Gas is approaching $4 a gallon, airline tickets are on the -- ha, ha -- rise. So the front porch is looking good -- spell affordable -- this summer. The view is terrific and there are plenty of opportunities for day trips that will be light on the fuel budget.

And with Memorial Day behind us and the season officially under way, here is a list of some of the places to go and things to do in the Pittsburgh region during what promises to be one long, hot $ummer.

Some, such as Moraine State Park, are practically at the back door of the North suburbs. Others may take a few gallons of petrol, but are worth the effort.

Note: Remember, the region's many major parks offer everything from swimming to golf. Check those listings before you look under the specific activity listings. And have fun!

PARKS

City of Pittsburgh, 412-255-2539, www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/parks.

Citiparks facilities vary by location, according to the Web site. For instance:

If you've got puck fever, try the hockey courts at Beechview's Tropical Park or South Side's Armstrong Playground.

Tennis anyone? Visit Beechview's Able Long Parklet or Lincoln Place's McBride Park.

Hoop-lovers will find Carrick's Phillips Park or Overbrook School Field among those with basketball courts.

Ball fields and play areas are a plenty, and a few places such as Brookline's Moore and Memorial parks, Carrick's Phillips Park, Lincoln Place's McBride Park and South Side's Ormsby Playground have the whole shebang -- including swimming pools and sometimes recreation centers.

COUNTY PARKS

Allegheny County Parks, 412-350-7275 (Parks Hotline), www.county.allegheny.pa.us/parks.

• Boyce Park: skiing, tennis courts, wave pool.

• North Park: 18-hole golf course, ice skating, swimming pool, tennis courts, boathouse.

• Settler's Cabin: tennis courts, wave pool.

• South Park: 18-hole golf course, ice skating, tennis courts, wave pool.

• White Oak Park: walking trails, wedding garden, Angora Gardens Rabbit Farm, nature programs.

BOATING

We live, remember, along three fabled rivers, with numerous lakes right in our back yard. If you want to get your feet wet -- so to speak -- here are a few places to get you started.

• VisitPA: the official tourism Web site for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, offers informational resources for more than 50 lakes located within Pennsylvania's state parks--including Lake Erie--plus rivers, marinas, and reservoirs in the Commonwealth. Go to www.visitpa.com, select Things to Do, then Nature and Outdoors, then, on the right-side menu, Boating & Sailing. No computer? Call 1-800-847-4872 for information to be mailed to you.

• VisitPittsburgh, the official tourism promotion agency for Allegheny County, hosts a Web site with a wealth of information on local boating opportunities. Go to www.visitpittsburgh.com, enter "boating" in the search box, then select the "Water" site page.

Allegheny County has 17 marinas along the three rivers; and Station Square on the South Side has public docks at Bessemer Court for easy river access to downtown shopping and dining, the site notes. There's also information on four public boat launches within the city limits: one on the Monongahela River in the South Side and three along the Allegheny River Trail.

For more, call 412-281-7711 or 1-800-359-0758.

• A free Pennsylvania boating map is available by writing the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, or calling 717-705-7800. VisitPA also offers the free map; call 1-800-847-4872.

• Three Rivers Rowing Association, 412-231-8772, www.threeriversrowing.org.

The organization, founded in 1984, has two facilities: The main location on historic Washington's Landing, just north of Downtown, and in the Millvale Waterfront Park, since 2002. The facilities, open year-round, include lockers, showers and boat storage. The association also offers rentals and instruction for rowers and kayak users.

CAMPING

It's not hard to find a place to pitch a tent, but if you want to get away from it all without getting away from, well, everything, there are some places nearby to recommend.

• Raccoon Creek State Park, 724-899-2200, www.visitpaparks.com or www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks. In Hookstown, with trails open to the public and a model airplane field.

• Moraine State Park, 724-368-8811, www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks In Portersville near the intersection of Interstate 79 and Route 422, featuring the 3,225-acre Lake Arthur and the Frank Preston Conservation Area.

FISHING

Sometimes "Gone fishin'" is the best destination. Here's one tip for gathering information on fishing guides and spots in Western Pennsylvania.

• Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, 717-705-7800, option 5; www.fish.state.pa.us. There are numerous lakes, streams and the three rivers in and around greater Pittsburgh. For a copy of the free publication, "PA Fishing and Boating Opportunities," or for information, contact the commission office at Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106.

HORSEBACK RIDING

This isn't the Wild West, but we can still saddle up and ride 'em cowboy!

• Rolling Hills Ranch, 412-221-9926, www.rolling-hills-ranch.com. Horseback riding available to the public during the spring, summer and fall months. Hourly rates available, with reservations required for parties of 15 or more. Located in Bridgeville.

SKATING/HOCKEY

Ice, ice baby; strap on a pair of skates, or rent them, and hit one of the nearby ice rinks.

• Blade Runners, www.bladerunnersice.com. A family fun center for ice skating and hockey with three locations. Rinks located in Bethel Park, 412-833-8500; Harmarville, 412-826-0800; and Warrendale, 724-772-0022.

