Hop on board the Explorer riverboat for the Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour—a 90-minute excursion on Pittsburgh’s three rivers!
Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour
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, May through September.
In May, tours are offered on weekends at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Beginning in June, tours are available on Thursdays at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., and Friday through Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. By September, tours are limited to Friday evenings; times vary to coincide with the sunset!
Tickets are now available for the 2022 season. Interested in a private group tour? Email tours@riversofsteel.com.
General Admission
$25
Students (18+ with college ID)
$18
Seniors (62 and above)
$18
Kids (ages 4 – 17)
$12
*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.
- 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.
COVID-19 Policies: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies.
Social distancing: Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
What to wear: Many 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.
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.
Photography: Photography is encouraged! However, for safety reasons videography and drones are prohibited.
Admission: Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed. By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors consent to be photographed.
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.
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.
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.
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