Duquesne Incline

One of the must do attractions in Pittsburgh. Paid parking is available at the lower station. You need to pay cash for tickets. 5$ per adult. Kids below 5 rides free. The carriage travel was quick and took us to the upper station. View is amazing from the top. There is a small working museum on how the incline works if you are interested. Overall took us less than 1hr

This sorta feels like one of those things you need to do when you go to Pittsburgh. Parking is in the huge dirt surface lot on the street below. It’s $10 for 24 hours there didn’t seem to be another option. The incline itself is $5 per person, cash only. If you don’t have cash they’ll give you an IOU. There’s an ATM at the top, you can give them your money when you come back down. There’s lift is a little rickety but you get great views on the 2-3 minute ride up. At the top there’s a small gift shop but you’re probably coming for the views. They’re worth the price of admission alone. We went near dusk so there wasn’t a line or many people waiting to take pics. There’s probably other stuff to do up there but it was cold and windy, so we snapped pics and left. Parking price aside, totally worth it.

A must-see attraction in Pittsburgh. You can take the mountain train to the highest point. When you walk out of the station, you can overlook the downtown Pittsburgh from the observation deck. It is very beautiful. You must also visit the working museum at the top of the mountain station. The ticket is cheap but only cash is accepted. There is a parking lot opposite the station at the bottom of the mountain where you can park.

I lived in Pittsburgh few years ago, I was just visiting the River side casino, every time I been to the casino, this incline always draw my attention. I was always curious about the view from the top. Finally after 12 years, I decided to visit incline, the experience was amazing, it only cost $2.50 one way. When I reached top of the hill, the view of the Pittsburgh downtown was breathtaking. I never thought that the entire expedition would be lifelong memory. I highly suggest you visit this place. Just don’t forget the cash since they don’t accept any cards. It is cash only place and the ATM on the top of the incline charges &$4.00 for cash withdrawal. So, it is better to have $5.00 per person cash.

A must do in Pittsburgh. Scenic views, interesting part of Pittsburgh history, neat area at top. HOWEVER, there are no restrooms at the bottom or top which I find unbelievable. There is no reason there couldn't be a portable restroom at the bottom of the incline. This makes it very inconvenient. Plan accordingly!

The Duquesne Incline offered great views of the city and a unique experience on train car going up at a 45 degree angle. However, it was quite crowded on the incline and at the overlook at the top. We actually preferred the Monongahela Incline which had no crowds on the incline or at the overlook and a short walk to a neighborhood diner for breakfast.

No better view of Pittsburgh is possible. Worth it for that alone. If you are into Iron Age history, this is a special treat. Been on this thing a dozen times before and never realized you could tour the works. Totally amazing. Some of it dates to 1877 and some to the early 1900s totally brilliant construction. Well preserved and fun.

A lovely experience...an absolute must while in the Pittsburgh area. Paid parking lot close to the lower level and free (or paid) street parking near the upper level. There is also a bus that runs near the lower level along Lincoln Highway. The incline costs $2.50 each way for adults and $1.25 for children. Cash only...exact change. Children under 5 are free. The last ride is at 12:40am. The ride itself is a lovely experience offering some amazing views of downtown Pittsburgh. The views from the top at the viewing platform are even more amazing...definitely a great spots for photos. Once you get to the top, there are some exhibits within the station. There is also a staircase and walkway which allows you to see the gears and cables pulling the car up the hill...quite fascinating. There is also a small gift shop there.

If you're in Pittsburgh, definitely check it out. The view is great but I loved the incline itself. It's really cool. Bring cash because they don't take cards. However, there is an ATM at the top and they will give you an IOU and you can pay on the way back down. It's a slow ride to the top so plenty of time for pics. Once at the top, you can take great pictures outside. Be sure to do the self guided tour once you are at the top so you can see the inner workings of the incline. Pretty cool.

Fun thing to do while visiting Pittsburgh for weekend. Great views. The line was long but moved fairly quickly. Wear warm clothing, the breeze off the water gets a bit nippy. Bring cash.

