Tom Ratchkauskas Photography: Pittsburgh - Hidden Gems

The West End of Pittsburgh, not often visited by people who do not live or work in the neighborhoods, is a hidden gem that every Pittsburgh resident and tourist alike must visit. Perfectly located just minutes from downtown, and easily accessed from all of Pittsburgh's major highways and one of its grandest bridges, the West End Bridge, the West End Overlook provides the most dead on view of the Golden Triangle. Located in Elliot, one of Pittsburgh's oldest residential neighborhoods, the West End Overlook sits in a part of town that gets a bad reputation. Surrounding by a steeply declining population and rarely cared for structures and infrastructure, the West End tends to be seen as an undesirable area. But amongst the crumbling history sits along a vista, the West End Overlook, easily the greatest view of Pittsburgh outside of Mount Washington. Staring the forks of the Ohio River and Point State Park right on, and with a recent renovation that makes you feel like you are miles from the city while still in it, the location is great for sweeping photographs and time-lapse photography, capturing barges, boats and every angle of the Golden Triangle as it moves through the day. A symbol of the regions growth, as the southern shores of Pittsburgh become saturated with new condominiums and commercial space, the West End begins to absorb some of the overflow. Just behind the West End Overlook, a condominium complex in the works will provide residents with the best view around. A sense of community is felt along the vista as the West End Overlook, as it hosts movie nights, musical and theatrical performances, a Fourth of July party (that provided me with some amazing fireworks pictures) and a photographers paradise, as every time I go up there I see at least one other photographer if not dozens like on Fourth of July. With a view down all three rivers, the West End Overlook truly makes on feel as if they are at the pinnacle of the Golden Triangle.