Pittsburgh Mt. Washington
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mt. Washington is a hilltop neighborhood directly south of downtown Pittsburgh. Towering 450 feet (137 meters) above the Ohio and Monongahela rivers, some of the earliest settlements in the city were here. The former Coal Hill was renamed Mt. Washington in the 1800s, a call back to when General George Washington first visited the area during the American Revolution.
Hundreds of photographs and paintings of Pittsburgh were captured from the stunning vistas of Mt. Washington. A neighborhood made popular for its city views, Mt. Washington welcomes locals and visitors alike with fine dining along Grandview Avenue, cozy watering holes on Shiloh Street, and public greenspaces where people and pets can roam. Many organized tours, like scavenger hunts and guided walking tours, pass by the Duquesne Incline, offering a chance to visit after the tour.
- The entire neighborhood is walkable, but the distance between inclines is a mile so dress appropriately depending on the season.
- Walking between the inclines on the bottom area isn’t as pedestrian-friendly as the top and isn’t recommended.
- Architecture admirers should scope out the Georgian Colonial Revival style homes within Mt. Washington’s Chatham Village.
- Outdoor lovers will find hiking trails, dog walks, and more scenic viewpoints at Olympia Park, Mt. Washington Park, and Emerald View Park.
Mt. Washington is located on the southwestern bank of the Monongahela River, its hilltop granting full views of the city. Sitting about the Wabash Tunnel, locals either access it via PA Route 51, or from the Monongahela Incline. The funicular is a convenient access point, as it’s an affordable option connecting the Fagan Overlook in Mt. Washington to the popular Station Square shopping mall along the riverside below.
Mt. Washington may be a residential neighborhood, but the bars and restaurants aren’t closing up shop early. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eats are all available so it’s effortless to plan a mealtime visit. The views of the city are lovely both day and night, but as the moon gets higher, the overlook can feel rather desolate for lonesome visitors.
A ride on the Monongahela or adjacent Duquesne Inclines is a favorite activity of locals, with many city tours including a ride up to Mt. Washington. The former accepts credit cards while the latter is exact cash only. Paid parking is available at both Station Square and Grandview Avenue. It’s a great experience for young and old looking for an iconic photo opp and a nice meal at a local Pittsburgh restaurant.
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