So much nostalgia! I love as happy to take my littlest fella on an excursion. We will for sure do it again as it was a great misty evening. It was interesting, a little scary, and fun. Have change ready! We took uber so we could have freedom but there is plenty of parking available for cheap! You still have to walk if starting at the bottom across the little crosswalk over the highway. The steps are not in excellent shape but have character! Great views and just worth the experience if you have kids or teens. Would be hard to navigate with elderly

We were passing by and decided to try out this as our little adventure. You do have to have exact change to ride $5 round trip for an adult and we parked at the bottom and paid 8$. We got to ride it to the top, it was slow and calm. Once you get to the top you can go out to the overlook which was pretty cool as well. We also took a closer look at what makes the incline work which was nice to see. I wish there was more to do at the top. We walked out in hopes to bump into some coffee shops or ice cream shops but nothing. We took it back down and enjoyed the view once again. Over all considering it's been around since 1877, this landmark is a must do!

An historic Pittsburgh attraction that I will always love. I recommend going for a ride during sunrise or sunset for good views. Warning though: in the summer it is hot in the trolley there is no air conditioning and the windows don't open for safety reasons. Buts it's only a 3-4 minute ride.

A lovely experience...an absolute must while in the Pittsburgh area. Paid parking lot close to the lower level and free (or paid) street parking near the upper level. There is also a bus that runs near the lower level along Lincoln Highway. The incline costs $2.50 each way for adults and $1.25 for children. Cash only...exact change. Children under 5 are free. The last ride is at 12:40am. The ride itself is a lovely experience offering some amazing views of downtown Pittsburgh. The views from the top at the viewing platform are even more amazing...definitely a great spots for photos. Once you get to the top, there are some exhibits within the station. There is also a staircase and walkway which allows you to see the gears and cables pulling the car up the hill...quite fascinating. There is also a small gift shop there. All staff encountered were nice and helpful.

The incline is an iconic piece of Pittsburgh, whether you choose the Duquesne or Monongahela version. The Duquesne side features wooden benching surrounding a single floor car, making it a more intimate affair than its Mon counterpart. It offers a great front-on view of Pittsburgh, including the "point" where Fort Pitt was originally constructed - and where the three rivers meet. At the top of the incline, there is a well-stocked gift stand, including take-home favorites like shirts, magnets, ornaments, and postcards. You can also take a self-guided tour of the inner-workings of the incline - it's a quick five-minute trip down a couple flights of stairs, so not a huge commitment or an extra cost. And lastly, you can step outside for the requisite photo with Pittsburgh in the background. There's a small viewing pad with two coin operated viewers. If you aren't in a rush to head back down the mountain, there are plenty of local food options. Just remember to hang onto your pass to head back down the hill - you'll need to pay or show your paid slip when you exit at the bottom!

Great thing to do while in Pittsburgh. Get to learn about the history of the city as well as get great scenic views! We learned that this is the trolley that is inspired the trolley for Mr Roger's show.

I don't know. We have been to other funiculars and trams in other cities so when we were looking for things to do on our visit this was a clear choice. Based on all the adds I saw, it's clearly marketed as a tourist attraction and technically this is just public transport that they sell some postcards for. The line/payment/ customer service situation is not fun, friendly or touristy. And, since I didn't read reviews I missed the tip about paying on the app. The parking is a pay lot across the street and it's a little pricey to ride public transport up a hill and back down. The views are beautiful but the observation deck is a little small for lots of humans at once. The restrooms are clean and the information provided is decent. We had a nice time but it definitely could have been nicer. If you are looking for a tourist experience, this really isn't it. But if you manage your expectations and just want to see the city view, it's worth a visit.

The Incline in Pittsburgh offers a cool and unique way to see Pittsburgh's skyline and the three rivers. This historic funicular ride provides excellent views on the way up and on the way down, especially at sunset. The experience is charming. Be a tourist and get your photo!

Second visit here, on my birthday last week Friday. Spectacular view of the city, and the incline has its gift shop at the top, and a little bit of history to check out. Well worth the $ 5 round trip, minus the grumpy lady when you pay for your fare. Check it out, great photo opportunities.

Only $5 for a quick little ride up and down the incline! I really loved the view, and getting to learn about the mechanics in their visitor center. You probably won't spend more than 30 minutes here, so it's a great easy stop. They also accept well-behaved dogs, so our pup got to ride with us! The gift shop is a must; they have hand crafted ornaments, pins, etc. made by local PA artists.

