Do you know about the history of Pittsburgh’s first public transportation? City step expert Laura Zurowski (Aka @mis.steps) took us on a historical tour on the City Cast Pittsburgh podcast, and we asked her to share some of the best flights for a hike in the city.
Jacob Street: Brookline/Overbrook
The Jacob Street stairs are the city's longest walkable flight. They connect to the South Busway, and trails from the stairs connect to Brookline Memorial Park.
Rising Main: Fineview
Rising Main is one of the longest flights in the city. It's walkable, but it has a severe case of scoliosis! This flight once connected residents to the East Street Valley neighborhood, which is now 279.
Greenleaf Street: Duquesne Heights
Access this wooden flight from Shaler Street, and you'll be in a neighborhood surrounded by Emerald View park trails. There's a 2.5-mile loop trail with great West End views.
Basin Street: Troy Hill
Want to enjoy the Basin Street overlook described in the podcast? Enter at either Cowley-Goettman Park or Province Street.
Colwell Street: Hill District
Colwell Street city steps are close to the historic bootlegging Tito-Mecca-Zizza house and garage.
N. Lang Avenue: North Homewood
The National Negro Opera House, another preservation project, is directly across from the N. Lang Ave city steps.
All flights appear on the 1923 city maps, so you can literally "walk in the footsteps" of those from 100 years ago when visiting these sites.
