Fenelon Place Elevator
Billed as the shortest and steepest funicular in the world, this downtown Dubuque ride takes under a minute one way and rewards you at the top with views of the Mississippi where three states meet.
Built privately in 1882 by a banker who wanted to get home for lunch, the funicular is now run by a property owners' association. The track is about 90 m long with a vertical rise of about 58 m. From the top platform you can look down on Dubuque's historic Old Town, the Mississippi River, and the Illinois and Wisconsin shores across the water. A round trip costs about $4, payable in cash or by QR code, and it typically runs from around April to November. It's about a 30-minute drive from Galena, and you can combine it with a visit to the Mississippi River Museum on the same day.
Opening hours
Approx. April–November, 08:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
- Eagle Point Park
- Galena Main Street Historic District
- Washburne House State Historic Site
- Galena & U.S. Grant Museum
- Vinegar Hill Historic Lead Mine & Museum
- Old Market House State Historic Site
- Dowling House