Hands-On Graffiti Tour at the Carrie Blast Furnaces

Graffiti writers were among the first people to embrace the potential of the Carrie Blast Furnaces in their postindustrial era—and unknowingly opened the door for creatives decades later.

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Join Rivers of Steel for a tour of the international collection of graffiti murals located at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Learn about the individual works of art and the overall history and culture of graffiti. After your tour, you’ll have a chance to try it for yourself!

Hours & Admission*

The Hands-On Graffiti Tour is offered on select weekends at 1:00 p.m. from June through October.

General Admission 

$30

*Tours are limited to 15 participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

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"Carrie Blast Furnace is a behemoth of metal that pays homage to everything Pittsburgh is built on. It's a trip into history and culture that every Yinzer should visit."—Jen Duceour, Google Review, October 2021

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graffiti and style writing workshop participants tour the existing murals on site at the Carrie Furnaces
Graffiti artist Stef Skillz speaks with a family with a her mural in the background.
An aerosol artist works on a mural of a steelworker.
A man photographs a graffiti wall.
graffiti and style writing workshop participants create their paintings
graffiti and style writing workshop participants tour the existing murals on site at the Carrie Furnaces
workshop participant creates her aerosol painting
graffiti and style writing workshop participants tour the existing murals on site at the Carrie Furnaces
graffiti and style writing workshop participants create their paintings

Location & Directions

The Carrie Blast Furnaces are located in the communities of Swissvale and Rankin in the Monongahela River Valley.

The address for the National Historic Landmark is 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

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What to Know Before You Go

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

  • What to wear: The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
  • Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms and wash stations are available. Food amenities are generally not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
  • Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
  • COVID-19 Policies: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies.
  • Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible. Contact info@riversofsteel.com to discuss alternative options.
  • Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
  • Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
  • Duration: Allow two and a half hours for your tour.
  • Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.

Thank you for following these guidelines. We wish you to have the best visit possible and appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the visitor experience.

For more information, contact info@riversofsteel.com.

Learn more about the events

such as tours, workshops, and festivals happening at each unique attraction.