Basically, free. I had purchased the "All Day Pass" this morning back in Washington Junction and that not only covered my free parking at the metro station, it included the 40 minute journey into downtown and the return, the bus across the river and three local rides in the "free fare" zone and then, amazingly, it also includes the Incline in both directions! I was alone on the car in both directions so I didn't have anyone getting in the way of my selfies or my video of the climb/descent. I LOVE INCLINE RAILWAYS. This is flipping awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. [Review 20445 overall - 652 in Pennsylvania - 1425 of 2023.]

Stopped here on a rainy Saturday. The whole correct exact change can be hellish - but I downloaded the app after some delay. Was cool - first timer and think it was cool to see all the stuff on the top museum area.

It's a fun, quick thing to do while visiting Pittsburg. This incline is located closest to the downtown area. Parking lot has plenty of spaces but as usual, paid parking...wack. And then you got to walk over to the incline station which is about less than a 5 min walk. CASH ONLY. $2.50 each way and exact fare only. There's a change machine available before you pay so at least bring some kind of small bills. It's pretty cool to see the history of how this incline was created and why it was created. View was pretty as you overlook downtown, Acrisure Stadium and other nearby bridges. This experience is as long or short as you want to make it. Removed one star for no bathrooms available.

Totally recommend this activity when visiting Pittsburg, Pa. It's easy parking, you pay at the kiosk . You need exact change at the incline when purchasing your ticket. There is a change machine. The view is amazing up top overlooking the city and bridges and rivers. This is such a nice place and the service was wonderful.

What a view! A must see and if you have time take a ride on the incline. I shared a few videos of the view and the incline. What a breathtaking city!

A easy staple thing to do when visiting Pittsburgh PA. Nice ride to the top and tip... there's a small bar up top to hit before coming back down.

We needed something to do before heading to airport so went to the Duquesne Incline. Super neat experience. Short ride with great view. Had a little history museum at the top along with viewing area.

It was my favorite part of the trip. Having to go up 800 ft on a trolley was amazing. I would recommend to go at night because the city is light up and it's so BEAUTIFUL

This was on my to do list while in Pittsburgh. We took the Hop On Hop Off City Bus Tour and this was one of their stops. You can pay for one way only or round trip, we took the round trip which was $3 each way. And it's cash only. You can see great views of the city, it was a little Foggy when we went but it cleared up. This Incline has a long History, it was used for the Steel and Coal Workers to have a way up and down the Hill for work. Eventually it was open to the public.

If you're looking to take in the best views of Pittsburgh, look no further than the Duquesne Incline. It's one of two functioning inclines part of Pittsburgh's history dating back to the 1890s. Not only is it a unique and historical venture, but you're treated to a modest history museum up top and have bar none the best views of the three rivers, sports stadiums, and the downtown Pittsburgh skyline. It's a modest $2.50 each way (exact change required) plus the parking fee at the lot if you drove. It really it the quintessential experience that I'd wholeheartedly recommend to any visitor to Pittsburgh. The views atop Mount Washington there on a nice and sunny day are unmatched. Most negative reviews complain that it's hot, it's crowded, it has long lines, or it hasn't been updated in decades. I'm not sure what people expect of a unique and historical attraction that people flock to on a nice day. It's not going to have the bells and whistles or service of a modern attraction, and the prices are reflective of it's modesty. I'd just recommend visiting early in the day or during fringe seasons when the weather is perfect and there are less visitors. I've visited multiple times over the years and always look forward to returning. Alternatively, if you don't want to take the incline or the lines are long, you can drive to the upper station, find paid street parking, and just take in the beautiful views from atop.

This is a great Pittsburgh attraction that you should go to if you are in the area. The ride gives you a chance to see downtown Pittsburgh and its a beautiful sight. I do want to point out a few things. First, you pay for the ride with exact fare cash only (makes sense, its a historic attraction). There is a machine that can give you cash for the ride. The car itself does not have AC and the seats are at the perimeter of the car. If you want to take pictures, you would need to turn around. Other than that, this is a great attraction!

We were on vacation in the area and decided to do this activity. They have a large parking spot off to the side. You walk over the freeway. I guess this train is also used as public transportation. It cost $2.50 one way and $2.50 to come down. There are great pictures you can take. There's also an entire neighborhood at the top. Definitely a fun cheap activity to do if you're in the area.

