See This, Skip That: Pittsburgh

— -- When I took my family on a cross-country drive a few years ago, Pittsburgh became (somewhat unexpectedly) one of our favorite stops. This is an exciting city, with a vibrant downtown, defined by colorful neighborhoods, historic landmarks and solid city pride. Traveler attractions abound, including these unique things-to-do in the 'Burgh.

Skip Your Hotel, Log On DowntownIs your hotel actually trying to charge you to access the web? Head anywhere downtown, where you can access two hours of Wi-Fi for free. Plenty of time to catch up on emails before you head out to explore the city. Speaking of free, there’s no charge to park downtown on Sundays or to ride the “T” subway around downtown’s Golden Triangle.

Skip the Guided Tour, Walk at Your Own PaceFor those of us who like to explore at our own pace, Robert Morris University provides downloadable walking tours of downtown Pittsburgh. Filled with classic stops and insider tips, the one-hour tours are recorded by the school’s own students and are available in more than 10 languages, like Chinese, Italian, Arabic, Turkish and Russian. The free mp3 downloads are available through the university’s website.

Skip Walking, PeddleStarting in the spring of 2015, Pittsburgh is revolutionizing the way people get around with an affordable bike-share program. Looks for hundreds of GPS-equipped hybrid bikes parked at docking stations throughout town. Single rides start at $2. Pittsburgh Bike Share is a nonprofit group.

Skip the Photo Booth, Ride the InclineLooking for the ultimate Instagram-worthy spot? The Duquesne Incline Observation Deck, located at an elevation of 400 feet, offers a sweeping vantage point to take in Pittsburgh’s downtown and the three rivers that converge here. Ride up on the incline car -- it dates back to 1877 -- and check out the original hoisting equipment and wooden gear teeth when you arrive. For another photo-friendly perspective, approach the city through the Fort Pitt Tunnel; the skyline pops as soon as you exit.

Skip Market Square, Visit the StripOkay, it’s almost impossible to skip vibrant Market Square; this epicenter is where the city converges to have lunch and mingle. But then make your way to the Strip District, which borders downtown. This is a grittier but authentic and down-to-earth half-mile shopping district that’s teeming with sidewalk vendors, wholesale food purveyors and produce markets. Caroline Irvin, a Pittsburgh native, tells me a few favorites here keep her coming back: “DeLucas is a popular Saturday morning restaurant and, at Enrico Biscotti Company, the products are all-natural and made by hand onsite.” She also recommends Primantis Bros., which “originated from a cart selling sandwiches in the Strip District in the 1930s and has expanded to a family-owned storefront.” Indeed, the culinary scene here is a must for foodies.

Skip the Pub, Go to ChurchLocated in the hipster Lawrenceville neighborhood, Church Brew Works gets high marks just for its sense of place. Set inside a former Catholic church built in the early 1900s, this brewery and restaurant has stayed true to the original structure, with seating available at pews and beer-making taking place at the altar. The proprietary tap options include the Pipe Organ Pale Ale and the Pious Monk Dunkel.

Skip the Beer, Sip on WhiskeyNeed something heartier? Pittsburgh’s connection to whiskey is legendary: the Whiskey Rebellion, which saw farmers fighting against a whiskey tax, took place here in 1794, and the whiskey-and-beer sipper known as the Boilermaker was invented here. Today, visitors can visit and sip at a handful of distilleries, like Wigle Whiskey, with two locations and a bevy of whiskeys made from local organic grains.

After the Game, Tour the StadiumAny Pittsburgh native will tell you that the best way to experience Pittsburgh is to catch a game. But the stadiums – the Pirates play at PNC Park while Heinz Field hosts the Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers – also offer affordable and family-friendly tours. Tours at both parks take walk-ups, last about 90 minutes and often take place even on game day.

Skip the Market, Pick Your OwnFarms abound in the Pittsburgh region and many are an easy 30- to 45-minute drive from downtown. The ground is fertile and the air is fresh out here, where farmers allow visitors to pick their own fruits and veggies. You can go apple picking at Half Crown Hill Orchard in McDonald and organic berry picking at Cherry Valley Organics in Burgettstown. At Triple B Farms, straight south of Pittsburgh in Monongahela, you can harvest strawberries and pumpkins before sending your kids off to the playground and petting zoo. Hours and access to all farms vary with the season, so call ahead.

After the Zoo, Go For the BirdsThe Pittsburgh Zoo is always worth a visit: more than 4000 animals live here, and there’s an aquarium next door. But bird lovers should not miss the National Aviary, located in Pittsburgh’s historic North Side. A series of walk-through exhibits brings visitors up close and personal with more than 500 birds representing more than 150 species -– some are free-flying and many can be hand-fed. At Penguin Point, an acrylic-fronted pool lets you catch the African penguins’ many antics.

Skip the Hotel Gym, Head to the ParkA handful of sprawling parks around Pittsburgh draw tons of outdoor enthusiasts and, for joggers and bicyclists, offer awesome outdoor workout spaces. Emerald View Park is the city’s newest – a grassroots community effort that’s created more than 250 acres of restored forest habitat, meandering trails and beautiful views. The park embraces the neighborhoods of Allentown, Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights.

Skip the Museum, Learn ScienceActually, some of the museums here are a must, like the Andy Warhol Museum, the Heinz History Center and the hands-on Children’s Museum. But don’t miss the Carnegie Science Center, one-stop shopping for eye-opening experiences. The planetarium puts on 3-D laser shows. The Miniature Railroad & Village features hundreds of detailed animated scenes. A visit aboard the USS Requin Submarine is totally immersive. And, for kids of all ages, science workshops and popular Science Sleepovers are offered throughout the year.

Gabe Saglie is Senior Editor for Travelzoo, which features Pittsburgh deals here.