Fresh fish. Unique combinations of flavor and texture. Artful presentations. These are all highlights of a good sushi restaurant. Believe it or not, Pittsburgh has numerous restaurants that fit the bill.

It's a long drive to the Atlantic Ocean from Pittsburgh, but our state does have a beautiful "seashore" just over two hours away. Presque Isle State Park, a 3,200-acre sandy peninsula which juts way out into Lake Erie, offers swimming, boating, fishing and seven miles of guarded, sandy beaches. For those looking for a different sort of adventure, Presque Isle also offers 21 miles of recreational and hiking trails, 10 of which are paved. Scuba diving is even permitted in the park - just stop by the Park Office to register and learn the regulations.

Swimming & Sunbathing: For families with young children, Beaches 1, 6, 7 and 11 are perhaps the best, with fairly shallow swimming areas, picnic tables, grills, and changing facilities. Beach 7 is also handicapped accessible with a boardwalk down to the water's edge. If you're looking for a bit more surf, or a wider beach with room for volleyball or kite flying, then try Beach 9 or Budney Beach. Beaches 6, 8, 10 and 11 feature concession stands.

Boating: Four launch areas are available at Presque Isle State Park for both non-powered and registered powered boats. If you don't have a boat of your own, a number of powered and non-powered craft, including kayaks, canoes, small moterboats and pontoon boats, are available from a rental concession area on the park's southeast shore, just past Perry Monument. Or you can take a scenic boat tour from one of several providers that operate on the peninsula.

See & Do Nearby: Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park | Lake Erie Wine Trail | More Lake Erie Beaches (in Ohio)

Pittsburgh's Official 4th of July Celebration has moved back to Point State Park (plus the North Shore!) with the Pittsburgh Regatta and is souped up even more than usual this year with an all-new Equitable Resources Foundation "Flashes of Freedom Fireworks Fantasia" engineered by Pittsburgh's own Pyrotecnico, the 2008 winner of the International Fireworks Competition in Montreal, Canada.

So where are the best places to view the fireworks this year? Read more...

From fusion to French, downtown Pittsburgh boasts a wide array of culinary attractions to please even the most discriminating of palates. Check out these favorite downtown Pittsburgh restaurants for something new!