Doors Open encourages Pittsburghers to embrace their nebbiness

If there are two things Pittsburgh is known for, it’s iconic buildings and curious people. Or in Pittsburgh parlance, people who are “nebby.”

Well, all you neb noses can now satisfy your curiosity about what’s inside those historic buildings, as well as some newly designed spaces.

The nonprofit Doors Open Pittsburgh is presenting its sixth annual Doors Open event Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It provides the public with behind-the-scenes access to a diverse assortment of over 30 buildings in Downtown Pittsburgh. The buildings include government offices, theaters, churches, galleries and hotels, among other spaces.

Pittsburgh is one of 20 or so U.S. and European cities that host the event, according to Doors Open Pittsburgh.

“Now more than ever, we want to continue providing ways for people to feel connected to our city, and to each other,” said founder and executive director Bonnie Baxter. “We believe that our buildings embody and reflect our hopes, dreams, struggles and perseverance of a city and its individual communities.”

The event is held as an open-house and guests are invited to visit as many buildings as they want and in any order that want.

“Doors Open Pittsburgh is covid-friendly because you can walk outside from one building to another,” said Baxter. “Then once inside a building, we will only allow a certain number of guests in each building at a time to ensure the opportunity for social distancing.”

Guests are not currently required to wear masks but that could change in the coming weeks, said Baxter. Also, guests visiting buildings managed by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will be required to provide proof of vaccination before entry.

Reservations are not required to enter any of the buildings but a $15 general admission ticket is required ($10 for seniors, $5 for children ages 6-17 and free for children 5 and under).

Tickets are on sale now through event day. For more information go to DoorsOpenPgh.org.