Pittsburgh

USS Requin

September 1 2026
Within Walking Distance

Overview

Getting To and From

Inside the Venue

Onsite Accessibility

Our Guidelines

Comments

Accessibility Information Google Map Venue Floor Plan Website

About

The USS Requin (SS 481) is an authentic Cold War era submarine moored on the river at Kamin Science Center, One Allegheny Avenue on Pittsburgh's North Shore. Launched days before the end of World War II, she became the Navy's first radar picket submarine, and visitors can tour eleven main compartments including the forward torpedo room, control room, conning tower, berthing, mess decks, and the engine rooms. Self guided tours are included with General Admission on a first come, first served basis, with timed tickets picked up on the day of your visit at USS Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor and tours running every 20 minutes. Full mobility is required to board and go below deck, so the submarine is not wheelchair accessible. For visitors who cannot board, USS Requin Gateway presents military and Cold War history exhibits, and a virtual tour of the submarine plays on a TV monitor in the PPG Science Pavilion. The submarine is open 10:20 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., weather and river conditions permitting, closed Tuesdays, and closed each year from January through mid March for maintenance.

Getting To and From

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
On Site Parking Garage or Lot	Yes	Yes	The submarine is moored at Kamin Science Center, whose on site parking is $6 per vehicle for visitors, with the first 45 minutes free in the Main Lot. Accessible parking spaces are in the rear of the building, with a large blue sign directing visitors to the accessible entrance.
Drop Off/Pick Up Lanes/ Ride Share	Yes	Yes	Drop offs are accommodated by the complimentary first 45 minutes in the Science Center's Main Lot.	Public transit: from downtown, take the free T-Plus subway to Allegheny Station, about two blocks from the Science Center.
Off site Parking	Yes	Yes	Overflow parking is available in the Science Center's North Lot across the street, at the same $6 rate.
Accessible Entrance	Yes	No	The submarine itself cannot be entered by visitors with limited mobility: below deck visits on USS Requin require full mobility. The Science Center that hosts her does have an accessible entrance on the ground level under the main portico, but that accessibility does not extend to boarding the vessel.	Visitors who cannot board can still see the exhibits at USS Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor, which is inside the accessible Science Center building.
Site Map/Floorplan	Yes	Yes	Kamin Science Center publishes floor maps for all five levels, showing the USS Requin submarine and USS Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor. The submarine's own eleven compartments are described on the Science Center's Requin features page.

Inside the Venue

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
Dedicated Accessible Entrance	Yes	No	There is no accessible boarding route onto the submarine. Rather than an alternative entrance, the documented alternative is to stay inside the Science Center: USS Requin Gateway offers military and Cold War history exhibits plus submarine content for visitors unable to access the vessel.
Street Level Access and Automatic Doors	No	No
Security Checkpoint	Yes	Yes	The submarine is reached through Kamin Science Center, where firearms and weapons of any kind are not permitted in the buildings or on campus, and security may inspect bags and packages. The campus is smoke and tobacco free.	Limited coat and locker storage is available on the Science Center's 1st Floor at 50 cents each, first come, first served.
Use of Mobility Aids	Yes	No	Below deck visits on USS Requin require full mobility, so wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters cannot be taken aboard the submarine. The Science Center's free nonmotorized wheelchairs and portable stools, and its motorized wheelchairs at $25 per day, are for use in the museum rather than on the vessel.	For visitors unable to access USS Requin tours, USS Requin Gateway offers a virtual tour of the submarine on the TV monitor at the bottom of the stairs in the PPG Science Pavilion, opposite the Rangos lobby and next to the scuba suit.
Accessible Seating (Theater)	No	No

Location

Three Rivers Heritage Trl, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Getting To and From

Find essential details on parking, drop-off points, and accessibility to make your visit smooth and hassle-free.
Check the table below for more information.

