We were looking for a fun experience for my husband's big sis, and boy did we find it at Bayernhof! I couldn't recommend this museum more highly. Lisa, our tour guide, was just perfect - entertaining, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and fun. Our 2-hour experience was a joy - it passed so quickly! You call ahead to arrange a tour, and Lisa returned my call maybe a day or 2 later. We arranged it for a Tuesday morning at 10am (the other option was something like 2pm). The 19,000 square foot Bavarian-inspired home is atop a large hill outside Sharpsburg overlooking the Allegheny - and with a lovely view of downtown. You come thru the gate and park near the door. Inside, Lisa talks a bit about the foyer - chock full of collectibles - and takes you to the main room with that fabulous view, a comfy room with a bar just off the kitchen. You settle in to wait for everyone to arrive. The lecture there takes about 30mins, & you learn about the wealthy, quirky eccentric, Charlie "Chuck" Brown, who built this quirky home in 1982. He was a total prankster who had very little sense about how to build a really stable home. After his death, the board would save the home for all to enjoy. The real treat is hearing from some of the 165 music machines spread thruout the house - some Chuck collected, some purchased by the board set up by Chuck's lawyer, Dave, who - with Chuck's faithful secretary - took on the Herculean task after Chuck's death of fulfilling his dream of turning the home into a museum. The mysteries of the home reveal themselves as you go - and Lisa relishes in showing them off - from the hidden doors, wet bars (in almost every room! Chuck loved to entertain though he was socially awkward!), observatory, below ground cellar, cave, and pool room with a waterfall. It's great. Lisa shares tons of stories, knowledge, anecdotes, and more. Our favorite of the fabulous musical machines: the cylinder player on the landing that has a tiny dancing black bird figure inside; the singing birds with real feathers (!!) in the bird cage upstairs; the uber-art deco Decap machine downstairs with the purple velvet pool table; and the fringe lamp victrola in the upstairs guest room. As you're walking thru the house, you can't believe all there is to see and learn. We were fascinated! Just go! You won't regret it. read more

See all

What an incredibly unique and wild place. Just go! It's cool, quirky, weird, and surprising. This is not to be missed!

Okay, as the tour guide requested, I will not give away all the ins and outs of this place. Let's just say, it's quite magical! Bavarian styled decor and music boxes galore. Some of the coolest musical contraptions I've ever seen! Our tour guide was amazing. She included plenty of information and stories about the house itself as well as the owner. She was also very knowledgeable about the music boxes and how they worked, what instruments they contained, and so on. The music boxes aren't the only surprise. There is something for everyone here! Including the beautiful view of the Allegheny river from up on the hill. I brought my parents here after having seen all the other museums from previous visits. You have to call in advance to book a tour and it is $10 (cash). Two tours a day - one at 10am and then 2pm. It is a walking tour with a few staircases, but there are chances to sit when the guide is talking and showing off the musical machines. read more

See all

100% recommend this for something cool to do in Pittsburgh. It exceeded my expectations. Very amazing collection of working music boxes and the house is just so cool. I won't give away too many details but I definitely recommend going. The history and Info on Charlie who built the place is very interesting too. And the tour was only $10 (cash only). Such a good deal! read more

Bayernhof Museum - Museums Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

I've been here probably 5x now. It is one of those unique gems in Pittsburgh that not many know about. I highly recommend it. The player musical instruments are out of this world. They are not just any player instrument. They are some of the best and biggest around the world and they are actually always adding more. The owner wanted to bring Bavaria to Pittsburgh and boy did he. The house tour, stories of Charlie Brown, the owner, the music boxes, are so interesting and unique and the docent does a great job of telling and retelling the stories of this amazing multi themed home museum. It is a 2.5 hr. tour, so if bringing younger kids, they may not be able to do it. You sit and walk and sit and walk, but it really is for teens and older. Never a dull moment. read more

Loved my visit of the Bayernhof Museum. I especially recommend this tour to music lovers and antiques lovers, but I think everyone will find something interesting on this tour. The house is full of interesting antiques and collections. I wish I had more time to study some of these. My favorite part of the tour was the descriptions and playing of the music boxes. The tour tries to balance story telling with music box playing with a "house tour." read more

