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Discover the Burgh

Gateway Clipper Cruises – A Tour Perfect for Visitors

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on February 8, 2023.

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The Gateway Clipper is an iconic Pittsburgh attraction. No matter the time of day, odds are good you can look to the rivers near downtown Pittsburgh and see these iconic blue, gold, and red riverboats ferrying passengers or giving a water-level city tour.

As Pittsburgh residents, we've seen these boats for many years but oddly enough had never taken one. Naturally, since founding this site we wanted to change that and finally made the trip down to Station Square to take a sightseeing cruise at the end of peak season.

But in being honest, I have to say that there are two very different experiences you can have on the Gateway Clipper fleet- one as a resident and one as a visitor. Depending on what category you fall into, this may change your approach to this tour significantly.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet – For Visitors

For visitors to Pittsburgh, a trip on the Gateway Clipper is one of the top attractions you can do in the city. This 60-minute tour traverses the three rivers and is narrated to highlight the city's unique history, beautiful architecture, and other facts you may not hear anywhere else (excluding this blog, of course).

During each tour the guides ask who is a visitor and who is a local, and we were some of the only residents who were out for the day- something the guide suggested was fairly common.

The tour plays out much like you'd expect a 60-minute boat cruise to do. You do a quick loop around the rivers, learn a few facts about the city (some of which were sadly, incorrect), receive a few bad restaurant recommendations, and go on about your day.  A typical tourist boat cruise , and in Pittsburgh one that has a fairly incredible backdrop to enjoy.

If we were from out of town and took the trip, we would have enjoyed it immensely; however, in being locals to Pittsburgh and making it our mission to go explore as much as possible, we were a bit let down as the tour fell short of what we think is its full potential.

Gateway Clipper Cruises – For Residents

The reason for our lackluster response to the hour-long sightseeing cruise on the Gateway Clipper stems from the fact that it offer residents little to no new experiences or knowledge other than enjoying the view of the city from the water.

At some point, listening to the narrator talk is not so much a treat, but a distraction from why you're taking the tour in the first place (which for us was to simply experience the views).

This disconnect is where the problem of the Gateway Clipper comes into play. If you sign up for their standard sightseeing cruise, you're going to have a fairly typical sightseeing experience. As a visitor, 60 minutes out on the water is a pretty great tourist activity. But as a local who knows the waterways around Pittsburgh inside and out, we simply wanted more.

That being said, those who live in the city may want to take a trip out on the longer dinner cruises instead (many at sunset, for an added bonus) to appreciate the city we all know and love the way it should be enjoyed- for a very long time .

Looks like another Gateway Clipper cruise is in our future to try it out!

The Gateway Clipper fleet is docked at 350 W Station Square Drive right next to the Sheraton Station Square hotel .  Cruises are offered multiple times per day; however, starting in late October the frequency of departures decreases for the winter.

For more scenic viewpoints of Pittsburgh , check out our Pittsburgh skyline views guide which has an assortment you may never have seen before, or sign up for a Pittsburgh helicopter tour ! Or if you'd rather see the city from the water, check out all the great ways to experience the Pittsburgh rivers here!

For frequently asked questions about the Gateway Clipper, check out the following.

What is a Gateway Clipper tour?

The Gateway Clipper is a historic riverboat cruise on Pittsburgh's three rivers. A general sightseeing tour lasts approximately one hour.

Are reservations required for the Gateway Clipper?

Reservations are highly recommended as popular sailing times do sell out.

Where does the Gateway Clipper dock?

The Gateway Clipper fleet docks in Station Square in Pittsburgh's South Side. Their address is 350 W Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

What is parking like at the Gateway Clipper dock?

A surface lot is available as well as a parking garage that is used by the Sheraton Hotel and charges an hourly rate. Note that most of the parking lots nearby may have surge pricing during events at Highmark Stadium.

Does the Gateway Clipper fleet offer other tours?

Yes. The Gateway Clipper has dinner cruises, themed cruises, and more.

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Taking a Pittsburgh Sightseeing Cruise on the Gateway Clipper

Pittsburgh has many defining qualities. From its many championship sports teams to its iconic skyline and industrial past, there are many different qualities that make Pittsburgh Pittsburgh. However, there probably isn’t anything that’s had more of an effect on Pittsburgh history and culture than its three rivers.

