In the Midwest, we are lucky enough to be near massive bodies of water, thanks to the Great Lakes and various rivers. The Ohio River, which runs 981 miles from western Pennsylvania to the Mississippi River in southern Illinois, provides endless opportunities for summer fun, with activities like boating, kayaking and canoeing, biking, dining, fishing and more. Whether you are on the river or enjoying the view nearby in Louisville, Cincinnati or Pittsburgh, the Ohio River is your go-to spot this hot summer.
By the Editors
Paddle Away
Anywhere on the Ohio River, you can grab a kayak and paddle and head with the stream for a few hours, but in Cincinnati, you join hundreds of other paddlers at the Ohio River Paddlefest in August. It is recognized as the nation’s largest paddling celebration, with up to 2,000 participants traveling up to 9 miles through downtown Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in canoes, kayaks and other human-powered craft, according to its website.
Other kayaking and canoeing nearby includes:
– Green Acres Kayak Rental
– Tippecanoe and Kayaks Too
– Scenic River Canoe Excursions
Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures in Greenup, Kentucky, has guided kayaking on Grayson Lake and Little Sandy River, which meets the Ohio River. Marietta, Ohio, located on the Ohio River and home to the Ohio River Museum, has multiple paddling routes on the Muskingum River, Duck Creek and the Ohio River. The Marietta Adventure Company can help with kayak rentals.
Kayak Pittsburgh Downtown Pop-Up with Venture Outdoors offers solo kayak rentals for 45-60 minutes, tandem kayak rentals and group kayaking experiences, all to see Pittsburgh from a new view on the river.
Rock The Boat
In Cincinnati, you can rev up your own boat (if you’re lucky enough to have one) or join fellow sightseers on a BB Riverboat Cruise, which has been delighting tourists and locals alike since 1979. You can jump on for a sightseeing cruise or a dining cruise, which are available for brunch, lunch and dinner.
Belle of Louisville Riverboats in Louisville is another great boating option on the Ohio River, with afternoon and evening cruises, live music on board and occasional 21-plus cruises. Belle of Louisville also has themed cruises like Yacht Rock, Speakeasy on the River and Murder Mystery.
In Pittsburgh, you can hop on the Gateway Clipper Fleet for the Three Rivers Sightseeing Cruise & Tour, which begins on the Monongahela River and continues on to both the Allegheny and Ohio rivers. Its evening sailings are at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. feature Happy Hour Cocktails while the captain and narrator regale you with interesting facts and history about Pittsburgh and the rivers.
