by Gordon Hamilton

Created on: January 20, 2009

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, like so many of the world's cities, came in to being due to the geographical site's proximity to a river - or in this instance, three rivers, where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River. It was when the British realised what an excellent, easily defendable site this would be upon which to built a fort that the land was formally colonised and Pittsburgh ultimately came in to being.

The rivers around Pittsburgh therefore have to be perceived as that from which the city sprung and an essential part of any visitor's tour of the area. There are several different types of cruise available to suit surely almost every taste, so let us examine the facilities afforded by three of the city's principal river tour operators.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet celebrated fifty years of conducting river cruises in 2008. The present owner is the grandson of the founders and advertises the company as maintaining the same high standards of tour operation as was instigated by his grandparents.

The types of cruises available with the Gateway Clipper Fleet are perhaps the most varied as they have the largest number of craft of the three which we will examine, five in total. It is possible to enjoy a cruise upon any one of the Allegheny, Monongahela, or Ohio rivers. Whether you simply wish to see the sights and have their relevance and history explained to you courtesy of the ship's Captain, or follow this up with a splendid dinner and variety of live entertainment including dancing, the company's website should be consulted for availability and full details.

The Gateway Clipper Fleet also cater for private parties and functions of distinctly varied types and again many details can be obtained from either their website or their offices in Station Square in downtown Pittsburgh, on the banks of the River Monongahela.

If, however, it is some more light-hearted entertainment you require, Just Ducky Tours may well be the operator for you to contact! This company offer a combined land and water based tour of Pittsburgh on an amphibious craft, the DUKW. Also based in the city's Station Square, your tour will first take you through Pittsburgh's Business and Governmental District, where you will see all the skyscrapers and marvel at the architecture of such as the Courthouse before moving on to the Cultural District. This is the place to learn of and appreciate Pittsburgh's cultural diversity and witness first hand the theatres and entertainment venues it has to offer.

Finally, your adaptable craft will take to the water and let you see and appreciate the city's skyline from one of the three rivers. All through the tour, the commentary is light-hearted and fun, yet still immensely informative.

Pittsburgh Cruise Lines advertise themselves as a water limo service. On the occasion of major sporting events - or perhaps even your own major personal event! - they will arrange to collect you and take you on a VIP cruise, with or without dinner and a bar service provided. There are an impressive number of options to select from here and of course the craft is also available for private hire.

I hope it can therefore be seen that the options by which we may see Pittsburgh from one of its waterways are as diverse as the city itself and that there truly should be something somewhere to suit every taste and circumstance.

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