Best Places In Pittsburgh To Watch The Sunset
On those days when "partly cloudy with scattered afternoon showers" isn't a part of the weather forecast, a Pittsburgh sunset makes for a dazzling spectacle. There are any number of spots in the city, both high and low, that offer beautiful vistas to enjoy the last few moments of the day. No heavy planning is necessary and as long as the skyline is visible, there's no bad spot to watch a sunset. Whether spur of the moment or meticulously planned, the places on this list offer scenic views and inviting surrounds to watch the sunset in Pittsburgh. Here are the best places in Pittsburgh to watch the sunset.
Point State Park
101 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 565-2850
www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/point
Surrounded by three rivers, the Point is, without a doubt, one of the best spots in town to watch a sunset. For many, this picturesque park's most appealing attribute is its location. It has a history as long as the city itself and with the recent return of the magnificent 100-foot fountain at the head of the "Golden Triangle," it's an ideal place to watch a sunset. It's only a short distance from downtown on the park's ADA accessible walkway.
Highland Park Reservoir
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 682-7275
www.pittsburghparks.org/highland
The city's growing need for a municipal water systems in the mid-1800s led to the creation of the Highland Park Reservoir. Not long after, the reservoir's lush surroundings began to attract visitors to its sprawling green lawns and Victorian-style landscapes. Today it remains a popular spot for everything from jogging and picnics to watching the sun set. It's also conveniently located next to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.
Frank Curto Park
Bigelow Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 255-2362
Named after a famed Pittsburgh horticulturist, Frank Curto Park is ideally located on a bluff overlooking downtown Pittsburgh and along Bigelow Boulevard. It is easily identified by the modern art sculpture near the road and the flowers that fill it during the spring and summer months. Although relatively small when compared to some of the other Pittsburgh parks, it's one of the best spots to stop and catch the evening sunset. It's a great spot to pull off the road and catch the sun disappearing over the horizon when it coincides with slow-moving traffic.
Mount Washington: The Overlooks on Grandview Avenue
Grandview Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
Living up to its name, Grandview Avenue and the designated lookout points along it truly make for a grand spot to watch the sunset. A popular means of transportation up the Mount is found in the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines. Since nearby parking can be difficult to find, many people choose to park at Station Square and ride the railcar up to many of the popular destinations on Mount Washington. For a romantic evening, take the incline to the overlooks on Grandview to watch the sun set before sitting down to dinner at the next spot on this list.
Isabela on Grandview
1318 Grandview Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
(412) 431-5882
www.isabelaongrandview.com
Watch the sunset from Isabela on Grandview where every table promises a breathtaking view of the city skyline. Then sit down to dinner at one of the finest restaurants on Mount Washington. The dinner menu includes options that range from swordfish and cobia to roasted rib-eye and smoked duck with Chantelle mushrooms. Designed to delight all senses, everything about Isabela is delicately prepared and presented with exception style and taste.
Marcel Tourdot is a freelance writer from Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
