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Walk the Burgh tours

The great range of guided walking tours offered by Walk the Burgh have been carefully crafted to showcase Downtown Pittsburgh’s must-see attractions and landmarks, including some nice seasonal offerings such as Christmas Lights tours. Its tours are very accessible too, typically ranging from 1.5 to two hours and covering a distance of between 1.5 and two miles. Nice touches include the hot drinks offered on cold days and the discount coupons offered for post-tour bites at local establishments. Tours cost $28 for adults and $16 for children aged 6-13 (under-fives go free). Tours typically start at 1049 Penn Ave, ending at Market Square. Groups have a minimum of two persons and a maximum of 10.

‘Burgh Bits & Bites

Guided city tours of Pittsburgh don’t get tastier than those served up by ‘Burgh Bits & Bites. A mainstay in the city’s tourism sector since 2008, its walking tours fuse fascinating explorations of core Pittsburgh neighbourhoods such as the Strip District, Lawrenceville and South Side with tasty bites reflecting the city’s cosmopolitan culture and diverse cuisine. Moreover, its Saxonburg tour is a great pick for clients looking to explore the smalltown charms of nearby Butler County. Plus, the operator will tailor custom tours to meet clients’ specific needs or requests.

Gateway Clipper

One of the more classic products offered on the city’s three rivers, the Gateway Clipper fleet serves up year-round superlative sightseeing cruises in style. Popular options include its dinner cruises, featuring bountiful buffets created by the company’s executive chef, set against the romantic backdrop of twinkling city lights, while its day tours offer the best option for those seeking to comprehend how the former industrial giant morphed into the modern, dynamic and forward-thinking city we see today. The company also caters to private events and offers special themed sailings such as music and dance cruises.

Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh

Visitors have no shortage of fun ways to experience Pittsburgh’s Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers but floating along in a South Pacific-style tiki hut boat with Cruisin’ Tikis Pittsburgh has to be among the most memorable. These two-hour sightseeing tours, available for up to six people, offer a great way to view attractions such as Point State Park, its many bridges and modern skyline from a fresh perspective. Advise clients to take along their favourite snacks and beverages and make a relaxing picnic of their experience. The season starts from the beginning of May.

Bike the Burgh Tours

Cycle-friendly Pittsburgh is particularly well suited to being explored on two wheels and Bike the Burgh sure makes the most of the fact. Its programme of city tours, centred around themes such as architecture, include Beauty of the Burgh, a ‘best of’ option showcasing the Strip District, Downtown and North Shore. Clients can also expect some surprising facts and a fun quiz ($40pp for adults and $25pp for under 13s). Its small group, expert-led guided tours typically take three hours and are easy on the legs, thanks to the slow pace and flat, easy rolling terrain. Provided perks include discount coupons, for use with its local restaurant partners. Plus, BtB offers bike rental by the day or hour, with multi-day bike hire available for tackling longer trails such as the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).

Molly’s Trolleys

One of the most iconic, emblematic ways to get around the city, Molly’s Trolleys tip a nod to the historical 1920s-style trolleys that once plied these city streets. Clients can hire out a whole Trolley for a private event, such as a wedding or birthday, the panoramic windows making the most of the cityscapes as they pass by, or simply book a ride on one of the organised, 90-minute sightseeing tours that depart from the Strip District. (Tours depart at 11am and 2pm daily and tickets cost $27 for adults, $15 for children aged 3-12 and $5 for two and under.)

Pittsburgh Party Pedaler

Specialising in pedal-powered group tours, Pittsburgh Party Pedaler, a sister company of Molly’s Trolleys (see above), offers a fun way for visitors to see the city under their own steam. Each vehicle accommodates up to 16 pedalers, plus the driver provided by the operator, and clients can choose to pedal the whole time or make stops along the way. Rates for a 16-person vehicle are $385 Friday-Sunday and $325 Tuesday-Thursday, based on a two-hour tour. There are three main options available with tours of the Strip District and Lawrenceville starting from 2524 Penn Ave while tours of North Shore depart from 20 E General Robinson on Vulcan Way.

Pittsburgh Heli

Clients can experience the Pittsburgh metropolitan area like never before thanks to Pittsburgh Heli and its panoramic, bird’s-eye view tours over the city and its myriad charms, from the rivers and bridges to the parks and skyscrapers. In addition to offering tours, the operator also caters to private events. Its most popular options include the classic City of Pittsburgh Tour ($129; approx. 15 mins; Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) while the City of Champions Tour is one for sports fans as it flies over famous stadia such as PNC Park ($159; approx. 20 mins; Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun). Another nice, romantic option is to take in the city’s illuminated skyline on a Night Flight ($149; approx. 15 mins; Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun). Or clients can even have a go at flying themselves on the Fly the Heli Tour ($549; approx. 30 mins instruction and 30 mins flight time; Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun).

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Segway Pittsburgh

Quicker than walking and more effortless than cycling, the Segway tours offered by Segway Pittsburgh offer a fun, practical and panoramic way to glide through the streets, trails and parks of Pittsburgh while discovering some of the main cultural sites, historical gems and landmark buildings.

Some of the operator’s more popular options include the following foursome (minimum age 12):

Adventure Segway Tour (Two to three hours; $59) – This comprehensive offering ticks a lot of boxes. Alongside notable art spaces such as Andy Warhol Museum and Wood Street Art Gallery it takes in visitor attractions such as the Carnegie Science Center, Heinz History Center and the National Aviary, even taking time to explore some of the foodie options.

Downtown Pittsburgh Segway Tour (two hours; $49) – On this five-mile tour clients will experience waterfalls, fountains and green spaces such as Downtown’s Point State Park and cross a good range of the city’s famous bridges including the 7th St Andy Warhol Bridge, the Fort Duquesne Bridge and Smithfield Street lenticular truss bridge, the oldest in the city.

Golden Triangle Tour (90 mins; $49)

This scenic tour scores big on photo opportunities, from gliding across the Smithfield Street Bridge and exploring Point State Park, with its 73,000-gallon fountain that shoots water as high as 200 feet into the air, to traversing Market Square and the stunning PPG Place complex.

City Lights Segway Tour (90 mins; $33) – As this classic option focused on the city’s night-time skyline shows the setting sun doesn’t stop the Segway fun in Pittsburgh. Centred on Downtown, it follows a similar route to the Downtown Pittsburgh tour but it’s half an hour shorter and a bit cheaper, too.