• Iceoplex, 724-745-6666, www.iceoplexatsouthpointe.com. Hockey and ice skating available at the Cecil, Washington County, facility.

• Island Sports Center, 412-262-3335, www.iscenter.com. Figure skating and hockey camps with clinics and leagues located on Neville Island. Owned and operated by Robert Morris University.

• Mt. Lebanon Ice Center, 412-561-4363, www.mtlebanon.org, click on Recreation Department, then Recreation Facilities. Year-round rink with daily public skating and classes. Hockey programs also available.

• PPG Ice Rink, 412-394-3641, www.ppgplace.com/rink. Seasonal outdoor ice rink located in the middle of PPG Plaza in Downtown. Closed now for summer, it reopens Light-Up Night, Nov. 21.

TENNIS

It's not as easy to find a court as it was in the sport's heyday, but there are still lots of public courts and a few other recommendations.

• Glen Creek Tennis Club, 412-833-3080, www.glencreektennis.com. 10 courts, six indoor and four outdoor. Also boasts locker room facilities and instructors for all ages and ability levels.

• Mellon Park Tennis Center, 412-665-4017. Located along Fifth Avenue within the City of Pittsburgh and owned and operated by the city. The venue has five courts, which are covered year-round with a weather-resistant bubble.

• Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center, 412-343-3411, www.mtlebanon.org, click on Recreation Department, then Recreation Facilities. There are 15 courts at the municipal venue located just south of the City of Pittsburgh. The courts are home to the West Penn Open.

TRAILS

Take a hike on one of these outstanding trails.

• Armstrong Trail, 724-543-4478. Running from Armstrong County to Clarion County, this 52.5 mile trail winds along the Allegheny River.

• Arrowhead Trail, 724-942-5000, www.peterstownship.com. Almost 4 miles of winding trail along Brush Run Creek in Peters.

• Great Allegheny Passage, www.atatrail.org. A 150-mile system of biking and hiking trails connecting Cumberland, Md., and Pittsburgh. It's being built by the Allegheny Trail Alliance, a coalition of seven trail organizations in southwestern Pennsylvania and western Maryland.

• Montour Trail, www.montourtrail.org. More than 30 miles of trail from Carnegie to Weirton, W.Va.

• Three Rivers Heritage Trail, 412-488-0212; www.friendsoftheriverfront.org. 21 miles of riverfront trail on both sides of Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, radiating out from the Point in Pittsburgh. Friends of the Riverfront are developers and stewards of the trail, which encompasses: the Eliza Furnace Trail, Lawrenceville Trail, Strip District Trail, Panther Holl Trail, Duck Hollow Trail, South Side Trail and North Shore Trail.

The Yough Trail North is closed until further notice due to some landslides.

AMUSEMENT/THEME PARKS

• Kennywood Park: The park is open daily through Aug. 24. Regular hours: Gates open at 10:30 a.m.; rides start at 11 a.m. Standard admission is $32 for all-day riding, $19 for children 46 inches tall and under, $15 for age 55 and over and free for age 2 and under. Admission after 5 p.m. is $17, or $9 for seniors, and there are reduced group rates and special-price days.

On Aug. 29, the park opens at 5 p.m. Regular hours resume Sept. 1, 6, 7, 13 and 14; park is closed on days not mentioned.

Location: 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin; 412-461-0500; see www.kennywood.com for directions and more.

• Sandcastle: Next to The Waterfront and a few miles from Kennywood, the water park boasts a wave pool, 14 water slides, two children's areas, a giant hot tub and other pools.

Open daily June 7 through Sept. 1; limited operation Aug. 18-24.

Standard admission is $25.95 for all day from 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m., depending on weather; $18.95 after 3 p.m. Other fees: $18.95 for seniors, $14.95 after 3 p.m.; $13.95 for kids 46 inches tall and shorter, $9.95 after 3 p.m.; free for age 2 and younger. Reduced group rates available.

Kennywood and Sandcastle, , offer a same-day combination admission for both parks at $32.

Location: 1000 Sandcastle Drive, West Homestead; 412-462-6666; see www.sandcastlewaterpark.com for more.

• Idlewild and Soak Zone: Kennywood's sister park features 19 major rides including two roller coasters, 14 kiddie rides, 20 water slides, Story Book Forest, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe and more on 68 acres. New for 2008 is Bigfoot's Mudslide. Voted the Second Best Kid's Park in the World for four years straight (2004-07) by readers of Amusement Today magazine.

Open daily June 4 through Aug. 24, then Aug. 31-Sept. 1, with most attractions beginning at 11 a.m. Then weekends in late September and October for Hallowboo, a family-oriented Happy Halloween twist.

Standard admission is $26.95 for rides, after 6 p.m., $12.50; $17.95 for age 55 and over; free for age 2 and younger; $64.95 for season passes. Reduced group rates available.

