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Best Places To See New Year's Eve Fireworks In Pittsburgh

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The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust teamed up with the Highmark First Night team to provide almost 150 events downtown featuring vouchered shows, comedy, magic, creative activities, music, theater, dance and visual arts plus approximately 50 other venues offering attractions for 2014 Highmark First Night. The Pittsburgh New Year's Eve alcohol-free party lasts from 6 p.m. until midnight on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 beginning and ending with fireworks. Here are some places with a river view of the fireworks.

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Gateway Clipper
350 W. Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 355-7980
www.gatewayclipper.com

The Gateway Clipper has three cruises scheduled for New Year's Eve and sails along the Three Rivers. One cruise sets sail at 6 p.m. and returns at 8 p.m. while two cruises are scheduled for 9:30 p.m. to return at 12:30 a.m. for the 21-and-over crowd. The cruises offer picturesque views of the city and the fireworks display that illuminates the sky on New Year's Eve. All of the cruises offer DJ entertainment. While the 6 p.m. cruise is a dinner cruise, only one of the 9:30 p.m. cruises includes dinner.

Related: Best Places To Host A Wedding Reception In Pittsburgh

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Roberto Clemente Bridge
6th St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
www.eventbrite.com

The bridge connects downtown Pittsburgh to PNC Park. Above the Allegheny River, the bridge has walkways along the each side for pedestrians that overlook the river and offer a view of New Year's Eve fireworks in the sky. The bridge is anchored by a statue of Roberto Clemente in front of PNC Park and Fort Duquesne Boulevard. When the new Pirate stadium sold the naming rights to PNC Park, the name of the bridge changed from the Sixth Street Bridge to the Roberto Clemente Bridge as part of a compromise.

Related: Best Places To See Fireworks In Pittsburgh

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Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Friends of the Riverfront
33 Terminal Way, Suite 333B
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 488-0212
www.friendsoftheriverfront.org

Only a portion of the trail surrounds the Allegheny River as the full length of the trail is 24 miles extending throughout the three rivers:  Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio. The portion of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail stretching along the Allegheny River below Fort Duquesne Boulevard from the Roberto Clemente Bridge to Point State Park is prime for the fireworks show. The portion of the trail available for a river view of New Year's Eve fireworks in Pittsburgh has access points from Duquesne Boulevard by the Roberto Clemente Bridge and Point State Park. The trail provides safety for commuters from the downtown traffic and lines the Allegheny to provide a great river view of the fireworks.

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North Shore Riverfront Trail
Riverlife
707 Grant St., Suite 3500
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 258-6636
www.riverlifepgh.org

The North Shore Trail that connects Heinz Field, Rivers Casino and PNC Park is filled with manicured lawns, river views and boats. Typically walkers, runners, cyclists, commuters and tourists fill the trail, but this is a great view for the fireworks. Above the greenways and park places are entertainment venues, restaurants, stadiums and cultural sites. Individuals can easily move from the New Year's Eve activities to take in the fireworks.

Related: Best Spots For A Picnic In Pittsburgh

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Point State Park
601 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 565-2850
www.pointstatepark.com

Although the Point State Park Fountain is shut down for the winter, a tree has been constructed for the holiday season. Point State Park is located at the tip of downtown Pittsburgh and is a hub for many trails. The Three Rivers Heritage Trail intersects with the Point. The Point offers seating on its promenade which provides nice seating area overlooking the river and bridges in Pittsburgh which light up for fireworks.

Diane Straka is a freelance writer whose work can be found on http://www.examiner.com/finance-in-pittsburgh/diane-straka

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