Worth checking out for a beautiful view of Pittsburgh! Fares were pretty cheap but remember to bring cash!! The cart itself was clean and actually actually goes up the incline pretty quickly. The views are pretty bomb (especially on a good day) on the way up so I'd recommend getting a front seat! Rides come pretty frequently and at the top there are some displays explaining the history.

User tip download the PRT app and get unlimited rides (for three hours) for $2.75 its really easy and straightforward. My family was out and about early so there was no line and parking was super easy. We walked right up and were next on the ride up. It looks a little old but was an easy ride up with great views. We spent a little time at the top reading the history and taking in the views of the city. There is so much to learn at the top and a cute little gift shop for tourist. The ride back down is pretty steep so dont sit in the front if your afraid of heights but otherwise its a great way to see an amazing view of the city.

I was impressed with the great views and ease of parking. Nice to have a site that's affordable enough to take the entire family and we could even take our well-behaved dogs!

Fun and unique thing to do in Pittsburgh. Great places to eat/drink at top. Worth the price.

I've ridden this more times in my life than I can count, but the novelty of this place and the views never gets old. I know it's a tourist trap, but I don't care. I still come every time I am in town. I love taking someone here for the first time and seeing them sigh and smile with amazement. It's a priceless moment every time you are here and you look out at one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Pittsburgh :D

You gotta do it. But my goodness how difficult does it have to be. Carry coinage just in case - don't go on a cold day, I am sure there are some good days to go- I do love the history but it is really a ride up and a ride down. Staple of the burgh for sure, I do appreciate the gift shop.

A lot of potential but overall pretty whack. This is one of the tourist attractions that is definitely banking on their reputation as a Pittsburgh staple but is actually in need of a lot of improvements. New to Pittsburgh, I kept seeing incline jokes and references (postcards with im "inclined" to love Pittsburgh, magnets and keychains of the trolley, etc.) it seemed like a really important part of Pittsburgh and I thought I'd give it a try. It's $5 round trip. You enter into a janky, hot room that hasn't been updated since 1975 and tell the person eating a sub sandwhich behind the glass how many people are in your party. He yells into an microphone that $10 is due, but you must pay in exact change (people paying kids fair we're scrambling to get quarters). You place your payment into a glass bucket, which is just sitting out. There is no option to use card, and the hundreds of dollars are just laying out? How is that the best option? There's another lady yelling to maintain a line but people are still cutting because the line to pay, the line to board, and the people existing the bus are all getting blurred into one group. It was so chaotic. The ride itself was sweltering. We were sitting in the car with no fan and closed windows in the summer and it was so hot people were getting dizzy. The ride lasts about 3 minutes and it's quite rickety- I really hope they check these things frequently for safety!! At one point a small child yelled "please, I don't want to stay in here!!" And everyone in the bus agreed. Once at the top there's a small gift shop and an observation deck with amazing views but no benches or shade or anything- it's just a 12x12 grey concrete plot? Put a bench or something? Overall I think if they just put up signs and ropes organizing the line and had a different system for payment that didn't involve yelling through glass and sandwich and maybe invested in some fans or open windows this would've been an easy 4 stars. With some more information plaques on what the inclines are (you have yo google it yourself) and benches up top, this would've been a 5 star. The city, since they market with this incline so much, should divert some minor funds here and make it a worthwhile experience.

This was a cool place to check out when I visited Pittsburgh this past weekend. It was close to my Airbnb, plus cheap, so I definitely wanted to check it out. Unfortunately, Saturday afternoon it was PACKED there. The line of people was so long I decided to go early Sunday morning before the crowd showed up. It was pretty chilly the next morning, but hiking up from the parking lot to the ticket office helped me ward off the cold. The trolleys were quaint, but don't appear climate controlled so keep that in mind for summer visits. I suggest sitting in the trolley on the side that faces the lower parking lot, as you have a better view and can take amazing pictures. I, of course, was on the other side of the trolley, oh well. The ride up the mountain is slow and steady. Once at the top, there's another register and gift shop. Plus you can go see the inner workings of the pulley system that works the trolleys up and down the mountain. And the views up there are spectacular, that's where I ended up getting my fire pics. Going back down was just as easy as coming up. The whole thing took maybe 30 minutes but it was something to do and I'm glad I did it!

Great platform to take pictures of Pittsburgh. Also a unique way to see the city if you are visiting.

