Fenelon Place Elevator
Observation Deck · Dubuque, Iowa
A cable railway climbing the bluff above downtown Dubuque, built in 1882 by a banker who wanted to get home for lunch and rebuilt in 1893 after fire. It runs 296 feet of track to lift you 189 feet at a gradient of about forty-one degrees, and from the observation decks at the top you can see Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin at once. It is billed as the world's shortest and steepest scenic railway, though its own sources note that the accurate claim is the shortest and steepest in the United States.
512 Fenelon Place, Dubuque, Iowa, 52001, United States
⚠ SEASONAL — the elevator runs roughly from April to November and does NOT operate in winter, and it also closes in high winds and severe weather. Check before travelling; Dubuque in December has no elevator. The fare is a few dollars each way with a modest return price and cheaper children's tickets. ⚠ BRING CASH — card acceptance at a small seasonal operation is not guaranteed. ⚠ THE LAST CAR IS EARLIER THAN VISITORS EXPECT: it keeps daytime hours and generally stops well before dark, so a sunset ride is often not possible. ⚠ THE VIEW IS FREE IF YOU DRIVE UP — Fenelon Place at the top is a public street with parking and level access to the observation decks, so the three-state view over the Mississippi does not require riding. The ride is still the point and costs almost nothing.
Fenelon Place Elevator on Spottos · Explore more places on Spottos