Duquesne Incline

Visited the Duquesne Incline and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences in Pittsburgh. This place is not just a viewpoint—it’s a piece of living history. Built in 1877, the incline still operates with its original charm, giving you a glimpse into the city’s industrial past when workers used it daily to commute. The ride itself is short but incredibly scenic and nostalgic. You can actually feel the old-world engineering as the cable car moves up the steep hill. But the real magic begins at the top. The panoramic view from the observation deck is absolutely breathtaking. You get a stunning view of Pittsburgh’s skyline, the iconic golden bridges, and the three rivers coming together—it honestly feels like a postcard come to life. It’s peaceful, refreshing, and a perfect spot to just pause and take everything in. It’s even considered one of the most beautiful city views in the U.S.  The fare is very reasonable—around $2.50–$2.75 one way for adults (about $5 round trip), making it an affordable experience for everyone.  At the top, there’s also a small museum and a lovely gift shop where you can find unique Pittsburgh souvenirs, maps, and historic photos—perfect for taking a piece of the experience back home.  Highly recommend visiting during sunset or early evening for the best experience. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, this place is a must-visit for its history, charm, and unforgettable views.

Really cool experience that provides some great history on the city, education about public transportation, and stunning views. Bring cash! It's $2.50 each way for adults, and they prefer exact change. We went around 6pm on a Saturday in the summer. There was a small line when we arrived, but a very long line had formed by the time we left that we were glad we missed. The ride itself is quite short but still very enjoyable. There's a nice lookout at the top along with a small gift shop and walls filled with history of the site.

The Duquesne Incline is a classic Pittsburgh experience and definitely worth visiting. The ride has a lot of history — everything feels old in a charming, authentic way. The views from the top are beautiful and make the trip worthwhile. The wait was about 20 minutes, and the round‑trip fare is $5 per person, cash only. There’s a parking lot nearby, but you do have to pay for parking. At the top, there are plenty of souvenirs to choose from, and those can be paid by card. Overall, it’s a must‑do in Pittsburgh if you want great views and a bit of local history.

Must visit place in Pittsburgh. You get the most incredible views of this beautiful city from here! The bridges, skyline, stadium! All look so beautiful from up here! We visited here on public holiday and it was packed with tourists and we waited 20-25min in line to reach the cart. It was fun 2min ride with incredible view. You can buy tickets from PRT or buy it there at the counter- it’s a CASH ONLY place. There is a souvenir shop at the top and plenty of restaurants and pubs. The incline itself has a museum and you can also have a self guided tour of the machinery and how it operates. There are no public restrooms. 🚽

Great views and amazing history. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. We had such a great time on this. Learned about how this was a vital mode of transportation years ago, and is still used by residents of Mt. Washington today. Completely self-funded, with no assistance from city or state, an amazing piece of history. My wife and I arrived near sunrise, with our two small dogs, and were not disappointed. Tons of history on the walls and a small souvenir shop which, unfortunately, was not open as early as we did the incline. Strongly urge folks to patronize this gem to ensure it continues for many years to come. Staff will give you a sneak peek at the inner workings of the motor/gears and how the system works if you ask.

Worth it if the weather is nice. Just do it. The parking lot below is in a shockingly poor location, and the ride up/down is cheap... but it's iconic and worth the experience. The restaurants at the top aren't really great at making it easy for a coffee with a view, but you can find a place. The views of the city are impeccable if the weather is nice. The information they share about the incline history (ascensor in Spanish ... and I've ridden a few in S America) is a lot of fun. The place is just something to do.

Don’t miss going up the Duquesne Incline! The experience is worth the 5$ round trip. The staff are super friendly and there is an ATM at the top of you don’t have cash. The self guided tour is fun with lots of history to read and the souvenir shop has fun memorabilia to purchase. The observation deck has a great view of the city and perfect for picture taking.

This iconic spot is great for a change of pace. The views at the top are great however there’s not much to do up there except gander. A few restaurant are in the area. At roughly $5 for a round trip it’s reasonable. The whole experience feels a little sketchy because the station & car feels like they’ve done nothing to it since it was built. It’s authentic for sure. I’ve traveled to older one’s across the EU & had a different experiences. Note, parking and walking to is a little awkward. In the nearby gravel parking lot (and pay station) there’s no quick way to the entrance. Once parked you’ll need to loop around the fence & traverse sidewalk next to what feels like a busy highway. In conclusion, while the views are epic, the UX is a tad lower. I’m a repeat customer & over taken my overseas in-laws to visit and they enjoyed it. I say just moderate your expectations. This isn’t like taking a trolley in San Francisco or a gondola in the Rocky’s… only a part of the UX is amazing. Despite 3 stars I still recommend because it does not take long and it’s close to the downtown. Final note. They only accept cash. There’s an ATM on site, yet you might pay a good fee just to retrieve your money.