Park gates and Story Book Forest open at 10 a.m. Closing times vary, but range from 6 to 9 p.m.

Location: Route 30 in Ligonier; 724-238-3666; see www.idlewild.com for specific times, directions, more.

MUSEUMS & MISC

• Senator John Heinz History Center. The center is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in the state of Pennsylvania. Among offerings are artifacts and interactive exhibits of military battles fought during the early days of Western Pennsylvania, while the sports museum provides a look at more recent local battles fought on football and baseball fields and ice rinks. The center is also a place to explore family roots, including photographs, maps, books, and manuscripts relating to Western Pennsylvania history.

The exhibits and museum shop are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The library and archives are closed Sundays and Mondays.

Admission: $9 for adults; $7 for seniors (62 and older); $5 for students with valid ID; $5 for ages 6-18; free for age 5 and younger.

History Center members are admitted free.

Location: 1212 Smallman St., Strip District; 412-454-6000; see www.pghhistory.org for directions and more.

• Jimmy Stewart Museum: Legendary actor and hometown boy Jimmy Stewart distinguished himself in a wide range of classic movie roles: shrewd defense attorney in "Anatomy of a Murder," idealistic legislator in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and chum to an invisible rabbit in "Harvey."

A display of his awards, posters, photos, costumes and other paraphernalia is available for viewing.

Schedule: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays and holidays.

Admission: $5, adults; $4, age 60 and older, military personnel and college students; $3, ages 7 to 17; and free for age 6 and younger. Members admitted free.

Location: 845 Philadelphia St., Indiana, Indiana County.; 724-349-6112; www.jimmy.org.

• Phipps Conservatory: Silvered domes of glass enclose 14 garden rooms.

Schedule: Open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and until 10 p.m. on Fridays.

Admission: $10 adults; $9, age 62 and over; $9, students with ID, $7 for ages 2 to 18; free for under age 2. Phipps members admitted free.

Location: One Schenley Park, Squirrel Hill; 412-622-6914; www.phipps.conservatory.org.

• Nemacolin Castle: Maintained by the Brownsville Historical Society, the castle is a gateway to the early history of Brownsville, one of the most historically important towns in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Schedule: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 1 through Aug. 31; and weekends mid-March through mid-October.

Admission: Tour prices are $7 for adults, $4 for children under 12.

Location: 100 Front St. (Route 40) in Brownsville, Fayette County.

Information: 724-785-6882. See www.nemacolincastle.org for directions and more.

• Moraine State Park: The park covers more than 16,000 acres and contains Lake Arthur, the Frank Preston Conservation Area and a seven-mile paved bike trail along the north shore of the lake.

Activities include swimming, boating, horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking.

Location: Park office, 225 Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, Butler County

Information: 724-368-8811 or www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/moraine.aspx.

• McConnells Mill State Park: Slippery Rock Creek Gorge runs through this 2,546-acre park in Lawrence County. Although swimming is not permitted because of the swift creek, the park offers fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and whitewater boating. It also includes a gristmill built in the 1800s and a covered bridge.

Schedule: Open dawn to dusk year-round

Location: Near the intersection of Route 19 and Route 422

Information: 724-368-8091 or 724-368-8811; visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/mcconnellsmill.aspx.

• Historic Harmony: The Butler County town of Harmony was founded in 1804 as the first home of the German communal Harmony Society.

The Harmony Museum, 218 Mercer St., contains exhibits on American Indians, George Washington, Harmonists, Mennonites, long rifles made by Charles Flowers and artifacts of the oil era. The town offers crafts, shopping, dining and accommodations.

Information: 724-452-7341 or www.harmonymuseum.org.

• Lernerville Speedway: The track in Butler County, owned by Dirt Motor Sports, offers these racing divisions: Sprints, Late Models and Modified, plus Street Stocks every Friday evening.

Location: 313 N. Pike Road, Sarver section of Buffalo, Butler County.

Information: 724-353-1511. or www.lernerville.com.

• Pennsylvania Trolley Museum: Vintage trolleys, carefully restored by museum curators and volunteers, are housed in trolley barns and travel along four miles of track. Visitors receive a guided tour of the car barn and unlimited trolley rides

Schedule: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day.

Admission: $8 for adults; $7 for seniors age 62 and older; $5 for age 3 to 15; free for age 2 and younger.

Location: 1 Museum Road, Washington, Washington County (across from the county fairgrounds).

Information: 724-228-9256. or visit www.pa-trolley.org.

• Meadowcroft Village: Officially known as Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life, this site reflects the life and times of Western Pennsylvania over the past 16,000 years. It's home to a 19th century village as well as the internationally known Rockshelter archaeological dig.

Schedule: Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Labor Day.

Admission: $10 adults; $5 for children 6 to 16; free for age 5 and younger.

Location: 401 Meadowcroft Road, near Avella in Jefferson, Washington County.

Information: 724-587-3412 or see meadowcroft.pghhistory.org.