Get your bearings as you see Pittsburgh from land and water with Just Ducky Tours. Board an authentic 1944 or 1945 DUKW (pronounced “duck”) for a tour of the city’s business and cultural districts. Approximately half of the tour takes place on land, the other half takes place in one of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, giving you a very different view of the city. The tours are fully narrated and last about an hour.  

Vehicles can accommodate one manual wheelchair on board at a time for tours departing from and returning to Station Square. Changes in United States Coast Guard Regulation mean that motorized wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on board.

Lift and wheelchair access is limited, so make reservations at least 48 hours in advance. Call the ticketing office at 412-402-3825.

Just Ducky Tours can provide a written tour narration or braille narration upon request with at least two weeks notice.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: The tours run from April 1-November 30 to avoid the worst of Pittsburgh’s weather!

Make your introduction to Pittsburgh complete with a trip to Mount Washington. Ride the Duquesne Incline, a century-old cable car (with 21^stcentury safety) and see the city from a completely different angle. One of Pittsburgh’s most popular activities, the cable car is actually part of the city’s public transportation system. The Upper Station houses a small museum of Pittsburgh history.

While it is possible to board the Incline from either the Upper or Lower Stations, only the Upper Station, located on Mount Washington, is wheelchair accessible. The cable car is accessible. Once you reach the Lower Station, simply turn around and enjoy the views on the way back up the mountain.

Top Tip: The Incline is part of the city’s transportation system, which you must pay for your ticket in cash.

Pittsburghers are very proud of Point State Park. “The Point” as it is known by locals is where the city’s three rivers (the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio meet. The main feature of the 36-acre state park is a 100-foot tall fountain at the head of the Ohio River. The site, which “commemorates and preserves the strategic and historic heritage of the area during the French and Indian War (1754-1763)” is also home to the Fort Pitt Museum and the Fort Pitt Blockhouse.

The main park entrance, walkways, restrooms, and drinking water fountains are all accessible.

Top Tip: The bus and the T light rail system are free to ride within the Golden Triangle (Pittsburgh’s downtown area), so take advantage of public transportation to get around.

If you have the time, and a car, it’s worth getting up early and driving out to visit the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, about an hour and a half outside of Pittsburgh. The site commemorates the crash site of Flight 93, which was believed to be headed for the White House, but which brave passengers managed to bring down in rural Pennsylvania. The emotive site consists of a Visitor Center Complex, Memorial Plaza at the crash site, Memorial Groves, the Allée, a formal walking path and Wetlands bridge.

The Memorial Plaza is fully accessible with accessible restrooms. Wheelchairs are available at the Visitor Shelter.

Interpretive panels are located in the Arrival Forecourt just beyond the parking area.

Braille versions of the park brochure are available at the Memorial Plaza. Contact a Park Ranger or volunteer to request a copy.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: If you want to get a real head start on the day, the Flight 93 National Memorial grounds open at sunrise. The Visitor Center opens its doors at 9:00 a.m.

Stop in for a quick visit at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum. This is the largest memorial in the U.S. dedicated to honoring all service men, women and veterans from across every branch of the military. The memorial dates back to the 1890s and was initially conceived as a way of honoring the city and county’s Civil War veterans. The museum includes an array of cultural artifacts, art, uniforms, and equipment which help to fulfill the institution's goal not to “idealize war but to honor and educate about the sacrifices during it.”

The accessible entrance is located on the University Place side of the building (west side), with an intercom call box to request assistance. Accessible restrooms are located on the third floor.

Call the accessibility coordinator at 412-621-4253 with any questions or concerns.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: The museum offers free entry to members of the military and to retired veterans.

Head into the ‘burbs for a visit to the Frick Pittsburgh. Located in the city’s historic East End district and set on over five acres of landscaped grounds, Clayton, the tome of the Henry Clay Frick family is renowned as one of the best preserved Gilded Age mansions in America. The mansion houses European art masterpieces and a collection of historic cars and carriages. Admission to the Frick Art & Historical Center, The Frick Art Museum and the Car and Carriage Museum is free.

There is a wheelchair lift available to facilitate entry to Clayton’s first floor. A video tour of the second floor is available upon request.

The single-floor Frick Art Museum has a ramped entry and no interior stairs.

The Car and Carriage Museum has a level entry and no stairs.

The Museum Store in the Grable Visitor Center has a ramped entry.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: Take time to enjoy a traditional English-style afternoon tea at The Café at the Frick. If tea isn’t your, er, cup of tea, the café specializes in contemporary American cuisine for something a little more familiar.

Nestled in Schenley Park, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is one of Pittsburgh’s most gorgeous sites. There’s room-upon-room of visually arresting gardens that awaken all the senses. For kids there’s the Discovery Room, offering hands-on fun and a nature play area; the Botany Hall Garden with a bubbling fountain at its center and the stunning Orchid Room, which houses rare and beautiful orchids. Aim to spend at least 90 minutes exploring – but we guarantee you will want to stay longer.

The gardens at Phipps – with the exception of the Stove Room – are wheelchair accessible.

Wheelchairs can be borrowed on a free, first-come, first-served basis.

Find out more here.

Top Tip: Wear layers! The Conservatory can be very hot in summer and cooler than comfortable in winter. 

Pittsburgh is served by Pittsburgh International Airport.

The airport has accessible restrooms in all locations, including family assistance restrooms on Landside Transit near the doorway to the moving walkway on Concourses C and D.

A service animal relief area is located Airside Terminal on Concourse D, near to the post office.

The following ground transportation companies operate accessible vehicles:
Air Star Access: 412-381-7230
SuperShuttle: 800-258-3826
VETaxi: 412-481-8387

All Port Authority buses are equipped with either wheelchair ramps or lifts.

All stations along the West Busway and Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway are accessible, featuring wheelchair ramps, curb cuts, guide rails and key station information available in braille. Select South Busway stations are accessible: South Hills Junction, Palm Garden, Pioneer and Glenbury.

The T's high-platform stations are accessible. However, low-level stops along the T are not.

The accessible 28X bus service runs about every 30 minutes from the airport to downtown Pittsburgh and Oakland.

Find out more here.

Base yourself at the 3-star Sheraton Pittsburgh at Station Square Hotel. The hotel is located in Station Square, one of the city’s most vibrant entertainment centers. With restaurants, entertainment and a prime waterfront location, you won’t be short of options for fun. Back at the hotel, chow down at Trackside, the in-house restaurant, hit the water in the indoor heated pool or enjoy the river view from your room.

Mobility accessible features include roll-in showers or bathtubs with grab bars and portable tub seats.

Hearing-accessible features include a visual fire alarm, portable communication kits containing visual alarms and notification devices, televisions with closed captioning and TTY.

The restaurant, business center, fitness center and swimming pool are all accessible.

The hotel offers accessible self-parking for cars and vans. Accessible transportation is available.

Call the hotel with questions about accessible facilities and services at 412-261- 2000. Find out more here.