The city of Pittsburgh was first settled by Europeans in the mid-18th century. Access to the Forks of the Ohio, as the area is officially known, was one of the major catalyst that began the French and Indian War . It’s also the reason for the high concentration of industries throughout the city of Pittsburgh.

Today, Pittsburgh’s rivers do not have as much cultural impact on the city as they once did. However, the three rivers (the Allegheny, the Monongahela, and the Ohio) still dominate the city’s landscape. In fact, the rivers are so ingrained into the layout of the city that Pittsburgh is home to more bridges than any other city in the world.

Given the three rivers’ historical and cultural significance, as well as the way they wrap around the downtown area, there is no better way to explore the city than by boat. While several companies rent small personal watercrafts, a river boat tour of the city is more my speed.

The Gateway Clipper leaves from Station Square on the city’s South Shore, just steps from the Monongahela Incline, which takes passengers to the top of Mount Washington . The fleet has been sailing the rivers of Pittsburgh since 1958, and now features six boats with capacity of up to 1,000 visitors.

While the Gateway Clipper Fleet offers a variety of cruise options, such as diners, fall foliage tours, and even pirate-themed trips, most visitors opt to take the one-hour sightseeing tour of Pittsburgh. During a recent visit to Pittsburgh, I had the opportunity to climb on board and see what these tours are all about.

The Gateway Clipper offers sightseeing cruises of Pittsburgh from April through October, with multiple sailings on each sailing day. There are also evening sightseeing cruises that travel the rivers both before and after sunset.

The onboard experience is fairly similar no matter which boat you board for your sightseeing cruise. Since seating is not reserved, riders can choose from a variety of spots, both indoor and outdoor.

While indoor spots might make it a bit more difficult to take photos, some outdoor spots have poor quality speakers, so the narration can be hard to hear. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure that you choose which option is most important to you. After all, the views are amazing, but the narrated guide provides a lot of great information about the city of Pittsburgh .

It’s also worth noting that the Evening Sightseeing cruises can be challenging for photos. Since the ship is constantly moving, it can be hard to shoot photos after it gets dark. While this is a great time to see the city, it might not be the best option for those looking to take photos of Pittsburgh from the Gateway Clipper

Sightseeing cruises only last about an hour, and they typically travel along all three rivers, offering fantastic views of downtown Pittsburgh from a unique angle. On my trip, we headed up the Monongahela for a short distance, before heading to The Point and turning up the Allegheny. We then turned around and ended a few hundred yards off The Point in the Ohio River.

All too soon, the sightseeing cruise on the Gateway Clipper comes to an end. Without a doubt, there is no more relaxing or beautiful way to see Pittsburgh . Whether you’ve lived in the city your whole life or are visiting for the first time, taking a Pittsburgh sightseeing cruise on the Clipper will give you a unique view of the city and a new appreciation for the history, culture, and beauty of this amazing city.

Want to take another sightseeing cruise in Pennsylvania? Check out the Just Ducky Tours in Pittsburgh , the  Proud Mary Showboat on Raystown Lake and the Hiawatha on the Susquehanna River in Williamsport .

Gateway Clipper Sightseeing Cruise

See map for other area attractions.

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Jim Cheney is the creator of UncoveringPA.com. Based in Carlisle near Harrisburg, Jim frequently travels around Pennsylvania and has visited, written about, and photographed all 67 counties in the state. He has also traveled to more than 30 different countries around the world.

1 thought on “Taking a Pittsburgh Sightseeing Cruise on the Gateway Clipper”

Looks like a beautiful way to see Pittsburgh!

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Cruisin' Tikis Pittsburgh

"Aloha! Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh offers unique and relaxing two hour sightseeing cruises on the Three Rivers aboard one of our "original" floating Tiki Boats. Our Tiki Fun Cruises depart from Pittsburgh's North Shore or Station Square and include spectacular photo opportunities of iconic Pittsburgh landmarks and local points of interest from the water. Each Cruisin’ Tiki boat carries up to six people, along with an experienced Coast Guard certified Captain, and is equipped with a four speaker bluetooth enabled stereo system for your listening pleasure. Guests are encouraged to bring a cooler with their favorite beverages and snacks."