This is the coolest hidden gem in Pittsburgh period! I just visited and this will be the #1 place I recommend to visitors to go to when in Pittsburgh. When you go don't be late! They start right on time and you won't want to miss a word. It's only $10 per person and they only take cash! Be aware the tour is about 3 hours long. Don't worry they keep you entertained the whole time. It is like a real life version of tbd game Clue (without the who-done-it). I took a bunch of pictures but I won't share because I don't want to spoil the surprise of what you'll see. Check it out !! read more

This was such a unique museum. I had no idea what to expect but his place is unlike anything I have seen. I called the number to book tour. They called me right back and I booked , paid when the tour was over with cash. House was not hard to find either. The house was amazing, especially the cave basement, and the pool. The most amazing things are all the music players, we got to listen to quite a few which were dated back to the early 1900's. I love history and music both so I was thrilled. Anyone who loves unique homes and old music players this is the place for you! read more

See all

I have heard stories of the Bayernhof Museum and thought I would give it a try while up in Pennsylvania. I was not disappointed at all. This was perhaps the best music museum tour that I have been on in ages. The staff was quite entertaining with the history and stories surrounding the museum mansion. The music was quite lively and entertaining, especially with all the music boxes playing in each room. Well worth the $10 and two hour tour. I will have to go again to pick up on everything as well. read more

See all

Jim was the best tour guide! Would recommend this museum to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary, the collection of items is fascinating! What a cool place! read more

Bayernhof Museum - Museums Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

This place is amazing. If you have any interest in automated musical instruments (e.g. player piano) or interesting architecture, go! This place is amazing. The guided tour gives you lots of information about the house and the man who owned the home. He was quite the character. I don't want to give away too much because the surprises around every turn are part of the fun, but go to their website if you don't mind a few spoilers. The tour is a little over two hours, but don't let that scare you away. It really is interesting enough that I couldn't believe it had been over two hours when it ended. read more

Bayernhof Museum - Chandelier in the main entrance. - Museums Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We made an appointment to visit here on Tuesday. The tour lasted over two hours, and it was a very cool. The curator, Jim, was very informative, and did a great job. The stories he told about the former owner, and just seeing the house, with all the eclectic decor, and all the musical instruments were fascinating. Highly recommend. Would like to come back and do it again some time. read more

Bayernhof Museum - Museums Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I agree with Michael K's review - the less you know about the Bayernhof Museum before visiting, the better!! For me, Bayernhof Museum was a random google find that intrigued me. Calling the museum a "music museum" is really unfortunate though. It is so much more than a collection of music boxes! The tour guide was fantastic, while the tour itself was quite quirky, especially as it continued and neared the end. My husband said he enjoyed this home tour more than Fallingwater, and I have to agree. No, the Bayernhof has nothing to do with mid-century design, but as far as pure entertainment value goes, it's top-notch! read more

Bayernhof Museum - Bayernhof Museum - Museums Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Oh my goodness, this is the best tour I have been to in the Pittsburgh area. I might say that this is the best house tour I have ever been to in the USA. Let me tell you, that means something because I've been to most of the mansions in Pittsburgh and every vacation I'm on I try to fit at least one tour in. Many other reviews have said that the best way to come here is with no knowledge ahead of time and I completely agree. This houses history is so interesting and surprisingly young. The tour has constant twists and turns. Jim, I believe our tour guides name, was so entertaining. I enjoyed every room and every story. I would say that if you enjoy German/Bavarian culture this tour is for you. If you enjoy music machines this tour is for you. If you enjoy cool homes this tour is for you. If you like alcohol this tour is for you. If you enjoy affordable museums with great views of Pittsburgh this tour is for you. If you breathe and like to laugh this tour is for you! The practical advice I have is that this place is appointment only and has limits to the amount of people that can come per appointment. We went here in April and plan to come again this fall with a different group of our family. read more

