Google Takes Pittsburgh Virtual

You can now take a walk through Pittsburgh's city streets online, as Google adds Pittsburgh and five other cities to its 3D Street View Maps. Not all neighborhoods are included, but most of the city neighborhoods are, as well as a few forays out into the suburbs (mostly on major roads and highways). You'll even find a few of Pittsburgh's historic cemeteries on the tour, including Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville and Homewood Cemetery in Squirrel Hill. Pittsburgh didn't get the high-res images that Google used for Phoenix, Tucson and Chicago, however, so you won't find the kind of detail necessary to read the names on the tombstones. You can also take a walk down Carson Street, through Schenley Park, and alongside Heinz Field.

Google Street View lets you walk down a street, and turn around at any point for a full 360 degree view. In some cities there is the option to pan up the skyscrapers, but Google doesn't appear to offer it for Pittsburgh - at least not for PPG Place, the USX Tower, or Cathedral of Learning. I really think they missed the boat, however, when they didn't take their cameras up either the Mon or Duquesne Incline! They also didn't head out onto the lookout pods along Grandview Avenue to check out the acclaimed view of Pittsburgh from Mount Washington. You can, however, drive across the Fort Pitt Bridge and into the Fort Pitt Tunnel. I got stuck trying to follow the same route in the other direction, however, as it tried to take me back on the lower, outbound deck (instead of upper, inbound) and got a little lost along the way.

Pittsburgh's Google Street View a great option for checking out parking options before heading to a new neighborhood, or for getting a real feel for Pittsburgh's neighborhoods when house hunting. And, of course, many people just find it fun to check out the people, construction, and other interesting tidbits of daily life in Pittsburgh that have now been immortalized for all to see.