Cruisin' Tikis Pittsburgh North Shore and Station Square Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Cruisin' Tikis Pittsburgh

Cruise on a tiki boat in pittsburgh, pennsylvania, 2 hour private pittsburgh tiki cruise.

Enjoy a relaxing two-hour tiki boat cruise in Pittsburgh with spectacular photo opportunities from the water! Take in iconic Pittsburgh landmarks and local points of interest. Book online!

• Users Up to 6 People
• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Join the Fun on a Tiki Boat in Pittsburgh

Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh is The Steel City’s most unique and coolest water experience! You and five of your closest friends can take a relaxing tiki boat tour of the city from the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers. Experience Pittsburgh like you’ve never seen it before by cruising the Three Rivers on a Hawaiian-style Tiki Hut!

Why travel to the islands when we’ve brought the island experience to the City of Champions?

Heading out on the water with CRUISIN’ TIKIS PITTSBURGH from the marina at Station Square? Or just need a quick snack? We’ll now be offering a selection of grab-and-go items for you to include: charcuterie with local salumi and cheese, dips, fruits and vegetables, gourmet local chips, and drinks.

Grab and go, ready to go when you are! Click here for our gourmet market menu.

• Chevron down Business Hours & Contact Info

Clock Hours and Location

• Monday—Friday 9 AM–5 PM
• Saturday Closed
• Sunday Closed

Map Marker Address: Terrene 224 West Station Square Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Phone (412) 709-6433

Boarding your cruise on the north shore? Stop in and see our friends at the Foundry!

Call ahead and order a delicious plate to take on your tiki cruise or stop by before or after your cruise to enjoy great food and delicious drinks! The Foundry also offers beer, wine, and cocktails to go!

Menu can be found here: http://thefoundrypgh.com/

• Chevron down Address & Contact Info

Map Marker Address: The Foundry | Table & Tap 381 North Shore Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Phone (412)930-0744

Make Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh Your “tropical” Staycation! ★★★★★

Our tour guide/captain Jason was so good and fun. He knows the perfect amount of information and makes the 2 hours so fun and eventful. Could connect your phone to the speaker AND got a bathroom break! Will 1000% do this again!!

It was a birthday gift for my 2 adult kids. WATER, BYOB, on a floating Tiki Bar with your favorite people....how can you go wrong? Captain Chris was great and knew a lot of information on the river sites. We stopped and took pics at the fountain. Fun event and brunch at Station Square to follow.

He is very personable charismatic and so damn fun to be around! The tiki ride is awesome! Excellent view of the Burg and at night it’s just beautiful with all the lights glistening on the rivers. Thank you Rusty your awesome!

Bachelor group from Canada. Had an UNBELIEVABLE time with Dale and crew. Never have had so much fun doing anything. Absolutely worth the money (I'd recommend bring porchcrawler to drinK!) Thanks again!

We had a fantastic time celebrating my daughter’s 21st birthday! Our capt. Jason was great and the weather was perfect. If you’re thinking about trying this ...DO IT!!! What a blast!

Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour

Thank you for your interest in purchasing tickets for the  Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour. The 2024 tour season has been suspended while maintenance work is being performed on the riverboat.

Tickets are Suspended

Hop on board the Explorer riverboat for the Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour—a 90-minute excursion on Pittsburgh’s three rivers!

Join Rivers of Steel on board the Explorer riverboat for the Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour. This 90-minute excursion seeks to answer the question “What makes Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh?”

Traveling on the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers, this tour shares the big stories of our region’s past—along with many lesser-known tales—as it explores a sense of place. Sit back, enjoy the skyline, and see the sights as you discover how Pittsburgh’s unique history shaped the city we have today!

Hours & Admission*

The  Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour is offered seasonally, June through October. All tours are currently suspended.

Normally, tours are available Thursday – Monday, June through August. By September, tours are limited to Friday evenings; times vary to coincide with the sunset!

Interested in a private group tour? Email tours@riversofsteel.com .

General Admission  

Students (18+ with college id), seniors (62 and above)  , kids (ages 4 – 17).

