your neighborhood: Mt. Washington

More than one million visitors travel to Mount Washington each year to take in Pittsburgh’s most spectacular view. It’s a must-see on many tourists’ itineraries and a prime spot for locals, too, especially on the Fourth of July.

Some come to Mount Washington to dine at one of Grandview Avenue’s many high-end restaurants, including the Georgetowne Inn, LeMont and Isabela, which provide a perfect setting for both family celebrations and business meetings. In fact, in 1994, then-President Bill Clinton and his British counterpart, Prime Minister John Majors, held a summit (and enjoyed a fine meal) at Tin Angel, as noted on a plaque that hangs next to the restaurant’s door.

Others come to the romantic vantage point—the second most beautiful vista in the United States, according to USA Weekend—for a scenic marriage proposal backdrop, then to take the wedding photos that eventually follow. Although the view alone may be worth the trip to Mount Washington, visitors who fail to venture further back from Grandview Avenue miss out on much of what the neighborhood has to offer.

“People may just think of Mount Washington as a place to go for special occasions, but it’s really a destination district,” said Greg Panza, a program manager at the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC).

Indeed, the neighborhood features a thriving business district between the borders of Shiloh and Bailey streets and Southern and Virginia avenues. The area has benefited from $2 million in recent investment, and nine businesses have opened there over the past three years, according to Panza. The new establishments range from the cleverly named Grand Brew coffee shop to Packs and Dogs, where patrons can sample not only to one of the best Chicago-style hot dogs in the city but also to a respectable selection of foreign beers and microbrews.

Recent development may be garnering a great deal of attention, but old standards deserve a mention too. Another fine dining option, La Tavola, located on Boggs Avenue, features Italian cuisine that can hold its own against its competitors and warrants a visit. The MWCDC has introduced a number of special events that add to the neighborhood’s appeal as well. An art marketplace, held along Shiloh Street, debuted last summer, featuring jewelry makers, painters and other handiwork. This year, the marketplace will expand to include more artists, along with performance artists. Also, last year’s Light Up Night set the stage for a flurry of activity in Mount Washington, including a tree-trimming party, children’s activities and a gallery reception.

Some Pittsburghers may be surprised to learn that Mount Washington is home to ample green spaces. Two-hundred-and-thirty-five acres, to be exact, and they form a u-shaped boundary of sorts for Mount Washington and the neighboring Duquesne Heights. Plenty of hiking opportunities can be found along the trails. Grandview Park, on the neighborhood’s outer edge, is a hub of activity in the summer, playing host to weekly yoga classes and outdoor movie screenings.

The trip up to Mount Washington can be part of the fun as well. Visitors can travel via either the Duquesne or Monongahela Incline, both of which are more than 125 years old. Residents often get around that way, too, commuting down the hill, just as immigrants got back and forth to their coal and steel industry jobs a century ago.

Speaking of residents, Mount Washington’s housing stock suffers from a bit of amisperception. “So many people feel that to live in Mount Washington, you have to be a millionaire,” Panza said. “We have a large amount of affordable housing. ”Yes, the condos along Grandview may be among Pittsburgh’s most expensive real estate, but other options abound in a variety of price ranges.