Get To Know Beechview

A ride on the Red Line, Pittsburgh’s light rail route in the South Hills, will take you through the heart of Beechview — a humble neighborhood with community pride as steep as its hilly streets. (Fun fact: The community got its name from the abundance of beech trees growing on its slopes!)

Stop at a T station along Broadway Avenue to grab a bite and shop — then venture further into the neighborhood to find places where community grows, hidden nature spots, and a must-visit landmark.

Know a Neighborhood Hub

Beechview has a vibrant Latinx community and is home to Casa San Jose, a nonprofit committed to supporting immigrants through educational programs, youth events, political advocacy, and more. The organization is looking forward to expanding at its new headquarters on Broadway Avenue.

Eat Tasty Handhelds

Broadway Avenue is dotted with Mexican and Peruvian restaurants, making it the perfect street for a DIY taco tour. You won’t miss the bright gold and pink building, Alquisiras Paleteria, known for its tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, and Mexican popsicles. Check out their freezer chest for flavors like mango, strawberry, tamarind, coffee, pistachio, and guava.

For more casual bites, grab the "World’s Best Cheese Slice" from Slice on Broadway, and if you like their ‘za, try a handheld from their nearby sandwich spot, Tim’s Corner Market.

Climb the Steepest Street

Beechview’s Canton Avenue is the steepest street in the U.S. with a 37% grade — and it’s a wonder how people actually live on the slope! Cyclists gather here every year for the Dirty Dozen, a biking competition showcasing the city’s most daring inclines.

You can only drive up, entering from Coast Avenue, but I recommend exploring this mighty hill on foot. Drive to Hampshire Avenue, park at the top, and take your time descending down the city steps.

Visit the Neighborhood Garden

Located between Beechwood Elementary School and Vannucci Park, the Beechview Neighborhood garden stretches across land that was once the community pool. It’s now a different place where neighbors come together — a meeting ground where both crops and community bloom. Residents can rent one of 30 beds, and all are welcome to relax, picnic, or visit the butterfly garden.

Explore a Lush Hideaway

Seldom Seen Greenway, a .4 mile out-and-back trail, is a hidden urban oasis off of Route 51. Enter through a 120-year-old arch. Its stone exterior and waves of brick interior are architecturally fascinating — and that’s just the beginning!

The trail continues under an old train track, decorated with rust and graffiti art, where you can find nearby stone walls often used for rock climbing. Continue along the lush, winding path that leads to Sawmill Run Creek, a peaceful place to rest and listen to the babbling brook.

The greenway is about 100 acres total, but not all of it is accessible. In the 20th century, the area was a German farming settlement. I have ancestors who lived there in a small shack-like home, but traces of this community are now reclaimed by the forest. Still, walking Seldom Seen is a great place to reconnect with nature — and in my case, a family tree, too.