More than 50 percent of American adults have taken or plan to take a vacation this year, whether it be to the beach, overseas or to a big city, according to figures released recently by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. And 47 percent reported that they will spend more than $1,000 on a trip.

But if you're not able to leave town this summer, you might try some quirky sightseeing tours here that will give you a different view of our fair city and will cost you far less than $1,000.

I recently checked out several tours around the city, ranging from a stroll through time at the Allegheny County Old Jail to a speedy trek on a Segway through Downtown. Each of these tours offers a unique view to the city's history, culture and past times.

Heinz Field and PNC Park tours

Ever wanted a peek at the Steelers' locker room? Wonder what it's like to sit in the Pirates' dugout? Touring Heinz Field and PNC Park are great treats for those die-hard Steelers and Bucs fans.

Tours at Heinz Field begin at the Coca-Cola Great Hall, a mini-museum of Steeler memorabilia. Highlights on this 1 1/2-hour guided tour include a trip to the press box, club seats and the chance to stand on the field level. And be sure to let the experience of the luxury suites sink in: These private boxes have a wait-list of about a decade and cost several thousand dollars per season -- not including the food.

The guides appear knowledgeable and well-trained on the material. They ask the crowd trivia questions, such as "What was the first event at Heinz Field?" (Answer: the 'N Sync concert in 2001 -- which I attended -- several days before the first home preseason Steelers game -- which I also attended).

The Heinz Tour is popular, bringing in 17,878 people so far this year, said Maria DeNunzio, a Heinz Field spokeswoman. The tour season following the Steelers' Super Bowl victory drew 30,062 visitors.

On my sunny Friday afternoon tour, our crowd was so large that it had to be split into two groups -- each with at least 30 people. And the crowd wasn't all local: People from Chicago, Virginia and San Diego, Calif., were clad in Steelers gear for a tour of the stadium.

Tours of the Bucs' home field also bring in a lot of visitors, averaging about 13,000 a season, said spokeswoman Juliana Howe. About 6,000 visitors toured the field last May alone.

Walk-up tours of Heinz Field are offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. and noon April through October. For tours of 10 or more, call 412-697-7150 to schedule an appointment between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children under 18 and $4 for seniors 55 and over.

Visit PNC Park Mondays through Fridays from April through Sept. 29 for a tour of the Pirates' digs. Tours are offered 10 a.m. and noon all days of the week, and an additional 2 p.m. tour is offered when there is no evening home game. One Saturday a month (Aug. 4 and Sept. 29 this year) tours are offered at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. These walk-up tours are available to anyone, but groups of 25 or more should call 412-325-4700 to schedule a separate appointment. Cost is $4 for students and $6 for adults; groups of 25 or more cost $4 a person.

Segway in Paradise

If you want to experience the city but aren't up for walking all over town, check out the Segway in Paradise tour. Run by Earlene Woods, Segway in Paradise takes guests on an electric scooter ride all over Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore.

The tour begins at the Freight House Shops in Station Square with a short lesson on how to use the device. When I first stepped on, it felt a little woozy under my legs. But I caught on fast. Moving the Segway is as simple as shifting your weight forward, and to turn, all that is required is a little twist of the left wrist. After a practice spin around Station Square, you should be ready to go.

The real tour begins with a zoom across the Smithfield Street Bridge into the heart of the city. Ms. Woods guides the tour, offering tidbits of Pittsburgh's history along the way. But if you get caught Downtown between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., be prepared for foot traffic. The crowded sidewalks make it sometimes hard to maneuver through the streets.

Soar through the Cultural District and cross the Andy Warhol Bridge (Seventh Street) onto the North Shore. It's pleasant to cruise around PNC Park and enjoy a little spin by the river's edge.

But be careful of the weather. My tour got caught in two torrential downpours, resulting in stopping the Segways and seeking shelter, which doesn't exist much around PNC Park. If it rains, you have to wait it out -- Segways aren't water-friendly. We spent about 45 minutes total waiting for the rain to cease.

