Pittsburgh, be sure to add these sites to your list!
Heinz History Center
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm daily
Admission: $18 per adult; $9 per child 6-17; FREE for children under 5; senior, military, and student discounts apply
Want to see King Friday XIII’s Castle? Maybe some of the puppets? Hoping to visit the Great Oak Tree where Henrietta Pussycat and X the Owl lived? All these artifacts and more are on display for you at the Heinz History Center! You can literally walk through these pieces of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood and reminisce about the days of young innocence and learning to be kind. Make this a “must do” on your list!
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
10 Children’s Way
Allegheny Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm daily
Admission: $16 per adult; $14 per child or senior; FREE for children under 2 years
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh has a great many things to offer, but the one at the top of everyone’s list is the Mr. Rogers & Us Exhibit. You can see one of his iconic sweaters (knitted by his mother), his tennis shoes, special photographs, and more to remind us all of the things we loved about visiting Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood each afternoon on PBS.
“Tribute to Children” Mr. Rogers Memorial Statue
North Shore Riverfront Park
Behind Heinz Field
Along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Hours: 24 Hours
Admission: FREE
Looking for a FREE way to visit Mr. Rogers? Head over to Heinz Field and walk toward the river behind it. You’ll find the Mr. Rogers Statue overlooking the Allegheny River. You can even hear music from 29 compositions by Mr. Rogers himself. He is larger than life, including his genuine smile, and it’s a wonderful spot for family photos, too!
Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent’s College (Latrobe, PA)
300 Fraser Purchase Road
Latrobe, PA 15650
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday; closed weekends
Admission: FREE
The Fred Rogers Center strives to keep Mr. Rogers’ legacy alive. This one is a little ways east of Pittsburgh, but it’ll be well worth your time. Latrobe was his hometown, and St. Vincent’s College has done a wonderful job of making many Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood artifacts accessible to everyone. There are clips of interviews with the man himself, photos, and even a spot to write a letter for “speedy delivery”!
Mr. Rogers Park Bench (Latrobe, PA)
Corner of Jefferson and Main Streets
Latrobe, PA
Hours: 24 Hours
Admission: FREE
While in Latrobe, you’ll definitely want to visit the man himself. Take the opportunity to get your picture with a life-size Mr. Rogers statue in his actual neighborhood, where he was born and raised! Did you know his middle name was McFeely? I totally thought that was a made up name to help kids get comfortable with their feelings!
Mr. Rogers’ Gravesite (Latrobe, PA)
Unity Cemetery
114 Chapel Lane
Latrobe, PA 15650
Before you go, make a quick stop at Mr. Rogers’ final resting place to pay your respects. You’ll find him in a mausoleum toward the back of the cemetery with other family members. The family name on the mausoleum is “Given,” which is fitting because he gave so much to us all.
Mr. Rogers Childhood Home (Latrobe, PA)
Weldon Street
Please respect that this is a private residence, so please do not go knock on the door! You can, however, see it from the sidewalk. Young Fred Rogers spent a lot of time here inside the house due to his asthma. He was often lonely, but that helped make him the empathetic, kind, sensitive person that everyone knew and loved him to be both on- and off-screen.
Are you ready to for “a beautiful day in the neighborhood”? Tell me below! And don’t forget to check out my Movie Moments Page for more about this year’s blog theme!
Want more on Pittsburgh? Check out 10 Things to Do in Pittsburgh! And you’ll find all my all-American posts on my United States Page!
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