From the archive. This post includes our 2024 field trip schedule. For current dates, prices and booking, see field trips.
Quick answer
Pittsburgh sits where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio, a location that shaped its trade, settlement and role as a gateway to the West. Gateway Clipper, sailing since 1958, brings that history to students on narrated field trip cruises.
As we celebrate Presidents' Day, we embark on a journey that honors the leaders who shaped our nation and explores the rich story of Pittsburgh itself. On the Three Rivers, our fleet sails waters that have mirrored the progress of Pittsburgh through the years, a city whose story is deeply intertwined with American history. And what better way to blend education and exploration than with a Gateway Clipper field trip cruise? Here's how the rivers tell the tale of the Steel City.
Three chapters of Pittsburgh's river history
The Point of confluence
Known to many as "the Point," Pittsburgh sits where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River. This geography has played a pivotal role in the city's history as a strategic location for trade, transportation and settlement. The meeting of these rivers shaped not only Pittsburgh's landscape but also its economic development and cultural identity.
Gateway to the West
The Ohio River was a vital waterway during the westward expansion of the United States. In the 18th and 19th centuries, flatboats, keelboats and steamboats carried people and goods down the Ohio toward the western frontier. Pittsburgh became known as the "Gateway to the West," playing a central role in westward expansion and the development of the American frontier.
Riverboat heritage
Pittsburgh has a long history of riverboat transportation dating back to the early 19th century. Steamboats were instrumental in trade and commerce, connecting Pittsburgh to other cities and regions. The Gateway Clipper Fleet, established in 1958, continues this riverboat legacy, giving locals and visitors a unique perspective on the city's history while cruising its waterways. Learn more in our story.
A field trip through time
A Gateway Clipper educational field trip is like setting sail through time. As the boat glides along the Three Rivers, the narration brings the city's past to life and shows its role in American history. Students see iconic landmarks up close and learn about Pittsburgh's industrial and cultural heritage, seeing how a gateway city mirrored the changes and progress of the nation. It's a living history lesson and a memorable day for everyone aboard.
Our 2024 field trip schedule
These were our 2024 student cruises and prices:
Sightseeing cruises and tours (from the Acrisure Stadium dock on the North Shore)
- One-Hour Sightseeing Cruise: Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2024, $20
- Two-Hour Lock & Dam Cruise: Thursdays, May 9, 16, 23 and 30, 2024, $30
Student dining cruises and tours (Wednesdays)
- French Night Dinner Cruise & Tour: April 24 and May 15, 2024, $52
- Spanish Night Dinner Cruise & Tour: May 1 and 22, 2024, $52
- German Night Dinner Cruise & Tour: May 8, 2024, $52
This year
Our field trips return each spring with a 1-hour sightseeing tour, a Lock & Dam educational tour and a language immersion dining cruise for high school classes, with no minimum group size. See the current schedule and prices on our field trips page, read our guide to Pittsburgh school field trips on the water, or call our Group Sales team at (412) 355-7951. Families and visitors can hear the city's story anytime on the one-hour Three Rivers Sightseeing cruise.
