By Matthew Koscienski | Photographer

*Editor’s note: This is a column by Matthew Koscienski, who worked as a freelance photographer with The Chronicle for the past few months, about his favorite views around the Northside.

The view from Fineview Overlook, which has a softball field, basketball court, pickleball court and a playground all within a block of the viewing platform. Photo by Matthew Koscienski

When you think of the best places to take in a great view of the skyline of Downtown Pittsburgh, a few different places may immediately come to mind. The first, and most obvious thought would be Mt. Washington. Boasting numerous viewing platforms along Grandview Avenue, including one at the top of the Duquesne Incline, Mt. Washington famously puts the buildings of Pittsburgh seemingly into arms reach just across the Monongahela River. Another thought may be from the West End Overlook Park, which is another of the most highly recommended places in the city to get an amazing view of downtown, especially during sunrise. Many people prefer this location over Mt. Washington because it is a bit further away from downtown itself, and allows the view to open up on itself. Most people however, would not think of the views of the city that the Northside has to offer. Aside from the classic view from Allegheny Landing, the North Side has multiple lesser-known locations from which to view the skyline of the city.

A short drive up the hill on Federal Street from Allegheny Commons Park will bring you to the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and Federal Street. From here you can get a view of the entire skyline of the city amongst the beautiful city neighborhood of Perry Hilltop. Sparse traffic at the intersection will allow you to take a moment to really appreciate the view.

The skyline of Downtown Pittsburgh from above 8 lanes of traffic on Route 279. The walk path of Gerst Way carries foot traffic from one side of the highway to the other, and boasts a spectacular, yet little known view of the city. Photo by Matthew Koscienski

From here, a short distance away is Fineview Overlook, which has an extremely wide-angle view of the city and all of the surrounding bridges in and out of downtown. There are numerous parks and ballcourts within a block of the overlook, and the next destination for an amazing view is just down the hill, adjacent to East Street.

Gerst Way carries foot traffic from one side of the Parkway North to the other. It also is an amazing place to take in a view of the city that people rarely get to see. Hovering over eight lanes of traffic, this destination is widely sought after by hobby photographers learning the exposure settings of the camera. And standing harmlessly above 80 mph traffic always makes for an interesting way to take anything in.

The city of Pittsburgh as seen from Province St in Troy Hill. This angle places the smoke stacks from the old Heinz Factory in frame with the buildings of the skyline, adding great depth to the view. Photo by Matthew Koscienski

A short drive through Deutschtown across the highway and up Troy Hill Road will bring you to Province Street in the neighborhood of Troy Hill. The view from here puts the abandoned Heinz Factory in the direct view of the city skyline, making for an interesting depth in the view of downtown from this location. There is very little traffic on the street, making this the prime location for that perfect Pittsburgh selfie.

And finally, just a bit further up the hill and an extremely hard left onto Goettmann Street will bring you to an amazingly open view of Downtown Pittsburgh from up the Allegheny River. If the buildings weren’t in the way you could see directly through to the Grandview Overlook across two rivers on the other side of the Monongahela, interestingly making this view essentially the opposite of what you see when you are over on Mt. Washington.

There are many different views of the buildings of Downtown Pittsburgh from the Northside’s winding streets and its hilly terrain, especially within the southern facing slopes. You could walk to all of the locations listed in this article in a few hours, or drive to them all in a few minutes. Either way, you are sure to find a few more that weren’t mentioned along the way!

A view of downtown Pittsburgh from Goettmann Street up the Allegheny River. Photo by Matthew Kosienski