HARRISBURG — Families and friends looking to enjoy the beauty Harrisburg has to offer this summer can look no further than its famous riverboat.
The Pride of the Susquehanna set sail for its 35th season over Memorial Day Weekend. The riverboat takes three to four public cruises every day, weather permitting, embarking from the east side of City Island for a 45-minute sightseeing tour around the Susquehanna River.
“It’s a nice little addition to City Island with all the entertainment going on, and it’s a chance to educate people about the river,” said Captain Jamie Trinkle.
The Pride of the Susquehanna is operated by the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, a non-profit organization which makes the historic paddlewheel boat possible to the Harrisburg area. The Pride is considered the only paddlewheel riverboat left east of the Mississippi River, according to the Riverboat Sociey’s website, and one of only six remaining in the United States.
The Pride of the Susquehanna is unique in that its paddlewheels not only propel the vessel but also steer and turn it independently, the website reads. The boat was constructed using local supplies, and finished in time for the start of the 1988 boating season.
“Going down the river is one of the most beautiful things,” said Kim Rice, Chairperson for the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society. “I see the Pride of the Susquehanna as something which links us to Harrisburg. We hope that people who visit Harrisburg will come see us on the Pride, and then go back into the city for dinner and stay there and take advantage of what Harrisburg has to offer.”
Daily public tours through Labor Day weekend run weekdays at noon, 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m., and weekends at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. A special fall schedule runs from Septembr 6-October 31 on weekends only at 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. Prices run $8 for children 3-12, $13 for adults 13-59 years old, and $11 for seniors 60 and over. Infants and active military and veterans ride free, but still need a ticket.
The Pride of the Susquehanna also offers a number of speciality cruises, including a Sunset Dinner Cruise, Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise, Jazzin’ on the Pride music show,and more. There are also educational trips designed specifically for classes of children.
For more information on how to book space on a cruise or donate to the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society, click here.
