Riverlife’s Shore Thing kicks off summer with food, art, performance, and joy: no ticket required.
Riverlife, the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating, activating, and celebrating Pittsburgh’s riverfronts, has launched Riverlife’s Shore Thing, a bold new floating destination, in the heart of the Sister Bridges. Anchored in the Allegheny River just off Allegheny Landing on the North Shore, this 4,800-square-foot modular barge platform brings Pittsburghers together through art, play, food, and community.
The 2025 experience celebrated a grand opening on Tuesday, July 1. A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on July 15 at 11:30 a.m. with the ribbon cutting taking place at noon. The experience will run through mid-October, welcoming visitors Tuesday through Thursday from 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. The platform will be closed on Mondays, except for select dates.
“At Riverlife, we believe Pittsburgh’s rivers bring life to our region,” said Matthew Galluzzo, President and CEO of Riverlife. “Our work is community-driven. Thousands of Pittsburghers provided input to our guiding vision plan, Completing the Loop. Their message was clear: Pittsburghers want riverfronts filled with amenities and attractions–places that bring people together to create memories. Shore Thing is Riverlife’s most visible effort to turn bold ideas into real experiences, and a clear reflection of our relentless pursuit of world-class riverfronts that belong to everyone.”
Rooted in Riverlife’s mission to connect people through exceptional places and experiences, Riverlife’s Shore Thing reflects the organization’s values of equity, innovation, and collaboration. The platform offers visitors a welcoming, family-friendly space to lounge, enjoy river views, and participate in a rotating calendar of free programs, including yoga, live music, and arts workshops.
Riverlife’s Shore Thing contributes to the realization of the Sister Bridges Experience, a transformational initiative to connect the North Shore with Downtown in a vibrant cross-river destination. By bringing this unique activation to life on the water between the Clemente and Warhol Bridges, this project offers a glimpse into what a vibrant, linked riverfront system can include. This project demonstrates how thoughtful and bold investment in public spaces can spark joy, connection, and belonging.
A new way to experience Pittsburgh’s river
Riverlife’s Shore Thing is constructed from ten modular barges. The versatile platform includes public gathering space, artistic installations, nets that allow you to sit or lie down over the water, and sustainable infrastructure like an off-grid solar-powered container, created in partnership with Pittsburgh’s ZeroFossil.
Visitors can relax under the glimmer of the Pittsburgh Chandelier, a suspended Capiz shell installation designed by artist Fran Flaherty and her students at Carlow University, or explore a vibrant mural, A New Wave, painted by Pittsburgh-based artist Janel Young. Food and drink from BG Brewing’s Pittsburgh to the Pacific menu brings wagyu hot dogs, poke bombs, and rainbow sprinkle-topped ice cream right to the Allegheny River.
At Riverlife, we believe the riverfronts belong to everyone. Riverlife’s Shore Thing reflects that belief, not just in concept, but in design, layout, and experience. The project was designed to ensure that people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds can feel comfortable and included. It’s free, public, and designed to bring people together.
Made possible by community investment
Riverlife’s Shore Thing was made possible through the generous support of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). “Shore Thing is an exciting addition to Pittsburgh’s riverfront experience,” said Rich Hudic, Executive Director of the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD). “Riverlife’s work to create bold, inclusive public spaces fits with RAD’s mission to invest in places where people come together to enjoy the outdoors, connect with one another, and celebrate the best of our region.”
Additional contributions have been through the Pennsylvania Waterfront Development Tax Credit Program. Established with bipartisan support in 2016, the PA Waterfront Development Tax Credit is a powerful tool for revitalizing Pennsylvania’s waterfronts. The program, administered through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), encourages private investment in projects that create public access to waterways, restore ecology, enhance property values, and drive job creation and economic growth. Funding from the Waterfront Development Tax Credit helps nonprofits like Riverlife transform underutilized waterfront areas into thriving public destinations like Riverlife’s Shore Thing, ensuring community access, ecological stewardship, and lasting economic impact. Participating businesses include Duquesne Light Company, First National Bank, The Gateway Clipper, HM Insurance Group, United Concordia Dental, and UPMC Health Plan.
Programming for Riverlife’s Shore Thing is made possible through the generous support of the Charity Randall Foundation.
Riverlife’s Shore Thing also received support from Giant Eagle and The Fine Foundation.
For more information about Riverlife’s Shore Thing, visit shorething.riverlifepgh.org and follow @riverlifepgh on Instagram and Facebook.