Although the tour is fun, it's also pricey. The 20 minutes of instruction and two-hour tour cost $59 a person plus tax.

Segway in Paradise tours are offered twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call 724-625-3521 for reservations. Visit www.segwayinparadise.com for details.

Allegheny County Old Jail Museum

The old Allegheny County Jail in Downtown is a nationally recognized historic landmark for its architecture, and has been used as the background in several film and television productions. But it also was home to overcrowding problems and inhumane treatment.

Stop by this massive stone structure on Ross Street to get a taste of jail life. A self-guided tour is presented by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. The Old Jail Museum is more of a quick peek at history than a traditional tour.

Take a step into a cell about the size of a powder room; claustrophobics beware. To put it into perspective, during Paris Hilton's recent stint in jail, her cell was about twice the size of those in the Old Jail, said Bob Loos, a tour volunteer.

Experience the lackluster surroundings of the prison: "luxuries" in the steel cell blocks include a bed, toilet, sink, stool and table -- all built into the wall. The cement cells housed only a canvas bed.

Artifacts from the Old Jail era also are on display a and ther is brief history of the juvenile system in Pennsylvania, where until 1901, youngsters served time alongside adults. A book records a boy as young as 7 who served time there.

The Old Jail Museum, 440 Ross St., is open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays for a self-guided tour February through October. It closes on government holidays. Admission is free.

The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation offers other tours in the region; visit www.phlf.org.

Just Ducky Tours

You've probably seen this odd-looking contraption with wheels while walking through Downtown. Just Ducky Tours offer excursions on a World War II vehicle that drives on land and in the water. Tours begin at Station Square and take guests all over the city and North Shore areas, quacking at passers-by as they go.

But the real fun begins when the "duck boat" enters the Ohio River and a few lucky quackers get to drive the vessel.

The best part of the tour is the knowledgeable staff. Guides rattle off fact after fact of interesting information about the city. One tidbit is that the theaters sell more tickets than all Pittsburgh sports teams combined.

Just Ducky Tours are great rain or shine: On sunny days, the open vehicle allows for ample sun intake, and plastic flaps are put down when the weather isn't as favorable.

"I think it's important to realize it's enjoyable for Pittsburghers as well as for people from out of town. It's a fun ride in addition to an informative tour," said tour guide Andrew Phillips.

Just Ducky Tours are offered at various times daily April to October. Cost is $19 for adults, $15 for children 3 to 12 years and $5 for children 2 and under. Visit www.justduckytours.com or call 412-402-DUCK for more information.

Industrial and immigrant heritage

For a grittier look at Pittsburgh, check out the monthly Hard Hat tours operated by the Rivers of Steel Heritage Area.

The Babushkas and Hard Hat Tour starts with a look at the Bessemer Converter and takes folks from the heights of Mount Washington into the heart of the Monongahela Valley, tracing the experiences of the immigrants who poured into the region.

You hear Pittsburghese, get to sample the sweet tradition of the cookie table and learn all about the steel and iron workers who toiled along the rivers. Its other tour takes people through the cavernous hulls of Carrie Furnaces 6 and 7 and surrounding plant that produced iron for the Homestead Works from 1907 to 1978. Former iron workers describe the grueling and often dangerous jobs involved at the furnaces that belched fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At their peak in the 1950s and 1960s they produced 1,000 to 1,250 tons of iron a day.

The hard hats are not just for show: The furnaces are as they were left, and visitors walk through a labyrinth of narrow passageways and steep stairways to explore the deteriorated structures. The tours are not handicapped accessible, and heels and open-toed shoes are a no-no.

There are still openings in the Babushkas' Aug. 4 tour which begins at 9 a.m. at Station Square. Cost is $20.

The Carrie Furnace tour is filled for August but still has openings Sept. 15 and is likely to pick up again next May. The tours leave from the Pump House, across from Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse at the Waterfront. Cost is $25 per person and well worth the price.

Reserve space for both by calling 412-464-4020, ext. 32 or purchase tickets online at www.riversofsteel.com.