Top 5 Houseboats For Rent In Pennsylvania, USA - Updated 2024

Anne Marie
Anne Marie 
Updated
| 2 min read

The adventurous traveler has probably stayed in many kinds of unique vacation rentals, from treehouses to yurts. Add another unique experience to your travel bucket list by booking your next stay in a houseboat. You don’t even have to go to the ocean to stay on a houseboat. Travelers in Pennsylvania will not only find quaint fishing lodges but also several houseboat rentals on the state’s many rivers, such as the Allegheny River and the Delaware River. There are even houseboat rentals in Poconos! Not only are they interesting places to stay on their own, but their locations provide easy access to the state’s biggest and most exciting places to visit, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, for daily sightseeing. If you want your next trip in the Keystone State to be even more exciting, read on for our picks of the top houseboats for rent in Pennsylvania, USA.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 12, 2024.

1. Beautiful cottage houseboat on a peaceful river, Beaver (from USD 175)

Situated on Pittsburgh’s Beaver River, the property is a quaint and charming modern cottage that’s perfect for a small family on holiday. No need to worry about preparing a family meal as the kitchen comes equipped with a stovetop oven, so you can whip up anything from soups and stews to even cakes and cookies. There’s also a barbecue grill outside so you can also have a picnic with grilled burgers and steaks.

The air-conditioning and heating will keep you cozy and comfy while indoors, regardless of the season. There’s also an electric fireplace you can use if the weather or mood suits the moment.

Stayed at this property?
Beaver, Pennsylvania, United States
444.78 km (276.4 mi) from Independence National Historical Park
12 reviews   Wifi Available
Houseboat 1 Bed 4 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the unit was very clean and seemed very new
the place was very clean and equipped
we loved the cottage cute clean and comfortable would definitely stay again
Host:
they wonderful owners and great staff
the owners were attentive and everything was thoughtfully arranged for our stay
Location:
we enjoyed the location
overall cool place to stay
Read more reviews

2. The Ark, Philadelphia

The Ark is perfect for couples looking for a romantic houseboat retreat in downtown Philadelphia. This yacht rental allows guests to enjoy intimacy and privacy while also staying close to the city’s shops and restaurants.

Guests can make use of the galley kitchenette with a stovetop and microwave for making small and simple meals. There’s also a mini-fridge for chilling drinks, so you can enjoy a cold bottle of wine while watching the activity on Benjamin Franklin Bridge. If you prefer a movie, there’s a 30-inch TV you can use for streaming if you’ve got an active subscription to Hulu or Netflix.

Stayed at this property?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
960 meters (0.6 ft) from Independence National Historical Park
65 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Houseboat 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
it was great walking into the a/c being on given the weather
Cleanliness:
the houseboat was very clean and there was a lot nearby to do
what a unique and fun experience jennifer’s houseboat was cozy clean and sweet
a real neat experience: being gently rocked at night for people not afraid of cramped spaces
Host:
the host checked in numerous times to make sure i was settled in
a great host and a great airbnb
jennifer was a great host providing a wonderful restaurant suggestion and parking advice
jennifer was a great host and made sure we had an easy time checking in
jennifer is an great host and she is quick to respond
Location:
the location in fantastic
the location is also fantastic just a short walk to all the action
the location was amazing- walking distance to shopping restaurants and other cool spaces
what a fun stay the location was outrageously perfect to for walking to the fillmore and plenty of restaurants
cute little space in a quiet marina
Read more reviews

3. Cozy houseboat on the Allegheny River, Verona (from USD 170)

This houseboat is so cozy and homey inside that it would be hard to remember you’re on a boat if not for the gentle rocking of the river current. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay, including a small kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and a living room with a sofa bed. You’ll be surrounded by views of the water and other boats passing by.

You can also explore the river yourself on the complimentary kayak or paddleboard. Make a day trip to the nearby Sycamore Island or Plum Creek. The boat is also approximately 10.7 miles (17.2 kilometers) from downtown Pittsburgh if you prefer a day trip in an urban setting.

