I keep hearing that Memorial Day is the beginning of the summer "driving season."

But does anyone still really pack up the kids for a weekend trip to places like Penn's Cave? (Only 18 miles east of State College! Kids younger than 1 get in free!)

Consider the triple whammy of construction, rising temperatures and rising gas prices. Is seeing stalactites really worth getting stuck in alternating single lanes on 376, 22 and 99? While your car turns into a greenhouse? While you're getting 8 miles to the gallon?

I think not.

My summer plans involve lounging in the shade, lots of limeade and not crossing the city limits unless I have to.

The good news is that restricting yourself geographically won't restrict your entertainment options whatsoever. The following activities require no car and, for the most part, little money.

• Build a bike. The most obvious way to cut down on gas spending is by not driving. If you don't already have a bike, stop by Free Ride (in North Point Breeze's Construction Junction; www.freeridepgh.org) and get some wheels. You can get a recycled bike for cheap by volunteering at the shop. Slap on a helmet, and you'll be cruising in no time.

• Get artsy. The Three Rivers Arts Festival is going to pack Downtown with installations, performers and artists for more than two weeks. The national acts are more lackluster than in recent years.

• Get out. Venture Outdoors offers activities for everyone from the mountain men to the nature-shy. For $20, you can get in some kayaking Downtown before going to work on Wednesdays.

• Visit the library. By this I mean the place where you get stuff to read. Four words: Air conditioning, free Internet.

• Visit The Library. By this I mean the restaurant on the South Side (2304 E. Carson St.; that has killer crepes, a patio and menus pasted into books.

• Take a graffiti tour. Walk the streets of Lawrenceville and Bloomfield to see the latest, greatest taggers before they get MFONE'd.

• Take a walk. The simplest (and cheapest) of pleasures. We miss so much of the city by zooming through it in cars. Top off a hike from Squirrel Hill to Oakland with ice cream, or cap a trek from Downtown to the South Side with a movie.

• Get on the bus. Thirty Port Authority routes are going to be deep-sixed as of June 17. Ride them all before they're gone! (I hear the 50B Glassport-Clairton is a real trip.)

Grace Dobush can be reached at 412-380-5688 or gdobush@tribweb.com. Her columns run every Thursday in the Trib p.m. edition.