Duquesne Incline: A Bird’s Eye View of Pittsburgh
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The must-do while visiting Pittsburgh is taking a ride on the iconic funicular railway, the Duquesne Incline, up to Mt. Washington. It was the first thing I did on my first road trip over 10 years ago, and the first thing I after recently relocating to a suburb called Moon Township.
The views from the overlook are marvelous – seriously, I would rank it up there with Chicago for the best in the US. Even better, it’s so easy to enjoy the view, whereas it’s a hassle in most other cities. USA Today even rated it “one of the top ten sites in the world for viewing a cityscape.” I totally agree.
Pittsburgh truly is home to one of the most stunning skylines in the country, and thankfully, there are many ways to view it, the most touristy being via a ride up this historic cable car. Read on for more pictures, a history of the incline, and helpful tips.
History of the incline
This ride opened to the public on May 20, 1877. The engineer, Samuel Diescher, went on to build inclines throughout the country.
It travels on a 794 foot track up 400 feet to Mt. Washington at a grade of 30.5 It is not nearly as steep as some others, most notably Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga with a grade of 72.7.
The iconic red color of the railway really makes it pop out amongst the surrounding landscapes. Look at this view! The layout of the buildings is just perfect and I love the lush greenery and bold yellow bridges. The pop of color really makes this one fabulous cityscape. I even love driving into the city because the views are so gorgeous – where else can you say this? Although, I have to say merging onto Fort Pitt bridge is pretty scary!
What are funicular railways?
Funicular railways are used as opposed to conventional trains to travel up steep mountains. A cable is used to pull the train up the steep grade. When one railway reaches the top, another goes down and they meet each other in the middle, thus counterbalancing each other. You will be able to read up more on the history at a small museum they have at the top. Here’s some more info if you are interested in researching before your trip.
Views from Mt. Washington
Once arriving at the summit of the mountain, you will be treated to a stunning view of the 3 rivers (Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio) and beautiful cityscape. Both daytime and nighttime rides offer drastically different, yet equally stunning panoramic views. Many of the city’s iconic bridges (One of the city’s nicknames is “City of Bridges”) can be seen as well as the sports stadiums.
If you look closely at my picture, you can see a triangle jutting into out into the water and a fountain. This is historic Point State Park which marks the 3 rivers joining. I recommend checking it out while you are here.
During the summer time, it’s fun to watch the cruise lines go by. If you feel like shelling out a few bucks, I recommend a sightseeing ride on the Gateway Clipper. The views are gorgeous and you will learn a lot about the city too. They also offer a number of fun holiday cruises. We took a Halloween cruise and enjoyed the views and hearing about spooky local legends.
In short, this ride is the best way for tourists to enjoy the city views out of the many options available. I am not surprised that the Duquesne has been rated so highly by numerous prestigious media sources.
The skyline, as viewed both day and night – equally gorgeous in my opinion! Which do you prefer?
Tip: I recommend visiting just before sunset so you can enjoy the view in both settings without paying twice.
For sports fans, there is a nice viewpoint of the Steelers stadium (Acrisure). You can also see PNC Park where the Pirates play. Football tickets are pretty pricey, but baseball tickets can be a bargain. I’ve often seen them on Groupon for as low as $15.
The museum & gift shop
There is a small museum at the top where you can view historical photos and learn a bit more about the history of the funicular. Also there’s a cool little glass room where you can peek at the machinery at work. A small gift shop is located on-site as well.
Know before you go:
Parking is located at: 1197 W Carson St.
Parking is quite pricey at $5 for 2 hours. Tip: Park at the Upper Station on a Sunday (meters are free) to avoid the $5 parking fee.
Hours: 5:30am – 12:30am (7am on Sundays/holidays).
Only cash (exact fare) is accepted. $2.50 each way or $5 round-trip. Students (Univ. of Pitt, Carnegie Mellon, and Chatham) and kids under 5 are free. Seniors with blue or yellow PA Senior Citizen Card are free. Pricing current as of 2026. Check for updates.
Wheelchair accessibility at Upper Station – 1220 Grandview Avenue.
Alternative: A free way to take in the skyline view
Know that you do not have to pay to enjoy the stunning viewpoint. There is no need to take the ride to enjoy the view – simply park along the street at this address: 1220 Grandview Ave. (meters free on Sunday/after 6pm Mon-Sat). I usually park along a side street and walk a bit. There is a great viewpoint before you reach the the ride too. Take a look below!
Dining/Entertainment in the area
Most tourists head over to Station Square, located just minutes away. While the parking is overpriced and most restaurants expensive chains, it’s a fun touristy destination.
What I recommend out of what is available:
Hard Rock Cafe: Fun rock n’roll memorabilia, good comfort food, lively vibe. Try the Twisted Mac and Cheese. Update: This cafe unfortunately closed in February of 2025.
Tupelo Honey – Southern inspired chain which originally opened in Asheville, NC. Try the sweet potato pancakes for breakfast or the Farm Fresh vegetable plate for dinner. Great homemade biscuits!
The Melting Pot: Upscale fondue restaurant. The cheese and dessert fondues are amazing. Very pricey, but a great choice for a special occasion.
Buca di Beppo: Popular chain serving Italian food family style. The massive servings are meant to be split.
On a side note, there are better local restaurants throughout the metro which aren’t as much tourist traps. I recommend browsing my guide to find something to your liking.
Also, there is a great view of the city at Station Square. Not as fantastic as the incline, but another view nonetheless.