Stayed at this property?
Verona, Pennsylvania, United States
403.44 km (250.7 mi) from Independence National Historical Park
84 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Houseboat 1 Bed 4 Guests

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we picked a chilly weekend to stay (mid to low 40s at night) but we were very comfortable
beautiful unique very organized comfy cozy and had everything we good need
Cleanliness:
oolikhanna was very clean comfortable and relaxing
incredibly clean and had everything we needed in the kitchen area and bathroom
Host:
the host was was communicative and offered great recommendations
they were the best hosts i have met :)
kelly jane is a superb host
the host and the community are great communicative and responsible
communication with the owner was great and addressed any questions we had quickly
Location:
it was great to be on the water and an easy walk to town
we would recommend this place
Read more reviews

4. Charming floating cabin with incredible city views, Philadelphia

Book yourself a unique city experience by staying in this cool floating cabin near the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. By day you’ll be close to see all of Philly’s sights and by night you can sleep on the water surrounded by city views. This houseboat is surprisingly chic inside and has a kitchenette, WiFi, and even a projector that can hook up to a laptop to watch movies. In the nearby marina, you’ll find shared showers that are cleaned daily.

Stayed at this property?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
938 meters (0.6 ft) from Independence National Historical Park
163 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Houseboat 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the bed is surprisingly comfortable and the view from the loft is amazing
the bathroom situation was better than expected considering things i read in previous reviews
i’d gladly book again as it was both a charming and cozy experience
Cleanliness:
the place was very clean
very clean and in a wonderful area
very awesome spot- bathrooms were clean and not a problem at all
space was unique clean and cozy
they were clean and nearly always available when we wanted to use them
Host:
the place was just as pictured and the host did a great job with communication
it was great for a little getaway and different kind of experience
clean house boat and as the owner has specified the bathroom conditions at the marina can be variable
for being in a city check in was relatively easy with j’anna’s helpful tips
Location:
really cute beyond perfect location
great location and unique experience
very fun place perfect location next to penns landing
great location and an overall fun and unique stay
beautiful place in a great location 10/10 would recommend
Read more reviews

5. Houseboat with private deck, Philadelphia

Another unique accommodation in downtown Philadelphia is this custom-built floating cabin. The houseboat features an elevated queen-sized bed and a kitchen with cutlery. Purchase drinks from the mini-bar using cash or Venmo and enjoy them out on the private deck while taking in views of the city. With air conditioning, heating, and even heated blankets, you’ll feel comfortable on the premises no matter what the weather.

Stayed at this property?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
967 meters (0.7 ft) from Independence National Historical Park
217 reviews   Superhost Wifi Available
Houseboat 1 Bed 2 Guests 1 Bedroom 1 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 2

Top guest reviews
Cleanliness:
the place was clean and is exactly as advertised
very clean space and well maintained and completely safe
a clean unique stay on the river
quick response clean and cozy
great location clean and cozy
Host:
host communicated everything and the instructions were easy to understand
j’anna was the most responsive host i’ve encountered so far
the marina manager was very friendly as i bumped into him on occasion
we were greeted by j’anna who was more than helpful
j'anna is a great host
Location:
great location if your visiting philly
a super cute and cozy place we really enjoyed our time here and the great location
the marina is walking distance to many attractions restaurants and history
lovely stay close walk to so many fun parts of philly
everything was in walking distance as well which was super convenient
Read more reviews

Enjoy smooth sails on your next trip to Pennsylvania

This state has a plethora of cool hotels and vacation rentals to choose from. However, you can make your next visit more exciting by staying in one of these unique houseboat rentals in Pennsylvania. They have all the comforts and coziness of home surrounded by a beautiful waterfront setting. Explore the state and boat on the water by day, and let the gentle waves rock you to sleep by night.

Frequently asked questions about houseboats for rent in Pennsylvania, USA


Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Anne-Marie, a publishing professional by day, harbors a fervent desire to explore the world whenever she can. Though she hasn't discovered the entire globe yet, her eagerness to learn and write...Read more

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