Duquesne Incline Tours

Duquesne Incline showing night scenes, a river or creek and a bridge
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Step aboard a piece of Pittsburgh heritage for dramatic views of the city’s famous Golden Triangle.

Take a step back in time and let the wooden carriages of the Duquesne Incline carry you up the slope of Mount Washington. Once used to transport coal down the hillside, this funicular railway has been in use since 1877. Today, the views from the top, looking out over Pittsburgh’s rivers and cityscape, are a must-see for visitors. This is one of only two inclined railroads that remain from Pittsburgh’s days as a prosperous coal mining town. The other railway is the Monongahela Incline, located to the south. Nearly closed for good in 1962, Duquesne was saved and restored in 1963 by a group of local residents. Much that you see today remains true to its original 1877 appearance. Your journey along the 800-foot (240-meter) cable will be in a restored (and safe) wooden carriage. At the top, you’ll stand at an elevation of 400 feet (120 meters) and see one of the best views in the city. For a special treat, come as dusk settles and watch as lights in the buildings turn on and cast twinkling reflections across the city’s three rivers.At the upper station, explore the museum, which contains pictures of Pittsburgh during the coal mining days. There’s also interesting information about other funicular inclines around the world. The gift shop is a great place to find Pittsburgh souvenirs. Book a tour to get a look inside the incline machine room, where you’ll see a fascinating view of the original 1877 hoist equipment in action. Tours are available for groups of more than ten and can be organized through the Society for the Preservation of Duquesne Incline. See the official Duquesne Incline website for details.The Duquesne Incline is used by local residents as a mode of public transport. It runs daily, from early in the morning until after midnight, with shorter hours on Sundays. To get to the lower station, take a bus from downtown Pittsburgh. If you are driving, there is free parking at the lower station.

Plan a trip to see Duquesne Incline

Hotel Indigo Pittsburgh East Liberty, an IHG Hotel
The Maverick by Kasa
Homewood Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Duquesne Incline

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
461
" "5 - Excellent 65.85714285714286%
4 - Good
188
" "4 - Good 26.857142857142858%
3 - Okay
47
" "3 - Okay 6.714285714285714%
2 - Disappointing
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" "2 - Disappointing 0.42857142857142855%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0.14285714285714285%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 15, 2020

If you're into hardware, ask to see the inner workings!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 15, 2019

lady working the money was a real creep!.... so unpleasant that folks were laughing at her unpleasantness

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Oct 30, 2019

Make sure when you visit, go out the main doors at the top of the hill and take a short walk to your right to the statues and It’s a beautiful area for photos also and another beautiful view of the city.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Sep 11, 2019

Public parking (open gravel lot with construction materials at one end) is confusing. There are pay stations to buy a ticket but no indication of how long a visit to the incline experience would be. After inserting $3 into the machine, it would not indicate how much time I got. It was then that I realized that even on off hours that $10 minimum payment is in effect. I wasn't going to pay $10 . Couldn't get coins returned. I did the incline while hoping I wouldn't be ticketed. I wasn't. But plan to spend 20-30min minimum and longer to see the small museum and hear what the docent has to say to visitors. It was a nice view and worth $5.

5/5 - Excellent

Tracy
Aug 26, 2019

Taking son back to school at Duquesne University - great location for this, walking distance.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Aug 19, 2019

The Duquesne incline is NOT the incline located near shops and food. If you try to walk in the direction that locals direct you - It turns into several miles.

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