Perks & Recreation—
Carrie Blast Furnaces

Industrial Tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces

Offer: Private Guided Tour of a National Historic Landmark

Perks:  Discounted rate, plus a surprise gift

Availability: Fall 2020

Gather your family or quarantine pod for a private Industrial tour of Rivers of Steel’s Carrie Blast Furnaces, and find out why Pittsburgh is called the Steel City.

About the Tour

During this two-hour guided private tour, you’ll learn about the technology and hard work that turned raw materials into fiery, molten iron. In the shadow of the 92-foot blast furnaces, you’ll also hear stories of the site’s workers and their cultures. And although production at the Carrie Blast Furnaces stopped in 1982, the site’s history didn’t end there. Inspired by Carrie’s legacy and seeking to reclaim community identity, guerilla artists, urban explorers—and later curators, installation artists, and even landscape designers—have all made creative use of a revered space. In this post-industrial setting, you’ll have the opportunity to see curated graffiti art and installation pieces like the Industrial Arts Co-op’s Carrie Deer, a 20-foot-tall deer head crafted entirely of materials salvaged from the site.

About the Carrie Blast Furnaces

A remnant of the legendary U.S. Steel Homestead Works, the Carrie Blast Furnaces are a vestige of Pittsburgh’s 20th-century domination of the steel industry. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006, Carrie, as its’ affectionately known, entices visitors to marvel at the scale and legacy of its industrial might.

COVID-19 Precautions

Safety is always Rivers of Steel’s top priority, our COVID-19 Policy is an additional commitment to protect you and your guests. All employees and guests will be required to wear a facemask for the duration of their time on site.

Scheduling Your Private Tour

This special offer for a private sightseeing tour is available for small groups of 5 – 15 people, and can be scheduled Monday – Thursday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. through the end of October, based on availability. After October, private tours can be scheduled any day of the week, weather permitting. Private tours must be confirmed in advance – CLICK HERE to complete a booking request form, and a Rivers of Steel team member will be in touch with more information. Please note, your tour is not confirmed until you receive a booking confirmation from Rivers of Steel. 

This two-hour walking tour takes place mainly outdoors on a former industrial site, where the ground can be uneven, and closed-toed walking shoes are required. Children of all ages are welcome, but the tour content is recommended for those 8 and older. Rivers of Steel’s Carrie Blast Furnaces are located 20 minutes east of downtown Pittsburgh in Swissvale and Rankin.

We look forward to sharing the industrial heritage of the region with you at the Carrie Blast Furnaces!