Hosting out of town guests this summer? A boat rental is one of the best ways to show them Pittsburgh, because the city was built where three rivers meet and it looks its best from the water. Of all the unique things to do in Pittsburgh, a few hours on a pontoon gives your visitors the skyline, the bridges, the stadiums and Point State Park in one relaxed trip, with your whole group together on one deck.
Here is why a pontoon boat rental in Pittsburgh works so well for visiting family and friends, what your guests will see, and how to plan a day that runs smoothly from the dock at Vic's Boat Park in McKees Rocks, just minutes from downtown.
Visitors have usually seen the skyline in photos. Seeing it rise up from the middle of the river is something else. From a boat, your guests get the view most people only see from Mount Washington, except they are right in it.
Heading up the Ohio River from McKees Rocks, you pass under the yellow arch of the West End Bridge, and downtown opens up ahead. Keep going and you reach the Point, where the Allegheny and Monongahela meet to form the Ohio. It is the moment out of town guests reach for their phones.
Most visitors get the standard loop: a museum, a ballgame, dinner on the South Side. All good. But a boat day stands out for a few simple reasons:
Even guests who have been to Pittsburgh before will find it new, because most visits never leave dry land.
Family visits rarely come in pairs. You might have parents, cousins, kids and a friend who tagged along. Our pontoons carry 7 to 10 guests depending on the boat, so everyone stays together instead of splitting up between cars.
Bigger group? Book two boats and cruise together. Every person counts toward the limit, kids included. For help choosing, see our boats.
You do not need a set plan, but a loose route helps. Here are three easy ideas from our dock on the Ohio River.
Run up the Ohio past Acrisure Stadium and the Carnegie Science Center to Point State Park. Then turn up the Allegheny for PNC Park and the yellow bridges in a row. It is the classic postcard trip.
From the Point, head up the Mon for a view of Station Square and the inclines climbing Mount Washington. Afterward, many visitors like to ride the Duquesne Incline to see the same rivers from above.
If your guests want green hills over skyline, head downriver on the Ohio, away from downtown, for a quieter stretch of water.
Want more ideas? Our guide to sightseeing routes on Pittsburgh's three rivers maps out more trips.
Rentals run in 4 hour and 8 hour blocks between 9 AM and 9 PM, so you can shape the day around your guests.
Summer weekends are popular, so book once your guests set their travel dates. If the weather looks rough, we make the call on the morning of your rental and you can reschedule.
A boat day bends to fit the people you are hosting:
If your guests brought their dog, or yours does not like being left out, the dog can come along. Dogs are welcome on our rentals.
Read more in our guide to bringing your pup on a pontoon.
A little planning keeps the day easy for you as the host.
Get them on the rivers. A private pontoon cruise shows off the skyline, the yellow bridges, the stadiums and Point State Park in one trip. Pair it with a ride up the Duquesne Incline for the view from above, and your guests see Pittsburgh from both angles.
Our pontoons carry 7 to 10 guests depending on the boat. The Bennington S and Sun Tracker Party Barge 20DLX each carry up to 10. Every person counts toward the limit, including kids. For groups larger than 10, book two boats and cruise together.
Yes, if they sign the rental agreement and meet Pennsylvania's rules. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a boating safety education certificate to drive. If no one in your group qualifies, ask about a captain when you book.
A 4 hour rental is plenty for a trip to the Point and back with some time to float. An 8 hour rental suits groups who want to explore all three rivers, take long breaks to float, or make a full day of it. Rentals run between 9 AM and 9 PM.
Our rentals leave from Vic's Boat Park at 1 River Rd in McKees Rocks, on the Ohio River just minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. From there you can reach the Point and cruise the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.
Give your guests the Pittsburgh they will talk about all year. Book your pontoon or call (412) 773-0988 to plan your day on the rivers.
Join our community and enjoy incredible savings while embarking on unforgettable boat rentals. Whether you're looking to cruise along the iconic Three Rivers, host a special event on the water, or simply unwind with a relaxing day of boating, Subscribe and Save 15% off your next rental is your ticket to more fun and less cost.