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
On Site Parking Garage or Lot	Yes	Yes	The submarine is moored at Kamin Science Center, whose on site parking is $6 per vehicle for visitors, with the first 45 minutes free in the Main Lot. Accessible parking spaces are in the rear of the building, with a large blue sign directing visitors to the accessible entrance.
Drop Off/Pick Up Lanes/ Ride Share	Yes	Yes	Drop offs are accommodated by the complimentary first 45 minutes in the Science Center's Main Lot.	Public transit: from downtown, take the free T-Plus subway to Allegheny Station, about two blocks from the Science Center.
Off site Parking	Yes	Yes	Overflow parking is available in the Science Center's North Lot across the street, at the same $6 rate.
Accessible Entrance	Yes	No	The submarine itself cannot be entered by visitors with limited mobility: below deck visits on USS Requin require full mobility. The Science Center that hosts her does have an accessible entrance on the ground level under the main portico, but that accessibility does not extend to boarding the vessel.	Visitors who cannot board can still see the exhibits at USS Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor, which is inside the accessible Science Center building.
Site Map/Floorplan	Yes	Yes	Kamin Science Center publishes floor maps for all five levels, showing the USS Requin submarine and USS Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor. The submarine's own eleven compartments are described on the Science Center's Requin features page.

Inside the Venue

Get to know what to expect indoors—from seating layouts to restrooms and concessions.

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
Dedicated Accessible Entrance	Yes	No	There is no accessible boarding route onto the submarine. Rather than an alternative entrance, the documented alternative is to stay inside the Science Center: USS Requin Gateway offers military and Cold War history exhibits plus submarine content for visitors unable to access the vessel.
Street Level Access and Automatic Doors	No	No
Security Checkpoint	Yes	Yes	The submarine is reached through Kamin Science Center, where firearms and weapons of any kind are not permitted in the buildings or on campus, and security may inspect bags and packages. The campus is smoke and tobacco free.	Limited coat and locker storage is available on the Science Center's 1st Floor at 50 cents each, first come, first served.
Use of Mobility Aids	Yes	No	Below deck visits on USS Requin require full mobility, so wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters cannot be taken aboard the submarine. The Science Center's free nonmotorized wheelchairs and portable stools, and its motorized wheelchairs at $25 per day, are for use in the museum rather than on the vessel.	For visitors unable to access USS Requin tours, USS Requin Gateway offers a virtual tour of the submarine on the TV monitor at the bottom of the stairs in the PPG Science Pavilion, opposite the Rangos lobby and next to the scuba suit.
Accessible Seating (Theater)	No	No

Onsite Accessibility

Learn about ramps, elevators, restrooms, and other accessible features available during your visit

Features	Information Available on Website	Available at Venue	Notes	Additional Info / Things to Know
Restrooms	Yes	Yes	Accessible restrooms are available on every floor of Kamin Science Center, with gender neutral restrooms throughout, so plan to use them before boarding. There are no visitor restrooms aboard the submarine.
Elevators
On-Site Dining	Yes	Yes	The RiverView Café is on the Science Center's Ground Floor, the same level as USS Requin Gateway. Food and drink containers are not permitted in exhibit areas.
Theater, Auditorium, etc. (Museum)	Yes	Yes	The USS Requin (SS 481) is an authentic Cold War era submarine and a permanent exhibit of Kamin Science Center, launched days before the end of World War II and the Navy's first radar picket submarine. Self guided tours cover eleven main compartments, and USS Requin Gateway on the Ground Floor adds military and Cold War history exhibits.	Tours are included with General Admission on a first come, first served basis, run every 20 minutes, and need a timed ticket obtained on the day of your visit at USS Requin Gateway. Open 10:20 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., weather and river conditions permitting; closed Tuesdays; closed annually from January through mid March for maintenance. Science Center phone: 412-237-3400.

Our Guidelines

1. Make Accessibility Info Easy to Find - Dedicated Website Accessibility Page

Clearly post detailed accessibility information online, covering parking, entrances, interior pathways, site plans, and more.

2. Include All Mobility Devices

Consider walkers, canes, crutches — not just wheelchairs. Provide specifics for a variety of mobility needs. Include people who use different devices in the conversation.

3. Go Beyond ADA Compliance

ADA is the minimum. Strive for real-world accessibility through thoughtful design and ongoing improvements.

4. Visibility = Accessibility

If disabled visitors aren't present, barriers may exist. Transparency and preparation are the keys to inclusion. Empower everyone to attend.

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Getting To and From

Inside the Venue