Monday Afternoon Tours

Monday, October 19, 2026 | Pittsburgh, PA

Following Monday morning educational programming, attendees may choose from four optional afternoon excursions highlighting Pittsburgh’s gardens, neighborhoods, food, history, and architecture. Tour options are now open and may be added during the conference registration process. Advance registration is required, and space is limited for each tour. If you have already registered and would like to add a tour, please email [email protected] with your selection.

Important Tour Information:
Monday educational programming concludes at 12:00 p.m. Tour departure times vary, with the earliest departure scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Please carefully review the lunch information, activity level, itinerary, and dietary or accessibility notes for each tour before making your selection.

Tour schedules are tentative and subject to minor adjustments. Final departure instructions will be provided to registered participants before the conference.

Jump to: Tour Comparison | Best of Pittsburgh Trolley Tour | Phipps Conservatory | Burgh Bits & Bites | University of Pittsburgh Heritage Tour | Registration Information

Tour Comparison

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Best of Pittsburgh Trolley Tour

Price: $40 per person

Overview

See many of Pittsburgh’s best-known neighborhoods and landmarks aboard a fully enclosed, climate-controlled trolley. The afternoon begins with free time in the Strip District for lunch and shopping, followed by a 90-minute narrated tour featuring Pittsburgh history, current events, popular neighborhoods, skyline views, and a ride on the historic Duquesne Incline.

Tour Highlights

• Free time in the Strip District for lunch and shopping
• Fully narrated Pittsburgh sightseeing tour
• Views of Downtown, the Cultural District, North Shore, and Mount Washington
• Ride on the historic Duquesne Incline
• Pittsburgh skyline photo opportunity
• Enclosed trolley equipped with heat and air conditioning

Tentative Itinerary

Activity Level

This tour involves minimal walking. Participants must be able to board and exit the trolley and navigate the Duquesne Incline portion of the tour.

Important Notes

• Lunch is not included in the registration price.
• Attendees may eat before departure or purchase lunch during the scheduled Strip District stop.
• The trolley is fully enclosed and equipped with heat and air conditioning.
• The Duquesne Incline ride is included in the tour price.

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Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Price: $60 per person (includes admission and roundtrip transportation)

Overview

Spend the afternoon exploring Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens during a guided group visit. Located in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park, Phipps features a historic Victorian glasshouse, indoor gardens, seasonal displays, specialty plant collections, and exhibits focused on horticulture and sustainability.

After the guided tour, attendees will have additional time to continue exploring the conservatory at their own pace.

Tour Highlights

• Guided group tour of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Historic Victorian glasshouse
• Seasonal floral displays and indoor gardens
• Tropical, desert, orchid, and specialty plant collections
• Additional time to explore independently
• Opportunity to visit the Phipps gift shop

Tentative Itinerary

Activity Level

This tour involves light to moderate walking through the conservatory. Attendees may continue exploring at their own pace following the guided portion of the visit. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Important Notes

• Lunch is not included in the ticket price. Guests may wish to grab lunch before departure. Optionally, Café Phipps is located inside the Conservatory's Welcome Center and offers sandwiches, salads, soups, and other lunch selections available for purchase. 
• The tour includes transportation, admission, and a guided group visit.

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Burgh Bits & Bites Food Tour

Price: $65 per person

Overview

Experience Pittsburgh through its food, people, neighborhoods, and history during this approximately two-hour guided walking tour. Participants will visit several locally owned food establishments while learning about the community’s history, architecture, and culture.

The included tastings are substantial and provide enough food to replace a light meal for most participants..

Tour Highlights

• Approximately two-hour guided food and history tour
• Stops at approximately five to seven local food establishments
• Food tastings included
• Stories about the neighborhood’s history, people, and culture

Tentative Itinerary

Activity Level

This tour includes less than one mile of walking over approximately two hours. The tour will move between several tasting locations, and participants should be comfortable standing and walking at a moderate pace. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Dietary Information

• Vegetarian diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
• Gluten-free and vegan requests are difficult to accommodate because not all participating businesses offer suitable substitutes.
• Attendees should provide dietary restrictions during registration.

Important Notes

• Food tastings are included and will replace a light meal for most participants.
• Participants are encouraged not to eat a full meal immediately before the tour.

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Nationality Rooms and Heinz Memorial Chapel (at University of Pittsburgh) Tour

Featuring the Nationality Rooms and Heinz Memorial Chapel

Price: $55 per person (includes admission and roundtrip transportation)

Overview

Visit two distinctive landmarks on the University of Pittsburgh campus. The Nationality Rooms, located inside the Cathedral of Learning, are classrooms designed to represent the cultural traditions and architectural styles of countries and regions from around the world.

The excursion is also expected to include a visit to Heinz Memorial Chapel, a Gothic Revival landmark known for its architecture and stained-glass windows.

Anticipated Tour Highlights

• Visit to the Cathedral of Learning
• Tour of selected Nationality Rooms
• Opportunity to learn about the cultural and architectural traditions represented within the rooms
• Visit to Heinz Memorial Chapel
• Time for photos on the University of Pittsburgh campus

Tentative Itinerary

Activity Level

This excursion is expected to include light to moderate walking within the Cathedral of Learning, Heinz Memorial Chapel, and the surrounding campus area. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Additional accessibility information will be provided once the tour arrangements are confirmed.

Important Notes

• Lunch is not included. Please make plans to eat before departure.

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Tour Registration Information

Monday afternoon tours are optional and require advance registration. Tour selections may be added during the conference registration process.

• Space is limited, and tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Each attendee may register for only one Monday afternoon tour because the excursions take place concurrently.
• Some tours require a minimum number of participants. AUCCCD reserves the right to cancel or modify a tour if minimum participation is not met.
• If a tour reaches capacity, a waitlist may be offered.
• Final itineraries and meeting instructions will be sent to registered participants before the conference.
• Attendees should review all activity, dietary, lunch, and accessibility information before registering.

Questions? Please contact the AUCCCD Office for assistance with tour registration or accessibility questions.

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