Pittsburgh’s Mount Washington
The sights, bars and restaurants overlooking Downtown
A guide to the Mount Washington neighborhood of Pittsburgh, with great scenery and good places to eat.
Downtown Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is known as the Golden Triangle, and one of the best places to view the picturesque confluence of the three rivers is Mount Washington.
The neighborhood of Mount Washington is high on a hill on the South Shore of the Monongahela River, and affords expansive views of Downtown, the North Shore, and the bridges crossing the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers.
Pittsburgh is a city of hills and bridges, and finding the road up to Mount Washington can be difficult, and require a few tries. The best way to ascend is by Arlington Street to McArdle Parkway. The way is marked by small green signs and is easy to miss. A missed turn will take to the Allentown, on a different hill. You can access Arlington form PA route 837, near Station Square.
You can also reach the top on the other side of the hill off PA route 51. The entrance is poorly marked, but Woodruff to Merrimac will take you to the crest of the hill.
The confusing trip is worth it, as the view is spectacular. At the east end of the area is the Monongahela incline, a railroad track built on the hill, which provides a direct way up and down, for $1.75 each way. It runs all day and until after midnight, and is used by commuters during rush hour.
Walking east from the incline, you are treated to the view that you came to see. The downtown Pittsburgh is just across the river, and great views of PNC Park, Heinz Field, the Carnegie Science Center, the gothic Towers of PPG Place, and the stunning architecture of the city, and rivers and bridges.
A lucky visitor will be on Mount Washington during hot air balloon events. You can view from the sidewalks or observation platforms. On the other side of the street are restored homes, apartments, condominiums and a historic library.
On this side of the area, Shiloh Street is the place to find restaurants, with Bellissimo’s Pizzeria, Red Beard’s Mountain Resort and Yacht Club, the Golden Palace Chinese Restaurant, along with other great choices, including the Shiloh Inn & Piano Bar.
Stop for ice cream, or you can enjoy a cup of coffee at Grand Brew Coffee. The streets adjoining Shiloh have many of the conveniences you will need, including drugstores and groceries.
Over to the east, there is another area of restaurants near the Duquesne incline, including the Coal Hill Steakhouse. The same price as the Monongahela Incline, the Duquesne will leave you a little farther from the sights at each end.
The views, dining and fun are great reasons to discover Mount Washington in Pittsburgh.
