With slowly rising gas prices [this week $2.69 for a gallon of unleaded] -- not to mention a continuing recession -- many residents of the South Hills appear to be staying closer to home this summer.

Thus a mini-vacation, a day trip from home, may be the way to go. Here are a few suggestions, mostly all a short drive from Downtown.

Fifty miles east of Pittsburgh, the fort was built in September 1758 during the French and Indian War. The 250th anniversary of the French attack on the fort will be observed on July 18-19 with artillery firings at 1 and 3 p.m, and battle reenactments at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Open daily Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m from April 15 to Nov. 15.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for ages 6 to 14; younger than 5, free.

Location: Intersection of routes 30 and 711 in Ligonier; 724-238-9701; visit www.fortligonier.org.

Kennywood's sister park to the east features 19 major rides, 14 kiddie rides, 20 waterslides, Story Book Forest, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood of Make-Believe, and more on 68 acres.

Open daily June 9 - Aug. 30 and Sept. 5-7.

Standard admission of $28.99 for rides and most attractions; $19.99 for ages 55 and over; free for ages 2 and younger. Admission after 6 p.m. is $13.99; $59.99 for a season pass until June 30. There are reduced rates for groups.

Park gates and Story Book Forest open at 10:30 a.m. Closing times vary, but range from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location: Route U.S. Route 30, Ligonier; 724-238-3666; www.idlewild.com.

A tribute to the late Academy Award winning actor and Indiana's hometown hero Jimmy Stewart includes awards, posters, photos, costumes and more -- all for less than a current movie admission, and a two-hour drive.

A new exhibit entitled "Dear Mr. Stewart" features fan-made gifts, such as hand-written poems, carvings, letters, and a real ostrich egg filled with a tiny cut-out set of the actor and a scene from the iconic movie "Harvey."

Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m; and Sundays and holidays, noon to 5 p.m.

Admission: $5 for adults; $4 for ages 60 and over, military personnel, and college students; $3 for ages 7 to 17; and free for those younger than 6.

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

Maintained by the Brownsville Historical Society, the castle is a gateway to the early histories of Brownsville, one of the most historically important towns in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Tours are conducted from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through August; weekends from noon to 4 p.m. from Sept. 5 to Nov. 1. Special tours may be organized for groups of 20 or more.

Tour prices are $7 for adults, and $4 for ages 12 and younger.

Location: 100 Front St. (along U.S. Route 40) in Brownsville; 724-785-6882; www.nemacolincastle.org.

The world-class resort, located in the Laurel Highlands here in the southwestern portion of the state, is one of only 21 hotels and resorts in the world to host AAA Five-Diamond lodging and dining. It is situated on 3,000 acres, and the resort includes an acclaimed spa, 36 holes of golf on two courses, the Pete Dye designed PGA-tested Mystic Rock and a traditional Links Course. There is also shooting academy, fly fishing, an off road driving academy. Cultural experiences include wine tasting, cooking classes and a multimillion dollar art collection. There is also ample shopping on site and nearby Uniontown.

Location: 10001 Lafayette Drive., Farmington (Route 40 East); nemacolinwoodlandsresort.com; 724-329-8555.

For parents who don't mind a near four-hour drive to Hershey with the ensuing "Are we there yet?" shouts from the back seat, there are a number of venues in this town, known for its chocolate factories and located near the state capital of Harrisburg. All the attractions are within a two-mile radius.

The Hershey Story: Museum on Chocolate Avenue

The $23.5 million museum, which celebrates the life and legacy of chocolate magnate, industrialist, and philanthropist Milton S. Hershey, opened on Jan. 9. In recognition of Mr. Hershey's inspirational rise from failure-fraught beginnings to success, a free exhibit of 44 works that tell the artists' stories of inspiration will run through Nov. 8.

Open daily. Summer hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 7.

Adult admission is $10 for museum and $10 for chocolate lab class; $17.50 for both. Seniors ages 62 and above pay $9, and $16.50 for both.

Children ages 3 to 12 pay $7.50, and $14.00 for both.