Overlook from Duquesne is just amazing. So whenever you see pictures of Pittsburgh, I am sure you are looking at downtown and a cable car in the foreground- it's taken from here. It's a perfect place to take a photo of the golden triangle with the point park water fountain with a cable car in the foreground. yes, mobile pictures are also great. A cable car (incline) takes you to the top of the hill and you have ample time to explore the area and city view. The spot is fenced and that is not big. for getting your picture clicked with Pittsburgh in the background- you might get the queue so keep patience. not much to do in the neighborhood except this overlook. but this is enough to come here and see a great view. Tip: You don't have to take a Duquesne incline to come here, you can drive your car and just visit the spot, and its free. parking is just across the road

This is a historical must for a visitor to Pittsburgh. Take the ride up to the top and then tour the little museum to learn about it and how it works. The friendly conductor even took some time to explain some so technical parts and made more interesting.

A neat experience to be had in Pittsburgh! When we visited a few weeks ago, my boyfriend insisted we visit the Duquesne Incline as he's been a few times before and really enjoys it. I thought, why not! We parked in the lot at the bottom (as an FYI, the lot is paid at $5 for a few hours). The line was long but fast-moving, and even at the bottom you get great views of the city. When we got to the front of the line, we realized not only was entry cash only, it was *exact change* only as well. The kind woman at the ticket booth let us ride on the honor system as there is an ATM at the top of the incline. A one-way ride is $2.50 an adult, so to ride to the top and back down was $10 for the two of us. The ride itself was a little nerve-wracking, but the view and experience was so unique! At the observation deck up top, you get a full view of the city. It's perfect for photo ops! I don't know that I'd do the Duquesne Incline again, but I have to say, if you're a first-time visitor to the city, it's a unique experience to add to your list.

I was in Pittsburgh for a quick trip for a pirates game and this was my number 1 pick to do. The views are amazing!! It's exact change (they do have a machine) and cash only, and affordable. $5 round trip an adult. Kids under 5 free. I am however annoyed at the parking situation, across the street (where it says to park for Duquesne) instead of the posted $3 an hour fare. We had to pay $15 because it was event price parking (for a Steelers game 7 hours later that we weren't attending) totally unfair and there should've been a way to get reimbursed since we were there less than an hour. So fair warning if you go on an event day. Other than that. It's operated by the woman selling the tickets, she was very nice. The upper level one has more staff and a affordable small gift shop. No bathrooms that I could see anywhere. The views are worth it just plan ahead for parking,

It is a great place to visit you get a great view of Pittsburgh you can go into the basement and see the big wheel I definitely recommend bringing your kids 5 stars

Helped us cut though and back to our car quicker plus a wonderful view. It was nice to relax for a few minutes from the long walk.

It's a Pittsburg thing. Super cheap $2.50 one way, $5 round trip. Long lines, not ADA compliant. Cash only operation.

Bring cash and exact cash/change! They do have a machine at the bottom station that lets you make change from your bills but no ATM on the bottom station. The top station has an ATM to use. Also no restrooms/bathrooms at either station.

The staff were so strangely rude? Not outright unwelcoming, but it felt like we were all annoyances. Directions were incredibly unclear at both the top and bottom stations. The guy in the payment booth seemed absrasive, the woman directing traffic in the bottom station was incredibly frazzled and confusing, and the woman at the gift shop took FOREVER talking to people about her personal life instead of ringing people up. You can only pay in cash and only at the bottom of the incline, and you have to de-board the trolley in order to pay. It seems majorly inefficient to force everyone to get off of the trolley, wait in a line to pay, and then wait to re-board the trolley. If they only want to accept payment at the bottom, an employee should instead walk through the train collecting payment and keep guests boarded on the train before going back up. The views were nice and I love that the historical incline cars are still running, but the poor management and employee behavior leave me not wanting to return.

We've been to Pittsburgh a few times and always wanted to ride the incline and finally made the trip. The line was long, but went pretty quick. It's $2.50 for adults each way, and $1.50 each way for kids. The ride up seems a little scary but the experience was pretty cool. Once at the top you can walk around to visit shops and restaurants. I'm really glad we finally went!

