by Wendy Lafond

Created on: January 13, 2009

What better way to enjoy the sights of Pittsburgh, the city of three rivers, than from on-board a riverboat. With year-round cruises on the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers, and summer duck boat tours on land as well as the area waterways, there is a cruise or tour to meet everyone's needs.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet has been providing river cruises on these three rivers for over 50 years. Starting out with one boat they have grown to a fleet of five that will take you out for a night on the town river city style. They have dinner and dancing on the Captains Dinner Dance Cruise. Live music and superb cuisine are sure to make your night one to remember for years to come.

Gateway provides shuttle service to many of the cities major events like the Steelers home games at Heinz Field, the Pirates home games at PNC Park, and many other city events. All of Gateway's boats are climate-controlled to operate 365 days a year.

What could be more romantic than beginning a life together after being married aboard a river cruise boat. Elegance and pampering, a day filled with memorable moments captured for a lifetime by their professional photographer. Live music and a memento for each guest to remind them of your special day.

If you are looking for something a little lighter, you have children to entertain, or you just want a good reason to smile, well, that's Just Ducky. Really. It is. Just Ducky is a great reason to smile. Kids love it no matter whether they are 2, 82, or anyplace in between. Pittsburgh's own duck boat tours travel on all three rivers as well as a good portion of the streets of downtown.

Talented, knowledgeable, and quite hilarious tour guides will entertain you as they take you through the streets of Pittsburgh. From the business district with its remarkable architecture an d modern designs to the cultural center of town with its diverse and eclectic assortment of theatres, museums, and shops the tour guides will wow even some home-grown Pittsburghers with their trivia knowledge of the past and present of Pittsburgh.

Sadly, Pittsburgh may be saying a fond farewell to the RiverBarge Excursions Lines. A part of the river scene in Pittsburgh for the past ten years, due to economic conditions, they have been forced to close their doors for 2009. Possibly the end of a Pittsburgh tradition.

Another sad goodbye on the Pittsburgh riverfront could be to the Delta Queen. Having been operated by the Majestic America Line, she too is being forced into an early dry-dock retirement due to economic difficulties. This is especially sad considering she is a National Historic Landmark. Changing times on Pittsburgh's river, but two area businesses are awaiting your visit to the three river city.

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