A strangely decorated yet very compelling place. This was once the home of Charles Brown III, an eccentric but successful Pittsburgh businessman. Mr. Brown decorated his home in a style that harked back to the Barvaria of his ancestors. While he was alive he would invite people to his home and offer lavish food and drink. However he would leave the guests for the social parts of the evening. He obsessively collected self playing musical instruments, eventually amassing what is supposed to be the largest collection in the world. The tour lasts about three hours. There are many beautiful and quirky aspects. Secret passageways and an artificial cave. The tour guide and staff are clearly devoted to the museum. One could make comparisons to the House on the Rock. Bayernhof is not as large as the House on the Rock but Bayernhof is in O'Hara Township and you would need to travel to rural Wisconsin to see the House on the Rock. The authors of both places shared a "spectrum" nature though. The tour costs ten dollars per person, cash. Since groups are small call to reserve a spot well in advance. Children under 12 are not allowed. The tour is not accessible for people with limited mobility. read more

See all

This tour was so fun! We went as a birthday present for my father-in-law with a group of 6. It was the perfect change of pace for a family outing! Our guide, Jim, was so knowledgeable and personable you don't even notice that the tour is 2 hours long! I won't share any spoilers, because it is really cool to go in not knowing anything. If you are into music, Bavarian culture, and fun you will be into this tour. These tours are by appointment only, and I think they only have about 2 tours per day so it might be difficult to get. There are also a lot of steps, and it is not handicap accessible so that is something to keep in mind. I will definitely be coming back with my family so they can see the sights of the Bayernhof Museum! read more

AmazingJim definitely is an awesome tour leader. I higher recommend this tour! I loved the music boxes and the surprises on the house tour left me amazed! This was so enjoyable and fun. The location is above Sharpsburg in the hills of O'Hara. Bring cash to pay a small amount for a 2 hour tour. You will leave the tour astonished! read more

I have to agree with many of the other reviews of this museum, you must see it to believe it. I went with my friend this past weekend and I took pictures and videos. You must see it for yourself!! You will not be disappointed. read more

I've been to the Bayernhof Museum twice,and its such a treat! I can not imagine anyone NOT being entertained by this strange and fantastic house. Self playing music machines, hidden doors, giant Hummel figurines, and that's just the beginning! I recommend this place highly if you want to see some real local wackiness. read more

What an interesting place... was a great experience! I think anyone close by needs to check this place out. Would have been cool to have met the former owner. Went into the tour knowing nothing about what to expect. The tour guide did an excellent job with explaining things, answering questions and just telling funny stories. Very, very unique place!! Do yourself a favor and go experience this for yourself. read more

Absolutely the best way to spend a few hours in Pittsburgh. We visit Pittsburgh often and saw this museum highlighted on CBS Morning Show and figured we'd make a visit. WOW! Such an amazing place. We guided tour was fantastic and, although I'm not complaining, undervalued admission price. If you're in Pittsburgh, this is a special spot that many locals don't know about. read more

Wonderful house and musical museum to visit. Beauty and splendor all wrapped into one. The Docent is very knowledgeable and because he was a friend of the home's owner, Charlie Brown, he tells some great stories. The tour is approximately 2 hours and is a bargain at $10. You must have a reservation to tour. My 12yo granddaughters loved it. They wanted to stay and "hang out" at the gorgeous pool with a view. This place is a must for residents and tourists. Pittsburgh is someplace special. read more

The less you know about the place before you visit, the better. Just know it's eccentric and unforgettable and you should go. Easily worth twice the $10 tour rate. Show up 15 min early - they like to start on time. read more

A neat house tour with an interesting collection of music machines. The tour was guided by the museum's curator, who pointed out many interesting things and told some good stories of the estates owner. I would suggest this tour to anyone interested in large homes, music, or early music machines. I would definitely come back to tour this place again. There is so much in the home I am sure I missed something. Before you go, you must call ahead to schedule a tour, it's well worth it. read more

An excellent gem to visit, if you're from Pittsburgh or just visiting it's a diamond in the rough!! By far better than the heartwood acres tours! read more

If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you have to check this place out! The house is so interesting- some cool surprises! It will make you wish that you were one of Charlie's (the eccentric owner) friends when he was alive and hosting parties. And the music making machines are super cool! The tour guide was very entertaining and knowledgeable. You have to call to arrange a tour- but don't let that deter you! I just left a message and Jim called me back and made the arrangements. It is only $10 person for the tour and well worth it! read more

What a gem. Made even better by the outstanding docent. Very glad I took the time to find and tour this house!