Here the gist of this review - yes, come for the view and come for the history to see an iconic piece of Pittsburgh history and be transported into yester year - BUT. Come into the 21st century and accept other forms of payment besides cash. Seriously - I get that it is a non-profit that runs this thing - but cash is a dying mode of payment - spend some money and upgrade your system and accept cards or other electronic payments. Extremely frustrating.

Duquesne Incline Railway was so cool and so much fun. It's an iconic part of the city of Pittsburgh and an absolute MUST DO for all visitors and tourists!!! I was actually here for the 2nd time just passing through Pittsburgh on my summer road trip. I figured since I had such fond memories from my first visit, why not return and appreciate the outstanding panoramic views of downtown Pittsburgh from high above Mount Washington!!! This Duquesne Incline Railway looks down upon the famous "3 Rivers" of Pittsburgh where the "Monongahela River meets the Allegheny River and form the Ohio River". And that's pretty much it. You take this Incline Railway up and back down like a cable car or gondola. It's not scary whatsoever for those with a fear of heights. It moves slowly and you feel very secure inside. Another terrific aspect is that it simply costs $5 to ride...and to be specific that's round trip!! What a deal!! Funny...cause I've been to other touristy parts of the United States where they feature tram rides or outdoor lifts...call them what you will...and those cities charge $30 - $40 - $50 to ride them. Crazy! Yet this Incline Railway is like a charming throwback in time! It's convenient and all for $5...it's one of the best activities you can do in Pittsburgh and that's a fact! A couple of notes... You do need $5 in exact change to ride, but not to worry. You can purchase a token at the front entrance counter for which you then drop the token into a machine and it provides you with quarters to pay. It's real simple. The ride up to the top of the Pittsburgh skyline is maybe 5 - 10 minutes. You can drive to the top instead of taking this Incline Railway. But...that would sort of defeat the purpose of the attraction and the thrill of riding in an old fashioned cable car. At the top from the vista overlook it's AMAZING HOW SCENIC THE PITTSBURGH SKYLINE IS! Yes...I have been to every major city in the United States and no doubt Pittsburgh's downtown skyline ranks up there with the best of them!!! So once you arrive at the peak of Pittsburgh, all you simply have to do is walk along the entire overlook area (which is actually located in a neighborhood with homes situated next to each other) and you have your choice from where to take pictures from. I found that after exiting the Incline Railway and heading outside...I then walked over to the RIGHT HAND SIDE and after about 1/4 of a mile across the street from the Sheraton Hotel there was a noticeable area where you had clear and undisturbed views of downtown Pittsburgh. Definitely take some time here to sit down and appreciate the surroundings. You have no time limit for how long you can be up at the top. Basically you can stay there all day long or until the railway gets ready to close. I'd recommend even having a picnic. Why not take some food with you and there are certain spots with plenty of grass to lay down a blanket and enjoy the amazing scenery. I got fortunate and visited on a perfectly sunny day and the setting looking out upon Pittsburgh was simply gorgeous! I mean that. So scenic! Btw, parking down at the base of the Incline Railway can be tricky. I had difficulty locating where to go. I tried using Google Maps but when I plugged "Duquesne Incline Railway" into the search, it guided me towards the side of the road without an entrance area to stop at and park. All I can suggest is to just go slow when trying to find the parking lot. Also, I can't remember 100% for sure, but I believe you do have to pay a small fee at the parking lot for time. But, overall it's worth it because otherwise there's really nowhere else to leave your car. Finally, I can't recommend this Duquesne Incline Railway enough. It's a staple of Pittsburgh. I have warm feelings thinking about not just taking the tram ride up, but the opportunity to arrive at the top of Mount Washington and look down upon a picturesque looking city as is Pittsburgh. The surroundings definitely helped me put into perspective just how lucky I felt to be living in such a beautiful moment.

Very happy to finally do the Duquesne Incline on my third trip to Pittsburgh. Surprisingly fast trip up the incline and a nice view (and photo op) at the top. Removed one star due to the unfriendly ticket seller who yelled at everyone and whose instructions were unclear.

