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Ask anyone who has visited Pittsburgh if they have ever been to Mount Washington, and they show you the photos that they took of the iconic Pittsburgh skyline.
Who wouldn't want a glimpse of our top Must-See Pittsburgh View? But, beyond Grandview Avenue, the hilltop neighborhood of Mount Washington has so much more to see and do.
Getting There
Please Note: The Mon Incline is closed for renovations beginning Aug. 1, 2022, and continuing until further notice. Check the Pittsburgh Regional Transit site for the latest information.
It just wouldn't be a trip to Pittsburgh without riding one of the two famous inclines! The most exciting route to the top of Mt. Washington is aboard the Monongahela Incline or the Duquesne Incline, and the view at the top will take your breath away! Find out how to ride.
If you work up an appetite while looking down at the skyscrapers, turn around and prepare to treat your taste buds.
Breakfast
Spending a morning in Mt. Washington means having an awesome start to your day with breakfast! J&J's Family Restaurant serves homemade American breakfast classics all day. Eggs & Moore, opening soon, is opening soon on the mount with their delectable waffles, sausage gravy and other favorites.
Lunch
Find a midday break at Cafe Cravings, where you can sip gourmet coffees and teas and munch on flavorful and filling paninis. Gordo's is also a great lunch spot with Mexico City-style street food flavors such as chorizo nachos, brisket quesadilla and scratch-made barbacoa tacos.
Dinner
There are, of course, plenty of dinner options at the top of the Mount, ranging from low key neighborhood spots to the pinnacle (literally) of fine dining. Bigham Tavern is a neighborhood spot known for its 30 flavors of wings and Redbeard's Bar & Grill is a top spot in town to catch a game.
Fine dining options include the popular Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, Pittsburgh's premier seafood restaurant, and LeMont, voted the most romantic restaurant in the city by locals in 2022. Vue 412 is the newest fine dining spot on Mount Washington, with three levels to dine on and take in unmatched views of the city. Altius, temporarily closed, is scheduled to reopen the third week of November 2022.
Grab a Drink
On those hot summer days, make it a point to take a break on your walk and enjoy a craft beer. Steel Mill Saloon right across from the Duquesne Incline has 30+ plus and 10 rotating drafts and Coughlin's Law Kitchen offers 43 rotating taps and a seasonal menu.
Mt. Washington is super walkable, and filled with interesting sites and green space.
Emerald View Park connects three historic Pittsburgh parks: Olympia Park, Mount Washington Park and Grandview Park. Each offer lots of hiking opportunities, dog parks, playgrounds and spectacular views. Be sure to stop by the hidden gem that is Jim West's Point of View sculpture depicting George Washington and Seneca leader, Guyasuta.
And, nearby is another National Historic Landmark. Regarded as a great example of design and function, Chatham Village is a beautiful little neighborhood worth checking out. The quaint community was built in the 1930s and continues to offer its residents a feeling of tranquility not far from the noise and excitement of downtown Pittsburgh.
Star Wars fans, let the Force guide you to the Charlie Lewis Parklet. Right outside of the park and beside the fire station, a 20+ year-old vending machine advertising 1999's The Phantom Menace has survived the test of time and become a popular destination for the franchise's fans. Yes, it's still stocked with pop, too!
Get the Full Mount Washington Experience
It can be easy to ride one Incline up, take in the views and head down. However, you'll be missing half the fun on Mount Washington!
Instead, we recommend taking one Incline up and enjoying the 20-minute walk (or a quick Uber/Lyft ride) past observation platforms, gardens, residences and overlooks to the other Incline. This gives the full Mt. Washington experience and let's visitors shop and dine at their leisure while getting the full skyline view.
Next time you're in Pittsburgh, don't miss out on venturing deeper into the Mount. And while you're here, enjoy a little exercise, fresh air, and a few more good meals along the way.