Ages 3 and younger are free.

Location: 111 West Chocolate Ave., Hershey; 717-534-3439; www.hersheystory.org.

The theme park features over 60 rides and attractions, including 11 coasters, 6 water rides in the water park, and over 20 kiddie rides; live entertainment; shows; zoo; and more.

Open daily from May 20 to Labor Day, with weekend openings through September.

Gates open at 10 a.m., with rides operating by 10:30 a.m. Closing times vary, but generally 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.

One-day admission is $51.95 for ages 9-54; $30.95 for ages 3-8 and 55-69; $20.95 for ages 70 and above; free younger than age 3.

There are also discounted admissions for late arrivals, groups, 2-3 day visits, and more.

Location: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey; 1-800-HERSHEY; www.hersheypark.com.

The 23-acre botanical garden has themed gardens for children, seasonal displays, rare trees, a butterfly house, and more.

A new arboretum walkway leads to a meadow with four statues of Greek goddesses representing the four seasons.

Open year-round. Summer hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 8 except for June 20 (open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be a $35 wine-tasting event while strolling gardens)

Admission is $10 for ages 13-61; $6 for ages 3-12; $9 for ages 62 and older; free for those younger than age 3.

Location: 170 Hotel Road, Hershey; 717-534-3492; www.hersheygardens.org.

And, for Pittsburghers who cannot get enough of our local attractions:

In addition to its iconic coasters, the Jack Rabbit and Log Jammer, the historic park boasts a rebuilt and faster Bayern Kurve in which speeding cars circling a track simulate a bobsled ride by leaning slightly inward around curves for even greater thrills.

Open daily through Aug. 25, and four successive weekends and Labor Day. The gates open at 10:30 a.m., and close about 10 p.m. depending on the weather and crowd size.

Standard admission of $33.99 for all-day riding; $20.99 for those 46 inches tall and shorter; $16.99 for seniors ages 55 and older; $18.99 for after 5 p.m. entry; $9.99 for seniors after 5 p.m.; free for ages 2 and younger. Reduced group rates, and special price days.

Location: 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin; 412-461-0500; www.kennywood.com.

Next to the Waterfront and a few miles from Kennywood (same ownership), the water park contains a wave pool, 14 waterslides, pools and giant hot tub, and children's area.

Open daily June 13 through Aug. 23; limited operation Aug. 15 - Aug. 23.

Standard admission of $27.99 for all-day fun from 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. depending on weather and crowd size; $20.99 for seniors and kids 46 inches tall and shorter; ages 3 and younger are free. Season passes, reduced admission after 3 p.m., nd group rates available.

A Kennywood/Sandcastle combo for $33.00 allows admittance to both parks on the same day.

Location: 1000 Sandcastle Dr., West Homestead; 412-462-6666; www.sandcastlewaterpark.com.

This familiar year-round resort and convention center offers, in addition to a variety of restaurants and pubs, swimming pools, an alpine slide ride, golf, mountain biking and horseback riding. Location: Water Wheel Drive, Champion; www.7springs.com; 814-352-7782.

There are lots of state parks to visit. Some, such as Keystone State Park in Derry Township off Route 22 East, have sandy beaches and lakes for swimming. One of the most popular is Ohiopyle State Park, in the town of the name in Fayette County. The park has some 19,000 acres of natural beauty serving as the gateway to the Laurel Mountains. The focal point is the more than 14 miles of the Youghiogheny River Gorge. The site provides excellent whitewater boating and scenery.

To find the park closest to you and check out its amenities visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks.

The pioneer homestead is a site of the Whiskey Rebellion.

Guides in 18th-century dress conduct tours and demonstrate pioneer crafts at the site, settled in 1772.

Upcoming events include a frontier wedding celebration on June 28 and Whiskey Rebellion Day on July 19.

Open Sundays, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., from May 3 until Dec. 13. The suggested donation is $1.

Location: Stone Manse Dr., South Park; 412-835-1554; www.olivermiller.org.

-- Compiled by Margaret Smykla