Pro tip: The overlook at the top is free and is better than the view from through the tram windows. In theory this is a neat idea, a celebration of the historic incline along with an exhibit that shows the inner workings of the incline system itself. However in execution, there is much that is to be desired and I'm not sure why this is so beloved. As it is run by the preservation society nonprofit, it's a cash-only enterprise, including stuffing money into a small, oddly-shaped cash box and you're handed a ticket that reminded me of something I used to gain entry to an elementary school pizza party. This slip is your ticket, though most people didn't seem to remember this when getting off the tram, which lead the ticket taker to say, "Oh, it's okay, I remember you" numerous times. Her memory was quite impressive. You also have to pay for parking in the lot at the bottom of the hill. Pro tip: It's pronounced "dew kane." When you get to the top, there's a "shop" selling souvenirs, a sad "museum" that demonstrates how the tram works, and...that's it. There are no shops, stores, or restaurants of note. We asked the shopkeeper what we should see while we were up there and she said, "Nothing really. There's a statue of George Washington a couple blocks that way, but that's really it. Everything else up here is residential." Pro tip: If you have a car, park at the top of the hill for free on the street and then do a round-trip ride.

I like cable cars and gondolas (Sterling vineyard, Lisbon, HK) because I like taking pics while enjoying all of the breath taking views - with a little Fear. But really, this Incline ride isn't scary at all. There's also another one about a mile away - the Monongahela Incline, to consider. Aside from the views from Mount Washington, this ride will give a different perspective on beautiful Pittsburgh - as you ascend and descend (or vice versa). Is this really 140 years old, originally built to facilitate transporting labor, materials, coal, etc. I can see that, in my mind's eye. You do get a sense that not a lot has changed since then, by the interior of the station and the cable car itself, the ticketing system (bring cash). One pro tip - don't park below, it's like a $10 or $20 fee. I gave my parking ticket to a young couple who just arrived from out of town, it still had plenty of time on it. I suggest parking at the very top, in the neighborhood, for free. How to make this a 5 star review? I would suggest opening up a coffee shop, at the very top. Let people soak in the experience and spend some time there. Because it's like a 15 minute round trip experience, at the very least. We'll visit the other Incline, next time.

During a trip to Pittsburgh for a church conference, I had the opportunity to check out the famed Duquesne Incline. A few fast facts: First opened to public: May 20, 1877 Cost to build: $47,000 Length of track: 794 feet Elevation: 400 feet Grade: 30.5 degrees Speed: 6 miles per hour Passengers: 18 per car Owned by the Port Authority of Allegheny County, the Duquesne Incline offers a terrific view of downtown Pittsburgh along with its three rivers. Bonus points if you know the three rivers (HINT: Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny). In non-pandemic times, group tours are available. USA Today once named the Duquesne Incline as "One of the Top Ten Sites in the World For Viewing a Cityscape." Indeed, the view and experience is pretty wonderful. Interestingly enough, the Duquesne Incline is considered part of Pittsburgh's transportation system and uses the same fare system. Exact fare is strongly preferred (and you will get side eye if this is not the case). Ages 65+ can ride free. However, you MUST prove it and they do enforce it. They are reimbursed by the state (excuse me "Commonwealth") of Pennsylvania and are required to check ID's. There isn't a restroom. The lower station has a port-a-john. Individual rates are $5 for round trip (kids $2.50). For group tours, it's $3.50 for round trip or $1.75 for kids round trip. It is possible to do a one-way trip for a lower amount. There is a fairly standard gift shop also available. In terms of accessibility, there are some definite limits here that need to be mentioned. Wheelchair users really should start at the upper station. The lower station involves stairs and there is no alternative here. The upper station, however, is wheelchair friendly. This means, however, that you need to not plan to start or stop at the lower station. The observation deck is wheelchair accessible. Also, a huge note, the original incline cars (not the only ones) can only accommodate wheelchairs at 25" of width - this is basically a transport chair as most wheelchairs are around 32" in width. Generally, employees should be aware of this and point you in the right direction. As some have noted, employees can be a bit hit-and-miss. This is an attraction you do for the experience. Unlike some attractions, for example the Space Needle in Seattle, these employees are not part of the experience. Essentially, they're transportation employees and some simply don't get into the wonder of it all. But hey, some do. I had a couple who were awesome. Overall, this is an attraction I'm glad I tried but it's something I could easily skip on a future trip to Pittsburgh. It's also a bit more challenging for those in wheelchairs and does require some planning. However, if you're wanting to capture a true Pittsburgh tourism experience and see the city in a unique way this is definitely something to try at least once. There is, for the record, also a Monongahela Incline worth checking out. However, I haven't gotten the chance yet - maybe on a future visit!