Pittsburgh - Need some tourist advice.

[Mc Mike]

17. Duq Incline has free parking at bottom.

That's on West Carson St. (State route 837), the first right turn just west of the Ft. Pitt Bridge off ramp. You could hunt around for parking at the top of the Mon Incline, in the residential area, but it's all zoned residential 2 hr. permit parking. You'll have to pay for parking at the bottom of the Mon Incline. The Duq incline won't make you wait, but the Mon will hold the car until passengers build up on top and bottom.

The Duq. Incline has a cheap (25 cents, I think) tour of the mechanics of the system, and a lot of historical photos at its top station. There are a bunch of 'Mt. Washington' restaurants by the top station. The most reasonably priced of the upscale ones is the Georgetown Inn. You don't have to have a reservation, you can dine with a view, and you don't have to dress up. Go a little before the lunch or dinner rush, and you can get window seats. The only 'neighborhood priced' restaurant in the top terminal area is the Grandview Saloon (now the Coal Hill Steakhouse at the Grandview Saloon.) That's pub food, not really for foodies, but it still has the view of the city and valley.

Vincent's Pizza and Pasta has good Italian food. It's at Mansfield Ave. and the intersection with Poplar (State route 121), right by the Interstate 376 West (Parkway West).

If you walk East Carson between South 8th and 25th, you get a combo of neighborhood and college student businesses and eateries. Skip the yuppie pre-fab Hot Metal Works in the high South 20's. Overpriced boutiques, and architecture wise, a big faux pas.