*Tours are limited to 60 participants and frequently sell out. We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance as we cannot guarantee tickets will be available for walk-ups.

"Even if you've lived here all your life, you'll hear some things and learn some things that you never knew before. And if you've never looked at the city from the three rivers—it's such a unique perspective."

- Sean Collier on "Pittsburgh Today Live," July 8, 2021

Location & Directions

The Explorer riverboat docks on Pittsburgh’s North Shore near the headwaters of the Ohio River and adjacent to the Carnegie Science Center.

What to Know Before You Go

Rivers of Steel maintains a family atmosphere on the Explorer . Please be advised of these tips and guidelines to ensure your best possible experience.

Duration & Arrival:  Guests may board Explorer one-half hour before their tour is scheduled to depart. The Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour  is scheduled to be 90 minutes. However, for planning purposes, we recommend blocking two hours in your schedule. Guests should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. Should we encounter river traffic, the tour could be extended by as much as 15 minutes on the back end.

Location & Address: The Explorer riverboat docks at the Rivers of Steel Dock on Pittsburgh’s North Shore near the headwaters of the Ohio River. The official address is 715 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For practical purposes (since we are on the river, not the road), the location is along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, between the Carnegie Science Center and The Landing Hotel at the Rivers Casino. All public tours and programs originate from this location.

Directions & Parking: Parking is available at the Carnegie Science Center’s paid parking lots. Please review their parking information here . For more details, including maps and step-by-step directions, visit our Google Business page or download this pdf .

What to wear: M any patrons enjoy experiencing the  Explorer  from its outside areas; please dress for the weather.

Food & Beverages: No concessions are sold onboard the Explorer , but there are two water coolers on the boat for passengers to enjoy. You are welcome to bring onboard a snack, lunch, or non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy during your tour. Smoking / vaping is prohibited at all times.

Photography: Photography is encouraged!  However, for safety reasons videography and drones are prohibited.

Accessibility: The Explorer riverboat and its home dock are ADA accessible, which includes an ADA restroom onboard as well an elevator to navigate between the boat’s decks. Handicapped parking is available nearby at the Carnegie Science Center.

COVID-19 Policies: Please be advised of our  current COVID-19 policies.  

Admission: Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed. By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors consent to be photographed.

Weather Policy:  Tours are rain or shine. Rivers of Steel will cancel a tour if inclement weather poses a threat to our guests or our vessel. In the event of unsafe river conditions, severe weather conditions, or mechanical failure or as required by the U.S. Coast Guard, other regulatory or governmental agency, our captain reserves the right to stay at dock, or if the vessel is underway, to return to dock. In such instances, refunds or exchanges can be issued for tickets purchased in advance.

For more information, contact tours@riversofsteel.com .

Learn more about the  events

Rivers of Steel The Bost Building 623 E. Eighth Avenue Homestead, PA 15120

Tel: 412.464.4020 Fax: 412.464.4417

[email protected]

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SHUTTLE SERVICE

Gateway clipper shuttle service.

Take a Riverboat ride aboard the Gateway Clipper! We provide Shuttle service to every home game & concert at PNC Park & Acrisure Stadium!

Round Trip: $15

One way: $8, kids 6 and under: free.

Shuttle tickets are available for purchase when our ticket office is open. They are available day of, on the dock – we accept cash or card.

Parking is owned and operated by ABM Parking- For more information on parking lots and parking rates, please visit www.stationsquare.com 

Please be prepared with cash and/or card to pay for parking.

A TOP-RATED PITTSBURGH SHUTTLE SERVICE

Great way to get to the Steelers game. $20 parking at Station Square. Limited traffic before or after the game. Ferry to the game and back. No wait going over. Coming back we had to wait 20 min after the game for a ferry. 5:30 pm dinner reservation anywhere in Station Square after a 1:00 pm Steelers game is a nice way to celebrate a Pittsburgh Steelers victory.

Cool way to get back and forth to the stadium, much easier than parking downtown.

Absolutely enjoy every trip I go on. Just being on a boat makes everything better!

The absolute best way to get to the Steelers game!

Always a fun way to go see the Steelers!!